James Wesley Mason is the son of William Henry Mason (nee Minson) and Prudence Truman.

James is listed in the 1880 US Census and is not found in the 1900 US Census. It is presumed he died between 1880 and 1900.

Since he resided in Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, Ohio in 1880, it is probable that he is buried there. His son, John Wesley Mason is buried in Basil Memorial Cemetery in Baltimore, Fairfield County, Ohio. It is possible that James Wesley Mason is buried there or in nearby Old Basil Cemetery. There are several Mason relatives buried in each cemetery.

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FAMILY NAME

At some point, the spelling of the family surname changed from "Minson" to "Mason". It is presumed that the change happened after James' father, William Henry, moved to Ohio. James' mother, Prudence Truman, is buried in Virginia under the name "Minson".

The descendants that stayed in Ohio continued to use the "Mason" spelling. Descendants that stayed in Virginia or moved back to Virginia spelled the name Minson.

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James is 1 of 11 known children of William Henry Mason and Prudence Truman. His siblings are:

• Dandridge Minson (1807- Before 1850) - Believed to have remained in Virginia. A Dandridge H. Minson was born in 1837 in Henrico County, Virginia and could be a son of Dandridge Minson.
• John A. Minson (1808-1880) - Remained in Virginia
• Armstead T. Mason (1810- ? ) - Listed in 1850 & 1860 US Census in Fairfield County, Ohio
• Martha Minson Howle (1813-1888) - Married in Henrico County, Virginia about 1849
• Mary Ann Mason Young (1814-1890) - Married in Fairfield County, OH
• Richard M. Mason (1819-1882) - Listed in 1850 US Census in Fairfield County, OH. Died in Olin, Jones County, IA
• Elizabeth Minson (1821-Unknown) - no documentation of marriage or death
• Robert Howard Mason (1824-1901) - Married in Fairfield County, Ohio
• Robinette H. Minson Hampton (14 Sep 1828–24 Dec 1907) - Married in Henrico County, Virginia on 1 Jan 1851
• Female Minson (1835-1840) - no documentation of birth or death

In addition, James has 1 half-brother, the son of his father and his first wife Elizabeth Lawrence who died in 1795.

• William Henry Minson (1790-Bef 1850) - Remained in Virginia

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James Wesley was married to:

• Sarah Ann Murry - 1845 (Died 1864)

• Rebecca A. Holmes - 1865 (Died 1877)

• Elizabeth Emfield Bibler - 1879

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Per the 1850 U.S. Census, James and Sarah Mason resided in Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, Ohio. The family is listed as "Meason". James is listed as 25 years old and born in Virginia. Sarah is listed as 21 years old and born in Ohio. Also listed are 2 daughters:

-Nancy E. age 3, born Ohio

-Talitha A. age 2, born Ohio

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Per the 1860 U.S. Census, James and Sarah Mason resided in Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, Ohio. Listed are:

-James Mason , age 35, born Virginia

-Sarah Mason , age 34, born Ohio

-Thilithar A. Mason , age 12, born Ohio

-John W. Mason , age 5, born Ohio

-Mary A. Mason , age 4, born Ohio

-Jesse J. Mason , age 2, born Ohio

-Thomas P. Mason , age 7/12, born Ohio

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U.S. Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865

-Name: James W Meason

-Age: 38

-Birth Year: abt 1825

-Birth Place: Virginia

-Occupation: Farmer

-Residence Date: 1 Jul 1863

-Residence: Greenfield, Fairfield, Ohio

-Congressional District 12th

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It is presumed that Sarah died in 1864 since her daughter, Sarah was born in Nov 1864. James remarried in 1865.

Ohio, County Marriages, 1790-1950

-Groom: James W. Mason

-Bride: Rebecca A. Holmes

-Marriage Date: 1 Jun 1865

-Marriage Place: Fairfield County, Ohio

MARRIAGE ANNOUNCEMENT

Lancaster Gazette, Lancaster, Ohio, Thursday, 15 Jun 1865, Page 3

MARRIED

On June 1st by Rev. B. Spahr, Mr. James W. Mason ana Miss Rebecca A. Holmes, all of Fairfield co.

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Per the 1870 U.S. Census, James and Rebecca Mason resided in Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, Ohio. Listed are:

-James Mason, age 44, born Virginia

-Rebecca Mason, age 27, born Ohio

-John Mason, age 15, born Ohio

-Thomas Mason, age 10, born Ohio

-Theodore Mason, age 8, born Ohio

-Sarah Mason, age 6, born Ohio

-Augustus Mason, age 3, born Ohio

-Isabella Mason, age 8/12, born Ohio

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Rebecca died in June 1877. James remarried Elizabeth Emfield Bibler in 1879. She was the widow of Samuel S. Bibler who died in 1873.

Fairfield County, Ohio Marriage Record, page 467

-Groom: James W. Mason

-Bride: Elizabeth Bibler

-Marriage Date: 22 Jun 1879

-Marriage Place: Fairfield County, Ohio

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Per the 1880 US Census, James Mason resided in Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, Ohio. Listed are:

-James Mason, age 52, born Ohio

-Elizabeth Mason, age 52, born Ohio

-Mack Mason, age 17, born Ohio, Son

-Frank Mason, age 5, born Ohio, Son

-Clinton Bibler, age 15, born Ohio, Step Son

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James is known to have 11 children:

By Sarah Ann Murry:

-Talitha A. Mason Sterling (1845-1879)

-Nancy E Mason. (1847- ? )

-John Wesley Mason (1854-1933)

-Mary Ann Mason Milliser (1856-1930)

-Jesse James Mason (1857-1906)

-Thomas Perry Mason (1858-1917)

-Theodore McClerry Mason (1861-1930)

-Sarah Frances Mason Newman (1864-1944)

By Rebecca A. Holmes:

-Augustus Mason (1867-Unknown)

-Clara Isabella Mason Earhart (1869-1905)

-Frank Reed Mason (1875-1943)