Dr. George Lee Mason, 1842-1885

An 1869 graduate of the Medical College at Soule University in Galveston, Texas, George returned to Washington County, Georgia, where he practiced medicine quite proficiently and also managed a successful mercantile business. After a few years he abandoned the medical profession and devoted himself to managing several plantations and his mercantile affairs.

Schedule 2.'97Slave Inhabitants in
State: GA; County: Washington; Div: 91^st Dist.;
Enumerated 21 Nov 1850 by S. A. H. Jones, Asst. Marshal
LN 32-39, left column, Page: 568; Image: 0302; Roll: M432-96
===================================
Slave Owner(s): Heirs of J. F. Mason

Slave Description:
1....60....Male........Black
1....40....Female....Mulatto
1....30....Male........Black
1....21....Male........Black
1.....3....Male........Black
1.....3....Male........Black
1.....3...Female.....Black
1.....3...Female.....Black

On the 1860 Washington County, Georgia, Census, two additional people were listed as living in household 42l with William and Lizzie Irwin and their children. One was a George W. Massey, age 52, a merchant who was born in North Carolina. He might have been a relative of William Irwin or just a boarder. George Massey was also listed in the 1850 Washington County Census, household 47, family 47, as age 43 and a planter. No one else was listed with him in that household, an indication that he was not married, probably never had been, and he had no children.

22 421 413 Massey George W. 52 M Merchant 1,000 1,700 NC
23 421 413 Massey* George L. 17 M GA

The second addtional person listed immediately after George W. Massey in the Irwin home in 1860 was a George L. Massey, age 17, who was born in Georgia. Were this truly a child of George W. Massey, he would have been listed in the 1850 Census with George W. Massey. However, either the census taker or the transcriber of the original census records incorrectly used the surname of Massey for the 17-year-old George L. This was actually George Lee Mason*, as substantiated by the following:

1. George L. Mason was born in October of 1842 so would have been 17 years old in 1860, a minor.

2. George L. Mason and his younger brother, James Daniel Mason, were the sons of Nancy Ann Daniel Mason, the deceased sister of Sarah A. Elizabeth "Lizzie" Daniel Irwin.

3. Nancy Ann Daniel Mason died in June of 1846, probably in childbirth when James Daniel Mason was born. Her husband, John F. Mason, died January 11, 1848, leaving George L. Mason and James Daniel Mason minor orphans.

4. On Nov 4, 1849, Silas L. Daniel, a brother of Nancy Ann Daniel Mason and Lizzie Daniel Irwin, was appointed guardian of orphans George Lee Mason and James Daniel Mason. That guardianship apparently lasted until Silas L. Daniel died in Oct, 1858. Silas Daniel's brother, Sampson Daniel, and his step-mother, Elizabeth H. Daniel, filed for letters of administration for the estate of Silas L. Daniel on Oct 27, 1858. On that same date in Washington County, Sampson Daniel filed for guardianship of James Daniel Mason (then age 12), but not of George Lee Mason (then age 16).

5. On Nov 1, 1858 William Irwin was appointed guardian of orphan of John F. Mason, viz: George L. Mason. On Dec 5, 1858 Sampson Daniel was appointed guardian of orphan, James D. Mason. Recorded: MASON, John F. Estate. Johnson County, Georgia. L/G, Vol. A (1852-1890).

6. The obituary of Dr. George Lee Mason, which appeared in a Washington County, Georgia newspaper on Thursday, January 28, 1886, clearly stated that "...he went to live with the family of his aunt and uncle, Mrs. and Col. William A. Irwin, at the well known Irwin's Cross Roads, where most of his school years were spent...."

George served in the military enlisting as a private in Co. E, 1st Regiment, "Washington Rifles" (Ramsey's), Georgia Volunteer Infantry, CSA, on Aug 12, 1861 in Washington County, Georgia. He was mustered out at Augusta, Ga. March 18, 1862.

