William Mason (1757–1818)

William Mason (22 October 1757 – 7 February 1818) was a militiaman in the American Revolutionary War and a prominent Virginia planter. Mason was the son of George Mason, an American patriot, statesman, and delegate from Virginia to the U.S. Constitutional Convention.

Early life and education
Mason was born on 22 October 1757. He was the fourth child and third eldest son of George Mason and his wife Ann Eilbeck. Like his brothers, Mason was educated by tutors at Gunston Hall.

American Revolutionary War
During the American Revolutionary War, Mason served in the Fairfax Militia fighting under Henry Lee III in South Carolina. He was commissioned a Captain. In 1780, Mason's father declined an offer by Lee to continue his military service because his father felt Mason's "lot must be that of a farmer and gentleman." Mason was presented with a sword by General George Washington, which was said to have been given to him by Charles III of Spain. Mason returned to private life between December 1780 and June 1781.

Properties
In 1780, Mason inherited the Eilbeck family estates, Araby and Mattawoman, in Charles County, Maryland, from his maternal grandmother, Sarah Eilbeck. The Mason family occupied Araby until 1849. In 1849, 402 acre including the mansion were sold by Mason's daughter Mary Elizabeth Mason to William Thompson.

Mason also received all his father's properties in Charles County. These properties were located along Chicamuxen and Mattawoman Creeks.

Marriage and children
Mason married Ann Stuart, daughter of William and Sarah Stuart, on 11 July 1793 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in King George, Virginia. The couple had five children:


 * William Stuart Mason (1795–7 March 1857)
 * George Mason of Hollin Hall (11 November 1797–25 March 1870)
 * Ann Sarah Stuart Mason Heileman (1803–9 November 1852)
 * Edgar Eilbeck Mason (1807–8 January 1835)
 * Mary Elizabeth Mason (1810–2 February 1885)

Later life
Mason died on 7 February 1818 at Mattawoman in Charles County, Maryland at age 60.

Relations
William Mason (1757–1814) was:
 * a son of George Mason (1725–1792)
 * nephew of Thomson Mason (1733–1785)
 * first cousin of Stevens Thomson Mason (1760–1803), John Thomson Mason (1765–1824), and William Temple Thomson Mason (1782–1862)
 * uncle of George Mason VI (1786–1834) and Richard Barnes Mason (1797–1850), Thomson Francis Mason (1785–1838), and James Murray Mason (1798–1871)
 * first cousin once removed of Armistead Thomson Mason (1787–1819), John Thomson Mason (1787–1850), and John Thomson Mason, Jr. (1815–1873), and
 * first cousin twice removed of Stevens Thomson Mason (1811–1843).