I am at least the third generation to work on this man, but the bricks are all firmly in place. The first record for James Mason is a Dec 1769 deed filed in Culpeper that describes James Mason as "of Stafford County. " A 1771 deed says he was of Culpeper. He married Mary Broderick, the daughter of Christopher Broderick (also a brick wall!) and Sarah Hammett (who married second John Cannon). Mary Broderick was born in Overwharton Parish, Stafford, 20 Oct 1745. They probably married in Stafford about 1762, but there is no record of that marriage.
James and Mary had sons Broderick (married Jane Posey), Francis (married Ellender Hammett) and James (married Susannah Tapp), all of whom moved to Spartanburg SC, Broderick before 1790. They probably had daughters Sarah (married Samuel Giddings in Culpeper) and Elizabeth. James Sr, died before 21 Jun 1779, when his estate was appraised in Culpeper.
DNA test results say that James Mason is not related to the Gunston Hall Masons or the John Mason/Mary Nelson family of Stafford. DNA does indicate he may be related to the Gilbert Mason who was on a Fauquier deed 1762, but also had associations about the same time in Richmond Co. Gilbert later moved to Bedford Co. I have not yet proven the DNA match back to Gilbert, but it looks good. DNA also says James is probably related to a Martin Mason who appears in Botetourt Co. 1785, origins unknown.
Somewhere in the Northern Neck there must be a record for a Mason who was father, grandfather, whatever, for these "lost" Masons. I would appreciate any clues that might give me new areas for research!
Karen Dale
----- Original Message -----
From: Kathleen Much<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2008 12:05 PM
Subject: [VA-ROOTS] Brick Wall - William Downman d 1711/12 in Richmond Co
William Downman of "Mount Sion", Richmond Co, m. Million Travers ca
1678. He d. testate 1711 or 1712 in North Farnham Parish; she d.
testate 1727.
Previous researchers have claimed that he was the son of William
Downman who d a pauper 1654 in Lancaster Co leaving a widow Dorothy,
dau. of John Nichols. No child is mentioned.
Ida J. Lee, _Abstracts of Lancaster County, Virginia, Wills 1653-1800_
(Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1973), p. 74: "DOWNMAN,
William. Inventory. 9 July 1654. Rec. 12 June 1655. By Dority Downman.
W.B. 2, p. 13. (Note, from W.B. 1, p. 145) Whereas Wm. Downman died
very poor, is not able to pay charges of administration, John Nichols,
on ye behalf of his daughter, ye wife and relict of sd Downman, the
Court orders that the estate be appraised. 6 Jany. 1654."
The will of Thomas Saxe shows cattle given to Dorothy Downman, Widow.
The will was probated in Lancaster County on 1 January 1654/5.
Source: Fleet, _Virginia Colonial Abstracts_, Vol.1, from Lancaster
County Record Book #2, 1654 -1666, Page 11.
June 1655, record book 2, page 13, 'The Estate of William Downman is
debtor to me Jo Nicholes... the sume of 922 lb of tobo.' Witness: Tho.
Hacket, Ric Denham. Page 14 of record book 2, re: settlement of the
estate of Wm. Downman: "the widow hopes that the Court will be so
pleased to bestor her bed & that belongeth to upon her having not
anything to lie upon & she shall every pray for their worships
felicity." Signed Thomas hacket and Edwin Conniway, 12 June 1655.'
In the mid-1600s, Robert and Priscilla Downman in Barbados were
granted letters of marque by the King of Portugal. They also appear in
Virginia records. It is quite possible that they were the parents of
my William Downman; he named children Robert and Priscilla, but not
Dorothy or John, as one would expect if he were the son of Dorothy
Nichols.
Help, please?
Kathleen
The Book Doctor
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