The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-12-31
WELL-KNOWN NEW YORK FAMILIES
The NIason-Joncscs.


Old John Masons daughters, like the
directors Of the Chemical Bank, had great faith
In the Joneses. Three OF them married gentle
men bearing that name. lie only survivors Of
these three Jones marriages, at present, are Mrs.
Mary ". Jones, widow OF Isaac Jones, residing
IN the white marble Italian villa house on the
northo st corner OF Fiftv-seventh street and
Fiftb avenue, and Mrs. Colforj Jones (Rebecca
Mason), widow Of Colford Jones, residing on the
northeast corner Of Firth avenue aud Fiftynf
street They have both been for thirty years
identified with what is called New York fashion
able society, and during that period have given
more lavish entertainments and entertained
more continuously than any other two heads Of
families in this city.
Those who went much in New York fashion
| able society twenty-nve years ago. when Mrs.
Colford and Mrs. Mary Jones lived on Broadway.
in the basement houses opposite Waverley
| place. will remember the constant round OF
| gayeties ut the Mason-J oneses. These houses
| communicated, and when large evening enter
tlnments were s!sen both were thrown open.
At that time the old United states Hotel At
Saratoga, kept then as now by Mr. Marvin,
was a great centre OF fashion during the sum
mcr season. People of wealth, influence, and
social position from all parts OF the Union met
there common ground From the South
came the wealthy planters. From Boston, New
York. and Philadelphia came representatives OF
great fortunes. acquired In commerce and
swollen 10y the rise In real estate. Mrs. Mary
and Mrs. Colford Jones were at the head OF the
| ultra fashionable Saratoga clique. They organ
lied balls, matlnees, morning cotillons,
and lake dinners. AT that time tho late
Mr.. Robert James, great beau and
society mao, was shining light IN the
world Of fashion led all the Germans and was
inn afatiyabia "a A ulpastlrp sQakar NpW YORK
has never since seen so untiringa devotee OF
Terpsichore. lie could dance all night and
come out Is fresh as rose In the morning to
lead German at any desired hour.
Henry Mason. brother OF Mrs ColfoTd Jones,
married a sister OF Robert James. They are Of
the we'll known Albany family Of Jameses
Bot James "a he was familiary called by those
who knew him best during his day and time
was very popular in New York society. lie had
lived much abroad aud was as familiar with
| Paris a. Nov York. Tae following eccentrcity
T. related OF him Supping at the Mason Dore,
| PARIS. on one occasion after a masked ball at
| the Opera House. one Of the party loosely sug-
gested a visit to the dlerent gay jewellers then
| assembled in the house. The idea seemed pre-
posterous. Mr.. James, however, offered to bet
| that he would Immediately go into every private
| room and speak with all those then supping In
the building. His WAGER, very considerable
/ ore. WIS d'ctltcus he won II III tue sllDtlitct
| possible manner Every room was reliaiously
| visited Mr. James was preceded by waiter
| bearing his card and a bottle OF champagne on
salver, with the message thai an American gem
tleman respectfully asked the honor OF Offering
| the ladies and gentlemen there assembled
| glass Of wine. In no case was he refused.
| They were all curious ~ see this eccentric
| American.
John Mason had two other daughters. one OF
| whom, Helen, married Joseph Aston, and the
| other became the wife Of A. Gordon hamersley.
| joseph Aston OF South Carolina was a we'll
known wit and man Of fashion. in his day-ce-
brated for taste In dress, equpages, and all
those thousand little things which 20 10 make
10 the elegancies of life. lie had an only son,
| willy Aston. Father, mother, and son have all
| passed away.
Mr.. a. Gordon Hamersley, one Of our richest
| citizens lost mis- wife many years ago. He re-
| sides on the east side Of Fifth avenue, between
| Twenty eighth and rwenty-ninth streets oppo-
site the Dutch Reformed Church. He has an
| only son and child, Mr. Lewis C. Hamersey, now
about thirty-1ve years old, who is destined to
be one of the richest young men In this city
! Old John Mason had three sons-Johp, a bach
eor, who was paralyzed at about the age OF 30
and lived for some years In a small house on
Broadway, opposite Wayerley place, adjoining
| the basement houses already spoken Of Henry,
who married Miss James OF Albany, and James
Mason, who married against his fathers will
The history OF James's marriage Is not without
romance. Young James Mason was a man Of ar
tistic tastes, fond OF music pictures, and the
fine arts He delighted IN the companionshlp of
artists, and formed \ very close intimacy with a
| handsome young Englishman. "A cousin OF Fam
| nv kembe-John Mason, by name-the leading
juvenile man and comedian at the PARK Theatre.
| Ia ad in Nav York Ia l.
| ton that Montague now does. THIS young actor
| afterward ran on with an helress- daughter Of
| the late Jucob Cram, ana sister Of the we'll
known lawyer, Henry A. Cram. Very much later,
IT will he remembered, James Watson webb ran
OF with another daughter Of Jacob Cram simp-
| son then managed the "Oid Park" About the
same time Mr1. Wheatlsy was playing old
| woman parts, on a salary OF 30 a week -
line OF business III when sue ms never been
| equalled on tho American stage. Her dAughtefs
| were young ladies' Of a wonderful charm OF
manner Of singular grace and beauty and they
| inherited all their mothers cleverness. James
| Mason foil In love with one OF the Miss wheat
leys, the attraction WAS mutual, and sne became
| Mrs. Mason. Old John Mason did not sanction
the marriage nor was he pleased with the Al
ston marriage. lie looked upon MIR. Joseph Al
| stOn AS a gay butterfly OF fashion. more lifted to
spend money than 10 manage II. His opinion
concerning Mr.. AlstOns business capacity Is
clearly evidenced BY his will, which, 1t is chart
table to suppose, was Al leist drawn IN unison
circle This viii led 10 the famous lawsuit Of
Aston ag;, Jones and others, OF which more
hereafter.
- init hot he unlntcre4ting 70 say here that
another of Mrs. MheatleYs daughters married
Mir Edmund II. Miller, gentleman OF large for
tune, well known ia banking ahd llnan"l cir
, Giles In this CITY. Mrs. Wheatey stood very hlg
| ia her profession. She was greatly esteem ed
and respected nv large circle of friends, She
yed - good old age made her home WIN her
street where she died few year. ago,
John Mason died at his house. NJ nroadway,
; In the later tart OF ls1s. His imprlyei real
4 | estate and ucrsona property were at that lime
, estimated at UPWARD Of a million OF dollars
| whl.. tneh was fully equivalent 10 i've millions
4 | at The present day lie owned much property
| ON broadway. Anthony, Bowery, Eliz iheth, III
] vision, BaNhrd, Water Cherry. Crosby, aud olhe
J | streets. Snme u this property has Increased
! tweuty-told Il value since JOnn Mason's death