(1) Welcome
(2) Merton Webster Bassett watch
(3) John and Joe Bassett from the #14B Jean Besset family
(4) Captain Nathan Bassett, Joiner
(5) Death of Arthur L. Bassett in California
(6) Lillian and Leonora Bassett of Albany, New York, tintypes
(7) Bassetts of Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Wales
(8) New family lines combined or added since the last newsletter
(9) DNA project update
Section 1 - Welcome
I organized a National Bassett Reunion in the United States in 1997 in Salt Lake City to celebrate the 100 anniversary of the first Bassett reunion held in New England in 1897. I organized a second reunion 10 years later in 2007 that was held in Boston, Massachusetts. I am thinking of planning a 2017 reunion to be held somewhere in England or Wales. Would anyone be interested in attending? Would anyone in England/Wales be interesting in hosting or at least helping to host to help line up a place or hotel to hold this reunion? Places to consider are Cornwall, Glamorgan, Wales, and Staffordshire as these are three main groupings of Bassetts with ancient origins.
Entry of Bassett data has slowed down as the weather improves for summer. This fall, I will be looking for a volunteer that would be willing to load the information from the #14B Jean Besset tree into the website. If you are willing to help with entry of this tree, please let me know.
If you belong to a Bassett line from England or France that has not yet done DNA testing and would like to join but don't have the funds, I have enough money in the Bassett project fund to pay for several tests.
The following trees were added to the Bassett website database since the last newsletter:
57B. William Bassett of Georgia & Arkansas (448 individuals)
493B. William H. Bassett of San Jose, California (23 individuals)
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Section 2 - Featured Bassett: Merton Webster Bassett Watch
Merton Webster Bassett descends from #3B Thomas Bassett of Connecticut as follows:
Thomas Bassett (b. 1598) and wife Joanna Beardsley
Thomas Bassett (b. 1660) and wife Sarah Baldwin
Josiah Bassett (b. 1690) and wife Alice Canfield
Samuel Bassett (b. 1723) and wife Susanna Morris
David Bassett (b. 1754) and wife Sarah Oviatt
David Bassett (b. 1782) and wife Mary Rhoades
Hezekiah Bassett (b. 1805) and wife Laura Clark
Alonzo Lorenzo Bassett (b. 1845 and wife Mary Sabrina Webster
Merton Webster Bassett (b. 1871)
An article on Merton Webster Bassett was first seen in the October 2007 newsletter. Click on the link below to read the original story.
This month I saw of watch of his for sale on ebay.
Merton Webster Watch for sale on ebay
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Section 3 - Featured Bassett: John and Joe Bassett from the Jean Besset family
Research this month uncovered the link between three Bassett families with roots in Quebec to their connection to the #14 Jean Besset line.
The line of Peter Bassett of New York was featured in an earlier newsletter.
This month we have a few pictures for the line that used to be the #466B John Baptist Bassett family.
John Baptist Bassett Jr. descends from Jean Besset as follows:
Jean Besset (b. 1642) and wife Anne Seigneur
Francois Besset (b. 1685) and wife Marie Claude Dubois
Clement Claud Besset (b. 1728) and wife Marie Charlotte Lamoureux
Joseph Besset (b. 1765) and wife M Anne Lalanne
Pierre Pascal Besset and wife Marguerite Stanislas
Jean Baptist Besset (b. 1821) and wife Catherine Benoit
John Baptist Bassett Jr. (b. 1860) and wife Annie Gross
John Baptist Bassett Jr. and children provided by Alysia Kingery
Seattle Daily Times, April 1, 1970
George and Art Bassett, brothers, report that their father, John B. Bassett, is immortalized in concrete at 314 First Ave. S. And, indeed, he is. Set in the sidewalk, near the curb, is: “John B. Bassett Blk.”
