Genealogical and Family History
of the
STATE OF MAINE

Compiled under the editorial supervision of George Thomas Little, A. M., Litt. D.

LEWIS HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
New York
1909.

[Please see Index page for full citation.]

[Transcribed by Coralynn Brown]

[Many families included in these genealogical records had their beginnings in Massachusetts.]

MASON Mason has been a distinguished name in New England from the early settlement of the country, and no generation since then has been without leading citizens of this cognomen. The family herein treated is one of the ancient families of York county, Maine, whose early history is enveloped in the dim and shadowy town and family records of Hollis, where the name has existed from the early days of pioneer settlement. (I) Amos Mason was a farmer of Hollis. He married there Betsey Plaisted. Children: Eliza Jane, died at age of twenty-three. Hannah Morse. Sarah G., married Mr. Palmer. Jeremiah M., of whom further. Josiah. Lorenzo. Benjamin. Dorcas Jane, died young. Catherine, died young. (II) Hon. Jeremiah Miller Mason, son of Amos and Betsey (Plaisted) Mason, was born in Hollis, Maine, March 20, 1820, and died in Limerick, March 26, 1897. By force of circumstances he was denied the privileges of education in his youth, and in order to shift for himself soon became an apprentice and lerned the tailor's trade. With characteristic energy he thoroughly mastered his trade and in early manhood moved to Limerick and engaged in business, and by close application and indomitable courage not only acquired a good elementary and business education, but became possessed of a wonderfully clear judicial knowledge which later served him well in his active career. He soon won recognition throughout the northern tier of towns in York county, as a carefully energetic, honoable and successful man of business. For many years he conducted a general store in the town of his adoption, which, by means of his rare business sagacity and spirit of fair dealing, he made a center of trade throughout the Ossipee Valley. He was a pioneer in the manufacture of ready-made clothing when that important brach of industry was introduced; and during the civil war he gave employment to a large number of skilled operatives, in this way advancing the growth and prosperity of the flourishing borough with which he had identified his fortunes. In 1879, when the village of Limerick was swept by a great fire, Mr. Mason's store was destroyed; but, not one whit dismayed, he at once rebuilt it on the old site, and continued to do business as before. This store was conducted by him until about 1888, when he disposed of it in order to devote his entire time and attention to other interests in which he was actively engaged. Having made for himself an enviable reputation for business ability, strict integrity, indomitable perseverance, and conservatism in the conduct of affairs, Mr. Mason was chosen to fill the responsible position of president of the Limberick National Bank, the duties of which office he discharged up to the day of his death, to the entire satisfaction of the stockholders and the business public, and with credit to himself. He also served in the capacity of director of the Westbrook Trust Company, and as a member of the board of directors of the Portland National Bank. In addition to these engagements he was interested in the real estate business, and purchased as investments many tracts of state lands in the wooded section of northern Maine, and on the islands along the coast. In all enterprises which he undertook, Mr. Mason acted up to the strict letter of his engagements, expecting the same treatment in return from all those with whom he had dealings. In politics Mr. Mason wa originally a Whig, but on the break-up of that party in 1856 he became a Democrat. When the civil war began he was classed as a "War Democrat," but he soon came to entertain the belief that the only substantial hope for a restoration of the Union lay in the triumph of the Republican, or, as it was at that time terned, the "Union" party. Believing this, he acted promptly, as was his wont, and threw in his lot with the organization which recognized Abraham Lincoln as its leader, and he felt it to be his imperative duty to take an active and aggressive part in politics. So thoroughly were his unselfish motives appreciated by his fellow citizens, and so unhesitatingly was his fitness for public service recognized by them, that political preferment came