A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Paulson, John Thomas
PAULSON. (Commander, 1842. f-p., 20; h-p., 15.)
John Thomas Paulson entered the Navy, 16 March, 1812, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Barham 74, Capt. John Wm. Spranger, employed at first in the Channel, and afterwards among the Western Islands and in the West Indies. In July, 1814, he removed as Midshipman to the Cordelia 10, Capt. Wm. Sargent, attached to the force on the Home station; and he next, in April and Aug. 1816, joined the Newcastle 60, flag-ship of Sir Pulteney Malcolm, and Spey 20, Capts. John Lake and Jas. Arthur Murray, both at St. Helena, whence, in Nov. 1817, he returned to England. From Feb. 1818 to April, 1819, he again served on board the Spey, under Capts. White and Tattnall, on the Mediterranean station. In the following Aug., having passed his examination, he joined the Leander 60, Capts. Chas. Richardson and Robt. Gore, in which ship, bearing the flag in the East Indies of Hon. Sir Henry Blackwood, he continued employed, as Midshipman, Master’s Mate, Second-Master, and Acting-Lieutenant, until transferred with Capt. Gore, about Nov. 1822, in the capacity last mentioned, to the Satellite 18. In that vessel he visited New South Wales. He was confirmed a Lieutenant 29 March, 1822; and was subsequently appointed – 30 June following, to the Sophie 18, Capts. Geo. French, Robt. Graham Dunlop, and Geo. Fred. Ryves, in which vessel, prior to his return to England in July, 1824, he was afforded an opportunity of sharing, as First-Lieutenant, in the opening operations against the Burmese – 7 Feb. 1829, to the Seringapatam 46, Capt. Hon. Wm. Waldegrave, fitting for service in South America, whence he came home and was paid off at the close of 1832 – 15 Jan. 1838, to the command, which he retained for nearly four years, of the Espoir 10, on the Lisbon station – and, 8 March, 1842, to the Royal George yacht, Capt. Lord Adolphus FitzClarence. He attained his present rank in honour of the Queen’s visit to Scotland 21 Sept. 1842; and has since been on half-pay.