The elder Bassett built the old brick structure at 314 right after the Seattle fire in June, 1889, and his sons believe it was the first building to rise out of the ashes. Instead of using professional builders on the job, Bassett put some of his old prospecting buddies to work. They put in footings “right on the charcoal”, and began erecting brick that were “second-hand 81 years ago.”
The elder Bassett came out of the Klondike with a gunnysack full of gold, according to his sons. He opened a saloon in his new building, added about four more in the area, and then bought an interest in a local brewery and in some Skid Road hotels.
“Dad was a millionaire at one time,” George Bassett said. “Then he went broke early in the Second World War.” He died soon afterward.
The Bassett “boys” would like to get permission to have a jackhammer operator remove the two squares of concrete containing their father’s name. Good luck!
Joseph Bassett. descends from Jean Besset as follows:
Jean Besset (b. 1642) and wife Anne Seigneur
Francois Besset (b. 1685) and wife Marie Claude Dubois
Clement Claud Besset (b. 1728) and wife Marie Charlotte Lamoureux
Joseph Besset (b. 1765) and wife M Anne Lalanne
Pierre Pascal Besset and wife Marguerite Stanislas
Jean Baptist Besset (b. 1821) and wife Catherine Benoit
Joseph Bassett (b. 1852) and wife Louise
George W. Bassett (b. 1885) and wife Edna M.
Joseph George Bassett (b. 1910)
Joe Bassett appearing in a TV episode of "The Rifleman"
Picture provided by Alyssia Kingery
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Section 4 - Featured Bassett: Captain Nathan Bassett, Joiner
Nathan Bassett descends from #1A William Bassett of Plymouth as follows:
William Bassett and wife Elizabeth
Joseph Bassett (b. 1635) and wife Mary Lapham
William Bassett (b. 1667) and wife Sarah Sweetland
William Bassett (b. 1694) and wife Mary Crossman
William Bassett (b. 1726) and wife Lydia Fisher
Samuel Bassett (b. 1754) and wife Martha Belding
Nathan Bassett (b. 1798) and wife Harriett Willard
New Hampshire Sentinel, Keene, New Hampshire, Wednesday, March 22, 1843
Keene Biographical Sketches
Nathan Bassett
Nathan Bassett, youngest son of Samuel Bassett, was born in 1798; married Harriet, daughter of Lockhart Willard; had ten children; was captain of the Keene Light Infantry in 1823-4; was a noted carpenter and builder, and laid the foundations of our present city hall. He lived on Marlboro street and built the house now No. 47. His son James was drowned in Ashuelot river, July 4, 1833. He removed to Keene, Ohio.
New Hampshire Sentinel, Keene, NH, Wednesday, April 22, 1891
Obituary
William Bassett, an old and well known resident of Keene, died at his home on Marlboro’ street about twelve o’clock Monday night at the age of 72 years. He had been sick for a number of weeks with a disease of the heart and other complications and his death occurred quite suddenly, from heart failure. During the afternoon he had appeared better than for some weeks before and about five o’clock walked out into the garden with his grandchild in whose company he took great satisfaction.
Deceased was a native of Keene and had lived here during the greater part of his life. He was a son of Nathan Bassett, who was a famous carpenter and builder in old times. William learned the same trade, and carpentering and building has been his business until recently when he retired. He was one who thought much upon religious matters, and for many years was an attendant at the First church where both he and his father used to play the bass viol before the days of modern organs. During the later years of his life he was a very constant attendant at the Unitarian church and took much interest in that society. He was a kind and genial neighbor and a man who was always ready to lend a helping hand or speak a cheering word to those who were in trouble. He is survived by his wife and one daughter, Mrs. William O. Hutchins, of this city. The funeral will take place at the home, Marlboro’ street, Thursday, at eleven o’clock, Rev. C.B. Elder officiating.
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Section 5 - Featured Bassett: Death of Arthur L. Bassett in California
I have not yet been able to identify this Arthur L. Bassett.
