(Material researched & presented by Barbara Armstrong)

[ca 1819 - 1910]

Benjamin Poulton was born in Britain, son of Robert Poulton and Ann Jackson. Benjamin was one of eight children - 4 boys and 4 girls. Described as a "gentleman", father Robert died in 1852, leaving cottages and tenant lands in Bedfordshire (Eversholt and Lidlington) and money to his children. Benjamin was one of the three brothers who were executors.

According to passenger lists, Benjamin arrived at the port of Geelong on 29th June, 1849, aboard the Serpent. By September of the same year he had opened a "Chemical and Drug Establishment", with a house and shop in Moorabool Street, Market Square. According to his advertisements at the time, he had spent considerable time in studying chemistry and pharmacy at the Pharmaceutical Society's laboratory in London and had spent several years with medical practitioners.

During his time in Geelong, there appears to be no documented evidence that he was involved with the production and sale of homœpathic medicines. (It appears that specific mention of his involvement with homœopathy did not commence until the establishment of his pharmacy in Melbourne in 1866.)

In April 1851 Poulton sought tenders for the construction of fittings for a new shop in Market Square. According to a map of Geelong dated 1855, his shop was located at 44 Moorabool Street.

In addition to his pharmacy business, Poulton arranged for the importation and distribution of British and English periodicals for the benefit of Geelong residents, and was the contact point for the sale of various other goods and services such as local seeds, and the veterinary services of R.T. Wallis.

For a period in 1851 he provided consultation rooms for Dr Mingay Syder, a medical practitioner who was a strong advocate for the temperance movement.

Poulton belonged to the Geelong Auxiliary Bible Society, a Branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and was appointed to the committee in 1854. In 1855 he was appointed as one of the trustees for the burial ground at East Geelong, being responsible for the land reserved for Independents.

Poulton's private residence was on Fenwick Street, near the corner of Ryrie and Fenwick Streets. The home was described in one advertisement as being a "splendid mansion".

In November 1855 Benjamin's brother, George, died as a result of being shot in the head during a shooting expedition to the You-Yangs near Geelong. The resulting inquest judged that it the result of an accident where the gun was being incorrectly handled and loaded. George was 37 years of age.

Benjamin and his wife, Caroline Calthrope Sheppard, had four children: Robert Joseph (1850 - 1928), Benjamin (1851 - 1921, George Jackson (1853 - 1942) and Samuel John (1854 - 1826).

By 1866 Benjamin and his family had moved to Melbourne, where he established a homœopathic pharmacy.

Son Benjamin obtained his medical qualifications at Melbourne University and subsequently practised in Adelaide.

In 1875 Samuel joined a partnership in his father's homœopathic pharmacy business in Collins Street, Melbourne, but this partnership was officially dissolved in 1877.

George also joined the partnership in 1875.

Robert established his own homœopathic pharmacy business.

Caroline died on 2 September, 1899 at their home "Taragee", Loxton Street, East Kew. She was aged 85.

Benjamin died on 3 November, 1910 at "Allenville", Middle Park. He was aged 92.

(For more details see the document on Homœopathic Pharmacies, Dispensaries & Manufacturers)

© Barbara Armstrong