03.4 William Ayson 1852 - 1880

William Ayson, second son of Alexander, was born in Scotland on 9 December1852 and came to New Zealand with his family in 1856.

 

Little information of William's life is available.

 

Before moving to Hawkes Bay William was well known in business circles in Balclutha.   His grand-daughter, Myra Scott, of Harare, Zimbabwe, says that as far as she knows William died a young man.   It is told he went into a flooded river to save his neighbour from drowning, caught pneumonia and died as a result.

 

William married Helen Mosley.  The Mosleys were early Otago settlers, arriving at Port Chalmers on the "John Wickliffe" in 1848.

 

William is buried in Waipawa, Hawkes Bay.

 

William's family are spread far and wide.

 

Arthur was in South Africa for a time.   He returned to New Zealand and died without issue.   William Napier lived in South Africa, having gone there to locate his brother Arthur. William Napier's family live in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Helen's family live in New Zealand,   Rosa's family in England.