Addison

MASON, Andrew J., Mrs. (Annie nee WARD)

Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont: A Record of the 
Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding 
of a Nation. Carleton, ed. Chicago: Lewis, 1903, pp 518-519

Mrs. Andrew J. MASON [Annie D. (WARD) JACKSON], the widow of Andrew Jackson 
MASON, was born 17 April 1839 in Waltham, Addison County, Vermont. Jesse 
WARD, her grandfather, was a resident of the state of Connecticut, where he 
was engaged in agricultural pursuits; he removed to Waltham, Vermont, where 
he pursued the same occupation for the remainder of his life. Chester WARD, 
son of Jesse, was born 15 January 1789, in the town of Waltham, Addison 
County, Vermont, reared upon the old homestead, and after obtaining his 
education in the common schools, devoted his time and attention to farming, 
and being industrious and energetic, soon has his farm in a high state of 
cultivation. He was a progressive and public-spirited man, and took an 
active interest in the welfare of the community, and served in the capacity 
of town treasurer for many years. On 17 November 1813 he [Chester WARD] 
married Miss Abigail HAWKINS, who was born 28 May 1794 in Waltham, Addison 
County, Vermont. Seven children were born of this union.

[The seven children of Chester WARD and Abigail HAWKINS], one of whom is 
living at the present [1903] time, [include]: (1) Jesse, the oldest, died 
09 October 1902; Olive M., was the wife of Hiram SPALDING [Hiram a son of 
Philip?], and she died at their home in Canton [typo for "Panton" in Addison 
County, Vermont]; (3) Amelia married Ethan ALLEN, and died in Ferrisburg 
[Addison County, Vermont]; (4) Laurette L. married Harmon CLARK, and died in 
Hopkinton [St. Lawrence County], New York; (5) Chester Mansfield died at the 
age of seventeen years; (6) Watson W. lived and died in Waltham [Addison 
County, Vermont]; and (7) Mrs. MASON [Annie D.] is the youngest of the 
family. Mr. [Chester] WARD died 27 February 1882, at the age of ninety-three 
years, and his wife [Abigail WARD] passed away 17 December 1874, in her 
eighty-first year.

Mrs. Andrew J. MASON, whose maiden name was Annie D. WARD, acquired her 
education in the common schools of her native town, and on 22 September 1859 
was married to Andrew Jackson MASON, who was born 24 October 1834 in Potsdam 
[St. Lawrence County], New York, a son of Lawrence MASON. Lawrence MASON 
learned the trade of carpenter, and for the remainder of his life, which was 
spent in Potsdam, he followed that occupation. For his third wife, he 
[Lawrence MASON] married Miss Sarah FRENCH, who was born in New Haven 
[Addison County, Vermont], and five children were born to them, two of whom 
are still living: Elizaette, Mrs. Cyrus PARTRIDGE, of Potsdam; and Sarah 
Jane, wife of Colonel C. E. LOUNSBURY, a resident of Fargo [Cass County], 
North Dakota. Mr. [Lawrence] MASON died in 1851 or 1852 at the age of 
seventy-one years, and his wife, Sarah [Sarah (FRENCH) MASON], died in her 
eighty-fourth year.

Andrew J. MASON attended the district school of Potsdam and remained under 
the parental roof until he attained the age of seventeen years, when he 
removed to New Haven [Addison County], Vermont, and was engaged in the 
occupation of farming up to the time of the outbreak of the Civil War; he 
enlisted as a private on 05 September 1861 in Company F, Fifth Vermont 
Regiment, and for the bravery he displayed on the field of battle was 
promoted through various ranks to be first lieutenant, and at the time of his 
discharge from the United States service, 31 March 1863, he was acting in 
that capacity. With his regiment he saw much hard service, and passed 
through many severe battles. After his return to New Haven he purchased a 
farm, which consisted of one hundred and ten acres, situated one and a half 
miles northwest of the village. He [Andrew Jackson MASON] successfully 
conducted farming operations up to the time of his death, which occurred 26 
January 1898, in his sixty-fourth year.

Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. MASON [Andrew Jackson and Annie D. 
(WARD) MASON], namely: (1) Conie [Connie?], who resides at home; (2) Fred 
C., who died at the age of thirty-one years in Elizabeth [Elbert County], 
Colorado; (3) Jessie W., who died at the age of twenty-four years; (4) 
Carrie, who resides with her mother; and (5) Sarah, who became the wife of 
Davis L. ROSS, and died 15 June 1902, and one son survives her: Earle Mason 
ROSS, who was born 25 May 1902. Mr. [Andrew Jackson] MASON was a member of 
the Congregational church, a member of Ethan Allen Post, Grand Army of the 
Republic, of Vergennes [Addison County, Vermont], and was a charter member of 
Libanus Lodge No. 47, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, of Bristol; he was a 
Republican; was of domestic taste, not caring for official station; and led a 
quiet, industrious life. Though afflicted with paralysis soon after leaving 
the army, he contrived to perform considerable farm labor, and was a model of 
patient industry. [See also the Addison County, Vermont, biography of 
Charles W. MASON, brother of Andrew Jackson MASON.]

Submitted by Cathy Kubly