William Simpson McNeill

MCNEILL, WILLIAM SIMPSON, farmer, fisherman, highways commissioner, debt commissioner, and justice of the peace; b. 17 March 1814 in Cavendish, son of William McNeill and Eliza Bliss Townsend; m. 23 January 1839 Ann Maria Jones, and they had nine children, Jennie, Euphemia, Collin, Ellen L. Mannie, Mary, Emma, Annie, and Oliver; Presbyterian; d. 2 April 1902 in North Rustico. McNeill, a Liberal, was first elected to the House of Assembly in 1866 for 2nd Queens. He was re-elected in the general elections of 1867, 1870, 1872, and 1873. He was defeated in the general election of 1876. Prior to Confederation, his father served in the House of Assembly for 25 years. McNeill attended Central Academy in Charlottetown. He was a farmer and fisher, and he resided at Birkentree Farm in North Rustico. He served as Commissioner of Highways for District No. 5, as Commissioner for Recovery of Small Debts, and as Justice of the Peace. He was vice-president of the New London Agricultural Society and a captain in the militia with the New Glasgow Rifles. William McNeill died 2 April 1902. Ann McNeill, the daughter of James Jones of North Rustico. She was born in London, England, in 1816 and died 30 November 1912.