HON. ROBERT J. POULSON.
The subject of this sketch was born in Accomack county, Va., January
8, 1806, and was a son of James and Elizabeth (James) Poulson,
of this county. He departed this life August 31, 1862. He was
educated at Carlisle, Pa., graduating in the law department at Winchester,
Va. He was elected to the House of Delegates in 1835, afterward
serving several sessions in the state senate; clerk of circuit court
by appointment in 1848, afterward under the new Virginia constitution
elected without opposition in 1852. He was united in marriage
to Katherine P. W. Custis, July 24, 1833, a daughter of John Custis
who died Nov. 4, 1848, son of John Custis, of Accomack, who was
descended of John Custis of Arlington. Her mother was Tabitha
Gillet, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Poulson had a family of eight
sons and daughters, three of whom are now deceased. Their births
occurred in the order named: Katherine W. (deceased), married Corbin
D. Fletcher, who died in the Confederate service, serving in the
capacity of surgeon; Bettie T., Mary D., James, Sarah C., Charlotte
C., John C. (deceased), and Robert J. (deceased).
