Henry Browne Mason's Grandparents

JOHN MASON & ELIZABETH FINCH

John Mason married Elizabeth Finch sometime before 1758. We have not yet learned much about John's antecedents except that his father and grandfather were also named John, and that his mother was the daughter of Field Marshal George Wade, who had a brilliant career until he was set against Bonny Prince Charlie in the rebellion of 1745. Those keen on walking in Scotland will be familiar with Field Marshal Wade's military roads.

Elizabeth Finch's lineage is quite another matter. It is not difficult to trace her descent from Edward I via several routes and noting many illustrious ancestors. She was the grandaughter of the 2nd Earl of Nottingham, who also inherited the more ancient title of 6th Earl of Winchilsea. During the 2nd Earl's long career he had been 1st Lord of the Admiralty, and Secretary of State. The Mason family's pride in the Finch name is shown by its adoption as a first or second name for several generations.

John & Elizabeth Mason baptised most of their children in Greenwich from 1759 to 1764. At that time Charles Mason, of Mason-Dixon line fame, worked as the assistant to the Astromoner Royal at Greenwich. He later cooperated with Nevil Maskelyne on St Helena see THE HALHEDS. We are attempting to establish how John Mason came to be in Greenwich, and whether he was related to Charles Mason.

At the end of the 1700s John & Elizabeth Mason were living in Bath, by then the height of Georgian fashion, with their four unmarried daughters.

When Henry Browne Mason was three he was sent by his parents from India to Bath to be looked after by his grandparents John & Elizabeth Mason.

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