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- 1880 Federal Census of Chesapeake, Elizabeth City County, VA (12 Jun 1880)
Eliza Bassett B 28 F VA VA VA Wife
Joseph M 8 M VA VA VA Son
Ella Chisman B 12 F VA VA VA Daughter
Caesar Bassett M 4 M VA VA VA Son
1900 Federal Census of Chesapeake District, Elizabeth City Co., VA (5 Jun 1900)
A.W.E. Bassette B 42 M Nov 1857 VA VA VA Head Lawyer
Ida E. B 34 F Sep 1865 VA VA VA Wife
A.W.E. B 14 M Oct 1885 VA VA VA Son At School
Burrel B 11 M Dec 1888 VA VA VA Son At School
Louisa B 10 F May 1890 VA VA VA Daughter At School
Mary Maud B 8 F Sep 1891 VA VA VA Daughter At School
Edward G. B 5 M Feb 1895 VA VA VA Son
Laura G. B 3 F Dec 1896 VA VA VA Daughter
Mary Diggs B 11 F Oct 1888 VA VA VA SisterL At School
(Married 15 years, 9 children, 6 living)
1910 Federal Census of Chesapeake, Elizabeth City County, VA (4 May 1910)
Andrew W.E. Bassett B 57 M VA VA VA Head Farmer - General Farm
Ida E. MU 45 F VA VA VA Wife
Andrew W.E. Jr. MU 25 M VA VA VA Son Lawyer General Attorney
Edward MU 15 M VA VA VA Son
Laura MU 13 F VA VA VA Daughter
Willie Lerner MU 17 M VA VA VA Hired Man Farm Laborer
(Andrew married 2nd, married 25 years, 10 children, 6 living)
(Living on Little Back River Road)
1920 Federal Census of Hampton, Elizabeth City County, VA (17 Jan 1920)
A.W. Bassette MU 34 M VA VA VA Head Lawyer General Practice
Phoebe MU 32 F VA VA VA Wife
Rachel L. MU 2 F VA VA VA Daughter
Ida MU3/12 F VA VA VA Daughter
Burl MU 24 M VA VA VA Brother Physician
3 boarders and 1 servant
1880 Federal Census of Chesapeake, Elizabeth City County, VA (12 Jun 1880)
Eliza Bassett B 28 F VA VA VA Wife
Joseph M 8 M VA VA VA Son
Ella Chisman B 12 F VA VA VA Daughter
Caesar Bassett M 4 M VA VA VA Son
Hampton, Virginia
(Picture included)
Andrew William Ernest Bassette, shown here, was a teacher, attorney, and property owner in Hampton and Newport News. Born in 1865 and raised in Elizabeth City County, he graduated from Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute in 1876. Bassette married Ida Diggs in 1884 and had six children. As a teacher, he opened a two-room school on Back River. He also tutored pupils in his law office for many years. Bassette was a founder of the Peoples Building and Loan Association, serving as attorney for the bank for many years. He purchased a building and named it the Bassette Academy, which served as a theater for plays, concerts, and other shows. His work as a trustee of First Baptist Church served the church well. On one occasion, he walked to Williamsburg to conduct business on behalf of First Baptist. His children would make him proud: A.W.E. Jr. became an attorney, Burl Bassette became a physician, and Edward Bassette became a dentist. His grandson, A.W.E. III, would also continue this family name and legacy and serve the community as a physician and civic leader. In 1971, the city of Hampton named the A.W.E. Bassette Elementary School after this giant. (Courtesy of Mrs. Julia R. Bassette)
Andrew William Ernest Bassette
Andrew William Ernest Bassette, an educator and lawyer, was born in Elizabeth City County, Virginia, on February 14, 1865, and died August 7, 1941. He was one of seven children of Burl and Fannie Bassette.
He married Ida Elizabeth Diggs in 1884 and of this wedlock six children were born, four of whom are still living.
Mr. Bassette received his early education in Elizabeth City County, Virginia, graduating from the Hampton Normal and Agriculture Institute (presently Hampton University) in 1876, and entered the teaching profession. His teaching career spanned a period of thirty-nine years, including service in Greenville County, Elizabeth City County, and Hampton, Virginia. Mr. Bassette professional attainment and his devotion and dedication to teaching merited the naming of a school in this community in his honor in 1895, where he taught for 19 years. Although he retired from the school system a year later, he continued to teach on an individual basis through his law office.
In all probability, experiences in his early life inspired him to become a lawyer. He was as successful in law practice as he was in the field of education.
His deep interests in human welfare involved him in all aspects of civic, religious, and cultural endeavors. He was one of the founders of the People's building and Loan Association, formed in 1889, to aid Blacks in securing property and homes. Shares and dues were to be put at such a figure as to enable the poorest person to join and be benefited. He also served as the attorney of the association for many years.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church and served as legal advisor for its first major building project. It is said that on one he walked to Williamsburg, Virginia to attend to some important issues for the church. He taught Sunday School, organized several church and social choirs, gave lessons in voice and instructions in musical instruments, and organized the first Hampton Band for Blacks.
Mr. Bassette held membership in numerous fraternal and cultural organizations and provided a building in which they could conduct their meetings. The building, known as Bassette Academy, contained a theatre for presenting plays, concerts, and road shows. In addition, it included a large hall for meetings, dances, roller skating, and other forms of entertainment for both young and old.
A.W.E. Bassette was a man endowed with vision and courage. He endeavored to conduct every activity with dignity and integrity. He commanded the respect of both the white and black community.
The beautiful school, named in his honor, will be a living monument to his foresight and his untiring devotion to education, to his race, and to humanity.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1865 - 1942 (~ 77 years)