| Notes |
- The Boston Journal, August 9, 1893
Obituary, Samuel Bassett
Samuel Bassett, the veteran past City Clerk of Chelsea, is dead at the ripe age of 89. Mr. Bassett was for so many years in office that he was, literally, as much a portion of the city of Chelsea as was its Municipal Government. He was born in the North End of Boston, then the centre of the city's respectability, in November, 1804, was educated in the public schools, and was apprenticed as a sailmaker, later becoming a member of the old firm of Bassett & Thayer. He was a resident of Chelsea from 1838 until quite recently; was made town clerk in 1846 and the first City Clerk in 1847. He resigned in 1884, having held office for 36 years. At one time he was also City Treasurer and Collector, and treasurer of the Chelsea Savings Bank.
He was popularly known as Uncle Sam. He was greatly interested in beautifying Chelsea streets with shade trees, and was one of the "Ornamental Tree Society". His latter days were passed in the home of his son on West Newton Street where he died. He leaves three sons and a daughter.
1840 Federal Census of Chelsea, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Samuel Bassett 110001000-11001000
1MU5, 1M5-10, 1M30-40, 1FU5, 1F5-10, 1F20-30
1850 Federal Census of Chelsea, Suffolk County, Massachusetts (21 Aug 1850)
Samuel Bassett - 46 - M - Massachusetts - Sail Maker 1600
Julia A. - 39 - F - Massachusetts
Celadon - 17 - M - Massachusetts - Clerk
Julia A. - 15 - F - Massachusetts
William S. - 13 - M - Massachusetts
Clarisa - 12 - F - Massachusetts
Samuel B. - 10 - M - Massachusetts
1860 Federal Census of Chelsea, Suffolk County, Massachusetts (13 Jul 1860)
Saml Bassett - 56 - M - Massachusetts - City Clerk 3050 1500
Julia A. - 49 - F - Massachusetts
Celadon - 27 - M - Massachusetts - Clerk --- 800
Julia A. - 25 - F- Massachusetts
Wm S. - 23 - M - Massachusetts - Expressman --- 300
Saml B. - 20 - M - Massachusetts - Clerk
1880 Federal Census of Chelsea, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Samuel Bassett - 75 - M - MA-MA-MA - Head - City Clerk
William S. - 43 - M - MA-MA-MA - Son - Foreman City Work
H. Emma Nugent - 29 - F - ME-CN-ME - Other - Housekeeper
One of a Thousand: A Series of Biographical Sketches
By John Clark Rand
Samuel Bassett
Samuel Bassett, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Scott) Bassett, was born in Boston, in November 1804.
He was educated in the Boston public schools; learned the trade of sail-maker, which vocation he afterwards followed on his own account, and as one of the firm of Bassett & Thayer.
Mr. Bassett was married in Westborough, in 1830, to Julia Ann, daughter of Elijah and Hannah Burnap. Of this union were five children: Celadon, Julia A., Clarissa, William S. and Samuel B. Bassett.
Mr. Bassett removed to Chelsea in 1838, where he has ever since resided. He was elected town clerk in 1849, and was annually re-elected til 18957, when the city was organized, and he was elected city clerk, continuing to hold this office till 1884, when he declined re-election. He was also chosen city treasurer and collector, serving until 1875, when he declined further service in that capacity. Seldom has a public officer held such positions for so many years, or been so much beloved. His face had so long been a familiar one at the City Hall that it seemed an indispensable feature, and the people and the city government would gladly have continued him in some office connected with city business, had he not modestly but resolutely insisted that younger men should now assume the burdens he had so conscientiously and faithfully borne. His election to the various offices had always been without opposition, and he was often significantly designated as the ?unanimous S.B.?. He was a father to the orphan and a counselor and friend to the widow. Every mayor and member of the city government during his long term of office-holding had reason to be grateful to him for information furnished and for kindly ant thoughtful suggestions.
During the civil war he was an active friend of the soldier and his family. In every position he was a trusted public servant. During ten years he was one of the assessors, and thus became familiar with the value of property, as well as boundaries and titles.
He was the first treasurer of the Chelsea Savings Bank, elected in 1854, serving until his declination in July, 1874, and for many years was one of the trustees. He was an active member and executive officer of the ?Ornamental Tree Society?, which has added so much to the beauty of Chelsea?s streets.
This tribute is inserted here, without the knowledge of Mr. Bassett, as his fellow citizens feel that it is his due that he should appear in, as he has most emphatically been, ?ONE OF A THOUSAND.?
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Bassett Family Association Database
1804 - 1893 (88 years)