Mason Gaines French

http://www.frenchfamilyassoc.com/FFA/CHARTS/Chart036/Gen2.htm

Mason French, (mentioned in his father’s will as under age 16), b. 1692/93 in Old Rappahannock County, VA (now Richmond Co. [62]), son of Hugh’s second wife, Margaret. Mason d. before 25 Mar 1746 in Westmoreland County, VA, m1. ca. 1715 in VA perhaps to a Seale* (see Mason’s court case), m2. ca. 1718/19 Catherine Bennett (born Ellis) of Stafford Co., who d. 25 Sep 1759 [5] or 1749 in Westmoreland Co., VA [67]. Both David *Seale and Mason French were indicted for the murder of Jonas Allen in 1722 (see Mason’s court case). Catherine Ellis was the daughter of Capt. Charles Ellis who had to flee England along with George Mason1 and Mason French’s father, Hugh French

Before marrying Mason French, Catherine was widow of Cossum Bennett Sr. of Westmoreland Co., VA. By Cossum Bennett she had 4 children (see will of Cossum Bennett).

By Mason she had 4 children. Catherine d. 1718, the dau. of Charles Ellis who had d. 1708. Mason lived at the Machodock Plantation at Pope’s Creek in Westmoreland County, VA, directly across the Potomac River from St. Mary’s Co., Maryland – there is no source for this yet, but this right is claimed by the Richard Lee family who built it in 1673 until it burnt down in 1729 [61]. However, the Machodock Plantation may have been inherited when Cossum Bennett died. Machodock Plantation was sold in 1718 by Martha Lee, but not to a French or sidelines [61]. Catherine was administrator to her Mason French’s estate in 1746 [21]. Her son John was administrator to her will in 1759.