Peter Ayson senior

Peter Ayson was the patriarch of a large Scottish family who pioneered settlement in South Otago. Born in Glenshee, Scotland, in 1807, Peter Ayson served an apprenticeship as a carpenter and became a builder. Coming from a rural background, he also had a good grounding in farming. In 1832 Peter married Douglas Lamond. By 1852 the couple had produced 10 children and were struggling to see a future for their large brood in rural Scotland. They were attracted by news of the recently established Scottish colony in New Zealand and decided to emigrate. Peter purchased some land at Warepa from the New Zealand Company and in 1853 the large complement of Aysons set sail on the Royal Albert from London for a new life on the other side of the world. Peter’s half-brother James Ayson came too.

On arrival in Dunedin Peter Ayson worked at his trade as a carpenter while the family took lodgings in Rattray Street. Soon afterwards he and his eldest son, also Peter, set off walking 100 kilometres southwards across country to their section in South Otago. They spent seven months building a cottage – named Corydon after their home place in Scotland – and planting crops. Peter then returned to Dunedin to collect the rest of the family and they too made the long journey south. It was months before the heavier luggage shipped along the coast could be unloaded for the Aysons at Port Molyneux.

Meantime they began pioneering as the first residents of Warepa. Peter and his sons were handy men to have around; they built the first church at Warepa, the school and schoolmaster’s house and a large woolshed at Kaihiku. Gradually their farm was extended to take in 800 freehold acres, an unheard-of prospect in their native Perthshire.

The Aysons were staunch Presbyterians and Peter senior was one of the first elders of the church at Warepa. He died at ‘Corydon’ in 1897 in his 90th year. Douglas survived him by another eight years. After her death the property was sold and an era ended.