The Rev. Skip Mason was in his office at Morehouse College in Atlanta last year when he received an e-mail containing a shocking discovery and a link to the past.
The Georgia Department of Transportation had discovered a cemetery of unmarked graves, possibly the final resting place of several of Mason’s slave ancestors, during preparations to extend Sardis Church Road in south Bibb County to Ga. 247 south of the Middle Georgia Regional Airport.
It was a shock and a wonderful discovery,” said Mason, vice president of student services and an archivist at Morehouse.
Mason said he believes his great-great-great-great-grandparents and great-great-great-great-great-grandparents, slaves who worked in the cotton fields and performed housework, are buried in the cemetery.
Sara Gale, a DOT archaeologist working on the project, said a preliminary investigation has revealed eight people are buried in the small cemetery located off Avondale Mill Road near the airport.
Read the full article about this unmarked cemetery in the April 10, 2009 edition of Macon.com.
I am looking into my gr grandmother Rosetta Coffee’s relation to the Mason family, her mother was a Mason, her father was from SC and passed away when she was 2 yrs old, her mother died when she was 5 yrs old and she was raised by Mr Mason and his wife until he died and her stepmother and step aunt took over her care until she married Newton Cearley in SC I hope that I am on the right track to this group of Masons. Thanks.
I too am looking for relatives that belongs to a Mason family. I’m not sure if it’s the same family becasue I have limited knowlede of my great grandmother family. She was born Annie Mason with a brother name John Mason. She lived in Coolidge or Moultrie Ga between 1900 and 1929. She married James Daniels and they had 5 children before she died at an early age. If anyone has information relating my family, please email me. Thanks
Hi Tonya,Please email me more information. My great grandfather name was John Mason. I believe that he was from Athens. Let’s discuss
Newton Cearley * Compact Disc #139 Pin #2324039 Pedigree
Sex: M
Event(s)
Birth: 1829
,Wilkes,North Carolina,USA
Death: Nov 1905
,Douglas,Missouri,USA
Parents
Father: George Cearley * Disc #139 Pin #2324014
Mother: Mary (Polly) Lowdermilk * Disc #139 Pin #2324015
Marriage(s)
Spouse: Rebecca Walker * Disc #139 Pin #2324040
Marriage: abt 1850
Georgia
Spouse: Rosetta Coffee Disc #139 Pin #2324129
Marriage: 1890
,Union,Georgia
Spouse: Martha Thompson or Thomas Disc #139 Pin #2324130
Marriage: 22 Nov 1866
,Union,Georgia,USA
Notes and Sources
Notes: None
Sources: Available on CD-ROM Disc# 139
Submitter
Frances Asher CEARELY
118 Chestnut Court Slidell Louisiana 70458
Hi there Rev.Skip Mason I currently reside on athens georgia, my great grandfathers name is William Mason. I have little knowledge on the family history more specifically the men of the family. I wonder if our family tree somehow connects.
Thanks,
Quincy Bell