San Jose Evening News, Wednesday, August 8, 1900
Met Desperate Death
Former San Jose Sprinter Killed By an Angry Father
Arthur Bassett, an old San Josean, has met a tragic death, that is full in keeping with the reckless and vicious life which he led before and after being sent to San Quentin. San Joseans of fifteen years or more ago will remember the one-armed man who was somewhat famous as a runner at a time when foot races were all the go. That was Arthur C. Bassett, the man who was killed near Red Bluff a few days ago by his father-in-law as Bassett was about to take the latter’s life with a knife he carried in his hand.
A POPULAR ATHLETE
Bassett was quite popular among the athletes in this city as he was a fast man on the turf. He ate most of his meals in the old Elite restaurant on Santa Clara street and there formed a number of acquaintances. Now he is dead and a coroner’s jury has returned a verdict of justifiable homicide in the case of the man who was the cause of his death.
Major A.G. Hinman of this city, who was turnkey at San Quentin for three years beginning 1891, is able to throw some light on the previous careerof Bassett as the Major has a complete record of all State prisoners from the early days to 1900. Bassett was in his care for three years, and the Major saw as much of the man as he had any desire to.
HAD A BAD RECORD
Arthur C. Bassett was admitted to San Quentin February 51, 1889, on two commitments of assault to commit murder and assault with a deadly weapon. He had been sentenced to sixteen years on the two convictions, and at the time he was sent to prison gave his age as 31 and his occupation as that of a railroad man. It appears form the clippings which Major Hinman has preserved, that Bassett was the keeper of a disreputable house at Auburn in Placer county, and that his reputation was most unsavory. He was arrested for attempting to kill a woman with whom he was acquainted with whom he had trouble and was sentenced as above stated. While going from the court room to the jail he managed to escaped the officers but was soon recaptured. That took place February 13 and he was sent to San Quentin and booked at that penal institution two days later. According to the newspaper account, Bassett was a terror to the citizens of Auburn, and would have been mobbed a short time before for the shooting of a woman, if it had not been for the interference of an officer.
LOOKING FOR TROUBLE
Major Hinman says that Bassett was always making trouble while in prison. He was a mean man, and while he kept sufficiently within the bounds so as not to lose credits, he was the bugbear of the officers of San Quentin who always had to be on the lookout lest he should provoke some fresh disturbance. By the credit system he had to serve but ten years and he was released on February 15, 1899 and probably went to Paskenta, Tehama county, almost immediately.
Bassett married the daughter of E. W. Cooper, a farmer, on May 27 of this year and worked at his trade as a painter, going to the Cooper ranch, 3 miles distant from Paskenta every night. He is said to have been continually getting drunk and driving his wife out of the house.
The trouble which ended in his death took place August 1. He went home drunk as usual and went at his wife with a knife. Word reached her father that Bassett had killed his wife and Mr. Cooper went to meet him. Bassett was waiting for him with a knife, and Cooper lost no time in shooting.
The prompt acquittal of Cooper by the Coroner’s jury for killing Bassett on the ground of self-defense met universal favor with Pakenta people, as the latter was disliked and feared by all in that locality.
San Francisco Call, August 3, 1900
Cooper Exonerated
Jury Holds That He Was Justified in Killing A.L. Bassett
Special Dispatch to the Call
RED BLUFF, Aug. 2 – An inquest was held today on the body of Arthur L. Bassett, who was killed by his father-in-law, G.W. Cooper, near Paskenta, Tuesday evening. According to the testimony, Bassett beat his wife and attempted to kill her.
Word was brought to Cooper that the woman was dead and he immediately sought out Bassett. He found him sitting in the yard. Bassett drew a knife when he saw Cooper and the latter fired two shots with fatal effect. The jury brought in a verdict of justifiable homicide. Bassett had an unenviable reputation and was but recently released from prison.
