Guest Mike-
Guest Mike, 'Massa' was the name in sheet music for "We Shall See Her No More," Buckley's New Orleans Minstrels, 1853 or thereabouts.

Many years later, the folk version collected by Sharp in 1918, posted in thread 53767, "The Sunny South," says "Massie lies buried close by."
Sweet Sunny South .

The song was also collected in North Carolina, 1922 as "The Sweet Sunny South." I only have vol. 5 of Brown, North Carolina Folklore, which gives one verse and a score; no name mentioned.
I think Joe Offer has this set with the verses in vol. 3; perhaps he will be kind enough to post them here or in thread 53767.

In any case, it seems the song changed emphasis in the folk versions; why not use 'Massie' instead of 'Massa'?