 One intriguing and revealing insight however is illuminated from the autobiography of the great author Thomas Hardy (1840–1928).Norton's London practice was in Old Bond Street, and in April 1862, despite being fully staffed he agreed that the young Hardy, who at the time sought apprenticeship in architecture,'...should come daily to the office and make drawings'.The biography, (penned in fact by Hardy's second wife Florence), records that, 'he proved himself to be one of the best helps Hardy ever had' 

Other projects he was associated with include Berkeley Square, Bristol, for which in 1851 he made the replica of the Bristol High Cross which stands in the square; the Manor House in Chew Magna; St Audries Park; the college of St Matthias, Bristol; and Christ Church, Clifton Down, Bristol.