[quoted from the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System Web Site http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/regiments.htm]

1st Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Ramsey's)

1st (Ramsey's) Volunteers Infantry Regiment ws formed at Macon, Georgia, in April, 1861. The men were raised in the towns and cities of Newnan, Perry, Augusta, Sandersville, Atlanta, Bainbridge, Quitman, Dahlonega, and Columbus. After being stationed at Pensacola it moved to Virginia, served under R.S. Garnett and H.R. Jackson, then during Lee's Cheat Mountain Campaign was attached to General D.S. Donelson's Brigade. In December, with a force of 918 officers and men, it was sent to Winchester and later Lynchburg. The regiment was soon ordered to Macon and mustered out of service. However, many of the men joined the 12th Georgia Artillery Battalion and other Georgia commands. Colonel James N. Ramsey, Lieutenant Colonel Goerge H. Thompson, and Major James W. Anderson were its field officers.

The following notice appeared in the local newspaper on Aug 12, 1863:

WASHINGTON COUNTY CAVALRY

"Members of the above organized company, whose names are hereto attached, will meet at Sandersville regularly every Saturday, until further notice, at 10 o'clock a.m., precisely, for drill, or they will be dealt with according to law.

By order of the Captain

R. P. Bynum, O. S. (Orderly Sergeant)

Sandersville, GA., August 11, 1863.

T. E. Brown, Capt.; J. I. Irwin, 1st Lt.; R. L. Warthen, 2nd Lt.; R. B. Strange, 3rd Lt.

RANK AND FILE

A. M. Scarborough J. R. Wicker J. M. Brown D. A. Inman A. M. Riddle Wm. H. Armstrong J. K. Newsome William Jones Hope Adams

I. L. Smith J. H. Hines Church Harris J. I. Perkins John S. Armstrong T. A. Orr T. S. Smith G. L. Mason J. M. Barge

W. F. Slade W. A. Sinquefield R. P. Bynum A. E. Edwards R. H. Wicker John E. Harrison J. J. Pugaly T. J. Jordan W. H. Elkins

R. L. Orr J. J. Ryals (honorary) A. H. Trawick H. M. Hooks William H. Lawson J. L. Orr R. F. Brown M. M. Robison Nathan Hadaway

In 1868 and 1869 George matriculated in the Medical Department of Soule University in Galveston, Texas, taking the following courses:

Lectures—Practice of Medicine
Lectures—Obstectrics
Lectures—Physiology
Lectures—Materia Medica
Lectures—Surgery
Lectures—Chemistry
Lectures on Anatomy

Family legend holds that while attending medical school, George lived with his uncle, Jasper Newton Daniel, younger brother of Nancy Ann (Daniel) Mason, George's late mother. While he may indeed have visited his uncle and stayed in his home between school sessions, he probably actually lived on or near the university campus since his Uncle Jasper lived first in Austin County and later in LaSalle County, but was not known to have ever lived in Galveston County, Texas.

State: Ga; County: Washington; Dist:Tennille; PO: Cains;
Enumerated 7 June 1870 by Henry A. Cates, Asst. Marshal
LN 17-18; HN 164; FN 157; Page: 200B; Image: 0000; Roll: M593-182
===================================
Mason...George L...25...M...W...Merchant.........$1,500...GA
Huker....Joseph.......20...M...W...Clerk in Store................GA

[Lived right next door to his aunt and uncle, William A. Irwin and Sarah Elizabeth Daniel, with whom he lived during most of his school years.]

The following Legal Notice appeared in the local newspaper on Feb 10, 1876:

"Washington County: Joseph Price files to sell before the court-house door in said county, property of Martha G. Young, deceased, late of Columbia County, Florida. Land adjoins Dr. B. D. Smith, Dr. G. L. Mason, A. W. Guin and others."

