By Charlotte F. Cannon
Title: James Rankin Mason Papers, 1847-1899
Extent: 0.44 Cubic Feet
Date Acquired: 09/06/1979
Subjects: Civil War, 1861-1865., Sign language., Slavery - Kentucky
Languages: English
The life of the James Rankin Mason family of Madison County, Kentucky is documented through the papers in this collection. Much of the correspondence deals with Civil War times. Reference is made to hiring black people, desertion and loneliness of soldiers. Parental concerns are voiced in correspondence as women try to raise children alone. Other correspondence mentions trials concerning an army discharge as well as other matters during the war years. Of particular interest is a letter from a Newark, Ohio teacher describing Union feelings and giving a glimpse of opinions on government and politics during the Civil War. Later correspondence deals with farming, lifestyle, ordering goods, weddings and deaths. Lastly, letters from soldiers tell about camp conditions and looting. Also includes a series of correspondence from Edward Francis, who served in the 114th United States Colored Troops during the Civil War, to his wife Liza.
Other parts of the collection highlight the education, business and cultural aspects of the family by documenting farming activities, dressmaking activities and scholarly pursuits. An 1870 broadside that teaches sign language is especially interesting.
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 preceded in death by his wife Margaret Jane. She died in 1891 at the age of 62.
Repository: Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives
Acquisition Source: Bellamy, Verna R.
