Thought this may be of interest to the Hughenden MASON descendants out there:- Written on a handbill dated 1830:- "The following account of the funeral of a Patriarch of this county, is given as it was received, nearly verbatum. CHARLES MASON, aged 86 years and 7 months, died on the 8th day of January at Great Kingshill, about three miles and three quarters from High Wycombe, in the parish of Hughenden, in the county of Bucks: leaving a widow, aged 86 years and three months, who has been married to him for 66 years, and borne him ten children, six of whom are now living. His progeny altogether, including sons-in-law, duaghters-in-law, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, is 162 now living. The above named Charles Mason was buried in the Hughenden churchyard two miles and a half from Great Kingshill, a cross country road, on Friday, the 16th day of January, 1830. He was followed by upwards of 86 of his sons, daughters, and grandchildren, and was carried to the church by six of his grandsons six others bearing the pall. Four 4 wheel and seven 2 wheel carriages followed. The mourners were about 172 in number, being made up of the 86 relations before mentioned, and respectable Farmers, Tradesman and Neighbours: the whole of them returned to their respective homes that evening. The expense of the funeral was £6:2:2 halfpenny, which was paid by the deceased's sons and daughters. The aged widow is in good health and can read the Bible without the aid of glasses. She is now living with her eldest daughter at Hampden Row. The whole of the 162 children and grandchildren are in good health at this time, not one but has the use of their limbs and facilities (thanks be unto their Maker). It was considered that more would have attended, had it not been for the snow."

Thank you for this. Charles Mason was my 6 x g-grandfather. His grand-daughter Elizabeth married into the West family, farmers of Great Kingshill. His 4 x great-grand-daughter Ethel West married Thomas Ayres of Amersham, my grandfather. I have a copy of a hand-written transcription of the handbill made by Charles Mason's great-grandaugher Hephyibah (?) in 1934 when she was 85. Richard Ayres ----- Original Message ----- From: "Al" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2007 3:41 PM Subject: [BKM] Burial of Charles MASON, Farmer of Hughenden, 1830 > Thought this may be of interest to the Hughenden MASON descendants out > there:- > > Written on a handbill dated 1830:- > > "The following account of the funeral of a Patriarch of this county, is > given as it was received, nearly verbatum. CHARLES MASON, aged 86 years > and > 7 months, died on the 8th day of January at Great Kingshill, about three > miles and three quarters from High Wycombe, in the parish of Hughenden, in > the county of Bucks: leaving a widow, aged 86 years and three months, who > has been married to him for 66 years, and borne him ten children, six of > whom are now living. His progeny altogether, including sons-in-law, > duaghters-in-law, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, is 162 now > living. > The above named Charles Mason was buried in the Hughenden churchyard two > miles and a half from Great Kingshill, a cross country road, on Friday, > the > 16th day of January, 1830. He was followed by upwards of 86 of his sons, > daughters, and grandchildren, and was carried to the church by six of his > grandsons six others bearing the pall. Four 4 wheel and seven 2 wheel > carriages followed. The mourners were about 172 in number, being made up > of > the 86 relations before mentioned, and respectable Farmers, Tradesman and > Neighbours: the whole of them returned to their respective homes that > evening. The expense of the funeral was £6:2:2 halfpenny, which was paid > by > the deceased's sons and daughters. The aged widow is in good health and > can > read the Bible without the aid of glasses. She is now living with her > eldest > daughter at Hampden Row. The whole of the 162 children and grandchildren > are > in good health at this time, not one but has the use of their limbs and > facilities (thanks be unto their Maker). It was considered that more would > have attended, had it not been for the snow." > > > > >