The following notice appeared in the local newspaper on May 4, 1880:

ROAD COMMISSIONERS

"...89th District: Dr. G. L. Mason, J. J. Holt, Abraham Wood"

State: GA; County: Washington; Town: Wammacks 89th District; Date: 17-18 Jun 1880
Enum. Dist: 123; Enumerator: James F. Smith; FHS Film: 1254170
LN 21-34, HN 66, FN 66; Page: 196C; Image: 0593; Roll: T9_170
===================================
Masons...George L....W...M....34.....Head...Farmer & Merchant...GA..GA..GA
Masons...Mollie V.....W...F.....24.....Wife....Housekeeping............GA..GA..GA
Masons...George L....W...M.....6.....Son......School.......................GA..GA..GA
Masons...James G.....W...M.....4.....Son.......................................GA..GA..GA
Masons...Clifford C...W...M.....2.....Son.......................................GA..GA..GA
Masons...Mary M.....W...F....6/12...Dau.......................................GA..GA..GA
Masons...Anner B....W...F....6/12...Dau.......................................GA..GA..GA

[NOTE: The enumerator of this district, for some reason known only to him, added an "s" to every surname.]

Mason G. L., Dr., a popular physician and prosperous merchant d. 8 miles from Tennille. Leaves wife and several children. TC 11-22-1885

From: The Constitution, Atlanta, 1885-1887

The following brief notice appeared in the local newspaper on Nov 26, 1885:

DIED

Dr. George L. Mason died of paralysis on Saturday last, at his residence, eight miles south of Tennille.

Died at his residence in this county on the 21st of November, 1885, of paralysis of the brain, after an illness of not quite two days, Dr. George L. Mason, aged 40 [sic; he was actually 42] years.

He was the son of John and Nancy Mason, the latter being a sister of Judge Samson [sic] and Mr. Silas Daniel. When not quite four years old he was left an orphan, both of his parents having died within two years of each other. His uncle, the late Mr. Silas Daniel, became his guardain, who with his estimable wife (now Mrs. Moreau) bestowed upon him the affections and care of parents. After the lapse of a few years, he went to live with the family of his aunt and uncle, Mrs. and Col. William A. Irwin, at the well known Irwin's Cross Roads, where most of his school years were spent.

When the tocsin [sic] of war sounded he joined the 38th Georgia Regiment, where he served faithfully until the surrender. Returning home he opened a mercantile business at the Cross Roads, but finding the occupation not genial at that time, he left for Texas, where he attended medical lectures, and graduated from the Medical College at Galveston in 1869.

Returning soon after again to his old home in Georgia he assumed the practice of medicine in which he became quite proficient, and also resumed the mercantile business, in which he was to a great degree successful. In 1872 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary V. Smith, the accomplished daughter of Dr. B. D. Smith, now of Forsyth.

After a few years abandoning the medical profession, he devoted himself to the management of several plantations, and to his mercantile affairs until death claimed him as his own.

When George died in 1885, he was originally buried in the Young Family Cemetery in Washington County, Georgia. In the 1970s, one of his grandsons, Ted Coatland Mason, had George's remains disinterred, moved to the Swainsboro City Cemetery in Emanuel County and reburied beside his wife, Mayme Vandella "Mary" (Smith) Mason Bridges. The birthdate listed on the tombstone is the same as was on the stone in the Young Family Cemetery (that stone was left behind when the remains were moved.)

However, that birth date might be incorrect. George's great granddaughter, Diane Carrington Bradford, has in her possession an old list of Mason/Smith family names and dates that was handwritten by George's wife, Mayme Vandella "Mary" (Smith) Mason Bridges, as well as a photocopy of the George Lee Mason Family Bible pages. Both sources list Dr. George Lee Mason's birth date as October 1842.