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Section 6 - Featured Bassett: Lillian and Leonora Bassett of Albany, New York
Lillian and Leonora Bassett descend from #1A William Bassett of Plymouth as follows:
William Bassett and wife Elizabeth
Joseph Bassett (b. 1635) and wife Martha Hobart
Jeremiah Bassett (b. 1678) and wife and Mary Felch
Joseph Bassett (b. 1726) and wife Judith Leonard
Joseph Bassett (b. 1760) and wife Lydia Jones
Daniel Bassett (b. 1786) and wife Ruhamah Brown
Daniel Edson Bassett (b. 1810) and wife Harriet Buxton
Leonora and Lillian Bassett (b. 1854 & 1858)
The following two pictures appear to be graduation photos for Lillian Bassett and Leonora Bassett of Albany, New York.
The pictures are marked with AHS on the back.
Two small tin types sent to me by K.H. Harbury
of Charlottesville, Virginia
The Albany Daily Evening Times, Saturday, April 6, 1872
Deaths
BASSETT – On the 6th inst., Daniel Bassett, aged 62 years.
The relatives, friends and acquaintances of the family are respectfully invited to attend his funeral on Monday afternoon, the 8th inst., at 2 o’clock from his late residence, No. 341 State street.
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Section 7 - Featured Bassett: Bassetts from Llanelli, Part 2
Bassetts from Llanelli, part 2 – the connection to Beaupre Bassetts
By David C. Attride
Back in 2010, I wrote an article for the Bassett Newsletter on Carmarthanshire Bassetts. That article summarized what was known from DNA testing which showed very close matching with the Bassetts of Lavernock and fairly close matches to the Bassetts of Beaupre. The long version of the article contained transcriptions of the 5 Bassett wills from Carmarthen, namely:
1690 Will of John Bassett, Gentleman of Killa Gwyn (which may be the same as Ciliau-gwyn), Llanelli
1737 Bond for the estate of Anthony Basset of Llanelli
1797 Will of Ann Bassett, Widow, pauper of Llangendeirne
1824 Will of George Bassett, Shopkeeper of Carmarthen
1841 Will of Richard Bassett, Farmer of Alltycreach, Llanelli
While doing research for the book I recently wrote, “The Bassetts of Wales,” I uncovered land records on the website of the National Library of Wales (Archives and Manuscripts) which I believe show that an Anthony Bassett of Llantrithyd, Glamorganshire settled in the Llanelli area by 1656.
First, let me start with what we know from the earliest will, 1690 John Bassett of Killa Gwyn, Llanelli which parish includes Killa Gwyn and Gwendraeth Valley and is only a few miles from Pembrey and Llangendeirne parishes.
John’s Will mentions the following lands in Llanelli parish: Killa Gwyn, Abel Carway; land in Llangendeirne parish
His will lists names of the following surviving relations:
Brothers: David Bassett; James Bassett & Francis Bassett;
Nephews: James Bassett; David, son of James Bassett
Nieces: Katherine Bassett & Joan Cowey
Un-named nephews and nieces of his brother, David Bassett (who left no Will)
The names of the property are important tie-ins via the lands records shown below:
1611 Covent between Thomas Jones of Llanelli & James Bassett of Llantrithed, co. Glamorgan, re. messuages in the parishes of Llanelli (Glangwendrath & Kae Davatty), Llangendeirne (Gilvach Twynne), Pembrey & Kidwelly.
[Muddlescombe papers #2062 @ NLW]
Note: the 1690 Will of John Bassett, gentleman, Llanelly, says he was “of Killa Gwyn” which matches the name of a place in the 1611 marriage settlement above. In the settlement Thomas Jones, is described as “Late of Aber Karwey”
The same 1690 Will leaves property called Abel Carway to John’s brother, David Bassett.
