Jonas Mason (1708 - 1801)

Born 21 Oct 1708 in Lexington, Middlesex, Province of Massachusetts Bay

Ancestors

Husband of Mary (Chandler) Mason — married 23 Feb 1731 in North Yarmouth, Cumberland, Maine

Descendants

Died 13 Mar 1801 at age 92 in North Yarmouth, Cumberland, Maine, United States

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Biography

Jonas was admitted to the Church at Charlestown, Mass., June 21, 1727-'28. In 1731 he moved to North Yarmouth and February 27, 1732, he united with the First Church there, being the thirty-third member, his wife joined July 9, 1732, being the forty-seventh member. Soon after the settlement of Rev. Nicholas Loring, Jonas Mason was chosen Deacon, 1737, and held that office for sixty-three years. At a meeting of the Brethren of the Church of Christ in North Yarmouth, July 11, 1769, he was moderator also at the meetings of July 27, August 10, 17 and 21, 1769. In 1817, during the pastorate of Rev. Samuel Woodbury, he introduced a bass viol, no musical instrument ever having been used in the choir till then.

In 1753 Deacon Mason purchased of the heirs of Joseph Chandler, his father-in-law, the interest of the latter in the "Hundred and Twenty Acre Division" and his pew in the meetinghouse, he also conveyed land with his brothers-in-law. On the Comberland County Records, at Portland, Maine, Courthouse, Jonas Mason is listed as having "sold land at North Yarmouth, May 6, 1761," also "bought a 60 acre Home Lott in Township of New Gloucester, No. 10, May 6, 1761," also "sold land at North Yarmouth, July 13, 1762," also "exchanged land at North Yarmouth, with Amos Harris, October 6, 1775," also "sold land North Yarmouth, February 10, 1772," also "bought land at Great Chebeague Island and Hope Island in North Yarmouth, 108 acres more or less on Chebeague, February 3, 1778," also "sold land at North Yarmouth, June 12, 1785, June 29, 1796, and Janurary 22, 1798."

Jonas and Mary Mason "gave land at North yarmouth to Mary Hamilton (daughter) October 20, 1765," also "gave land at North Yarmouth to their son-in-law, Nathaniel Evelith of New Gloucester, January 19, 1774."

The first clearing at New Gloucester, Maine, was begun on Lot No. 10, upon the easterly slope of Harris Hill, by Deacon Mason, who cut the first tree. He was also a leader in town affairs, being county magistrate, and in 1773 was appointed one of the three Colonial Judges for the Court of Common Pleas for Cumberland County, Maine. Judge Mason retired from the bench in 1777.

Sources

• Desendants of Capt Hugh Mason, pp 73-74

Acknowledgements

• Mason-6645 was created by Marcia Loudon through the import of Edmund Chandler Family.ged on Jul 25, 2015.