his way without solicitation on his part, and indeed sometimes against his personal inclinations. It was felt by his political associates that his name would be a tower of strength on the party ticket, and conduce greatly to its success. Mr. Mason first served the town of Limberick as its representative in the state legislature, and in the years 1866 and 1867 represented the county of York in the same body. So well and so faithfully did he serve his town and shire that he was selected for a seat in the executive years - the first term in 1874, being during Governor Dingley's administration, and the others in 1875, 1876 and 1877, during the three years' incumbency of Governor Connor. While he was a member of the governor's council Mr. Masons' habit of close attention to financial detail rendered him a most valuable man at the council board, and in the discharge of his duties as auditor of accounts he saved the great sum of $200,000 to the state by his careful scrutiny of every bill which was presented for payment. Nor did Mr. Mason neglect the town's interests while engaged in state affairs; he was chairman of the board of selectmen of Limerick in 1868, and again in the years 1876 and 1877. For many years he was a trusted political leader in the county of York, and was looked up to for counsel and advice. The compass of his acquaintance was wide, and he numbered among his friends and associates many men who stood high in political life and financial circles. By them his views were eagerly sought, and his opinions about all important matters pertaining to his section of the country had great weight. His advice, so often sought, was given with circumspection and wth conscientious regard for th welfare of the seekers, and with a careful consideration of the attendant circumstances and the weighty probems involed. By his uprightness, his frankness, his probity and his loyalty to his friends, he clasped his associates to by hooks of steel; and they held not only in high esteem, but in genuine affaction as well. Mr. Mason married, Aug. 10, 1849, Martha Weeks, born in Buxton, Feb. 10, 1824, died March 23, 1891, in Limerick, daughter of William and Eliza (Burnham) Woodman, of Boxton. A friend once wrote of her: "she was a woman of whom it may truly be said, 'Her price is far above rubies.' Naturally of a clear and disciminating mind, kindly dispostion and refined taste, all the surroundings of her early years tended to cherish and develop those traits, and made her what she was, a true wife and mother. Living in circumstances where every desire of her heart of a worldly nature could be gratified, her sensitive and retiring nature shrank from everything that had the appearance of display, or could attract observation. Her home was the center of her cares and affections, and by her loving ministrations and ready tact she made it a true haven of peace and rest. Here her husband, laying aisde the cares and perplexities of a busy life could always come, sure of hearty greetings, sympahty and cheer; and her children feel that here was one hearat that beat only for their comfort and highest welfare." Children: 1. William W., of whom further. 2. Mattie B., who resides at the Mason homestead in Limerick, was educated in the public schools and Limerick Academy of her native town. She is a lady of quiet tastes and womanly attainments, combing a thorough knowledge of the household science with clear business insight, enabling her to serve efficiently as an active director of the Limerick National Bank while managing her own estate and maintaining a home of refinement and culture. 3. Frances E., married Charles G. Moulton; one child, Olga Frances. (III) William Woodman, only son of Jeremiah Miller and Martha Weeks (Woodman) Mason, was born in Limerick, Aug. 25, 1850. He was educated in the common schools, at Limerick Academy, and Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, New York. After completing his studies he devoted himself to the extensive lines of business which his father was then managing, becoming his assistant, and acquired a thorough knowledge of both business and finance. Subsequently he accepted the cashiership of the Limerick National Bank, of which his father was president, and served in that capacity for many years. In 1880 he became vice-president of the Portland National Bank, and in 1907 was advanced to the presidency of that institution. Beginning at the very bottom round of the ladder, he has advanced steadily upward, step by step, until he is now occupying