Who might be above James Bassett of Llantrithyd, county Glamorgan be who has some connection with a Thomas Jones of Llanelli? From my extensive Welsh Bassett database, the only candidate appears to be James, son of John Bassett & Mary Turberville who died in Llantrithyd in 1623. He was the grandson of William Bassett and Catherine Fleming and great grandson of Jenkin John Bassett of Beaupre who died in 1492. The book of Welsh pedigrees, Limbus Patrum, by George Clark says of this James (page 353):
James mar. Catherine, dau of Thomas John Gunter-ychan of Gwendraeth, and had:
Anthony; John; Richard; Thomas; Christopher; James; Elizabeth; Charlotte; Cecil; Barbara and Mary.
James’ wife, Catherine was the daughter of Thomas John whose name could have morphed into either Thomas John or Thomas Jones. In marrying Catherine, James was establishing a familial connection with Gwendraeth in Llanelli parish.
Baptismal records for Llantrithyd parish show that James’ son, Anthony was baptized in Oct. 1599.
James Bassett appears in the following marriage settlement:
1611/12, Feb. 23
1. David ap Rees ap Morgan of Mothvey, gent.
2. James Bassett of Llantrithyd, co. Glamorgan, gent., Thomas Jones, late of Aber Karwey, gent.
Settlement on marriage of Rees, son of David ap Rees and Jennett, dau of Thomas Jones involving lands in the parishes of Llangadog, Penbrey and Mothevey (messuages and closes called Glase Allt, Tire Rees ap Howell Madock, Tire Thomas ap Howell Madock, in the Kil Gwynn, a mill called Wewe Mill, in the last named parish).
[Muddlescombe papers #1311 @ NLW]
So at this point in the data assessment, the records support the following:
James Bassett mar. in 1595 Catherine the dau. of Thomas Jones (who was from Carmarthen). About 1611, Thomas Jones died and James through his marriage to Catherine nee Jones, “stood in” for the marriage settlement of Jennett, sister of Catherine.
Note how the names Anthony Bassett and John Bassett now appear in Carmarthen land records:
1656
1. Anthony Bassett, John Bassett, parish of Llanellie, gentlemen;
2. John Bowen, parish of Penbrey, gent.
Mortgage of messuages called Ty wrth y Morva at Llandedyrie in parish of Penbrey and 9 parcels of which the first is called Parke wrth y Ty, second y Parke Bach, the third is half a meadow called y Wayne Lydan, the fourth called y Parke Issa, fifth Parke William Griffith, sixth Klyn yr Onnen, seventh Parke Klyne yr Onnen Vach, the eighth is in a close called y Parke Bach, the ninth called yr Errowe ar Ben y Lann.
[Muddlescombe papers #508 @ NLW]
Who is this John Bassett? The records below make clear:
1658
1. Edward Mansell of Muddlescombe, Baronet;
2. Griffith Thomas, parish of Lannonn, gent., Jenett Griffith, his wife, Ann Bassett, daughter of David Bassett parish of Llanelly.
Counterpart Lease of tenement called Teere John David, parish of Lanelly.
[Muddlescombe papers #1449 @ NLW]
1665, Oct. 1
1. Anthony Bassett, parish of Llanelly, gent., John Bassett, his son;
2. Thomas Morgan of Kidwelly, gent.
[Muddlescombe papers #504 @ NLW]
Note: Remember the 1690 Will of John Bassett of Llanelli? He is probably this John.
This establishes that in Llanelli there was a John Bassett whose father was named Anthony – who I think is the Anthony, son of James Bassett of Llantrithyd.
1665, Oct. 2
1. Anthony Bassett, parish of Llanelly, gent., Anne, his wife, John Bassett, gent., eldest son;
2. Thomas Morgan, parish of Kidwelly, gent.
Mortgage of a messuage called Sythyn Ycha otherwise Sythyn Koed y Pentre, closes called Parke yr Odyn, Parke y Werne, Parke y Sythin, Gwayne y Werne, Parke y Berllan, Parke y Vagwr Sewr, Gwayne y Vagwr Sewr, three closes called y Tri Gwndwn Gole, all in the hamlet of Llandery in the parish of Pembrey.
[Muddlescombe papers #501 @ NLW]
Note: Penbrey and Pembrey are different spellings of the same parish.
