Bassett Family Association Database

Francis Bassett[1]

Male 1820 - 1899  (79 years)


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  • Name Francis Bassett 
    Born 25 May 1820 
    Gender Male 
    Died 9 Jun 1899 
    Notes 
    • Evening Express, Wales, 10 June 1899
      Death Of An Ex-M.P.

      The death took place on Friday night, at Leighton Buzzard, at the age of 80 years, of Mr. Francis Bassett, chief partner in the old established bank of Bassett and Co., Leighton-Buzzard, and elsewhere, now merged in Barclay and Co. Mr. Bassett, from 1872 to 1875, represented Bedfordshire in Parliament in the Liberal interest. Deceased had been in failing health for a year, and four months since was seized with paralysis. He was a member of the Society of Friends.

      The Bedfordshire Mercury, Friday, June 16, 1899
      Death of Mr. Bassett

      Mr. Francis Bassett, J.P., died at his residence, The Heath, Leighton Buzzard, on Friday evening last, at just an hour before midnight, in his 80th year. He was not a great man, but he was a good one; and years ago had greatness thrust upon him rather against his will, when he was chosen Member for Bedfordshire. That is now getting ancient history, for it was in 1872, twenty seven years ago; but it was the most public event in his long and peaceful life. His father was John Dollin Bassett, a Quaker of the old school, who lived until about a generation ago, and whose name, like that of his now deceased son, was honoured and respected wherever it was known.
      Mr. Francis Bassett, or, as he was more commonly called, Mr. Frank Bassett, was an active man, and was always engaged in work until he had a serious stroke last summer, the heat proving very trying to his constitution. That attack deprived him of the power of speech, but not of the power of thought. When he regained some command of his voice, eh constantly manifested interest in his business and in other matters; he learned to write with his left hand, and constantly took carriage exercise ? up to the day of his death.
      Some interesting details of his life, are given in this week?s Leighton Observer, from which we extract the following: -
      ?There is one singular incident recalled of Mr. Bassett?s illness and las hours. He had at The Heath and old hall clock given him on his marriage. He always wound this clock himself and allowed no one else to touch it. When he recovered from his seizure ten months ago, his first enquiry, by a turn of the hand, was whether the clock had been wound, and when he recovered sufficiently he resumed his old habit of winding the clock. On Friday night a servant had occasion to notice that the clock was going at ten minutes to eleven, but at two minutes past eleven, the time Mr. Bassett passed away, the old clock stopped ? although it had not run down.
      ?Mr. Bassett?s loss will be keenly felt no only in his native town of Leighton Buzzard, but throughout and far beyond Bedfordshire. Among all classes of society he had, throughout his long career, been held in the highest regard both on account of his unswerving rectitude and uprightness of character and of his kindliness of disposition; while the former won the confidence and esteem of the general community, he gathered around him a large circle of personal friends not only from among his own class but from those who were less well off in this world?s goods. There are many young men at the present time occupying good appointments who have reason to remember with gratitude the helping hand given them to the first rung of the ladder by Mr. Bassett. To the needs of those in trouble and distress he always turned a sympathetic ear.
      ?Mr. Bassett was a great worker; his industry and perseverance together with a keen power of perception and judgment have enabled him to establish a name and maintain the honourable position he has so long held in the mercantile world. Kind-hearted, genial, witty, and shrewd, scrupulously conscientious in every duty and act, it is no surprising that the life of Mr. Francis Bassett has left its mark upon those who were associated with him and that his name will long be remembered with reverence and love.
      ?Mr. Francis Bassett?s father, Mr. John Dollin Bassett, was born in Leighton Buzzard in the year 1786; thus, the changes ? political, social, and religious ? during the time covered by these two generations form one of the most interesting paged in the history of our country.
      ?On May the 25th, 1840 (being his 20th birthday) Mr. Francis Bassett came to take part in the banking business at Leighton, and was admitted a partner in 1842. He was afterwards joined, in 1854, by Mr. Theodore Harris (whose sister Mr. Bassett married); in 1871 by his son, Mr. Frederick Bassett; in 18784 by Mr. John Tindall, and Henry Edward Harris.
      ?Mr. Bassett married in 1842, Ellen, daughter of the late Mr. Edward Harris, of Stoke Newington, who survives him. He leaves two sons and five daughters, namely, Mr. Theodore Bassett (London), Mr. Frederick Bassett (Leighton Buzzard), Mrs. Fox (Falmouth), Mrs. Maltby (Aspley Guise), Mrs. R .Tindall (The Cedars, Leighton Buzzard), Miss Mary Bassett, and Miss Louisa Bassett.
      ?Mr. Bassett was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Bedford, qualifying at the Easter Quarter Sessions, 1871. In June of the following year he was elected Member of Parliament for the County of Bedford in the Liberal interest, his colleague in the representation of the County being the late Sir Richard (then Colonel) Gilpin, who represented the Conservatives of the County for over a quarter of a century. Mr. Bassett succeeded Mr. Hastings Russell, on his becoming, by succession, Duke of Bedford, and was in turn, upon resignation on account of ill-health, himself succeeded by the then Marquis of Tavistock. It is an interesting circumstance that this election won by Mr. Bassett was the last Parliamentary election at which there was open voting.
      ?Mr. Bassett throughout his long life remained true to Liberal principles. On the introduction of the Home Rule Bill of 1886 he was compelled, not without feelings of acute pain, to sever his connection with his former political colleagues, but he lived and died a Liberal in his sympathies and aspirations. He was on terms of cordiality with Mr. Gladstone and the other leaders of the Liberal party, and it will be remembered that Mr. Gladstone has visited The Heath. Among other offices connected with the county held by Mr. Bassett was that of High Sheriff in the year 1882. After the introduction of the Local Government Act and the establishment of County Councils in 1888, he was also elected a County Alderman, and continued in the office until failing health two or three years ago compelled him to relinquish it.
      ?Mr. Bassett, at the time of the amalgamation of the Bank with Messrs Barclay & Co., of London, was most deservedly honoured by being placed upon the first Board of General Directors. He was a member of the Audit Committee of the London and North Western Railway Company, and a Director of the Imperial Continental Gas Company, whilst locally he was Chairman of the Directors of the Leighton Gas Company, and also of the Leighton Corn Exchange Company for some years after the erection of that building.
      ?He was for many years a strong supporter of the British Schools, until they became absorbed in the School Board system. He was a liberal contributor to, and supporter of every worthy local institution, whether benevolent, religious, or useful, including the British and Foreign Bible Society, the Haverstock Hill Orphanage, the Bedford Infirmary, and the Leighton Nursing Association; in fact every good work carried on in Leighton, or by which the town has benefited for a period extending over more than half a century, can claim his as a liberal supporter.
      ?As we have already said, Mr. Bassett was a busy man; all these public and business engagements carried on into advanced life could only be performed by one possessing great strength of character and will-power, but to illustrate the many-sidedness of his character we may mention the great interest he took in agricultural matters as one of the best-known breeders of Jersey cattle in a wide district; he was also an excellent judge of horses, and took a keen interest in the local agricultural shows. He was president of the Beds. Agricultural Society during the year the show was held at Leighton.
      ?Mr. Bassett, from his earliest years, was a consistent member of the Society of Friends, and a warm supporter of religious and philanthropic effort. While we mourn with sincere grief the loss of a true friend, we shall recall the upright, honourable life of Mr. Francis Bassett, as an example worthy to be followed. It only remains to add that the fullest sympathy is felt for Mrs. Bassett and the members of the family.?



