Robert Alden Temple McNeill - ghost or berkus

Robert Alden Temple McNeill (1855-1919) is probably the most interesting person, next to Esther Cox, in the Great Amherst Mystery saga.  Born in Malagash, Robert McNeill was the son of a farmer and grandson of a shoemaker.  His grandfather Neil MacNeill was one of twelve brothers emigrating to North America from Scotland in 1800.  Most settled in Pictou County while Neil came to Malagash about 1801. As Robert’s grandson attests, “Old Neill MacNeill - I figure he was a genuine number one reprobate. He was called “Fisty”.  He had one hand and he lived to be 102 years old.”

 Neil had a son, Samuel (1823-1873), by his first wife who was Robert’s father.  Samuel married Susan Simpson (1828-1904) who bore him five sons and five daughters.  Isobella, Eliza. Arthur and Alma all died young.  William, Robert, Thomas, Samuel, Mary, Floretta, were remaining.  At the age of 14, Bob was chasing pigs and tripped on a rut, twisting his knee.  He walked with a crutch from that day forward.   Because his older brothers moved away, Robert returned to the family farm, caring for his mother.  To help look after his mother, Bob hired a young girl, Louisa Ann Ralph who later became his wife and bore him one son, Robert Nelson. 

Robert’s grandsons talk about farming in Malagash during their father’s life. At one time,  most farmers had a few milk cows whose product they sold to the Tatamagouche Creamery. They would sell a bit of beef, chicken and raise a few pigs each year.  Malagash was once full of working farms.  The cream from the dairy herd was sold and the milk fed to calves being raised for beef.  Some people even kept a few sheep.

Bob had a reputation in Malagash for being outspoken, and creating havoc with his neighbours.  He was known for having little tolerance for hypocrisy.  He was named after the well known and well loved Methodist minister Robert Alden Temple.

In “The Great Amherst Mystery” Hubbell relates that Esther tells of McNeill accosting her during an evening buggy ride and left the next day, never to be heard from. Only weeks later her troubles began.   In fact, we know that Robert returned to Malagash to assist with the family farm.  Is it possible that he took Esther for a ride to tell her of his leaving which caused her anger and distress over lost hopes?  Perhaps, like so much of her story, we will never know.

The photo below is of Robert, his wife and young son, courtesy of

Penny Lane

.