Person:Hugh Mason (1)

Origins

The location of his Maulden, England origins was determined through the will of his wife's father as recorded in "Descendants of Capt. Hugh Mason in America," pp. 2-3. On page 4 of this same source, we learn that no record of the birth or marriage of Hugh Mason is to be found in either the registers of the Maldon parishes, but the following entry in the register of the parisH of St. Mary, in Maldon, may refer to a kinsman of the Watertown settler: 1631 Joseph Mason and Mary Houatt married 1 November.

Life in New England

In article about a new publication "The History of New England," (which appears to dispute claims by Savage) we read: "In a note to Capt. Mason, p. 266, he [?] goes on to make him [John Mason] the same "Lieut. Mason" who in 1632 was sent to the eastern coast after a pirate. Now he has no evidence, or if he has he does not produce it, that Capt. John Mason was in the country before 1634-35. There was a Hugh Mason at Watertown, who may have been in the country in 1632, and this was the man, in all probability, who went in pursuit of the pirate. He was denominated "Lieut. Mason," while John Mason of Pequot memory never was, we think, called "Lieut. Mason" in this country."

This 1632 presence, however, conflicts with Hugh Mason's name on a list of passengers on the “Francis” which left Ipswich (England) for New England on the last of April 1634. He is listed as 28; with him is his wife "Hester", age 22. Names of minors are also listed, and none bear the name Mason, implying that the couple had no children yet.

Listed as freeman on 4 Mar 1634-5. Settled in Watertown. Held various town offices, including that of selectman, which he held for 29 years; was a deputy to the General Court 10 years; was captain from 1652 until his death on 10 Oct 1678.

Hugh Mason was the Capt. Mason who fought in King Philip's War. He sent small assistance to Sudbury in April 1676.

He was selectman at Watertown for many years. and deputy to the general court ten years.

Legacy

He died 10 Oct 1678. I have yet to find or see reference to a will or probate.

His headstone at old Watertown cemetery reads: "Here lieth ye body of Capt. Hugh Mason who deceased October ye Xth 1678 anno aetalis 73 he that has thought of death in life's uncertaintie hath doubtless now a life that brings eternity." His grave also had a footstone that reads: "Mr. Hugh Mason Capt of ye Traine Band in this town, aged 73 years, died October ye Xth 1678. He or Herty[?] looks here on live for to learne that die thou must and after come to judgement just."

His widow died 21 May 1692.

Additional Sources

[incorporate into Sources]

1. "List of Freemen," NEHGS Register, volume 3, p. 93

2. "Notices of Publications," NEHGS Register, volume 8, p. 84

3. "The Founders of New England," NEHGS Register, volume 14, p. 331

4. "Date of Sudbury Fight," NEHGS Register volume 20, p 136 and 345

5. NEHGS Register volume 34, p. 80-81 [don't see the relevance of this citation]

6. Edna Warren, Descendants of Hugh Mason in America, New Haven, CT: Tittle, Morehouse & Taylor Co. (1992); originally printed in NEHGS Register, July 1924. [Ancestry.com]

1. ↑ Bond, Henry, M.D. Family Memorials. Genealogies of the Families and Descendants of the Early Settlers of Watertown, Massachusetts, Including Waltham and Weston (1855): To Which Is Appended the Early History of the Town. With Illustrations, Maps and Notes. (Boston, Mass.: Little, Brown, and Company, 1855)
   pp.356, 357.

   Hugh MasonTemplate:Https://archive.org/stream/familymemorialsg00bond