In the 1820s, Huntley served as the summer villa of Thomas Francis Mason, grandson of George Mason IV, and his wife Elizabeth "Betsey" C. Mason. Thomas Francis Mason was a prominent lawyer, mayor, and judge in Alexandria, D.C., and worked for the economic revitalization of Alexandria, including as president of the Middle Turnpike Company, when he met with President John Quincy Adams to gain approval for the road that connected Alexandria to Shenandoah farms. Betsey Mason, who outlived her husband Thomson by 35 years, was known for her determination and played a critical role in preserving George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate. Because the Masons were absent most of the time, as Huntley was their summer villa, the property's year-round residents were an overseer and enslaved people, including the Humphrey family, who farmed the land. Huntley's fashionable Federal architecture and beautiful placement made it an ideal setting for Thomson Francis Mason to entertain family, friends, and Alexandria and D.C.'s elite, and he also raced his horse Sir James at local tracks. Since about 1825, the house has drawn residents and visitors, and its enduring architectural features remain a testament to the property's long history in a changing landscape.