1677, Oct. 15
1. John Bowen, parish of Penbrey, gent.;
2. Anthony Bassett, John Bassett, parish of Llanelly, gentlemen;
3. Edward Mansell of Muddlescobe, Baronet
Assignment of mortgage on lands originally mortgaged in No. 508 of 29 Sept 1656
[Muddlescombe papers #510 @ NLW]
1677, Oct. 16
1. John Bowen, of Pembrey;
2. Edward Mansell of Muddlescombe, Baronet.
Receipt for money due to the first party from Anthony and John Bassett.
[Muddlescombe papers #1762 @ NLW]
1677, Dec. 23
1. Anthony Basset, parish of Llanelly, gent., John Bassett, of the same parish, gent.;
2. Edward Mansell of Muddlescombe, Baronet.
Release of equity of redemption of messuage known as Ty Wrth y Morva at Llandedyrie, also parcels called Parke Wrth y Ty, y Park Bach, a parcel being part of a meadow called y Waynes Lydan, parcels called y Parke Yssa, Parke William Griffith, Klyne yr Onen, Parke Klyne yr Onen, parcel in a close called Parke Bach, close called yr Erw Ar Ben y Lan, a messuage called Sythyn Ucha otherwise Sythyn Koed y Pentrey, closes called Parke yr Odyn, Parke y Werne, Parke y Sythyn, Gweyn y Werne, Parke y Berllan, Parke y Vagwr Sewr, Gwayne y Vagwr Sewr, Tri Gwndwn Gole, the last named messuage and eight closes being in a hamlet called Llandery in the parish of Penbrey.
[Muddlescombe papers #1753 @ NLW]
To sum up Anthony Bassett and his son, John:
1656 first mention of an Anthony Bassett in Llanelli parish, Carmarthenshire
1665 first mention that Anthony’s eldest son was named John and that John was part of a land transaction so he should have been 21 yrs or older, making his birth prior to 1645. If Anthony was at least 25 yrs old when John was born, Anthony would have been born prior to 1620. This is not inconsistent with the Llantrithyd parish record listing a 1599 baptism of Anthony, son of James Bassett.
The three family trees below summarize what I know for the early Bassett families of Carmarthen. The David Bassett (born bef 1670) on the first family tree could be the same David Bassett (born bef 1695) on the last family tree. If so, this would provide a tie-in between the 1690 Will of John Bassett and earliest family tree known to Sarah Bassett (listed as 202B by Jeff Bassett). Unfortunately, information from early baptismal records for Llanelli is limited.
Suggestions for further research:
Genuki indicates that Llanelli parish has christening and marriage records back to 1684 and Llangendeirne parish has records back to 1735. Someone ought to check those earliest records for Bassetts which might show a connection with one of the Bassetts named in the 1690 Will of John Bassett or the husband of Ann Bassett, widow whose will was probated in 1797. Another option would be for someone to check the hearth tax lists for these parishes for the 1660s which will show the Bassett families in those parishes. A more difficult course would be to examine lands records at the Carmarthen Record Office for these parishes for the period 1677 to 1750 for additional Bassett information.
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Section 8 - New family lines combined or added since the last newsletter
The following family lines have been combined/eliminated since the last newsletter.
47B. Peter Bassett of New York into the #14B Jean Besset of Quebec Family
58B. Nelson Bassett of Chazy, New York into the #14B Jean Besset of Quebec Family
466B. John Baptist Bassett into the #14B Jean Besset of Quebec Family
The following family lines have been added since the last newsletter.
47B. Thomas Bassett of Brome, Quebec, Canada
264B. John Bassett of Elgin, Yarmouth, Ontario, Canada
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Section 9 - DNA project update
No new DNA results to report this month.
Donations of any amount can be made to the Bassett DNA project by clicking
on the link below. Any funds donated will be used to fund select Bassett DNA
tests that will further our project as a whole and benefit all Bassetts worldwide.
