Francis Tuckfield (1808-1865)

Vital Statistics

 * Sex : Male
 * Born: 10 at Germoe, Cornwall, England
 * Died: 21 at Portland, Victoria, Australia at age 57
 * Interment: in the Methodist section of the Portland cemetery

Spouse(s)

 * 1) Sarah Gilbart (1808-1854) married 13 at St Erth, Cornwall, England
 * 2) Mary Stevens (1823-1886)

Offspring
Of his eleven children, three sons became ministers and four daughters married ministers.

Early Life and Education
As a young man Francis was a miner and seasonal fisherman. He was converted to the Wesleyan Methodist faith when he was 18 and became an active local preacher. He was accepted as a candidate for the ministry in 1835 at the age of about 27 and trained for two years at the Theological Institution, Hoxton.

Career
He was selected to be a missionary to the Aboriginals, the indigenous Australian people, in the Port Phillip District, what is now Victoria, Australia. He arrived in Australia in 1838.

Contributors
Golden Wattle