People Australia

William Mason was found guilty in April 1791, at Armagh, Ireland, of burglariously breaking open and entering the dwelling house of Samuel McBurney of Gloughhoge, and stealing several articles. His death sentence was commuted to 7 years transportation. Mason arrived at Sydney in August 1793 aboard the Boddingtons.

Mason had purchased 30 acres at Mulgrave Place by 1802. He had a son with Sarah Ryan/Woolley in October 1803; the couple married on 20 April 1807. Sarah was granted 100 acres in her own name (Sarah Woolly) in about 1804; it was later merged with Mason's land under his name. By 1806 the couple held 166 acres and fully supported themselves, six children and two convict workers.

Following his wife's death in August 1809, Mason was granted 40 acres at Upper Nelson in October of that year to be held in trust for his wife's four children with her first husband. He was also granted 50 acres on the same basis for his own two sons with Sarah.

Mason was still recorded as farming at Pitt Town in the 1828 Census. He died at Pitt Town on 21 December 1839.