01.03 James Fraser Ayson 1837 - 1928

James Fraser Ayson was the second son of Peter Ayson, of Corydon and he was born at Glenshee, Scotland, on 30 December 1837.   He was 16 years of age when he landed in New Zealand with his parents.

 

For several years he assisted his father and brother Peter in breaking in the new land at Corydon.   In 1864, he and his brother Peter leased Mr John Shaw's property known as Finegand and they farmed this with success until 1885 when James bought the Albert Downs property at Kaihiku (636 acres).

 

He specialised in Romney and Border Leister sheep and fattened the usual number of cattle each year. He had a good knowledge of mixed farming and averaged about 100 acres of wheat and oats annually and often got top prices for his grain.

 

In 1869, James Ayson married Christina Robson, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Robert Robson of Whitlea, Balclutha. They had a fa­mily of four sons and eight daughters.

 

He had the family characteristic of doing whatever was possible to assist in the develop­ment of the district. Besides being a member of the School Committee, he was an elder of the Presbyterian Church.  Having a good sing­ing voice, he assisted in the establishment of a choir and was always in demand at the lo­cal soirees.

 

For many years he represented the Clutha Riding on the Clutha County Council at a time when there was much roading and bridging to be done in opening acess to new areas for settlement.

 

His eldest son, Robert (Bert) began farm­ing on his own account, working a 6-horse team at Finegand, and his second son, Har­ry, settled in Australia.  This left his two youn­gest sons, Peter and Walter, to assist with the farm, but when these two enlisted for overseas service in the 1914-18 War, James found that, with advancing years, Albert Downs was too much for him to handle.   In 1916, he decided to sell out and retire to a property in Andersons Bay in Dunedin .

 

It was while James and his wife were at Andersons Bay that their son, Peter Hugh, was killed in action in France.

 

James and Christina Ayson celebrated their golden wedding in Dunedin in December, 1919.   James Ayson passed away on 17 July 1928 at the age of 91.   Christina Ayson died two years later.   Both are buried at Andersons Bay.

 

 

Isabella Douglas Ayson

Robert William Ayson

Douglas Louisa Ayson

Margaret Ayson

Annie Christina Ayson

Elspeth Mary Ayson

Henry Robson Ayson

Jessie Fraser Ayson

Beatrice Robson Ayson

Walter Robson Ayson

Peter Hugh Ayson

Frances Helina Ayson

 

The Grave Restoration.

The Clan Ayson Society and descendants of the family completed the restoration of the graves of James and Christina at Andersons Bay Dunedin.  Restoration to the memorial to their son, Peter Hugh Ayson, was also completed. Peter was killed in France aged 33 years and is buried at Prouse Military Cemetery in Belgium.