03.6 Magdaline Ayson (Robinson) 1860 - 1934

Magdaline Smith Ayson, the youngest of the six children of Alexander and Joan, was born at Tokomairiro on 27 October 1860.

 

After training as a teacher, Magdaline taught at the Southbridge School.

 

On 21 March 1882, Magdaline married Henry Robinson and embarked on the challenging career of farmer's wife at Mayfield (105 acres) at Milton.  Three years later they moved to Warepa, first leasing James Ayson's Markhill property, then buying land at Toiro.

 

In 1905 Magdaline and Henry moved south to take up Crown land at Glenham, leaving the eldest sons to farm the Warepa property.

 

Magdaline's kind nature and the skills with which she mastered the difficulties of pioneering life, endeared her to all.

 

In 1923 Magdaline and Henry retired to a small farmlet at Wyndham .

 

They had five sons and three daughters.

 

Henry died in 1930,  Magdaline in 1934.   They are buried in the Wyndham cemetery.