The Family of William Bond Mason And History of The Rainbow Church, Lowell Church, and First Baptist Church Genealogy and History - THE FAMILY OF HUGH MASON - WILLIAM MASON and Allied Families, by Mary Eliza Mason 1911 (pages 326-329 William Bond Mason figures not only in the political affairs of the "North West Territory" but was prominent in the religious circles. Sec. G. E. Leonard, D. D. in an article entitled "The Baptist Situation in Ohio Previous to 1826" and which was published in "The Ohio Baptist Annual" 1901, says "Previous to April 7, 1788 so far as the writer of this paper has been able to discover there was no Baptist situation in Ohio But among the forty eight of the arrival at Marietta at least one Baptist. Capt. William Mason, who was a preacher as well as captain. He was a very sincere and ardent Christian, a man of prayer and a fervent exhorter." >From the Western Religious Magazine of May 1828, "William Mason was one of the Ministers of the Rainbow Church (Baptist). He was also empowered to solemnize marriages. On his death bed he expressed a belief that his children would all become Christians. The subsequent history shows his faith was rewarded: for in a few years they all had professed conversion and united with the church. It is said that seven of his sons and sons-in-law were baptized on one day." The Rainbow Church was organized in the year 1796 or 7 by Elder Nehemiah Davis, a minister from Maine. Capt. Mason was one of the members and became one of it's ministers. His wife Susannah is said to have been a church member before she came to Ohio. She was a member of the Rainbow and Marietta Church and was received into the Lowell church May 11, 1833, where she was a consistent member until her death. She was a member more than 54 years. they both attended and assisted in the services held in "Campus Martius." The Baptist church in Washington Co., was established in 1796 or 7 in the vicinity of Lowell and was called the Rainbow church. This church prospered and grew until 1804 when there was a division on the subject of communion. Most of the members and Elder Davis believed in open communion and retained the name of Rainbow Church. this church was in existence Oct. 22, 1821. the close communicants were few in number and had Elder Paul for their pastor. By 1825 one of the two branches had taken the name of Adams and become extinct. Some of the members were then received into the Marietta church which was established Feb.. 5, 1818. The record of Feb. 25, 1825 says "Part of the Adams church, now dissolved, were received into the Marietta church.? (This refers to one of the two branches of the Rainbow church and not to the Adams church which was established May 12, 1832 and which in 1852 changed their name to the Lowell Church). Another record to "Dear Brethren in the Lord, as we live at some distance from you, and believe it would contribute to the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom to become constituted a separate church, desire to be dismissed from the Marietta church for that purpose, done by a unanimous vote at our church meeting Jan. 7, 1832." among the signers were ten who were sons and daughter and sons and daughters in law. Viz: William Mason Henretta Mason Jonas Mason Beuia Mason Elijah Mason Maria Mason Clarissa Devol Abner Devol Pamelia Roach John Roach "Whereupon on due consideration the request of said petition be granted and Dea. E. Emerson and Thomas Jett were chosen as council to sit on the 2nd Saturday in May next to assist in constitution said church." "NOTE----Such of the above names, persons as do not appear from this record to have been received, were received the Cats Creek branch of the church." This must mean that some of the petitioners belonged to a church called the "Cats Creek" branch before coming into the Marietta church. The first house of worship in Marietta was built on Church St. in Apr. 1836. It was burned down and a new one built on Putnam St. in 1855. Another one was built on the same street on Putnam St. in 1855. Another one was built on the same street in 1907. This church belonged to the Parkersburg, W. Va. association, but obtained permission of them in 1825 to unite with other Ohio churches, who formed the Meigs Creek, Oh, Association. They afterward withdrew and with other churches formed the Marietta Association. Jonas Mason and his wife Beula, were members, possibly of the Cats Creek branch and later of the Marietta church. They received letters from