William Pinckney Mason

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William Pinckney Mason
Born
William Pinckney Mason

(1843-01-10)January 10, 1843
DiedDecember 16, 1922(1922-12-16) (aged 79)
Resting placeRockville Cemetery, Rockville Maryland
NationalityAmerican
OccupationConfederate States Navy officer
Known forcommander of the iron hull gunboat during the American Civil War
SpouseElizabeth Ruthven McGill
Children3
Parent(s)Richard Chichester Mason
Lucy Bolling Randolph
Relativesgreat-grandson of George Mason IV

William Pinckney Mason (10 January 1843 – 16 December 1922) was a lieutenant in the Confederate States Navy, ultimately serving as commander of several ironclad gunboats. Mason was a great-grandson of George Mason, author of the Virginia Bill of Rights, and his wife Ann Eilbeck.[1]

Early life and education[edit]

Mason was born on 10 January 1843, in Alexandria and was the youngest child of a large family born to Dr. Richard Chichester Mason and his wife Lucy Bolling Randolph.[1][2]

American Civil War[edit]

Mason resigned from the United States Navy as an acting midshipman on 19 April 1861. Mason enlisted in the Confederate States Navy where he became an acting midshipman on 11 June 1861 and served on the CSS United States. On 7 January 1864, Mason was promoted to master in line of promotion and was made 2nd Lieutenant on 2 June 1864. Mason later served as commander of the CSS Beaufort and CSS Virginia II.[3]

Marriage and children[edit]

Mason married Elizabeth Ruthven McGill on 29 January 1873 and they had three children:

  • Wardlaw McGill Mason (1876–1936)
  • Lucius Randolph Mason (28 January 1886–23 November 1984)
  • Shirley Carter Mason Prescott (12 October 1891–21 March 1972)[1]

Later life[edit]

After a brief illness, Mason died on 16 December 1922 at his residence in Rockville, Maryland at the age of 79.[1][2] He was buried after 16 December 1923 at Rockville Cemetery in Rockville.[1]

Ancestry[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e "William Pinckney Mason". Gunston Hall. 18 May 2011. Retrieved 2015-04-20.
  2. ^ a b "The Last Roll: William Pinckney Mason". Confederate Veteran. 31 (1). United Confederate Veterans: 189. January 1923.
  3. ^ "Search: William Pinckney Mason". Library of Virginia. Retrieved 2015-04-20.