The daughter of a farmer, Margaret Moore Smail arrived in New South Wales from Enniskillen in County Fermanagh, Ireland, in 1844. She and her husband Alexander had seven children.

At the time of her death she owned a store and bakehouse and two allotments on the north side of Argyle Street, and a parcel of land on the south side of Argyle Street, Millers Point, as well as 10 acres (4 hectares) at Clarence Town, near Maitland.

Seven-year-old John, dressed in a frock, stands to the left, and five-year-old Isabella on the right.