William Frederick Poulston (1814–1862)
William Poulston was sentenced to seven years transportation for stealing a ham from a shop. He arrived in Sydney in 1832 aboard the Portland. The ship's indent gave his occupation as baker's boy, and his height as 5 feet 6½ inches (167.7 cms).
He was assigned to Uria Moses as a baker's boy. Over the next few years Poulston was in and out of gaol for drunkenness, abusive language, being absent from work and larceny. He spent some time in gaol.
In 1843 he married Kezia Gaudry. In that same year he was convicted of horse stealing and was sentenced to ten years transportation to Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania). In January 1845, due to his recalcitrant behaviour, he was sent to Port Arthur and then to Norfolk Island. In 1855 he was tried for robbery and assault and was sentenced to a further 15 years transportation.
He died in Hobart General Hospital on 25 July 1862.
Additional Resources and Scholarship
- is sentenced to ten years transportation for horse stealing, Sydney Record (NSW), 14 October 1843, p 13
- is charged with stealng, Colonial Times (Hobart), 22 May 1855, p 3
- is sentenced to 15 years transportation, Tasmanian Colonist, 11 June 1855, p 2
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Poulston, Edna (wife)
- Beasley, Charles (father-in-law)
- Beasley, Charles Henry (brother-in-law)
Citation details
'Poulston, William Frederick (1814–1862)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/poulston-william-frederick-26173/text34142, accessed 3 December 2024.
Life Summary [details]
Birth
1814
Penzance,
Cornwall,
England
Death
25 July,
1862
(aged ~ 48)
Hobart,
Tasmania,
Australia
Cause of Death
Cultural Heritage
Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.