article on many different Mastersons
I found this while doing a follow up on my Masterson tree
"Even Government Documents Can Error!
A copy of a typewritten letter found in the Revolutionary War Pension Application file for James Masterson listed the following information about his children.
Elizabeth b.11 June 1782 d 20 Jul 1794
William b 14 Dec 1783 d 17 Jul 1814
Sarah b 20 Aug 1785 d 29 Jul 1814
John b 21 Jan 1787
James b 30 Oct 1788
Maray b 15 Mar 1790 d 16 Jul 1833
Robert b 20 Nov 1791 d 23 Jan 1813 INCORRECT
Richard b 25 Jul 1793
Caleb b 18 Jan 1796
Lovet b 20 Jun 1797 d 26 Jan 1822
Edward b 26 Oct 1798
Peggy b 1 Jul 1802
Joseph b 23 Apr 1807
If you go to the source for that letter, you will find a handwritten letter which was later typed, and on it you will see an entry that looks like this:
Robert b 20 Nov 1791
d. 23 Jan 1813
Richard b 25 Jul 1793
Robert was found alive and well long after the 1813 date, so the death date written slightly above the line for Richard and below the that of Robert, was probably the death date of Richard. Now just to show that the original pension record may not be completely accurate, here is a Bible record on this James Masterson (1752-1838) copied by Mary A. Sweeney, "DAR" Lexington, KY. Note the discrepancies in some dates from those in the pension record.
James Masterson was born Apr 7th 1752 and died 15 Dec 1838.
1. Elizabeth Masterson was born June 11 1782 Deceased July 20 1794
2. William Masterson was born Dec 14th 1783 Deceased July 19 1794
3. Sarah Masterson was born Aug 20, 1785 Deceased July 29, 1805
4. John Masterson was born Jan 21, 1787
5. James Masterson was born Oct 20, 1788
6. Mary Masterson was born Mar 15, 1790 Deceased July 6 1833
7. Robert Masterson born Nov 20, 1791
8. Richard Masterson was born July 25, 1793 Deceased Jan 1813
9. Calip Masterson was born January 18, 1796
10. Lovet Masterson was born
11. Edward Masterson was born October 26, 1798
12. Peggy Masterson was born July 5, 1802 Deceased 24 Jul 1846
13. Joseph Masterson born 23 April 1807
James Masterson's son Robert (1791-1864?) married Marie Bobb (1795?-1888?) in Fayette Co KY in 1815. They moved to Hannibal, MO where Maria was the first white women there."
We hope the above article proves that our Robert Masterson of Marion County, MO is the son of James who served in the Revolutionary War. Now the problem of when did Robert die. Many of the printed records say 1864 - but when researching his will in the Marion County Courthouse in Palmyra, MO, it was found that Robert actually died August 29, 1862. His will was filed on October 20, 1862. A list of the sale of the personal estate of Robert Masterson, Deceased was made on the 20th day of November 1862. There was a lot of "family conflict" over the division of property and the fact that his son, George, was listed as "insane - an imbecile" and needed special care and provision were made in the will to see after his well being. John A. Shoot, the husband of Elizabeth was the co-administrator of the estate with Mariah.
Robert and Mariah are buried in the Masterson Family Cemetery on property they owned. This cemetery is not far from the house Robert built in 1820. This house is now on the National Register of Historic Places. This house was constructed of native limestone laid up in 19 inch thick exterior walls and 15 inch thick partition walls. The house was built to withstand an Indian attack. Mariah was so afraid after the Indian attack in February of 1819. "That night of terror and alarm is yet remembered with great vividness and distinctness by Mrs. Mariah Masterson".
The Moral of this article - is to never trust a secondary source, even if it is a printed history or a published book of pension records. Research the original source when every possible and/or available. Seek corroboration of information in original sources --- there still may be discrepancies that have to be resolved.
Article Submitted by: Kay Heinecke Ginther
1630 Manor Hill Drive
Quincy, IL 62301
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