Gunston Hall Library & Archives
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Papers of John Mason (1766-1849), Accession #A1988.3, Gunston Hall Library & Archives, Mason Neck, Va.
This collection was donated by Virginia Dawson Beebe, 1981
JOHN MASON (1766-1849), the eighth surviving child of George and Ann Eilbeck Mason of Gunston Hall, was a Georgetown merchant and civic leader in the District of Columbia. In partnership with James and Joseph Fenwick, Mason began his career in 1788 exporting goods from Bordeaux, France. He lived in France until 1792 when he returned to the United States and managed the firm from its Georgetown offices. In 1798 he became president of the Bank of Columbia (chartered 1793). In 1815 he purchased the Columbia Foundry in Georgetown. In 1796 he became a director of the Potowmack Canal Company and in 1817 he became its president. When the District of Columbia militia was formed in 1802, Mason was appointed its commander by President Thomas Jefferson with a rank of brigadier general, a post which he held until 1811. President Jefferson also appointed him as Superintendent of Indian Trade in the District of Columbia in 1807, an office which he fulfilled until 1815. During the War of 1812 Mason was appointed as Commissionary General of Prisoners.
In 1796 John married Anna Maria Murray of Annapolis and they had ten children. They lived in Georgetown and also had a mansion on Analostan (now Theodore Roosevelt) Island. In retirement (after some financial reversals) John and Anna moved to "Clermont," a farm about four miles west of Alexandria.
This collection consists of approximately 350 items relating to the personal, business and legal affairs of John Mason, son of George Mason of Gunston Hall.
This collection is divided by series and primarily chorological within each series. The contents list provides more information to the arrangement of this collection.
This manuscript provides a vivid picture of Gunston Hall and its occupants. It provides details on plantation life, including gardens, landscaping, slaves, agriculture, and accounts of the rooms and furnishings of the mansion itself. There are sections mentioning the education of the children and domestic pursuits, including dining and drinking habits.
Chronological
Various letters from George Mason IV to his son concerning business and political affairs.
Chronological
A long letter concerning business affairs, the evacuation of Charles Town by The British, George Rogers dark's Indian country raid, and the free navigation of the Mississippi.
A hortatory letter explaining to his son how to succeed in foreign trade. Written just prior to the son's departure for France.
Regarding business affairs and commenting in detail on his son's business partner, Joseph Fenwick.
Regarding sales of wheat and tobacco.
Concerning business affairs and the situation in France ( "very doubtful and unsettled ").
Discusses the proposed Federal City including the matter of where a Potomac River bridge would be built.
Comments on his sons in business, with advice. He asks that John, who is in Richmond, consult Mr. John Marshall on "the subject of my suit...against John Hooe Banbury and others, ..[l] am afraid it is neglected by Mr. Marshall, who tho' a very worthy man, is an indolent one.... "
Expressing irritation at the delay of a shipment of Cypress Scantlin to Norfolk.
Letters to and from John Mason from various family members and friends.
Chronological.
Death of Isabella E. Steele, 6 August 1825.
enclosing extract from funeral sermon preached by Rev. Mr. Blanchard on 14 August 1825.
Enc.: Poem on death of Anna Maria Mason.
fragment.
fragment.
Chronological
partially in French.
Copy of letter from Joseph Fenwick, enclosed in above.
Chronological.
Chronological
Lettercopy.
Certified, signed and sealed by Joseph Fenwick.
Printed form, filled in and signed by John Gassaway, Register of Wills.
In French. Receipt for money for registering three letters of exchange received.
Drawing on Treasurer of the U. S. for payment to Fenwick Mason & Co. Printed form filled in, signed by John Armstrong, U.S. Minister Plen. to France. Endorsed for payment to John Mason.
re. above note. Printed form filled in and signed by Armstrong.
Lettercopy, certified by Joseph Fenwick.
Printed forms filled in/ signed by Armstrong, Enc. in above.
Lettercopies (2) certified.
Lettercopy and endorsement. Endorsed [by Gen. Mason]: "copy of a letter from a British officer to his brother in England on retaliation. "
Enclosed in: 29 May 1814, Richmond. St. G[eorge] Tucker to Gen. [John] Mason.
Certified by W[illia]m Wirt.
Endorsed: "Copy to the Secretary of the Navy. "
Endorsed: "d[ra]ft of Instructions for Col. Lear. "
Endorsed: "Application of Dr. Hale for appt. of Post Surgeon 1818. "
Enclosure: J. and C. Bolton to Thomas Spaulding. Lettercopy.
Unspecified.
Asks that Mason arrange suitable habitation for him and Washington.
Regarding the establishment of a National Agricultural and Manufacturing Society and the raising of money for it.
On account of William Hartshorne and Gurden Chapin.
A group of 74 manuscripts, composed of papers relating to the ships Pigeon, 1794-1800 (16 pieces); St. Ubes, 1796-1822 (6 piec); Prosperity, 1793-95 (22 pieces); Maryland, 1793-1803 (20 pieces); and Molly, 1794-1824 (10 pieces).