• Married: 26 Sep 1872 in Washington County, Georgia Death of one spouse 21 Nov 1885 ^{30 31 6 7 12 8}
• Change Date: 23 Aug 2004

1. George Lorine "Lori" MASON b: 21 Jul 1873 in Washington County, Georgia
2. James Gordon MASON b: 3 May 1875 in Washington County, Georgia
3. Clifford Seals MASON b: 30 Sep 1877 in Washington County, Georgia
4. Annie Belle "Anniebelle" MASON b: 10 Dec 1879 in Washington County, Georgia
5. Mamie Myrtle MASON b: 10 Dec 1879 in Washington County, Georgia
6. Julian Darius MASON b: 14 Sep 1882 in Washington County, Georgia
7. Dora Pauline MASON b: 14 Sep 1882 in Washington County, Georgia
8. Sara Lou "Sallie" MASON b: 14 Dec 1884 in Washington County, Georgia

1. Media: Bible
   Title: John F. and Nancy Ann (Daniel) Mason Family Bible Pages, later owned by Madison Hodges and Mary (Ellington) Mason
   Author: Mason, John F. and Nancy Ann (Daniel) Mason and Madison Hodges and Mary (Ellington) Mason, recorders
   Publication: [primary source] Washington County, Georgia.
   Date: 25 Jun 2007
   Note:
   The first family record entries in this Bible were for John F. and Nancy Ann (Daniel) Mason, their marriage, the birth of their two sons, George Lee and James Daniel Mason, and the deaths of John's parents, George and Sarah Mason. After the death of John F. Mason in 1848, the Bible was owned by John's nephew, Madison Hodges and Mary (Ellington) Mason who recorded their births, their marriage, the births of their children, and the deaths of two of their children. [Photocopies of the Bible pages are in the possession of Diane Carrington Bradford, 2nd great granddaughter of Dr. George and Sarah Mason. Photocopies of the Bible pages were received from Mrs. Helen Frapp.]
   Page: "Births" page.
2. Media: Book
   Title: Washington County, Georgia, Newspaper Clippings Vol. I 1852-1866
   Author: Evans, Tad, Compiler
   Publication: [primary source] Savannah, Georgia: Tad Evans, Publisher, Feb 17, 1994
   Date: 15 Aug 2001
   Page: Volume III 1881-1889, p 201
3. Media: Photograph
   Title: Photograph of Tombstone (in possession of compiler)
   Author: Bradford, Diane C., Compiler
   Publication: [primary source] Georgia, 2000
4. Media: Bible
   Title: Joseph Daniel Family Bible Pages
   Author: Daniel, Joseph and Temperance Ann (Lee) Daniel and Descendants
   Publication: [primary source] Washington County, Georgia
   Date: 15 Oct 2003
   Note:
   [A transcription of the Bible pages is in the possession of Diane Carrington Bradford, 3rd great granddaughter of Joseph Daniel and Temperance Ann (Lee) Daniel. The actual Bible was in the possession of Mrs. J. W. Daniel of Jacksonville, Florida when she had blueprint copies made of the information on the family record pages on Nov 10, 1959.]
5. Media: Vital
   Title: "Will of Joseph Daniel," dated Mar 1, 1847. Washington County, Georgia Estate Papers [on file at the Georgia Department of Archives & History. No probate date shown], Silas L. Daniel and John F. Mason appointed executors.]
   Author: Daniel, Joseph
   Publication: [primary source] Sandersville, Washington County, Georgia: 1847
   Date: 3 Jan 2003
6. Media: Original Document
   Title: List of Smith, Mason and Bridges Family Names, Births and Deaths [handwritten by the author]
   Author: Bridges, Mamye Vandella "Mary" (Smith) Mason
   Publication: [primary source] Georgia, c 1900
7. Media: Family History File
   Title: Mason/Sherouse & Carrington/Porterfield Family Information
   Author: Bradford, Diane Carrington, Compiler
   Publication: [Primary and secondary source] Stone Mountain, GA, 1999 [Family records, research and memories of Diane Carrington Bradford in possession of compiler.]
