| Notes |
- Taunton Daily Gazette, 23 Jul 1902
Sarah C. Bassett
July 11, 1902, at her home in Foxboro, Mrs. Sarah C. Bassett, widow of
the late John Bassett, passed from earth. She was highly respected and loved
by those who knew her. She was born in Taunton August 9, 1834, and was the
tenth and youngest child of the late Howell Lothrop, who lived on Lothr
street, a short distance south of the Lothrop school house. Her mother, Nancy
C., was a daughter of Ambrose Lincoln and a descendant in the sixth generation
from Thomas Lincoln, the miller, an early settler of Taunton.
Sarah's education was obtained almost entirely in the district school
and chiefly under the instruction of the veteran schoolmaster, Benjamin
Narvey, who was the teacher of the school in district No. 20 for 10 successive
years, from 1838 to 1848, with the exception of 1842, when Nathaniel T.
Cushman was employed. Evening spelling and speaking schools were prominent
features of the administration of Mr. Harvey. Sarah very early became a good
speller, and took an active part in the exercises of the schools, and in
spelling contests was always among the last to be "spelled down
In August, 1848, the ambitious scholars of the district, under the
lead of Simon B. Wetherell, formed the "Laurel Literary Society," and
established a paper called "The Laurel,", which was made up of original
contributions from the members of the society, and for some time was one of
the editors. Her childhood and youth were spent during what may be called the
golden period of the school district system.
In September, 1849, when the high school was opened with Ozi
Pitkin as principal, she, with three others from school district No. 20,
entered the school and took high rank with the best scholars of the town. At
this time there were four others from the same small district who attended
Bristol Academy, all pursuing the higher branches of education. During the
summer of 1850, before she had reached the age of 16 years, she was employed
to take charge of the school in district No. 19. This school she taught with
much success. but her literary and educational career was of short duration.
In the fall of 1850 she became the wife of John Bassett, a worthy and
respected citizen of the school district in which she had taught. After
marriage she devoted herself to domestic duties, leading a quiet and peaceful
life, spreading cheerfulness and sunshine around her. She was always kind-
hearted and lively; was the sunshine in her father's house, and she carried
the same characteristics into her own home. To visit her was ever a pleasure
and one came away feeling better for the visit. In her later years she was
sorely afflicted by disease, but her cheerfulness remained; what would have
discouraged and depressed others she bore without complaint.
She left a son and two daughters to mourn her loss.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1834 - 1902 (67 years)
, d. Deceased