Alfred Henry Mason

Alfred was the son of Alfred and Elizabeth Mason. His father, Alfred, was born in Werrington, Northamptonshire, and there is a record of an Alfred Mason, son of John and Elizabeth Mason, who was baptised in Paston, Northamptonshire, on 19 May 1844. It seems likely that Alfred lived with his parents in Northamptonshire until at least 1861. His mother, Elizabeth, was born in 1861 (birth registered O/N/D Mansfield) and was the daughter of Matthew Stevenson and Betsey Ann Stevenson nee Birkett (married 1860, registered West Bromwich). At the time of the 1861 Census Matthew and Betsey were living in Farndon, Nottinghamshire. In 1871 Betsey Ann was living at the George and Dragon, 8 Parliament Street, Nottingham, as the wife of Henry Phipps (34) and Elizabeth (9) was listed as Henry's daughter. However, it seems likely that Betsey Ann and Henry Phipps were not married until 1911. By 1881 Betsey and Henry Phipps were living at 15 Crown Street, Nottingham; Henry was described as a café proprietor and Elizabeth (20) as a café waitress, presumably in Henry's business. Elizabeth married Alfred Mason in 1890 (marriage registered J/A/S Nottingham); her name was given on the register as Elizabeth Stevenson Phipps. She and Alfred were to have six children one of whom died young; five children were named on the census in 1901 and 1911: John (b. 1893), Joseph (birth registered 1895 J/F/M), Alfred Henry (b. 1896), Elizabeth Ann (b. 30 September 1899) and Percy (b. 1902). All the children were born in Nottingham. In 1891 the year after their marriage Alfred (44) and Elizabeth (29) were living at 9 York Street, St Ann's; Alfred was described as a restaurant housekeeper. By 1901 they were living at 71 Arkwright Street, Meadows, and Alfred was described as a restaurant keeper on his own account. He and Elizabeth had four children; John (7), Joseph (5), Alfred (4) and Elizabeth (1). They were still living at the same address at the time of the 1911 Census and Alfred (65) was still a self-employed restaurant proprietor. He and Elizabeth now had five children: John (17) a student teacher with Notts Education Committee, Joseph (16) a junior clerk, Alfred (14), Elizabeth (11) and Percy (8). Also in the household was a boarder, Charlotte Payne (73), a widow of private means. Alfred Mason senior died in 1915 at the age of 68 (death registered J/A/S Nottingham) and his wife died at the age of 72 in 1933 (death registered December Nottingham). Of Alfred Henry's siblings: John married Constance Beaumont in 1920; he died on 24 November 1961. Joseph married Gladys AW Rowbotham in 1917; he died on 17 December 1975. Elizabeth Ann died unmarried in 1992 at the age of 92. Percy, the youngest of Alfred's siblings, married Violet Kathleen Deakin in 1928. Violet died at the age of 33 in 1933 (death registered March) and Percy died on 14 October the same year aged 31; probate was awarded to Percy's brother, John Mason, a schoolmaster.