An address to Mr. John McNeill

SIR;

We, the Trustees of the East Point District School, cannot allow you to depart without expressing our approbation of your conduct while you continued with us, and our satisfaction with the progress made by our children while under your care; and nothing but a true desire to promote your interest, would cause us to release you.

Wishing you health and happiness where you go, we remain,

Dear Sir, your obdt. Servants, Angus Fisher Donald McDonald Ronald McDonald Angus Beaton Neil McDonald

REPLY

To Angus Fisher, Esq., Angus Beaton, Esq., Messrs. Donald McDonald, Neil McDonald, and Ronald McDonald

GENTLEMEN;

I thank you most sincerely for this Address, in which I know you have expressed your kind feelings without flattery. In return, I assure you that nothing but a natural desire to live with my family could induce me to leave a district in which I met with much kindness and intelligence - one which I recommend to any teacher who is able and willing to do his duty. In it he will meet with obedient pupils, both able and willing to learn, whose abilities to acquire knowledge will compare favourably with any that I know on the Island, and with kind people who will assist, and not annoy him, in the discharge of his duties.

That you, gentlemen, may obtain the services of a teacher in every respect my superior, is the earnest desire of your much obliged and ever well-wisher,

JOHN MCNEILL

New Perth, June 10, 1861

The October 10, 1872 Patriot newspaper reported the death of Mr. McNeill.

DEATH: MACNEILL - At Portage, East Point, on Friday, 27th ult. after a short and painful illness, Mr. John McNeill, Teacher, in the 64th year of his age. The deceased was a quiet, civil, and obliging man. He leaves a widow, a large family of children, and numerous friends and relations to mourn the loss of a kind husband and affectionate father, and of a good useful member of society, who will long be remembered by those who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. He was a School Teacher of first class, and taught school for the long period of forty-eight years; and for a number of years was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church at Bay Fortune. His end was peace.

Copyright
Waldron H. Leard