Another of the old identities of the Clutha passed quietly away at her residence, Woodlands,Puerua, on Friday last in the person of Mrs James Robertson.
The deceased was one of the well-known family of Aysons, who came to this district from the parish of Glenshee Scotland in the early 50s. She came with her husband to Otago in the Southern Cross arriving in February 1856.
From Dunedin they came straight to the Clutha, where for three years her husband was shepherd for the late Mr Kettle, who had had a sheep run at Kaihiku and they resided for a time on the banks of the Clutha at Totara Island.
They then removed to Puera Bush where Mr Roberson had taken up land, and where she has resided continuously ever since.
The late Mrs Robertson was born on February 2, 1810 and was therefore in her 93rd year at the time of her death. Her husband died on 2 February last aged 89 years.
As a rule she enjoyed the best of health up to three or four weeks ago, when she accidentally fractured her thigh and being somewhat feeble at the time she never recovered from the shock.
She is survived by a family of four sons and two daughters.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
Clutha Leader, Volume xxVII, Issue 1517 13 May 1902
"Looking Back-Glenshee to Otago 1853 - 56 to 1953 - 56"
Margaret endured all the hardships of other early pioneers in leaving their old home to go to a strange landcovered in bush and scrub.
On arriving at Totara Island they had to live in a two roomed hut on the outskirts of civilisation, their nearest neighbours were across the river in one direction and the other employees at the Kaihiku end in the other direction.
Margaret and her young family would be left alone for long periods as James attended to farming duties. One dark night they heard footsteps approaching the house and when they opened the door after a lot of fear and trembling, they found their visitor was Margaret's brother, James, who had walked from Tokomairiro to visit them. This was her youngest brother who had left Scotland in 1853.
On another occasion when they saw visitors approaching and who turned out to be Maoris, the children fled to the hills to hide. While at Totara Island they felt their first earthquake which was fairly severe. The eldest son, Sandy, felt the walls move and the bark roof shake, while Catherine who was washing dishes fainted.
Margaret and her husband were of quiet and unassuming disposition and while always willing to advise in matters of district interest ther main concerns were the welfare of their family and the church. They were held in great respect and lived to see their sons and daughters and their grandchildren held in the same regard.