| Notes |
- 1880 Federal Census of Waterbury, New Haven County, Connecticut
Jas. G. Bassette 31 M CT CT CT Head Night Watchman
Florence L. 29 F CT CT CT Wife Keep House
Jas. G. 5 M CT CT CT Son
Fred L. 3 M CT CT CT Son
Wm. N. 1 M CT CT CT Son
Newspaper and date unknown
James Guernsey Bassett
The Death and Funeral of a Middlebury Man
Formerly a Resident of Waterbury
James G. Bassett of Middlebury, for many years a resident of th
city, died at his home on Wednesday morning last of typhoid fever. His age was
50 years. His funeral was very largely attended from his late residence
yesterday afternoon, the pastor of the Second Congregational church of this
city officiating. A quartet from Middlebury sang with unaffected sweetness,
“My Jesus, as Thou Wilt,” and “Tarry With Me, O My Saviour.” The interment was
in the family lot at Watertown.
The Rev. Dr. Davenport spoke of the intimate relations that had
existed for many years between Mr. Bassett and himself and of the difficulty
with which he officiated at the funeral of one whom he had esteemed so highly.
He had the feeling, however, that Mr. Bassett would like to have him say a
word for him, and on that account he would not refuse.
He referred to his strength of intellect, his clear insight and well-
defined views; to his logical force and his tendency to progressive thought,
declaring that above most people he was ready always to give a reason for the
belief and the hope that were in him. He spoke of his love for the beautiful,
for his fondness for choice poetry, of his delight in nature, of his affection
for flowers and trees and green fields, of his interest in living creatures,
which they recognized and to which they responded. “He loved the sunshine, and
yet more the darkness and the storm. There was something in his nature that
delighted in the lightning and the tempest. He loved to be alone with nature
in the night when the winds swept the forest and all was wild and weird. Then
he thought that he could commune with himself and with the Maker of all as at
no other time.”
He spoke of him as possessed of a most kindly heart, full of tender
sympathy with men in their trouble and sorrow. Of all whom he deemed,
oppressed and wronged he was ever the champion, and mourned that he could not
do more to relieve the woes of the world. To those nearest him he was most
affectionate, clinging to his friends with a love that was strong and manly.
The speaker said that he himself could fittingly use respecting him the words
of David, “Thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women
“Perhaps he was somewhat too positive in his make-up and too self-
assertive to get on well with the world as a whole. He chafed under some of
the restrictions of social and business life. He was happiest when in every
sense his own guide and master. It gave him great relief and satisfacti
to remove from the city to the beautiful hills, where his last years we
spent, and to feel himself as he said, ‘Monarch of all he surveyed.’
The pastor referred to his Christian life as full of brightness and
helpfulness to others; of his work in the church and of his especial interest
in the “Helping Hand,” and of the aid and encouragement he had there given to
those who were struggling for a better and nobler manhood. He had often talked
with the speaker of the mystery of death and declared that for him it had no
terrors. When he came to die he said repeatedly, “Everything is all right,”
and fell asleep without a murmur of regret.
Mr. Bassett leaves a wife and seven children, the youngest but a few
weeks old. At the close of the funeral service, the two little daughters of the
family were baptized, “Florence Bassett,” and “Faith Bassett.” It was a
touching sight as the stricken mother presented them for the solemn ordinance
and the many tears shed testified to the deep emotion of the large numb
present.
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Bassett Family Association Database
Abt 1848 - Abt 1898 (~ 50 years)