      Francis built "The Heath".

      1861 British Census of Swan Hotel, Leighton Buzzard, Bedford
      Frances Bassett40 HeadLeightonBanker
      Ellen40 WifeLondon
      Isabelle A.10 DaughterLeightonScholar
      Mary A.7 DaughterLeightonScholar
      Louisa5 DaughterLeightonScholar
      Katherine T.3 DaughterLeighton
      7 others including 4 servants

      1861 British Census of Buckingham Place, Brighton, ???
      Theodore Bassett12 PupilLeighton Buzzard, BedsScholar
      Frederick12 PupilLeighton Buzzard, BedsScholar

      1891 British Census of The Heath, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire
      Francis Bassett70 M HeadLeighton Buzzard, BedfordBanker J.P.
      Ellen70 F WifeLondon, Middlesex
      Mary A.37 F DaughterLeighton Buzzard, Bedford
      Mary B. MaltbyF Grdau.St. Grimsbly, Lincoln
      Naomi B. FoxF Grdau.Falmouth, Cornwall
      Housemaid, parlor maid and 4 servants
      Living next door
      1891 British Census of The Knolls, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire
      Elizabeth P. Bassett39 F HeadWageerahad, India
      Ralph10 M SonLeighton Buzzard, Bedford Scholar
      Lucian8 M SonLeighton Buzzard, Bedford Scholar
      Edward6 M SonLeighton Buzzard, Bedford Scholar
      Governess & 4 servants

      1901 British Census of The Heath, Leighton Buzzard, Bedford
      Ellen Bassett80 F Head (Wd)LondonLiving on own means
      Mary47 F DaughterLeighton Buzzard
      Louisa45 F Daughter Leighton Buzzard
      & 6 Domestics

    Person ID I48  18B The Bassetts of Leighton Buzzard,Bedfordshire,England
    Last Modified 17 Dec 2017 

    Father John Dollin Bassett,   b. 14 Apr 1786,   d. 15 Feb 1878  (Age 91 years) 
    Mother Mary Theobold,   b. 1791,   d. 13 Apr 1841  (Age 50 years) 
    Married 1816 
    Family ID F4  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Ellen Harris,   b. 23 Jul 1820, Saint Lukes, Finsbury, Middlesex, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 May 1903  (Age 82 years) 
    Married 1842 
    Children 
     1. Alfred Bassett,   b. 1843,   d. 1843  (Age 0 years)
     2. John Bassett,   b. 1845,   d. 1845  (Age 0 years)
    +3. Ellen Mary Bassett,   b. 1846, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Deceased
    +4. Frederick Bassett,   b. 1848,   d. 1912  (Age 64 years)
    +5. Theodore Bassett,   b. 1848,   d. 1917  (Age 69 years)
    +6. Isabella Bassett,   b. 1850, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Deceased
     7. Mary Ann Bassett,   b. 9 Sep 1853,   d. 16 Nov 1948  (Age 95 years)
     8. Louisa Bassett,   b. 1855,   d. 1928  (Age 73 years)
     9. Emily Bassett,   b. 1855,   d. Deceased
     10. Katherine Bassett,   b. 1855,   d. 1855  (Age 0 years)
    +11. Katherine F. Bassett,   b. 1857, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Deceased
     12. Francis Bassett,   b. 1862,   d. 1862  (Age 0 years)
    Family ID F11  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Sources 
    1. [S1] GEDCOM file imported on 14 April 2009.