[1] He failed to win the Bruce electorate at the 1883 by-election, and won the seat at the general 1884 election by a majority of 217.

[5] He was one of the eight children (5 sons and 3 daughters) of Isabella (née Lillie) and John Gillies (born Rothesay on 22 April 1802).

[9] Charles Henry Street[7] (1824[10]-1887[11] Emily was a niece of Edward Lear, the nonsense writer and landscape painter.

In 1905, the wedding of Emily Sophia Gillies (their eldest daughter) and Robert Williams Michell was held at her new Parnell house, Kohanga.

In November 1911, Emily Gillies sold Kohanga, following the death of her mother, Mrs Street, earlier that year.

In 1884 they amalgamated with Connell & Moodie, to form the Perpetual Trustees and Agency Company, which Robert chaired.