a position of prominence; and through his entire career he has ever been looked upon as a man of integrity and honor, never making an engagement that he has not fulfilled, and standing as an example of what determination and force, combined with the highest degree of business acumen, can accmplish for a man of natural ability and strength of character. Inheriting in a marked degree the fine characteristics of his father, strict integrity, straightforward dealing, generosity and independence, he has proven himself most successfully in carrying out the policies so sagaciously projected by the father whose example he emulates and whose memory he both cherishes and honors. William Woodman Mason is in full sympathy with all the great movements of the world about him, and watches the progress of events with the keenest interest. He is a generous friend, and a warm advocate, of all those who are battling for the right, and for principles and policies for the public good, and he has a pleasing personality which has won for him a legion of friends. Like his father, he is an earnest Republican, and exercises an influence in the councils of his party. He has held but one official position, that of representative in the legislature, to which place he was elected in 1885 from the classed towns of Limerick and Waterloo, serving one term most efficiently and creditably. He is a charter member of Highland Lodge, No. 48, and a member of Fraternity Encampment, No. 32, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Mason married, in Portland, May, 1891, Mary, daughter of Thomas and Sophia (Bradstreet) Cleaves. MASON (I) Captain Hugh Mason, immigrant ancestor, was born in England in 1606. He embarked for this country April 30, 1634, at the age of twenty-eight, with his wife Esther, aged twenty-two, in the ship "Francis" of Ipswich, John Cutter, master. He was one of the early settlers of Watertown, Mass., and was admitted a freeman March 4, 1634-35. He was a tanner by trade and was also called yeoman in the records. He was perhaps a brother of Capt. John Mason, the redoubtable Indian fighter. Hugh was also a captain and fought in King Philip's war. He was deputy to the general court in 1644-45-60-61-64-71-74-75-76-77, and was selectman twenty-nine years, between 1639 and 1678 inclusive. He was a lieutenant as early as 1649 and was made a captain May 5, 1652. He was one of the three commissioners to end small causes before the office of justice of the peace was instituted. He was selected on a committee to attend to defects in bridges in the county, Oct. 30, 1657. He was appointed to take account of John Steadman, county treasurer, Dec. 8, 1660. He died Oct. 10, 1678, aged seventy-three years. His wife Esther died May 1, 1692. Children: 1. Hannah, born Sept. 23, 1636, married Oct. 17, 1653, Capt. Joshua Brooks of Concord. 2. Ruth, died Dec. 17, 1640. 3. Mary, born Dec. 18, 1640, married May 20, 1668, Rev. Joseph Estabrook of Concord. 4. John, born Jan. 1, 1644-45, mentioned below. 5. Joseph, born Aug. 10, 1646, married Feb. 5, 1684-85, Mary Fiske; died July 22, 1702. 6. Daniel, born Feb. 19, 1648-49, graduate of Harvard 1666. 7. Sarah, born Sept. 25, 1651, married May 20, 1668, Capt. Andrew Gardner, of Brookline. Two others. (II) John, son of Captain Hugh Mason (1), was born Jan. 1, 1644-45, and died about 1730. He was a tanner and resided in Cambridge Village, now Newton. He married Elizabeth Hammond, born May 6, 1655, died Nov. 13, 1715. Children; 1. John, born Jan. 22, 1676-77, mentioned below. 2. Elizabeth, born Nov. 10, 1678, married Thomas Brown, inn holder of Boston. 3. Abigail, born Dec. 16, 1679. 4. Daniel, farmer of Newton. 5. Samuel, born Jan. 22, 1688-89, probably died young. 6. Hannah, born Jan. 26, 1694-95, married July 7, 1721, Jospeh Sabin. (III) John (2), son of John (1) Mason, was born Jan. 22, 1676-77. He settled at Lexington and was town clerk and justice of the peace. He mararied Oct. 18, 1699, Elizabeth Spring, born April 7, 1675. He died March 24, 1738-39. He was a tanner by trade. Children, b. at Lexington: 1. Son, born and died Aug. 14, 1700. 2. John, born Aug .8, 1701, married Lydia Loring. 3. Elizabeth, born Aug. 30, 1703. 4. Mellicent, born April 24, 1705. 5. Thaddeus, born Dec. 27, 1706. 6. Jonas, born Oct. 21, 1708, mentioned below. 7. Katherine, born Aug. 5, 1710, died at Holliston March 7, 1732-33. 8. Esther, born Jan. 2, 1712-13. 9. Sarah, born June 7, 1714, married Jan. 3, 1732-33, William Munroe. 10. Mercy, born Nov. 12, 1716, died Nov. 30, 1717. 