Mason was born on December 29, 1795, in Barbados, and moved to United States at a young age.

[1] Mason transferred to the Diocese of Pennsylvania in 1828, and the same year was named rector of St. Matthew's Church at Geneva, New York.

[2][3] In 1834, a medical school was established in connection with the college, which "obtained high rank in its day," and had several physicians of note in its faculty.

[4] He served five years in that position, but was faulted by critics for lax administration, leading to his resignation on October 12, 1840.

At North Carolina, he engaged in "extensive missionary work," helping to enlarge church support and membership.