Biography

Margaret was the daughter of Duncan and Ann Robertson (née McDonald). She was christened on 8th June 1853 in Moulin Parish, Perthshire, Scotland. She came to New Zealand in 1859 on the ship Alpine, with her mother, father, an unnamed sister, a sister Susan and a brother John, who died on the ship aged 2 years 9 months.

Margaret’s father Duncan was one of the pioneer settlers in New Zealand. He started as a shepherd for Mr Low in the Shag Valley district, built the Balmoral Hotel at Manuherikia Crossing and in connection with this ran a butchery and store (from the Tuapeka Times, 1902).

Margaret married Allan Cameron in 1878. They had a number of children: Angus, born in 1878; John Duncan, born in 1881; Anne Margaret, born in 1882; Robert Ewen, born in 1886; Alexander Donald, born in 1888; Allan, born in 1891; Fanny Jessie, born in 1894; and James, born in 1897.

Margaret Cameron died aged 44 years on 28th July 1897, about a month after she gave birth to James, who had died after 2 days. The cause of Margaret’s death was rheumatic fever (six weeks) and lung congestion.