Charles Mason Homestead Site (The Country School Grounds)
Charles Mason: Community Figure and Landowner on the Connecticut Freedom Trail
Tucked within the grounds of The Country School in North Madison, Connecticut, lies the former homestead of Charles Mason, a cherished mid‑19th‑century resident whose life reflects Black landownership, skilled labor, and community connection during the post–Civil War era. From 1865 to 1872, Mason and his family lived on this property at a place historically known as Opening Hill, leaving a legacy remembered through maps, census records, and local oral histories.
A Home at Opening Hill
On November 30, 1865, Charles Mason purchased 13 acres of land from Harvey Elliot, a white landowner, securing a permanent home for his family during the early years of Reconstruction. An 1868 map by F. W. Beers documents “C. Mason” residing at the corner of Opening Hill Road and Blinnshed Road, firmly situating the Mason family within the North Madison landscape.
The 1870 federal census confirms Mason’s residence on this property with his wife Ellen and their five children—Sarah, Hattie, Prudence, Fanny, and Charles B. The children attended the Center School in North Madison, underscoring the family’s participation in local civic and educational life.
Craft, Character, and Community Memory
Census records list Charles Mason’s occupation as “Basket maker,” a skill remembered vividly in local oral histories. Neighbors affectionately recalled him as “Uncle Josh,” a kind and gentle presence who crafted baskets “of the brightest hues” for neighborhood children. These recollections describe a man who was fond of children, generous with his time, and respected within the community—an artisan whose work brought color and warmth to everyday life.
Such memories, passed down through generations, complement the documentary record and offer a rare, intimate portrait of Black life in rural Connecticut during the 19th century.
Later Years
In 1872, Charles Mason sold the Opening Hill property back to Harvey Elliot and moved with his family to New Haven. There, Mason worked various jobs for the next three decades. In 1905, he entered Springside Home, a New Haven almshouse, where he lived until his death in 1912. Although no record of his burial has been found, his life and contributions endure through historical documentation and community memory.
Site Access and Preservation
Note: This site is located on the grounds of The Country School and is not currently interpreted as a public exhibit. Nevertheless, it is a registered Connecticut Freedom Trail site and remains a vital place of remembrance within the state’s African American history.
Why It Matters
Charles Mason’s story illuminates the significance of Reconstruction‑era Black landownership, skilled labor, and everyday dignity in Connecticut’s past. Through his home at Opening Hill, his craft as a basket maker, and the fond memories preserved by neighbors, Mason represents the lived experiences that ground the Connecticut Freedom Trail—stories of perseverance, belonging, and community that continue to shape our understanding of freedom.
