Mason Hall is near the Gibson County line about half way between Trimble and Kenton. It has never been incorporated nor has the date of its origin been established. Obion County Marriage Records (1824-1877) contain an entry of the marriage of an early resident, Baptist Boyette to Mahulda Crain, May 9, 1828.

Traditionally, the community has been composed of both Gibson and Obion county families. Benjamin TYSON settled just south of Mason Hall in 1825 and John NEEDHAM, first sheriff of Gibson County, owned land and located in that area in 1824. Nathaniel HOLLOMON and his father John HOLLOMON moved to the area in 1830 in the southwest corner where Obion, Gibson and Dyer counties join.

In 1850, Baptist Boyette built the first store with a Masonic Hall above it. It is said, by some, that the name was acquired from this. However old road maps and Post Office records dispute this. One postal record notes Mason Hall, Tennessee, Obion County, August 9, 1837.

The earliest church was the Methodist. No records are available of its organization, but elder citizens placed the date at about 1835. First called “Robinson’s Chapel” the name was changed to “Boyette’s Chapel” in 1895 when it moved to the present location. Early founders were the BOYETTE, HOLLOMON and GARRISON families.

New Salem Baptist Church was organized Dec. 31, 1848 and David HALLIBURTON and Daniel ALPIN were elected elders and A. B. HARGETT, clerk. A church building was erected on Base Line Rd and Troy-Trenton Rd in 1853 and renamed New Salem Missionary Baptist when it moved in 1896 to the present location. At the same time a cemetery was added.

First officers of the Masonic Lodge organized October 11, 1850 were: Baptist Boyette, E.G. Williams, Barnet Brand, A. B. Hargett, Wm. Aldry, N. A. House, Wm. C. Miles, John W. McNeely, A. K. McNeely, J. Taylor, C. B. Reeves.

For more information, visit Dennis Maldonado’s site on the history of Mason Hall and surrounding communities.