George Mason (died 1710) was an American colonial politician who represented Norfolk County in the House of Burgesses in 1705–1706, although his father Colonel

Lemuel Mason Colonel Lemuel Mason (c. 1628 – 1702) was an early Virginia planter, politician, justice of the peace, and militia colonel, who represented Lower Norfolk County in the House of Burgesses intermittently over three decades. Early and family l ...

had served multiple terms representing that county and nearby Lower Norfolk County.

Early and family life

Mason was born to the former Anne Seawell, daughter of burgess

Henry Seawell Henry Seawell (alternatively spelled Sewell) (born c. 1610 - died c. 1644) was an American colonial politician, merchant, and landowner. He was a member of the Virginian House of Burgesses. Sewell's Point is named for Seawell. He was burgess for ...

and her husband, Colonel (and often burgess)

. He had brothers Lemuel Mason Jr. (possibly a Norfolk merchant who died in 1711) as well as Thomas, and several sisters, including Anne, who married burgess William Kendall, Frances who married burgess George Newton and after his death Major Francis Sayre, Abigail who married burgess George Crafford, Alice who married three times, Elizabeth who married at least twice, Dinah who married Robert Thorogood Jr. and Margaret who moved to England and probably did not marry.

Career

Like his father and brother Thomas, this George Mason long served as one of the justices of the peace for Norfolk County, where he had inherited land from his father. He appears to have patented land in Lynnhaven Parish (which later became part of

Princess Anne County County of Princess Anne is a former county in the British Colony of Virginia and the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States, first incorporated in 1691. The county was merged into the city of Virginia Beach on January 1, 1963, ceasing t ...

, but has not developed it as required, so it escheated and was transferred to Lt.Col. Anthony Lawson. By 1704, six years before his will was admitted to probate, this George Mason was responsible for quitrents on 300 acres in Norfolk County.Masons of Southside Virginia Although his father had served multiple terms in the House of Burgesses representing Lower Norfolk County and later Norfolk County, Norfolk voters elected this man as one of their two representatives only once, and he served in the assembly of 1705-1706 alongside Thomas Hodges (who had served in the 1693 session alongside this man's father, and also one session with this man's brother).Cynthia Miller Leonard, The Virginia General Assembly 1619-1978 (Richmond: Virginia State Library 1978) p. 64

Personal life

George married Phillia Hobson and together they had four children: sons Thomas Mason and George Mason Jr. and daughters Frances Mason (who married John Phripp, justice of the peace) and Abigail.

Death and legacy

George Mason's will was admitted to probate in 1710. His widow eventually deeded land she received from him, as well as from her father, to her sons.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mason, George (Norfolk burgess) House of Burgesses members 1710 deaths 17th-century American politicians People from Norfolk, Virginia