Joseph Potaski
Encyclopedia
Joseph Potaski was the first Jewish Pole
to arrive in Australia
, and one of the first convicts to arrive in Van Diemen's Land on the Ocean
. Joseph Potaski worked hard to establish himself as a successful farmer in colonial Hobart
. This was however undone by the exploits of his family. Joseph Potaski reflects the attitudes of those convicts who never progressed beyond their criminal past. Potaski is seen as representing the auspicious beginning of the Polish community in Australia.
His daughter, Catherine, was the first European born and baptised in the new colony of Van Diemens Land.
. Not much is known of Potaski's early life. It has been suggested that Potaski was born into the aristocratic family of Potocki
. It is also known that Potaski was a member of Kosciuszko's army. During this time Potaski would have been involved in the Warsaw siege and the Praga massacre. After the war Joseph Potaski arrived in London, probably as a refugee
or asylum seeker.
. Potaski was transported on the ship HMS Calcutta
. His wife, Catherine and infant son, Joseph, also accompanied Potaski, as free settlers. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel David Collins
, the "Calcutta" left Portsmouth
, and arrived at Port Phillip Bay on 9 October 1803. Collins was charged with establishing a new settlement, at present day Sorrento
. However, Collins found the area to be unsuitable for settlement, and departed on 20 January 1804, for Hobart
. This time the Potaski's travelled on the ship, "Ocean" it berthed at Risdon Cove
on 17 February 1804. It was at this time that Catherine Potaski gave birth to a daughter, Catherine Jnr. thus making Catherine the first European to be born and baptised in Tasmania. Potaski's wife, Catherine was granted land at Clarence Plains, and Potaski himself was freed in 1810. By 1816 the Potaski family was supplying the colony with more corn then was needed for a whole year. The Potaski's also supplied the whole commissariat with wheat.
, Victoria. Catherine died in Geelong, Victoria on 30 January 1877.
. Potaski's wife, Catherine died in 1859 at Geelong, Victoria
. Joseph Potaski is immortalised on a plaque in Hobart's St. David's memorial Park. On 9 October 2003, a concert was held in Hobart, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Joseph Potaski arriving in Australia. Television presenter Yumi Stynes
, and politician Denis Napthine
are amongst the Potaski descendants.
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
to arrive in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, and one of the first convicts to arrive in Van Diemen's Land on the Ocean
Ocean (convict transport ship)
Ocean was an English transport ship and whaler. In 1803 she accompanied HMS Calcutta to Port Phillip , the vessels supporting the establishment of a settlement under the leadership of Lt Col David Collins. Calcutta transported convicts, with Ocean serving to transport supplies...
. Joseph Potaski worked hard to establish himself as a successful farmer in colonial Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
. This was however undone by the exploits of his family. Joseph Potaski reflects the attitudes of those convicts who never progressed beyond their criminal past. Potaski is seen as representing the auspicious beginning of the Polish community in Australia.
His daughter, Catherine, was the first European born and baptised in the new colony of Van Diemens Land.
Early life
It is estimated that Potaski was born in 1764, in PolandPoland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. Not much is known of Potaski's early life. It has been suggested that Potaski was born into the aristocratic family of Potocki
Potocki
Potocki is the surname of a Polish noble family.-History:The Potocki family is a great artistocratic family originated from Potok in the Kraków Voivodeship; their family name derives from that place name. The family is heavily entwined with the cultural development and history of Poland's Eastern...
. It is also known that Potaski was a member of Kosciuszko's army. During this time Potaski would have been involved in the Warsaw siege and the Praga massacre. After the war Joseph Potaski arrived in London, probably as a refugee
Refugee
A refugee is a person who outside her country of origin or habitual residence because she has suffered persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because she is a member of a persecuted 'social group'. Such a person may be referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until...
or asylum seeker.