that church Apr. 21, 1832 and signed the articles of the Lowell church May 12, 1832. They were both "faithful until death." He was one of the Deacons for a long time and for many years Superintendent of the Sabbath School. They outlived all who joined the church with them and were the support of the Lowell church for a good many years. they were widely known as Uncle Jonas and Aunt Beula. their home was the "Stopping Plance" for all the preachers. Mrs. Mason was the Bible agent for a long time. Elijah Mason and wife Mariah Mason took letters from the Marietta church or the Cats Creek branch in 1828 for the records say "Sister Owen and Elijah Mason, Hannah Morris Solicitors to receive funds for the Marietta Church for the use of the Baptist Convention." William Bond Mason and wife Henretta received letters from the Marietta church May 12, 1832 and joined at Lowell. He signed the articles May 12, 1832 and I suppose she did too, thought I find no record of same. By the record she was baptized in 1838 which could not be true as shown from other records; and she herself says the date is incorrect, though she forgets what year it was. She says it was nearer 1838. She was dismissed by letter from Lowell Feb. 1843 and again joined the Marietta church Mar. 22, 1843 where she remained a member until her death. Their daughter Mary Green is a member of the Marietta church. Mrs. . Green's dau., Sarah McKiney is a member of the Baptist church in Williamstown, W. Va. William Bion Mason was baptized Dec. 15, 1855 at Lowell and joined the church at Marietta Jan. 24, 1860. He was elected clerk. At other times he was a trustee and member of standing committee. Was a member of this church when he died Nov. 11, 1885. His wife Lucetta Mason joined at Lowell. Was baptized Dec. 1842. Was dismissed by letter Jan. 20, 1856. their dau. Mary Eliza (author of the Mason Genealogy) related her experience to the First Baptist church at Marietta Wednesday evening Apr. 10, 1867 and was baptized by Rev. I. N. Carmon, Sunday evening, Apr. 21, 1867. She attended the young peoples prayer meetings and later was a member of the Young Peoples Society of Christian Endeavor. Began very early to teach in the Sabbath School and has taught almost all the time since. Was interested in Mission work and was president of the "Messenger Band" for a long time. also a member of the "Ways and Means" Committee for new church in 1907. Joseph Mason and wife were members of the Baptist church. He was ordained and preached in Marion Co., Ohio Simeon Mason (son of William Bond) Adelphia Mason and wife Patience were for a long time members of the Lowell church. she signed the constitution May 12, 1932. Later they both became members of the Christian church at Lowell. He in 1865 and she about the same time. Clarissa Mason and her husband Abner Devol signed the constitution May 12, 1832 and joined the Lowell church of which they were still members at the time of death. John Roach and wife Pamelia (Mason) joined the Lowell church at the same time at the others of the family and were always faithful. The same may be said for her sister Sophronia and husband. Susan, another sister, was received by baptism into the Lowell church Feb. 1845 and was dismissed by letter Dec. 1845. Moved to Marion Co., Ohio and married Mr. Harden. they were both earnest Baptists when death came. He joined where a small boy. Ruben Mason was baptized Dec. 8, 1855 and joined the Baptist church at Lowell. Was granted a letter Apr. 4, 1857 and joined the Christian church at the same place. Oscar Mason was baptized and joined the same Dec. 13, 1855 and later with the Christian church. Joseph Mason's wife and family all joined the Marietta Baptist church. His wife and daughters are still active members. Genealogy and History - THE FAMILY OF HUGH MASON - WILLIAM MASON and Allied Families, by Mary Eliza Mason 1911 (pages 326-329 Transcribed by Debbie Noland Nitsche - Sept. 6, 2003 Debbie Noland Nitsche Diamonddeb@comcast.net FAMILY HISTORY SITE http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/n/i/t/Debra-Nitsche// PHOTO SITE OF "FAMILIES OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO" http://hometown.aol.com/familiesofwashco/index.html OLD MARIETTA & WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO PHOTOS http://hometown.aol.com/washcoohiopics/myhomepage/collection.html WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO HISTORICAL & GENEALOGICAL "LINKS" http://hometown.aol.com/washcohistory/index.html