1820-1907
Father
Stephen Doust (Goudhurst, Kent, UK)
Mother
Eleanor Sands (Goudhurst, Kent, UK)
Siblings
Louisa, Stephen, Ellen, William, Edwin, David, Sarah Ann
Married
Children
Joseph, Stephen, Sabina, Ellen, David, Miriam, William, Frank, Caleb Joseph, Elizabeth, Frederick John, Herbert, Edwin
Joseph’s Life
Joseph arrived in Australia from Kent on the Berkshire in 1841 as an assisted passenger, he stated is calling as a farmer and was accompanied by a cousin, Ebenezer, a gardener. Joseph was a keen and skilled cricketer and also founded the Sunday School at Camden and Cawdor. He was one of the first elected alderman for the Camden Municipal District. He was an important pioneer of the Camden District.
From Camden News 1897 – Joseph Doust (ex-alderman) in an admirable speech, after thanking the Mayor for his hospitality, referred to what Camden was in the days when he first knew it; he remembered when there was scarce a house in Camden, the district was then infested with bush-rangers. In 1842, a peculiar circumstance occurred to him, he had occasion to leave Camden for Berrima for work. In those days those who left the Camden district were compelled to carry certificates with them stating their identity, he duly arrived at Berrima at eleven in the morning and whilst walking through the township looking about. He was observed by a constable who demanded to know where he came from and where he was going, and where was his certificate? He replied by saying that he had left his certificate in Camden, this not satisfying the police, who informed him he must go to Camden and at once took him to the lock-up. He was in company with Mr C T Whiteman’s father at Berrima, who fortunately had his certificate with him. He (Mr. Doust) was then taken before the magistrate, he explained all about his certificate, but, the magistrate replied I can’t let you go, and remanded him to Camden, he was in gaol for six days and then brought down to Camden in a chain gang, 10 of them, and they walked all the way to Camden. It took them 8 days on the journey, and they, arrived on a Saturday morning. The inn or public house in Camden was not then finished so he was taken on to Narellan, but shortly afterwards, being able to prove himself, he was set at liberty.
On the 1st January 1851 he took up the lease of Bernham Grove (85 acres) from J and W MacArthur of Camden Park for a term of 16 years.
Joseph was a forward-looking man, and on 10 January 1851 he agreed to purchase from Samuel Walker the right, title and interest of the lease of Oldham Hill, being part of Camden Park Estate from J and W MacArthur Esq’s according to the lease bearing the date 1 October 1845 and to pay £100 sterling on handing over possession on 13 January 1851.
Joseph established fine crops, a vineyard and an orchard. From the products of this farm many first prizes were awarded at the local shows. He also bred stock, cattle and sheep, and his breed of working horses were assiduously sought for their sturdiness and strength.
For many years in conjunction with farming he carried on road contracting. To his credit he carried out all his contracts most faithfully, often doing more work than specified in order that the roads might be finished off better than contemplated by the road engineers.
Joseph assisted with the building of St. John’s Church with most of the timberwork being done in Argyle-street. A good deal of the building of the church was done by convict labour.
His workmen admired him, his neighbours prided themselves on his friendship, and his friends everywhere loved him for his many virtues.
Authored by Leah Burnheim