The next Mason records to consider are those of Michael Mason Sr., who died in Madison County, Alabama c. 1832. There are probate folders for Michael Mason in Madison County. One is for Michael Mason Jr. and the other is for Michael Mason Sr. There is reason to think that some documents may have been mixed up between the two files. The folder for Michael Mason Sr. is labelled (Rev.) Michael Mason. Most researchers believe that Michael Mason Jr. who predeceased his father in about 1822/23 was the M.E. minister. His credentials can be found in Michael Mason Sr's file folder. The folders themselves are twentieth-century, so they are not period folders. Whoever created the files cross-referenced them, and it is evident they had trouble sorting out the two Michaels. At the time of his death, Michael Mason Jr.'s wife was Margaret while Michael Mason Sr.'s wife was Rebecca. Michael Mason Jr.'s estate was being inventoried in 1823, so he is obviously not the Michael Mason whose will is dated 1826.
The only Michael Mason on the 1830 Madison County, Alabama census was 70 - 79 years old with a female who was 40 - 49 years old. Additionally, there was a female child aged 5 - 9. While this Michael Mason is old enough to be the father of Joseph Mason born in 1777, the female living with Michael Sr. is clearly not old enough to be Joseph's mother.
Among the documents in Michael Mason Sr.'s folder is this one of interest to the descendants of Joseph Mason:
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| Madison Co. AL; Probate Loose Papers Case #928 |
"To The Hon. Samuel Chapman
Judge of the County Court of
Madison County Alabama
Sir
I have no objection to the will of Michael Mason (my father) being proven in open court and admitted to record and as I am satisfied with said will.
August 5th 1832
I am yours
Joseph Mason
Witness Daniel Johnson"
It looks like the back of this paper may have had writing on it, but that side was not microfilmed. It may have revealed where Joseph Mason was when it was written.
Michael Mason Sr.'s will named only his wife Rebecca. It is a brief will, leaving everything to her. No children were mentioned let alone named in his will. It was witnessed by William Young, John J. Bain, and John Ward. It was filed on 17 August 1832, recorded in Minute Book 7, p. 354. There is a notation that it was recorded on 27 March 1839 in Orphan Records Book 8 p. 414.
Doing the math makes it clear that Mathew Mason Sr.'s wife Rebecca would have been far too young to be Joseph Mason's mother. The admittance of this will in orphan's court in 1839 suggests that Mathew Mason Sr. may have had a young daughter with Rebecca.
More documents need to be sought. At least I know where to look.
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