John Thomson Mason, Jr. papers
Abstract
This collection primarily contains the correspondence of John Thomson Mason, Jr. (1815-1873), a lawyer and congressman from Hagerstown, Maryland. Topics of interest in the letters include law, medicine, tobacco and flour merchandising, and slavery.
Dates
- 1744-1882
Creator
- Mason, John Thomson, 1815-1873 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research use.
Conditions Governing Use
The reproduction of materials in this collection may be subject to copyright restrictions. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine and satisfy copyright clearances or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections. For more information visit the MCHC’s Rights and Permissions page.
Biographical Note
John Thomson Mason, Jr. was born at the family seat, Montpelier, Washington County Maryland, May 15, 1815. He received his early education at Mount St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and then entered Princeton where he graduated in 1836. Wishing to become a lawyer, he returned to Hagerstown, Maryland after graduation and entered the law office of William Price. He began his law practice in 1838 and soon undertook an active life both professionally and politically. In 1838 he was elected a member of the Maryland House of Representatives and after serving one term returned to Hagerstown and his law offices. In 1841 he was elected to the United States Congress where he served from March 4, 1841 to March 3, 1843. By 1851 he was one of the Judges of the Court of Appeals of Maryland. He served in that capacity until 1857 when he resigned the Court position to become Collector of the Port of Baltimore.
Being warmly sympathetic with the South, Mason retired to private life during the Civil War. He was twice imprisoned as a Southern sympathizer. At the close of the war Mason resumed his law practice in Baltimore, and in 1872 became Secretary of State of Maryland under Governor William Pinkney Whyte.
Mason died on March 28, 1873 at Elkton, Maryland, and is buried in Hagerstown.
Extent
3 Linear Feet (7 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Mrs. Carroll Van Nese in October 1976.
Scope and Contents
Although the collection centers around John Thomson Mason, Jr., many other members of the Mason family share a major part in the correspondence. There are letters to and from John Thomson Mason Jr.'s father, John Thomson Mason (1765-1824), and his son John Thomson Mason III (fl. 1868). Included is correspondence from two of John Thomson Mason, Jr.'s three brothers, Thomson Mason, and Melchior Beltzhoover Mason, to two of his three sisters, Elizabeth Mason and Virginia Wallace Mason, his cousin Westwood Thomson Mason, and his uncles William Temple Thomson Mason, Abraham Barnes Thomson Mason, and George Thomson Mason. There is also some correspondence to John Thomson Mason Jr.'s wife Margaret A. [Cowan] Mason, and his brother-in-law John O. Wharton.
Creator
- Mason, John Thomson, 1815-1873 (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the John Thomson Mason, Jr. papers
- Status
- Under Revision
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Revision Statements
- 2020-01-31: Manually entered into ArchivesSpace by Sandra Glascock.
Repository Details
Part of the H. Furlong Baldwin Library Repository
H. Furlong Baldwin Library
Maryland Center for History and Culture
610 Park Avenue
Baltimore MD 21201 United States
4106853750
specialcollections@mdhistory.org