Thomson Francis Mason - Career

Career

Upon his return to Virginia, Mason began practicing law in Fairfax County. In 1812, he set up his law practice in Alexandria, which was then located in Alexandria County of the District of Columbia. Mason served as Justice of the Peace in Alexandra three times. Mason played an important role during the 1820s in the fight to retrocede Alexandria County from the District of Columbia to Virginia. Because of this, he became increasingly involved in Alexandria's political activities. Mason served as mayor of Alexandria between 1827 and 1830. He was elected to the office four times. Six months before his death in 1838, President Martin Van Buren appointed Mason as the first judge of the newly organized Criminal Court of the District of Columbia.

Mason was also involved in several of Alexandria's transportation infrastructure projects. He served as president of and attorney for the Middle Turnpike Company for eleven years until his resignation on 16 July 1838 to accept President Van Buren's judicial appointment. The Middle Turnpike, now known as the Leesburg Pike (Virginia State Route 7), was completed shortly after his death. As Alexandria's mayor and as chairman of the Alexandria Committee, Mason was involved with the construction of the Alexandria branch of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. The Alexandria Canal was later completed in 1843.