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Record #3551
Name :
: Arthur MASON (1888 - 1940)


Father
:
Mother
:
BMD and other details
Date of Birth
: 10 Mar 1888

Marriage (1)
:
Marriage (2)
:

Date of Death
: 10 Aug 1940
Abode (1) : Place of BirthEngland, Cheshire, Chester
Abode (2) : Place of Death / BurialCanada, Earl Grey
Sailing Information
Date of Arrival
: 20 Jul 1901
Country
: Canada

Ship
: Numidian

Placement Family
:
Homes / Agencys
Institution (GB)
:

Agency
: Barnardos
NotesThis is a complicated and complex family situation:

Father: John George Williams a/k/a George John Mason a/k/a George Wrench Mason. (Parents names: William Wrench & Mary Mason.)

John George Williams married Mary Emma Bright on February 12 1878 in Devonport, Devon, England.

Eliza Ann Mason was reportedly born on board a man of war ship in the Irish Sea.

In 1891, Arthur Mason, 3 years of age, was residing at 33 Cross Street, Chester Castle, Chester, Cheshire, England. Other family members included: Albert Mason, 6; Eliza A. Mason, 5; Florence B. Mason, 7/12; George Mason, 46, store keeper for factory; George Mason, 12; Jno H. Mason, 8; Mary E. Mason, 36; and Willm Mason, 10. (Source: 1891 Census of England; Class: RG12; Piece: 2862; Folio 61; Page 40; GSU roll: 6097972.) (EDITORS NOTE: Eliza Mason is shown as being born in County Cork, Ireland, in this census.)

A death registration was found for Mary Ellen Mason; Estimated Birth Year: abt 1854; Year of Registration: 1898; Quarter of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec; Age at Death: 44; District: Chester; County: Cheshire, Flintshire; Volume: 8a; Page: 258.

Doris Hefkey found the following newspaper article reporting the inquest into the death of Mary Emma Williams in a metal box th at belonged to her Dad:

"Sudden Death of Chester Woman (headline)

Mr. Frank Turner, Death Coroner, held an inquest at the Chester Sheaf, on Thursday afternoon, touching the death of Mary Emma Williams, wife of George John Williams [EDITORS NOTE: Reversal of given names and Williams as surname], army pensioner, of 33 Cross St., Chester. The evidence adduced was to the effect that deceased who was 44 years of age, was employed at Spencer's Clothing Factory, in Northgate St. On Wednesday afternoon, while she was at work, she suddenly fell back into a companion's arms and became unconscious. Dr. Parry was sent for and he discovered the symptoms of an apoplectic seizure. As deceased did not get any better he advised her removal home. Here Dr. Gillen was called in, but death occured the same night.

Deceased was a weakly woman, but had not been complaining of ill health. A verdict to the effect that deceased died from apoplexy was returned."

Doris Hefkey notes that her medical dictionary indicates an "apoplectic seizure" is another way of saying she had a stroke.

A few days after the death of their mother, the eldest brother, George Wrench Williams, must have written a letter to one of his aunts in the USA. The following is the text of the reply from his aunt Emily, possibly the second wife of their mother's brother:

"Warren, Jan. 12, 1899

My Dear Nephew,

Your letter of the 29 reached here just 12 days after it was Posted, and we were very sorry indeed to learn of your sad Bereavement, in the loss of your beloved Mother, and coming so sudden and unexpectedly to you makes it very hard, I often thought of your dear Mother although I am a stranger in the family, and wished you lived where we might help you, as one might have done in so many ways had you been nearer, with your growing children, and ours grown.

We could have helped clothed your sisters and younger brothers without much expense, and taken a great large a family, but as it was we could not do much, one that has large families of their own can't always have money to send, for money does not grow on bushes here, as one Irishman made another believe, that all he had to do, if he came to America was to pick the money from the bushes like fruit, but people work very hard here for what they have but wages are better here I think than in England.

And now my dear boy, my heart goes out to you to night for I realize what a responsibility is resting on your young shoulders being the eldest of so many Brothers and sisters, and I would like you to write by return mail and tell me how many children there are, how many girls, and their ages, the age of the youngest child, and whether a boy or girl the name and age of your eldest sister, and our Lizzie when at your house said you had an Aunt that had been very kind to you all, when you were burned out that time. If she is there now will you ask her to write me and tell me what she thinks might be done for your dear sisters, they ought to be in school, and I do hope you and your other Brothers will be very kind to them for the dear Mother sake, and your friends will try and do what they can for you.
...
From your Aunt Emily"

John George William (aka George John Mason) died July 6, 1899, in Chester, Cheshire, England.

Violet Maskell obtained the following information from Barnardos:

"When Arthur and Frederick were admitted to Dr. Barnardo's on the 5th October, 1899 it is recorded that Arthur had been born on the 10th March, 1888 and Frederick had been born on the 30th April, 1893, both in Chester and they had been baptised.

Arthur was admitted to Leopold House in the East End of London prior to sailing to Canada on the 18th July, 1901 on the S.S. Numidian arriving in Quebec on the 29th July that year. There were 330 boys in that particular party. Arthur was employed by a Mr. Cowling at Littlewood and then later moved to a Mr. Love. In 1916 we learnt that he was in the 125th Battalian C.E.F., Camp Borden, Ontario and was a fine capable man."

Arthur married Christina Mae Primrose. They had one son, Fred Mason. Fred died in 1971.

Arthur Mason died August 10, 1940, in Earl Grey, Saskatchewan, Canada. 
ContributorsCreated : 2008-04-05 16:03:10 / From original database

Last Updated : 2009-01-31 13:20:30 /

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Surnames starting with:   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  7 Entries        
IDNameDOBPlace of birthArrivals & ShipsDest.AgencyFamily links
12693 CHEADLE, Cecilia Agnes1909ENG,    , Chester Apr 1924 : - Unknown - CAN Sailing Alone  
10666 GERAGHTY, Peter1871ENG,    , Chester Jul 1882 : Peruvian CAN Lord Archibald Douglas  
12515 LIGHTWOOD, George1887ENG, CHS, Chester Oct 1897 : Labrador CAN Barnardos  
3551 MASON, Arthur1888ENG, CHS, Chester Jul 1901 : Numidian CAN Barnardos  
3552 MASON, Ella Mary1895ENG, CHS, Chester Oct 1902 : Colonian CAN Barnardos  
3550 MASON, Florence Beatrice1890ENG, CHS, Chester Oct 1902 : Colonian CAN Barnardos  
3547 MASON, Frederick1893ENG, CHS, Chester Apr 1900 : Cambroman CAN Barnardos