8. Media: Book
   Title: Colby Smith and His Descendants
   Author: Brantley, Gene D., Smith, Robert A., and Veal, Carllene S.
   Publication: [primary and secondary source] Louisville, GA: The Colby Smith Family Publications, 1998
   Date: 19 Sep 2000
   Note:
   The three authors are all direct descendants of Colby Smith and Anna Henry Smith of early Washington County, Georgia.
   Page: p 791
9. Media: Research collection
   Title: Mason Family Notes and Records
   Author: Mason, Mrs. William Gray, Compiler
   Publication: [primary and secondary source] Handwritten notes and records of the Mason family collected by a family historian and now in the possession of her granddaughter, Alice Mason. 2000 amason@tntech.edu
10. Media: DAR Application (approved)
    Title: DAR Application #165427 dated Apr 16, 1921 [approved Nov 7, 1921]
    Author: Smith, Isabel Daniel
    Publication: [primary and secondary source] Savannah, Georgia: 1921
    Date: 17 Jun 2001
11. Media: Photograph
    Title: Photograph of Tombstone (in possession of compiler)
    Author: Bradford, Diane C., Compiler
    Publication: [primary source] Georgia, 2000
    Page: The birth date on his tombstone is incorrect; the date listed is after his mother died.
12. Media: Personal
    Title: Lists of Mason and Smith Family Names, Births and Deaths [handwritten by the family historian]
    Author: Henry, Francis Katherine Smith (Aunt Dumpsie)
    Publication: [primary source] Swainsboro, Georgia, 1920
13. Media: Book
    Title: Colby Smith and His Descendants
    Author: Brantley, Gene D., Smith, Robert A., and Veal, Carllene S.
    Publication: [primary and secondary source] Louisville, GA: The Colby Smith Family Publications, 1998
    Date: 19 Sep 2000
    Note:
    The three authors are all direct descendants of Colby Smith and Anna Henry Smith of early Washington County, Georgia.
    Page: p 791 (The birth date given in this book is incorrect.)
14. Media: Book
    Title: Colby Smith and His Descendants
    Author: Brantley, Gene D., Smith, Robert A., and Veal, Carllene S.
    Publication: [primary and secondary source] Louisville, GA: The Colby Smith Family Publications, 1998
    Date: 19 Sep 2000
    Note:
    The three authors are all direct descendants of Colby Smith and Anna Henry Smith of early Washington County, Georgia.
    Page: p 791 (The location of his burial is incorrect in this book.)
15. Media: Research collection
    Title: Benjamin Darius Smith Descendants
    Author: Smith, DeSaussure Dugas, III "Dess", Compiler/Editor
    Publication: [primary and secondary source] Georgia, 2000 dess@jazz.cybermedia.net
    Date: 18 Sep 2000
16. Title: Descendants of Dr. Benjamin Darius Smith
    Author: Smith, DeSaussure Dugas, III "Dess", Compiler/Editor
    Publication: [primary and secondary source] Georgia, 2000 dess@jazz.cybermedia.net GEDCOM file (imported 9-18-2000) received from Dess Smith as an attachment to e-mail message dated 9-11-2000 to Diane Carrington Bradford.
    Date: 18 Sep 2000
    Note:
    DeSaussure Dugas Smith, III "Dess" is a direct descendant of Dr. Benjamin Darius Smith and through him of Colby Smith of early Washington County, Georgia.
    Page: GEDCOM from Dess Smith
17. Media: Electronic database
    Title: Mason/Sims/Witherspoon Family File [Online]
    Author: Witherspoon, Candie Sims, Compiler
    Publication: [secondary source] Downloaded Mar 31, 2000, from RootsWeb's World Connect Project at www.worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com.
18. Media: Census/Tax
