JOHN AVISON 1865–1934, was the 8th of 12 children of James Avison (1820-1894) & Ann Shirley (1833-1900) who were from England and married in Napier, Hawkes Bay in 1855
NOTE John's mother Ann, arrived in Wellington 16 Oct 1841 as an 8 year old on the Arab, with her parents Thomas Shirley, Ann (Hallett) and 6 siblings.
Ann first married George Petherick (1820-1898) 23 Jul 1846, in the Wesleyan Chapel, River Hutt and had 3 children from 1847 - 1852.
* Ann remarried c1855 to James Avison & had 4 children. She died In Waipaw, Dec 1900 (see notes at end)
* George remarried 25 May 1861 to the widow, Hester Chamberlain (nee Allcock) and had a further 10-11 children.
* Read notes under Ernest Alfred Petherick

John married MARTHA Pollington (1872-1946) on 13 Sep 1890 in Waipawa, Hawkes Bay
they had 16 children
..born in Waipawa
. . 1 . .
Allan Alfred Avison (1891–1969)
born: 19 Aug 1891
married: Nellie Elizabeth Maria Diamond (1887-1969) in 1923
died: 23 Feb 1969 aged 77 in Waipawa
buried: Plot 94, RSA Waipawa cemetery

. . 2 . .
Ruth Elizabeth Avison (1893–1975)
born: 17 June 1893
married: Alexander 'Ackie' Johnston (1893-1953) 21 July 1915
died: 27 Aug 1975 aged 82
buried: Plot 2, Block 4C Waipukurau

. . 3 . .
Charlotte Ann Avison (1895–1919)
born: 10 Feb 1895
died: 14 Dec 1919 aged 23 of Brights Disease
buried: Plot 44, Block Q Waipawa cemetery
HEADSTONE: In Loving Memory of Martha May, daughter of John and Martha Avison. Born 27 June 1897. Died 3 Sep 1899. ALSO William Edward Avison aged 9 months ALSO Alice Olive Myrtle died 22 Nov 1911 aged 16 months. Charlotte Ann, beloved daughter of John and Martha Avison, died 14 Dec 1919 aged 23 years

. . 4 . .
Martha May Avison (1897–1899)
born: 27 June 1897
died: 3 Sep 1899 aged 2.3
buried: Plot 44, Block Q, Waipawa cemetery
HEADSTONE: In Loving Memory of Martha May, daughter of John and Martha Avison. Born 27 June 1897. Died 3 Sep 1899. ALSO William Edward Avison aged 9 months ALSO Alice Olive Myrtle died 22 Nov 1911 aged 16 months. Charlotte Ann, beloved daughter of John and Martha Avison, died 14 Dec 1919 aged 23 years

. . 5 . .
John Alexander 'Jack' Avison (1899–1968)
born: 26 July 1899
married: Ruby Anderson in 1927
married: Elsie Maud Osborne in 1937
died: 29 Feb 1969 aged 69
buried: Plot 19, Block Y, Hadley in Waipawa

. . 6 . .
James Thomas 'Jim' Avison (1900–1967)
born: 4 Sep 1900
married: Winifred Amy Major in 1945
died: 16 Jan 1967 aged 66, Waipawa cemetery

. . 7 . .
William Henry Edward Avison (1902–1903)
born: 11 April 1902
died: 4 Jan 1903 aged 9 months
buried: Plot 21, Block Y, Hadley, Waipawa cemetery
HEADSTONE: In Loving Memory of Martha May, daughter of John and Martha Avison. Born 27 June 1897. Died 3 Sep 1899. ALSO William Edward Avison aged 9 months ALSO Alice Olive Myrtle died 22 Nov 1911 aged 16 months. Charlotte Ann, beloved daughter of John and Martha Avison, died 14 Dec 1919 aged 23 years

. . 8 . .
Nelson Ford Avison (1904–1939) twin
born: 26 April 1904
died: 31 Dec 1939 aged 35
Wanganui Chronicle, 8 Jan 1940: Mr Nelson Avison has died in the Waipukurau Hospital after a short illness. Born in Waipawa in 1904, he was educated there and was later prominent in football circles. He is survived by his mother, Mrs John Avison, four sisters, Mrs Eric Anderson (Whangarei), Mrs A. Johnson (Te Uri), Mrs R. Hargreaves (Patangata) and Mrs R. Jopson (Waipawa); and six brothers, Messrs Allan (Raetihi), Jack, Jim, Arthur, his twin brother. Lewis and Eric Avison, all of Waipawa.
buried: Plot 14, RSA, Waipawa cemetery

. . 9 . .
Arthur Wenslie Avison (1904–1954) twin
born: 26 April 1904
married: Dorothy Alexandra Graham in 1924
died: 4 July 1954 aged 50
buried: Plot 14, RSA, Waipawa cemetery

. . 10 . .
Minnie Coridena Avison (1906–1979)
born: 25 June 1906
married: Eric Edward Murray Anderson in 1927
married: Charles David McKay in 1952
died: 29 Aug 1979 aged 73 in Napier
buried: Plot NCH#/DD73 Hastings cemetery

