Robert Smith's obituary explains the man; "Oamaru Mail" 17 May 1916:
"The late Mr Robert Smith, of Greta Street, whose death was announced yesterday, was a resident of the Dominion for 36 years. He was born in Biggar, Lanarkshire, and emigrated at an early age. He married at the age of 21 years the daughter of the late Jas Henderson, of Coquet Street. He was employed on the breakwater and later on the railway, first in the goods shed and, afterwards as a night watchman. He was a keenly interested in politics on the Liberal side, an ardent supporter of Sir John McKenzie and Sir Richard Seddon.
He leaves a family of four sons and four daughters, with the widow, to mourn their loss. Mr & Mrs Smith celebrated their golden wedding four years ago."
Children of Robert & Margaret Smith:
Amelia 1863-1946 (m Robert Somerville)
Marion 1865-1939 (m George Youngson, m2 Jim Craig)
James (Jim) 1869-1947 (m Elizabeth Somerville)
David 1871-1927 (m Annie Joyce Collict)
Margaret (matron of Seacliff Psychiatric Hospital, Dunedin, m an Auckland sollicitor)
Robert
John 1873-1944(m1 Laura Jane Collict, m2 Eliza Jane Strong)
Four Generations
Matriach, Margaret Smith (nee Henderson) 1838-1923 (L), with her daughters , Amelia Somerville (nee Smith) and Williamina Marshall (nee Smith), great-grandson Walter Excell, and grand-daughter Margaret Excell (nee Youngson).
Marion Youngson (nee Smith) 1865-1939
Marion is pictured here with her first husband George Youngson. Following his death in 1900, she married James Craig, of Balclutha.
Smith Wedding ?
Williamina Smith (right) is bridesmaid. Is the other bridesmaid Margaret Smith, matron of Seacliff Hospital ? Who is the bride ? Is she one of the Collict sisters who married a brother of the Smith sisters ?
Robert & Amelia Somerville on the occasion of the Golden Wedding, and their house at Livingston, Nth Otago, where Robert was in business as a coachbuilder.
