William Mason (1757–1818)

William Mason (22 October 1757 – 7 February 1818)[1][2] was a militiaman in the American Revolutionary War and a prominent Virginia planter. Mason was the son of George Mason, an American patriot, statesman, and delegate from Virginia to the U.S. Constitutional Convention.

William Mason
Born	November 22, 1757
Died	February 7, 1818 (aged 60) Mattawoman, Charles County, Maryland
Nationality	American
Occupation	American Revolutionary War militiaman, planter, businessperson
Spouse(s)	Ann Stuart
Children	5
Parent(s)	George Mason IV Ann Eilbeck

Early life and education

Mason was born on 22 October 1757.[1][2] He was the fourth child and third eldest son of George Mason and his wife Ann Eilbeck.[1][2] Like his brothers, Mason was educated by tutors at Gunston Hall.[1]

American Revolutionary War

During the American Revolutionary War, Mason served in the Fairfax Militia fighting under Henry Lee III in South Carolina.[1][3] He was commissioned a Captain.[1] In 1780, Mason's father declined an offer by Lee to continue his military service because his father felt Mason's "lot must be that of a farmer and gentleman."[1] Mason was presented with a sword by General George Washington, which was said to have been given to him by Charles III of Spain.[3] Mason returned to private life between December 1780 and June 1781.[1]

Properties

In 1780, Mason inherited the Eilbeck family estates, Araby and Mattawoman, in Charles County, Maryland, from his maternal grandmother, Sarah Eilbeck.[1][4] The Mason family occupied Araby until 1849.[4] In 1849, 402 acres (1.63 km²) including the mansion were sold by Mason's daughter Mary Elizabeth Mason to William Thompson.[4]

Mason also received all his father's properties in Charles County.[1] These properties were located along Chicamuxen and Mattawoman Creeks.[5]

Marriage and children

Mason married Ann Stuart, daughter of William and Sarah Stuart, on 11 July 1793 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in King George, Virginia.[1][2] The couple had five children:[1][2]

• William Stuart Mason (1795–7 March 1857)[1][2]
• George Mason of Hollin Hall (11 November 1797–25 March 1870)[1][2]
• Ann Sarah Stuart Mason Heileman (1803–9 November 1852)[1][2]
• Edgar Eilbeck Mason (1807–8 January 1835)[1][2]
• Mary Elizabeth Mason (1810–2 February 1885)[1][2]

Later life

Mason died on 7 February 1818 at Mattawoman in Charles County, Maryland at age 60.[2]

Relations

William Mason (1757–1814) was:

• a son of George Mason (1725–1792)[2]
• nephew of Thomson Mason (1733–1785)[2]
• first cousin of Stevens Thomson Mason (1760–1803), John Thomson Mason (1765–1824), and William Temple Thomson Mason (1782–1862)[2]
• uncle of George Mason VI (1786–1834) and Richard Barnes Mason (1797–1850), Thomson Francis Mason (1785–1838), and James Murray Mason (1798–1871)[2]
• first cousin once removed of Armistead Thomson Mason (1787–1819), John Thomson Mason (1787–1850), and John Thomson Mason, Jr. (1815–1873),[2] and
• first cousin twice removed of Stevens Thomson Mason (1811–1843).[2]

References

1. Gunston Hall. "Children of George Mason of Gunston Hall". Gunston Hall. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
2. Gunston Hall. "William Mason". Gunston Hall. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
3. Hardy, Stella Pickett (1911). Colonial families of the Southern states of America: a history and genealogy of colonial families who settled in the colonies prior to the revolution. Wright.
4. Save Araby, Mattawoman and Mason Springs (SAMMS). "Historic Araby". Save Araby, Mattawoman and Mason Springs (SAMMS). Retrieved 2009-03-15.
5. Rowland, Kate Mason (1892). The Life of George Mason, 1725-1792. G.P. Putnam's Sons.