GUIDE TO THE PAPERS OF JAMES RANKIN MASON
1847  - 1899


Compiled by
CHARLOTTE F. CANNON
1987

R.G. 118
Mason, James Rankin, 1822-1902
Papers, 1861-1896
.5 cubic feet
202 items
1 box
87 A5


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction
Biographical Sketch of James Rank in Mason
     Correspondence Series
     Diary/Account Book Series
     Financial Series
     Fine Art Series
     Legal Series
     Miscellaneous Series
     Publication Series



Introduction

The life of James Rankin Mason is documented. An area of music and poetry tells the cultural side of the James Rankin Mason family. Glimpses of the Civil War are found in the correspondence to relatives of James Rank in Mason who stayed in his home during that time. The Archives is indebted to Mrs. Bellamy (now deceased) for the donation of the collection to Eastern Kentucky University for permanent preservation. These papers, collected from the attic of the family home on Menlaus Pike in Madison County, Kentucky are incomplete The donor noted that family and friends took materials and never returned them. The donor authorized the entire collection open for research. 


Biographical Sketch of James Rankin Mason

James Rankin Mason was born in 1822 in Madison County, Kentucky, to Nancy Snoddy and John Mason. James was the youngest of seven children. He had three brothers (William, John and Samuel) and three sisters (Margaret, Isabella and Mary).

On October 24, 1844, at age 22, James Rankin Mason married Margaret Jane Cochran, age 15. Together they had nine children. Six boys (William, John, Robert, Gilbert, Rankin and Walker) and three daughters (Sarah, Mary and Nancy). William became an attorney in the area, but died at the early age of 32. John married Sarah Cornelison and had a family of eight children, including triplets. Sarah married Alexander Black and had a son, Thomas. Robert married Rose Gibson. Records tell nothing about Margaret, Gilbert or Walker.

Rankin was a student at Central University in Richmond. He graduated in 1879 and later became a practicing attorney in Washington, D.C. In 1857, James Rankin Mason bought a 392.5 acre farm on Silver Creek for $17,000 from his father-in-law, Robert Cochran. James Rankin Mason was a well-to-do farmer/tailor. He raised and sold hogs, chickens, turkeys, ducks and tobacco. He also sold eggs and potatoes. In addition, he sewed and sold shirts, breeches and waistcoats.

James Rankin Mason died October 13, 1902. He was 80 years old. He is interred in the Richmond Cemetery. He was preceeded in death by his wife Margaret Jane. She died in 1891 at the age of 62. 


*Correspondence Series*

Description: The Correspondence Series, consisting of two folders, is arranged in chronological order by date, spanning the years 1861-1891. All correspondence with no apparent date is at the end of the series. Much of the correspondence deals with Civil War times. Reference is made to hiring blacks, desertion and lonliness of soldiers. Parental concerns are voiced in correspondence as women try to raise children alone. One big concern was making sure the children could read. Other correspondence mentions trials concerning an army discharge as well as other matters during the war years. Later correspondence deals with farming, lifestyle, ordering goods, weddings and deaths. Of particular interest is a letter (no date) referring to Brutus Clay's overnight visit, another from a Newark, Ohio teacher describing Union feelings and giving a glimpse of opinions on government and politics during the Civil War. Lastly, letters from soldiers tell about camp conditions and looting. 

Inventory

Folder #1
     July 20, 1861
     December 1862
     June - October 1864
     March - November 1865
     January - October 1866
     January 1867

Folder #2
     March 25, 1867
     June - October 1868
     July - August 1871
     January - March 1872
     January - June 1873
     August - September 1875
     November 4, 1876
     January 17, 1877
     April 10, 1878
     February 22, 1879
     February 26, 1885
     November 4, 1886
     February 21, 1887
     March - June 1891
     Undated


*Diary/Account Book Series*

Description: This series consists of several combination books, accounts and diary events organized in one folder which dates from 1860 - 1876. These are arranged chronologically by date. Entries show farm and household goods, children boarding bills while attending school, trade of sewing garments, and notations regarding medical ailments (i.e., smallpox and tumors). 

Inventory

Account Book  1860
Passbook 1861
Account/Diaries 1875 - 1876


*Financial Series*

Description: This series, covering the years 1847 - 1888, is arranged alphabetically by subject area and then chronologically by date. Non-dated materials are at the end of each folder. The education folder contains Central University receipts. Interesting to note are the Mutual insurance receipts showing family member's cause of death and an assessment of remaining family members. These data are in the Insurance folder. 

Inventory

Education receipts  1866 - 1876
General receipts  1876 - 1890
Insurance receipts  1868 - 1886
Statements/Bill of Goods  1847 - 1888

*Fine Arts Series*

Description: This series is arranged alphabetically by subject -- music first, then poetry. Poetry included was created by Margaret Jane, wife of James Rankin Mason. One piece is addressed to their oldest son, William. 

Inventory

#1      Musical Record
        Piano scales & lessons
        Piano selections (2)
        Violin lesson

#2      Farewell
        Politeness
        Merit
        War
        1899


*Legal Series*

Description: This series holds various legal documents covering the years 1862 - 1887. Of particular interest is the Civil War discharge paper of Joshua Shiflett and the local county freight tariff on the Silver Creek Railroad. This series is arranged alphabetically by subject and then chronologically by date, 

Inventory

Folder #1       Attorney's fees/statements  1865 - 1872
Folder #2       Bounty claims  1868 - 1871
Folder #3       Court records  1862 - 1887
Folder #4       Discharge (Joshua Shiflett)  1864
Folder #5       Internal Revenue receipts One for "Keeper of Jack"
                1863 - 1870
Folder #6       Land deed/Missouri  1865
Folder #7       Land rental receipts 1857 - 1866
Folder #8       Quitclaim deed  1871
Folder #9       Railroad tariff  1872 - 1886
Folder #10      Sheriff summons  1876

*Miscellaneous Series*

Description: The material in this series is arranged in chronological order by date. The exception is: all magnetic springs material is together. Most documents deal with personal lifestyles. Those not dated are at the end of the series. 

Inventory

Penmenship booklets (2) - 1863
     One bound by sewing a newspaper on the cover
Handerchief flirtations - 1863
Magnetic Springs  1876 - 1886
Funeral Notice of son--William  1878
Pedigree registration of "Chief Justice" (swine)  1886
How to teach deaf and dumb language (chart) Undated

*Publication Series*

Description: This series covers the years 1852 - 1896 and is arranged chronologically. The publications relate to business, politics and religion among others. 

Inventory

Speech given in U.S. Senate by James Jones of TN on non-intervention 
1852

The new national tax law 
1863

Printed speech (belonging to William Mason) given by Honorable Garrett 
Davis to U.S. Senate on political history of Massachusetts
1864

McLean family almanac
1865

Catalogue from Clark Sorgo Machine Company of Cincinnati, OH, showing farm machinery and prices
1866

Landreth's rural register and almanac farm calendar and seed sales
1867

Aetna insurance account report from branch office in Cincinnati 
(fire and inland)
1875

Democratic honest money league of America pamphlet
Letter by John Latham on "Free Coinage of Silver Considered'
1896

American reform and tract society point "On Slavery" owned by church 
ministers and church members
Undated


  
 
     
      

      
      
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