. . 11 . .
Lewis Stewart Charles Avison (1908–1988)
born: 28 April 1908
died: 23 Sep 1988 aged 80
buried: Plot 96, RSA, Waipawa cemetery

. . 12 . .
Eric Edward Avison (1909–1997)
born: 19 May 1909
married: Betty Jane Jopson (1911-2006) in 1937
* Daughter of Peter Makinson Jopson (1879-1953) & Mabel Rush (1879-1920)
died: 28 Sep 1997 aged 88
buried: Plot 14, Section 13, RSAWharerangi Lawn, Napier
NOTE Betty's mother Mabel died 28 Feb 1920 in Dunedin aged 41. She is buried at Andersons Bay with 2 brothers. Her father Peter remarried to Eliza Pickworth (1883-1970) 14 Dec 1927 at Kyber Pass, Auckland

. . 13 . .
Alice Olive Myrtle Avison (1910–1911)
born: 19 July 1910
died: 23 Nov 1911 aged 16 months
buried: Plot 45, Block Q Waipawa cemetery
HEADSTONE: In Loving Memory of Martha May, daughter of John and Martha Avison. Born 27 June 1897. Died 3 Sep 1899. ALSO William Edward Avison aged 9 months ALSO Alice Olive Myrtle died 22 Nov 1911 aged 16 months. Charlotte Ann, beloved daughter of John and Martha Avison, died 14 Dec 1919 aged 23 years

. . 14 ..
Doris Murial Rose Avison (1912–1931)
born: 18 March 1912
died: 26 Oct 1931 aged 19 in Waipukurau
Waipawa Mail, 28 Oct 1931:
Miss Doris Muriel Avison, daughter of Mr and Mrs John Avison, passed away at the District Hospital, Waipukurau on Monday morning after a short illness, the cause of death being pneumonia. She had been a patient in the hospital since the 21st inst. Of a bright and cheerful disposition the deceased young lady was extremely popular amongst her wide circle of friends and sincere sympathy will be extended to the sorrowing parents in the bereavement which has fallen upon them so suddenly. The funeral took place this afternoon. A short service was first held at St peter's Church by the Rev W. T. Drank, who also conducted the funeral rites at the graveside. Public sympathy with the bereaved family was expressed in the large attendance at the service and the number of floral tributes forwarded.
buried: Plot 26, Block AB, Waipawa cemetery
​​
. . 15 . .
Phyllis Alice Avison (1913–1984)
born: 16 Dec 1913
married: Robert Edward Hargreaves (1904-1976) in 1937
next married: ? McGhie
died: 8 July 1984 aged 70 in Tamatea, Napier
buried: Plot ll19, Block Niche, Hastings cemetery

. . 16 . .
Kathleen Winifred Avison (1916–2003)
born: 8 Aug 1916
married: Richard Rath Rush Makinson Jopson (1908-1984) 25 Oct 1937
* A son of Peter Makinson Jopson (1879-1953) & Mabel Rush (1878-1920)
* Richard died 12 Nov 1984 aged 76 in Waipukurau, his ashes are at Plot 33, Block 90 at Andersons Bay cemetery, Dunedin with his mother & others
died: 31 Oct 2003 aged 87 in Hamilton
buried: Plot 26, Block AB Waipawa

DEATH of ANN Avison nee Shirley
Daily Telegraph, 5 Dec 1900
Quite a gloom has been thrown over Waipawa by the death of an old and much respected resident, Mrs Ann Avison, relict of the late Mr James Avison and elder sister of the late Mr T. Shirley, of Mount Wensley, Taradale. Mrs Avison was in robust health until a week ago, when she was suddenly attacked with pneumonia, complicated with heart and liver disease and she passed away quietly yesterday afternoon. The deceased lady, who had attained the age of 69 years, came to New Zealand with her father, mother and six brothers and sister, at the age of nine years(sic), in the ship Arab, which was the second ship to arrive in Wellington in 1841. She was therefore a colonist of nearly sixty years standing. Wellington in those days was but a collection of Maori huts, so the new colonists took up their residence first in a tent and then in a raupo house. They were shown much kindness by the natives, but also passed through many thrilling experiences and had many hair-breadth escapes. Mrs Avison's residence in Hawke's Bay dates bac nearly fifty years. Her husband was in business at Waipukurau and afterwards took up the estate at Waipawa known as Willow Bank, where they live for many years. On retiring from Willow Bank, Mr Avison built a villa residence near Waipawa township, where he died in 1894 and where Mrs Avison lived until her death.
Of the brothers and sisters who accompanied Mrs Avison to New Zealand only one sister is now living. Her father and mother both died at the age of 87.
The late Mrs Avison leaves a family of five sons and daughters and numerous grandchildren, one of whom is married. She was always ready and willing to assist in any good work. She was a member of the Gleaner's Union and exerted herself largely in any missionary effort. She will be missed and deeply mourned by a large circle of friends, who will long remember her goodness of heart, her unvarying kindness, her goodwill to all, her generosity and love. She will be interred in St Peter's cemetery on Thursday afternoon

JOHN Avison died 12 June 1934 aged 69
MARTHA Avison died 21 Oct 1946 aged 75
* They are buried in Waipawa Cemetery, with a number of other members of their family