Mr and Mrs Robert McNeill (nee Elizabeth Heeney)

This portrait of Robert McNeill and Elizabeth Heeney was given to the Otago Settlers Museum by the couple’s daughter, Flora Perriman. Robert McNeil was born in Alva, Scotland in 1853. He emigrated to Otago on board the Strathfieldsaye with his parents Helen and John McNeill in January 1858. Scandal arose during the ship’s journey to New Zealand. Firstly, the captain was found guilty of having an affair with a female passenger. The captain was also found guilty of firing a revolver at one of the passengers on board. Furthermore, one diarist complained that the crew withheld rations from passengers, describing the crew as ‘sea imposters’. Upon the ship’s arrival in Dunedin in April 1858, the crew deserted and were ‘sentenced to three months hard labour’.

Little is known about how or when Elizabeth travelled to Otago, except that she must have emigrated before 1868, when she married Robert in Dunedin. Robert had established himself as a music teacher in Dunedin and the couple came to live in York Place, leading quiet lives removed from public affairs. They had three children together, Flora, Leonard and Hector. Both sons served in WWI. Hector died aged 24 from wounds received on the Western Front during the 100 Days Offensive on 3 September 1918. Leonard managed to survive the duration of the war, although he became dangerously ill in France. After being discharged from service and returning to New Zealand, he died aged 24 in 1921. Robert passed away soon afterwards aged 71 in 1924. Elizabeth died a little later in 1936.