Career
His first sojourn in Australia was in Maitland, New South Wales and his last near Maitland, South Australia. Cottrell first emigrated to New South Wales, arriving in Sydney on the ship Orient in February 1839. He ran a coachbuilding business in Maitland, New South Wales from 1843 to 1845.
In 1848 he opened a coachbuilding business in Rundle Street, which prospered, enabling him to move several times, finally to Grenfell Street.
He was member for East Adelaide in the South Australian House of Assembly April 1868 – February 1875, and was an advocate of protection. In 1875 he stood again for East Adelaide, but was defeated by William Kay.
He purchased a farm "Brook Cottage", Woodforde, near Magill around 1865, where they lived, and later moved to a much larger property at Urania, some 9 miles (14 km) from Maitland, South Australia. He had been an invalid for some time, and died of bronchitis.
Robert Cottrell married Abina Ledsam (c1813 – 30 May 1890) around 1838.
George Thomas Cottrell (c 1839 – 14 December 1917) was student at Adelaide Educational Institution, married Sarah Pearce (c 1842 – 28 September 1930) on 21 August 1869
Thomas Ledsam Cottrell (since 1841), also Associated Electrical Industries student, married Martha Rebecca Galway on 1 January 1861. Daughter Abina Ledsam Cottrell (1863-1928) married David Halliday Irving
Robert Cottrell ( – ) married Jane Lowe on 25 December 1865
Frederick William Cottrell ( – ) lived at Maitland. Had falling out with brother Robert.
He was subsequently admitted to the Lunatic Asylum declared bankrupt, and the sole executor of his mother"s Will.
Both G. T. Cottrell and T. L. Cottrell were born in Maitland, New South Wales.