Luke Knight Vail 1800

Luke Knight Vail was born in 1800 and baptised at St Nicholas, Rochester in Kent. He became a tailor, a trade which continued in the family. He married Miriam Knight Neal in London in 1824 and they had eight children that we know of, two daughters dying in infancy. It is interesting that they each had the same second name, suggesting that they may have been related. Luke's mother was the daughter of James Knight, a blacksmith in Hartlip, Kent. Miriam's grandfather was James Knight, a blacksmith in Tonbridge, Kent.
They emigrated to Melbourne in late 1854 on Goldfinder with their four younger sons, the eldest son Edward having arrived there with his wife and child in 1852. Their daughter Ellen had married in London in 1852.
Luke died of tuberculosis three days after arriving in Melbourne. He may have taken the voyage to relieve his illness although his death certificate says he was only ill for 6 weeks.