[1] Mason's plantation house was used as a hospital during the American Civil War and burned to prevent the spread of smallpox.
[2][3][4] Mason and his family began living on Dogue Run farm sometime before 1834 in Okeley Manor, the mansion he built.
[2] Although much older than most soldiers, Mason served with the Confederate States Army in Richmond during the American Civil War.
He returned to Okeley Manor at age 72 to find the residence, used during the war as a hospital, had been burned to the ground to prevent the spread of smallpox.
[1][2] Beverley's descendants sold Okeley in 1916, ending Mason ownership of any of the original Gunston Hall land parcel.