Potaski's transportation
On 27 March 1802, Potaski was arraigned before the Sussex Spring Assizes at Horsham, Sussex. Potaski, along with a John O'Brien, faced charges of stealing a woman's hair shawl from Mrs. Pollard's shop in Newhaven, Sussex. Potaski was sentenced to several years transportation to AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Potaski was transported on the ship HMS Calcutta
HMS Calcutta
Five ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Calcutta, after the Indian city of Calcutta .* The first HMS Calcutta was a 54-gun fourth rate, originally the East Indiaman Warley and purchased in 1795, captured by the French in 1805 and destroyed by British ships in 1809.* The second HMS Calcutta...
. His wife, Catherine and infant son, Joseph, also accompanied Potaski, as free settlers. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel David Collins
David Collins
-People:* David Collins , 18th-century cricketer associated with Hampshire* David Collins , played for Wellington and Cambridge University...
, the "Calcutta" left Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
, and arrived at Port Phillip Bay on 9 October 1803. Collins was charged with establishing a new settlement, at present day Sorrento
Sorrento
Sorrento is the name of many cities and towns:*Sorrento, Italy*Sorrento, Florida, United States*Sorrento, Louisiana, United States*Sorrento, Maine, United States*Sorrento, Victoria, a township on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia...
. However, Collins found the area to be unsuitable for settlement, and departed on 20 January 1804, for Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
. This time the Potaski's travelled on the ship, "Ocean" it berthed at Risdon Cove
Risdon Cove
Risdon Cove was the site of the first British settlement in Van Diemen's Land, now Tasmania, the smallest Australian state. Risdon Cove, which was named after William Bellamy Risdon, second officer of the ship Duke of Clarence. Risdon served under Lt...
on 17 February 1804. It was at this time that Catherine Potaski gave birth to a daughter, Catherine Jnr. thus making Catherine the first European to be born and baptised in Tasmania. Potaski's wife, Catherine was granted land at Clarence Plains, and Potaski himself was freed in 1810. By 1816 the Potaski family was supplying the colony with more corn then was needed for a whole year. The Potaski's also supplied the whole commissariat with wheat.
Potaski's family
Joseph Potaski's, son Joseph jnr. was convicted in March 1821 at Sydney, New South Wales, for being apart of a party that burgled Mr. Thrupp's house, during which Mrs. Thrupp was raped. Potaski jnr. was hung for the crime at Hobart on 28 April 1821. Joseph's sister, Catherine, had also been in trouble. In 1820, at the age of 16, Catherine had given birth to an illegitimate son, William. William died in 1823, at the age of three years. Catherine had also been accused of being a prostitute, and didn't enjoy the favour of Hobart's first Catholic chaplin, Father Connelly. However, Catherine was able to recover. She married on 29 June 1824, to Irishmen Edward McDonald, at St. Virgils church, Hobart, Tasmania. Catherine and Edward had a large family, and eventually migrated to LaraLara
Lara may refer to:Places:* Lara , Venezuela* Lara, Victoria, township in Australia* Electoral district of Lara, an electoral district in Victoria, Australia* Lara, Antalya, urban district in Turkey* Lara de los Infantes in Spain...
, Victoria. Catherine died in Geelong, Victoria on 30 January 1877.
Potaski's legacy
In the years before his death Potaski was once again in trouble with the law, this time for cattle rustling. He died on 31 August 1824 at Hobart. After his death the Potaski's left their land and migrated to VictoriaVictoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
. Potaski's wife, Catherine died in 1859 at Geelong, Victoria
Geelong, Victoria
Geelong is a port city located on Corio Bay and the Barwon River, in the state of Victoria, Australia, south-west of the state capital; Melbourne. It is the second most populated city in Victoria and the fifth most populated non-capital city in Australia...
. Joseph Potaski is immortalised on a plaque in Hobart's St. David's memorial Park. On 9 October 2003, a concert was held in Hobart, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Joseph Potaski arriving in Australia. Television presenter Yumi Stynes
Yumi Stynes
Yumi Tasma Stynes is a television presenter for an Australian morning show The Circle and television channel Max.-Early life:...
, and politician Denis Napthine
Denis Napthine
Denis Vincent Napthine is an Australian politician for the Liberal Party in the state of Victoria. He is a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, representing the electoral district of South-West Coast.- Early life :...
are amongst the Potaski descendants.