Jonathan Mason (1756-1831)
of Boston; U.S. Senator from Massachusetts
He was born in Boston and was educated at the Boston Latin School and the College of New Jersey in Princeton (1774). He entered the legal offices of Josiah Quincy and was recommended as an Attorney of the Superior Court in 1779. He became a prominent Federalist and a Member of Legislature, a Member of the Governor's Council and a U.S. Senator from 1800 to 1803. He declined re-election and was succeeded by John Quincy Adams, afterwards serving as a Member of Congress from 1817 to 1821. In 1779, he married Susannah, daughter of William Powell, and they had 7-children. Their mansion (see images) was built on the highest ridge of Beacon Hill in 1802. Designed by Charles Bulfinch, it featured an oval ballroom spanning the second and third stories.