    Title: 1850 Washington County, Georgia Census
    Publication: [primary source] Sandersville, Georgia, 1850
    Date: 10 Mar 2001
    Page: Schedule 2, Slave Schedule. LN 32-39, left column, Page: 568; Image: 0302; Roll: M432-96
19. Media: Census/Tax
    Title: 1860 Washington County, Georgia, Census
    Publication: [primary source] Sandersville, Georgia, 1860
    Page: House 421, Family 413, p 214
20. Media: Electronic database
    Title: Georgia Civil War Soldier Index [Online]
    Publication: [primary source] Electronic database on the Georgia GenWeb Archives Web site, State Files, Confederacy Military Records http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/ga/gsi.htm
    Date: 13 Apr 2003
    Page: Muster Roll, Co. E, 1st Rgmt., "Washington Rifles" (Ramsey's), Georgia Volunteer Infantry, CSA,
21. Media: Book
    Title: Washington County, Georgia, Newspaper Clippings Vol. I 1852-1866
    Author: Evans, Tad, Compiler
    Publication: [primary source] Savannah, Georgia: Tad Evans, Publisher, Feb 17, 1994
    Date: 15 Aug 2001
    Page: notice dated Aug 12, 1863, p 337
22. Media: Electronic database
    Title: Georgia Civil War Soldier Index [Online]
    Publication: [primary source] Electronic database on the Georgia GenWeb Archives Web site, State Files, Confederacy Military Records http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/ga/gsi.htm
    Date: 13 Apr 2003
    Page: Muster Roll, Co. F, 8th Rgmt, Georgia Cavalry, CSA
23. Media: Census/Tax
    Title: 1870 Washington County, Georgia Census
    Publication: [primary source] Sandersville, Georgia, 1870
    Page: H 163, F 156, p 20
24. Media: Book
    Title: Washington County, Georgia, Newspaper Clippings Vol. II 1867-1880
    Author: Evans, Tad, Compiler
    Publication: [primary source] Savannah, GA: Tad Evans, Publisher, Apr 14, 1994
    Date: 11 Sep 2003
    Page: p 234
25. Media: Book
    Title: Washington County, Georgia, Newspaper Clippings Vol. II 1867-1880
    Author: Evans, Tad, Compiler
    Publication: [primary source] Savannah, GA: Tad Evans, Publisher, Apr 14, 1994
    Date: 11 Sep 2003
    Page: p 374
26. Media: Census/Tax
    Title: 1880 Washington County, Georgia Census
    Publication: [primary source] Sandersville, Georgia, 1880
    Date: 26 May 2004
    Page: LN 21, HN 66, FN 66, p 196C
27. Media: Book
    Title: Washington County, Georgia, Newspaper Clippings Vol. II 1867-1880
    Author: Evans, Tad, Compiler
    Publication: [primary source] Savannah, GA: Tad Evans, Publisher, Apr 14, 1994
    Date: 11 Sep 2003
    Page: p 386
28. Media: Book
    Title: Memoirs of Georgia
    Author: McCall,
    Page: Vol. III
29. Media: Book
    Title: Washington County, Georgia, Newspaper Clippings Vol. III 1881-1889
    Author: Evans, Tad, Compiler
    Publication: [primary source] Savannah, GA: Tad Evans, Publisher, Apr 14, 1994
    Date: 15 Oct 2003
    Page: death notice dated Thursday, Nov 26, 1885, p 193
30. Media: Bible
    Title: George Lee Mason Family Bible Pages
    Author: Mason, George L. and Mary V. Smith Mason and Descendants
    Publication: [primary source] Washington County, Georgia
    Note:
    [Photocopies of the Bible pages are in the possession of Diane Carrington Bradford, great granddaughter of Dr. George Lee Mason and Mary V. Smith Mason Bridges. The actual Bible is in the possession of their granddaughter,Louise Mason Gibson, Vidalia, Georgia.]
31. Media: Original Document
    Title: Draft of Mason- Smith Wedding Announcement [handwritten by the happy bride]
    Author: Smith, Mamye Vandella "Mary"
    Publication: [primary source] Washington, County, Georgia, 1872