The following tax records for Masons in Culpeper was prepared by Walter Mason, descendant of James Mason and Mary Broderick of Stafford/Culpeper--as am I. DNA tests have proved me absolutely wrong in claiming most of the Masons in this area must be related--there are obviously a number of Mason families not related--and a number of Masons in early Culpeper tax records we can't identify. I'm cross posting this to the Mason and Culpeper lists in hopes someone can identify the ones I can't--and more Mason males with roots in the area will step forward and do the DNA testing. Since most of these entries are sons of John Mason/Mary Nelson in Stafford we need a DNA test from that family! I've annotated the Masons below I CAN identify--need help with the rest! Karen Dale ----- Original Message ----- From: Walter Mason<mailto:[email protected]> To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Sent: Friday, February 16, 2007 10:36 AM Subject: Culpeper County Mason families 1782-1802 Karen, Your comment about the number of Mason families moved me to look at the Culpeper personal property tax records for 1782-1802. I'm reasonably sure of 14 families in Culpeper over that period, some obviously being related as sons matured and went out on their own. I went through districts and taxable items to try to separate individuals of the same name, I think with good result. Presence on list does not indicate residency... Here's what I have: 1. Our family, Mary Mason followed by John Giddings. [This is Mary Broderick Mason, born in Stafford 1743. She married first James Mason who was described in a Culpeper deed of 1769 as "of Stafford Co." He died in Culpeper ca. 1779, and Mary married John Giddings ca. 1784. By 1800 all of their descendants that we know of had moved to Spartanburg SC.] 2. John Mason, Sr. This is the man who appears in French Strother's district in 1782, with John, James, Mary and Eleanor. He may be the John who appears in Strode's district in '86 (Strode being a successor to Strother). In Strother- no slaves, 1 H, 6 cattle, in Strode 1 young slave, 3H). The latter (in Strode)may be the John Mason in Aaron Lane's district from '90 to '02. I rather that is him based on property. I found no John Mason's in '87, '88, or 89 in the Culpeper Co. record. 3. Wm Mason. This man is found in Henry Field's district in '82, Henry Hill's (successor) in '83-86, then Dan'l Brown's (successor) from '88-'91. In '91 he has a James Mason in his household. During these years he has 1-2 slaves, and 3 or more horses. There are no William Mason's in Daniel Brown's district after '91. But in '92, a Wm Mason appears in Aaron Lane's district where he is found through '02, having a similar number of slaves and horses to the man in Field's, Hill's and Daniel Brown's districts. In '87, he was identified as Rev Wm Mason.[This is the Rev. Wm. Mason, son of John Mason and Mary Nelson of of Stafford Co. His son James married and had children mentioned in William's 1821, but the children are not named and I know nothing more about James--who was deceased by 1821.] 4. Wm Mason. This man is found in Aaron Lane's district in '87.and '89. He has no slaves, 2 horses in both years. No further record. 5. Jacob Mafson. Appears in Aaron Lane's district for '89. No slaves, 4 horses. No further record. 6. John Mason. Appears in Aaron Lane's district from '90 - '02. Has 3-5 slaves and 5-11 horses at times over the period. [I'm fairly certain this is the son of John Mason/Mary Nelson. He married Sally Jeffries of Fauquier Co. Jeffries. Most of their children moved to Kentucky.] 7. John Mason. Appears in Daniel Brown's district from '95 - '02. No slaves. He was taxed on 2 horses every year. [Could be John, son of the Rev. William. He was still alive when William wrote his will in 1821, but I've never been able to trace him later than these tax records.] 8. John Mason. Aaron Lane '02, one horse. No further record 9. George Mason. Aaron Lane '90 with 2 slaves. No further record. 10. Elisha Mason. Aaron Lane '95. No slaves, no horses. No further record. 11. Henry Mason. Appears in Daniel Brown's district '96-'02. 2-3 slaves, 2-4 horses over the period. [Another son of John Mason/Mary Nelson, married Celia Mason. He died 1808, had several sons, but the only one still alive in 1819 was Valentine] 12. James Mason. Appears in Aaron Lane's dsitrict'98-'00. one slave '98, '99. Two horses all years. Could be the man who married Susannah Tapp.[I think this is James Sr., son of James Mason and Mary Broderick,. He married Susannah Tapp, daughter of Vincent, in Culpeper Dec. 1793. About 1800, they left with the Tapp family for Spartanburg Co. SC where his brothers, Broderick and Francis, were already living.] 13. Alexander Mason. Aaron Lane '01 and successor Wm Burt '02. One horse both years. 14. Baley Mason. Wm Burt successor to Aaron Lane '02. One horse.