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156    MASON FARM CEMETERY (CA. 1857)

Location - In Chapel Hill Township, at UNC's Finley Golf Course, across the road from the practice tees near the clubhouse. Surrounded on three sides by a low stone wall, and marked by a sign.

Coordinates: 35d 53m 44.0s N; 79d 01m 19.0s W Click here for Online Maps

Survey - This cemetery surveyed by M. C. Engstrom, A. C. Engstrom and Elizabeth Alexander on October 14, 1972. Milton Forsyth photographed the cemetery in 2002 and more extensively in 2008 and revised the description and burial entries in 2008. Cemetery plat drawn by Mrs. Engstrom. Cemetery sign.

Graves, Marked - There are 6 marked graves of the Mason family and 2 of the Morgan family. The Mason family burials are enclosed by an antique iron fence and the relocated graves of the Morgans are enclosed by a separate modern iron fence. There are duplicate markers for Lucy Jane ("Lucy") and Mary Ann ("Annie"), one older gravestone for each one and a newer more ornate joint monument.

Graves, Unmarked - The five graves marked only by uninscribed rough fieldstone outside the iron fences are those of valued black servants of the Mason family. A descendant, Eulis Mason, who in 1972 worked at nearby Finley Golf Course, stated that his grandparents are buried in this spot. The actual number of unmarked graves here is unknown.

Note - The graves of Solomon and Ann Morgan, parents of Mary Elizabeth Morgan Mason, were moved to this cemetery by the Corps of Engineers by the early 1970s (see Morgan, Solomon Cemetery #167).

1. Mason, Carolina Varena "Rena"   (b. 22 Jun 1861 - d. 6 Sep 1881)
Daughter of J. P. and Mary E. Mason. Dual monument with her sister Martha James "Mattie" Mason. Inscription on front of monument: "Mattie & Rena - Who were called away in their early bloom within a few sad weeks of each other, lovely and pleasant in their lives, they were not divided in death. They were members of the Baptist Church of Chapel Hill"; (and on reverse of monument) "Erected by their sorrowing Parents." Footstone: C.V.M. Closeup of inscription.
2. Mason, James Pleasant (Rev.)   (b. 13 Mar 1827 - d. 24 Jun 1893)
Husband of Mary Elizabeth Morgan. Inscription: "For 40 yrs a faithful minister of the Baptist Church. In labor abundant, in weariness and painfulness. Light is given to him that was in misery." On "MASON" monument with Mary Elizabeth Morgan Mason inscription on other side. Closeup of inscription.
3. Mason, Lucy Jane "Lucy"   (b. 20 Dec 1859 - d. 9 Jan 1860)
Daughter of J. P. and Mary E. Mason, Aged 20 days. Dual monument with her sister Mary Ann "Annie" Mason. (Also a separate older monument for her.) Inscription: "Our Babies" Footstone: L. M. Closeup of inscription.
4. Mason, Martha James "Mattie"   (b. 16 Oct 1857 - d. 22 Nov 1881)
Daughter of J. P. and Mary E. Mason. Dual monument with her sister Carolina Varena "Rena" Mason. Closeup of inscription. [See above.]
5. Mason, Mary Ann "Annie"   (b. 1 Nov 1855 - d. 28 Sep 1857)
Daughter of J. P. and Mary E. Mason, Aged 1 Yr. and 11 Mos. Dual monument with her sister Lucy Jane Mason. (Also a separate older monument for her.) Inscription; "Our Babies." Footstone: A.M. Closeup of inscription.
6. Mason, Mary Elizabeth Morgan   (b. 16 Feb 1825 - d. 17 Jul 1894)
Daughter of Solomon P. and Ann Morgan and wife of Rev. James P. Mason. Inscription: "Under many afflictions resigned to God's will. He maketh sore and bindeth up. He woundeth and his hands make whole." On "MASON" monument with James Pleasant Mason inscription on other side. Closeup of inscription.
7. Morgan, Ann   (b. - d. 29 May 1851)
Wife of Solomon Morgan. Grave moved to this location from original burial along Morgan Creek.
8. Morgan, Solomon   (b. - d. 16 Nov 1847)
Husband of Ann Morgan. Grave moved to this location from original burial along Morgan Creek.