Son of Dr Nathaniel Mason and Temperance Arrington Mason.

Married to Sarah Ann Gray on May 24, 1849 in Northampton County, North Carolina.

Joseph and Sally were the parents of:
Mary Gray Mason Person
William G Mason
Temperance Mason(1855-unk)
Nathaniel Mason(1856-unk)
Sarah Josephine Mason Willcox
Bettie G Mason Dunn(1861-1930 VA)
Kate Mason Huff Stallings(1863-unk)
Grace Mason Stallings

Married to Ellen Franklin Townes Townes [1827-1899] on June 25, 1890 in Danville, Virginia.

Married to Temperance S Mason on August 14, 1895 in Wake County, North Carolina.
*********************************
North Carolina, Marriage Index, 1741-2004
Name: Sarah Ann Gray
Spouse: Joseph R. Mason
Marriage Date: 24 May 1849
Marriage County: Northampton
Marriage State: North Carolina
Source: County Court Records at Jackson, NC & Family History

1850 United States Federal Census
Name: Joseph R Mason
Age: 23
Birth Year: abt 1827
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: Northampton, North Carolina
Gender: Male
Family Number: 1315
Household Members:
Name Age
Joseph R Mason 23
Sarah A Mason 21
Mary G Mason 0

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: J R Mason
Age: 31
Birth Year: abt 1829
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Virginia
Home in 1860: District 4, Northampton, North Carolina
Post Office: Garysburg
Dwelling Number: 354
Family Number: 354
Occupation: Farmer
Real Estate Value: 12000
Personal Estate Value: 25060
Household Members:
Name Age
J R Mason 31
Sally Mason 28
Mary Mason 10
William Mason 8
Tempy Mason 6
Nathaniel Mason 4
Sally Mason 2
Not named Mason 1/12

1870 United States Federal Census
Name: Joseph Mason
Age in 1870: 50
Birth Year: abt 1820
Birthplace: North Carolina
Dwelling Number: 104
Home in 1870: Gaston, Northampton, North Carolina
Race: White
Gender: Male
Occupation: Farmer
Male Citizen Over 21: Y
Personal Estate Value: 1500
Real Estate Value: 8000
Inferred Spouse: Sarah Mason
Inferred Children: Mary Mason
Timpe Mason
Nathaniel Mason
Sully Mason
Betty Mason
Kate Mason
Grace Mason
Household Members:
Name Age
Joseph Mason 50
Sarah Mason 41
Mary Mason 19
Timpe Mason 15
Nathaniel Mason 13
Sully Mason 11
Betty Mason 9
Kate Mason 7
Grace Mason 5

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: J. R. Mason
Age: 51
Birth Date: Abt 1829
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1880: Gaston, Northampton, North Carolina
Dwelling Number: 460
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Sallie Mason
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Occupation: Farmer
Household Members:
Name Age
J. R. Mason 51
Sallie Mason 50
Tempey Mason 22
Bettie Mason 18
Kate Mason 17
Grace Mason 16

Virginia, Select Marriages, 1785-1940
Name: J.R. Mason
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Widowed
Race: White
Age: 60
Birth Date: 1830
Birth Place: Brunswick Co. VA
Marriage Date: 25 Jun 1890
Marriage Place: Danville, Virginia
Father: Nathaniel Mason
Mother: Temperance Mason
Spouse: Ellen F. Townes
Gender: Female
Marital Status: Widowed
Race: White
Age: 52
Birth Date: 1838
Birth Place: Mecklenburg Co.VA
Father: Wm Townes
Mother: Lucy Townes
FHL Film Number: 888895
Reference ID: 2569

North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979
Name J R Mason of Virginia
Age 44
Father: Unknown
Event Type Marriage
Event Date 14 Aug 1895
Event Place Wake, North Carolina
Gender Male
Spouse's Name Tempy S Mason of Wake County
Spouse's Age 30
Spouse's Father: J R Mason
Spouse's Gender Female

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: J R Mason
Age: 59
Birth Date: Jan 1841
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1900: Gaston, Northampton, North Carolina
House Number: 179
Sheet Number: 9
Number of Dwelling in Order of Visitation: 174
Family Number: 179
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Tempey S Mason
Marriage Year: 1896
Years Married: 4
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Can Read: Yes
Can Write: Yes
Can Speak English: Yes
House Owned or Rented: R
Farm or House: H
Household Members:
Name Age
J R Mason 59
Tempey S Mason 41
Rose Taylor 22
Frank Taylor 2