THE MASSON FAMILY

This page is dedicated to the decendants of John Masson of Coppenhagen Denmark

John Masson was born in Coppenhagen Denmark in 1859 to Angus Masson born in Glasglow Scotland in 1821 &  Inga Sail'linsen born 1822 in Coppenhagen  They were married in 1844  Very little is known about John's upbringing except the family stories that have been passed from one generation to another.  There are some photographs which clearly indicate that the photo's were taken in Coppenhagan. This photo is of John approx age 22 years with his first wife Ane Kristine approx age 25 years and his daughter Niele approx age 4 years  prior to departing Coppenhagen heading for Saint John New Brunswick

In the summer of 1881 John and family arrived in the Port of Saint John New Brunswick Canada.  They are shown in the census taken after the Great Saint John Fire.  The death of his wife and daughter are still a mustery to this writer at this time.  

John is described as being 5 feet 7 inches tall having blue eyes and fair hair his complexion was fair and he had a scar on his right cheek.  John was a man of the Sea and sailed as a crew member several times out of the Port of Saint John, to the Carribean and the southern United States.  It is recorded on his seaman's papers that he was a steward/ cook. He sailed on the following vessels "The Honolulu" 14 May 1902 from Saint John to Bristol England, also the Bark Tu "HORNET" official number 85506 Registered in Saint John in 1882 tonage 407  3rd Jan 1903.  John sailed from Saint John to the Canary Islands and return. On the 7th day of August 1903 John sailed from Saint John to Cuba.   In April 1905 he sailed on the "HORNET" to Annapolis and then to Cuba. 

John married Lyda Johnston of Gagetown New Brunswick  in 1895, this marriage created two sons  Walter Eldon born 1896,  and Wesley  born 1898.  The HORNET'S Master Mr. John S Campbell reported John's death on June 6th 1905, it was stated he died from pneumonia near Cuba,  he was buried at sea as per the customs of sailors.  Leaving Lyda a widow with two small children.  The children were placed in an orphanage in East Saint John until Lyda could care for them.  Lyda married Harry McGeehan of Saint John New Brunswick, unfortunatly Harry was killed shortly after their marriage at the port authority as a long shoreman, while unloading produce, they had a baby girl.  Lyda married for a third time Mr Harry Little, Harry brought two children into the marriage and with Lyda's three, they started their family and had several other children from this union.

Walter Masson Married Jessie Urqhart Miller from Dundee Scotland and they resided outside Saint John New Brunswick.  Walter was severly wounded during WWI at Yepes, and received the "Kings Honorable Discharge" They had 2 Children John and Henry.  Walter Masson worked for the Custom Authority in Saint John but is best known for repairing Marconi radio's while living in Queenstown, or having electricity while living in Hybernia, the nearest hydro pole was many miles away.  Wlater Eldon was a well read individual, and quite a debater, he instilled many values into his children and grandchildren, for many he was simply known as  "Bubby"

Wesley also served in WWI and returned to Canada and became a motor mechanic in a Local Military reserve unit.  During World War II he served in Saint John New Brunswick at the Motor Pool in City Road.  Wesley died in 1943 at his own hand, he never married and had no children.

John "Jack"Masson and his brother Henry Masson both served in World War II  Both brothers served as part of the construction force and security force for the new military instalation at Goose Bay labrador.  Jack was injured there, while Henry also served in England and he was part of the 5th Division when they invaded Italy.  Henry was severly wounded near the Gothic Line.  Jack and Henry also served for many years in the reserve unit in Saint John as cooks. Both men raised their family's and resided near Saint John.  Both men have now passed on, and they leave behind a legacy their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Researchers foot note John's seaman papers, and a letter in black written by Lyda Masson announcing John's death, are held at the residence of M. T.(Tim) Masson.  John's Danish Seaman's boots have been permanently donated by the Masson family to the New Brunswick Museum.  The King's Honorable Discharge, and other military documents for Walter Eldon, Wesley Masson, Henry Eldon and myself Tim Masson are held at my residence.  Three generations of Masson's have served this great nation.

For more information on this family please contact me at timshirl@bell.net
.

ANCESTORS OF JOHN MASSON

It is well published that the root combination name of MASSON comes from the Bordeau Region which is now part of France.  It is also well documented that these folks did migrate outside of their region.  

As early as the 9th and 10th Century Masson's have been recorded as stone mason's and involved in the structures of the "Inner City" of Coppenhagen, and surrounding territories.

In the 12th Century we have discovered that several Masson's were paid for building several important building including Abby's in Scotland , and continued to do so for many centuries 

To speculate it is possible that King Kunk of Denmark when he invaded Great Britian he may have had stone mason's with him or they may have been brought over later. Today the Masson name is well entrenched in Great Brittan as well as Denmark, Most European Countries and North America.