11. Samuel, born Oct. 9, 1720, tailor, died Nov. 21, 1745. (IV) Jonas, son of John (2) Mason, was born at Lexington, Oct. 21, 1708, and died March 31, 1801. He settled at Charlestown and was a hatter. He joined the church there June 21, 1727. He remoed to North Yamouth, Maine, and was selectman and justice of the peace there, and for six years judge of the court of common pleas. He joined the church at North Yarmouth Feb. 27, 1732; was elected deacon of the church in 1737 and held that office sixty-four years, until his death. He married, Feb. 23, 1731-32, Mary Chandler, born Aug. 3, 1704, died Nov. 27, 1787, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Chandler, of Duxbury. Children: 1. Ebenezer, born Nov. 1, 1732, mentioned below. 2. John, born Sept. 18, 1734, died Feb. 3, 1769. 3. Mary, born Feb. 12, 1735-36; married John Hamilton. 4. Sarah, born July 20, 1738, married Nathaniel Eveleth, of New Gloucester Jan. 4, 1760. 5. Elizabeth, born March 13, 1740, married Bezaleel Young; died Oct. 24, 1810. 6. Mercy, born Nov. 10, 1743. 7. Samuel, born Aug. 22, 1746, died Feb. 7, 1831. (V) Dr. Ebenezer, son of Deacon Jonas Mason, was born Nov. 1, 1732, and died June 3, 1816, at New Gloucester. He settled at New Gloucester, Maine, and was dismissed to the first church there Oct. 13, 1765. He married (first), Jan. 13, 1756, Rebecca Winslow, born 1734, died Sept. 17, 1769. He married (second) Jan. 6, 1774, Anna Clives, who died Oct. 28, 1796, aged about fifty years. He married (third) Aug. 21, 1797, Mary Collins, born Sept. 2, 1741. Children of 1st wife, b. at New Glouceter: 1. Jonas, born June 7, 1757, died unmarried in the army in Pennsylvania in March, 1778. 2. Asenath, born Sept. 4, 1758, married William Bradford. 3. John, born Nov. 3, 1760. 4. Ebenezer, born June 7, 1763. 5. Mercy, born March 13, 1766, married March 25, 1787, Amos Hersey; died June 6, 1834. Children of 2d wife: 6. Willard, born Sept. 17, 1774. 7. Thaddeus, born May 3, 1776, died Nov. 20, 1798. 8. Jonas (twin), born June 7, 1778, mentioned below. 9. Anna (twin), born June 7, 1778, married Aug. 29, 1799, Lemuel Nash; died Sept. 13, 1829. 10. Sarah Winslow, born Jan. 15, 1783, died Oct. 17, 1804. 11. Nathaniel, born Feb. 21, 1785. 12. Mary Hamilton, born Sept. 8, 1788, married Jan. 10, 1817, Luther Whiting. (VI) Jonas (2), son of Dr. Ebenezer Mason, was born June 7, 1778. He was in the war of 1812. He was sheriff, justice of the peace, and deputy to the general court in 1838-39. He settled in Thomaston, Maine, and afterward at Hermon, Maine. He married (first), Feb. 28, 1799, Abiah Bryant, born Dec. 2, 1777, died Feb. 9, 1821, daughter of Stephen Bryant. He married (second) May 20, 1824, Rebecca Matthews, born Nov. 19, 1798, died Jan. 12, 1845, daughter of Herman Matthews. He married (third) March 11, 1846, at Somerville, New Jersey, Catherine Campbell. About this time he removed to Raritan, New Jersey. He died at the Maine Insane Hospital at Augusta Nov. 21, 1868. Children of 1st wife: 1. Sultana, born 1799, married George W. Jones. 2. Jonas, born March 10, 1802. 3. Zipporah (twin), born Oct., 1803. 4. Elishabe (twin), born Oct., 1803, died young. 5. Miles, born March 12, 1805, died July 27, 1832. 6. Zelotes, born April 30, 1807, mentioned below. 7. Pethriel, born June 10, 1809. 8. Abiah Bryant, born April 27, 1811, married Lemuel Worcester. 9. Lorahamah, born June 19, 1813, married Isaac Worcester. 10. Elizabeth Burton, born Feb. 19, 1817, married Jeremiah Moulton. 11. Henry Seazey, born June 17, 1819. Children of 2d wife: 12. Halsey Healey, born Feb 6, 1825, died April 7, 1825. 13. Halsey Healty, born March 27, 1826, died Dec. 29, 1827. 14. Rebecca Matthews, born Feb. 16, 1828, married Isaac Bird. 15. Joseph Huse, born Nov. 23, 1829. 16. Isabella Miles, born Sept. 16, 1832. 17. Emeline Wood, born Jan. 14, 1835. 18. Frances Munroe, born March 5, 1838, died Aug., 1845. 19. Royal Munroe, born July 27, 1840. (VII) Zelotes, son of Jonas (2) Mason, was born at Thomaston, Maine, April 30, 1807, and died at Howland, Maine, July 9, 1886. He was a mariner and resided at Howland. He married at Bangor, Maine, April 1, 1832, Eleanor Butler Lancaster, born at Bangor, July 21, 1812, died Sept., 1903. Children: 1. Mercy Ann, born Sept. 1, 1833, married George Bradford Derby. 2. Pethuel, born Aug. 25, 1835. 3. Lewis Treat, born May 8, 1841. 4. Mary Jane Pierce, born Dec. 1, 1845. 5. Abraham Hammet, born Dec. 16, 1850. 6. Emma Augusta, born Feb. 3, 1853. 7. Joseph Henry, born Feb. 17, 1855, died Aug. 18, 1855.