Rollin Bassett descends from William Bassett of Plymouth as follows:
William Bassett and wife Elizabeth
William Bassett (b. 1624) and wife Mary Ryanesford
William Bassett (b. 1656) and wife Rachel Willison
William Bassett (b. 1680) and wife Abigail Bourne
Elisha Bassett (b. 1714) and wife Ruhamma Jennings
Lot Bassett (b. 1755) and wife Deborah Howes
Thomas Bassett (b. 178) and wife Fanny Sears
William Bassett (b. 1822) and wife Antonette A. Joy
Rollin Bassett (b. 1855)
Extracted from:
“The Story of My Life: or Forty Busy Years”
By Ithiel T. Johnson, Evangelist
Published by Free Press Printing Company
Burlington, VT 1912
Prepared by Sandra Murphy Conley, Rollin’s great-granddaughter through Samuel Dwight and Marjorie Louise.
Rollin Bassett
1855-1921
Autobiographical Sketch
I was born in the little hill town of Heath, western part of Franklin County, Mass., son of William and Antoinette Joy Bassett. I was one of six children, two brothers having died, just a week apart, of diphtheria in 1862. My mother was from early life a thoroughly Christian woman, and my father, though not a professing Christian, was quite regular in attendance at church, so that my home influences were for good, and early in life I learned to attend church, and was also fond of the Sunday School. Later having developed something of a talent for music I began singing tenor in the choir or at times played the church organ, which position I held for some four years. But for all this and notwithstanding I was considered a fairly average moral young man, there was constantly a feeling that I was not yet right in the sight of God.
Late in November, 1874, Rev. W.E. Dwight, pastor of our M.E. church, engaged the services of Bro. I.T. Johnson, and he appeared, as I remember, the first time, in our church Sunday morning, Nov. 15th, preaching from the text found in John II, 28: “The Master is come and is calling for thee.” This was when I was past nineteen years old. It was a powerful sermon, and somehow it seemed as though every word of it was fired at me, but still I yielded not to the Master’s call, but had become interested and during the week attended some of the evening services, conviction getting a deeper hold all the while. The following Sunday found me in my accustomed place with the choir. Bro. Johnson took for his text the last clause of Mark II: 22: “Have faith in God.” This was the accepted time with me. I yielded to the Spirit’s call and with many others, went forward for prayers, found the blessed Savoir ready to receive me, and how He filled my heart and soul with joy and happiness. I wanted to go right out and bring in others. Not many days after my father and many others, very dear to me, were numbered with those who had sought and found the Savior. I think there were over thirty converted during the two weeks or so that Bro. Johnson was with us; and as far as I am able to know, I believe the most of them have become active in Christian work.
My mother died in 1896, my father in 1901, both happy in the Christian faith.
In 1879 I was married in East Charlemont to Miss Emma L. Howard, by her pastor, the late Rev. C.L. Guild. My wife was a devoted Christian girl and a member of the Congregationalist Church, of that place.
I had taken possession of the “Old Homestead” the previous April, my parents having moved to the centre of the town, and after our marriage we immediately took up the work that they had laid down and for nearly nineteen years we worked together cleaning up the debt on our farm, and making improvements which we might enjoy in later life. My wife took her letter from her home church to our M.E. church, which I had joined some five years earlier. Together we erected our family altar, reading God’s Holy Word, and together offering our prayer to Him, who had so greatly blessed our lives. Seven dear children were born to us here in the old home.
Emma, Maude, Rollin,
William Ralph, Bertha
In 1898 we moved away from the old home to a new house in Greenfield Meadows, where two more children came to bless our happy home.
Sorrows come sooner or later to all, and in December 1901, our baby, of only two months, a bright little girl, whom we had learned to love, was taken from us to the home above. In July, 1908, our eldest son, a fine, manly fellow of twenty-seven years, who had been for five years a postal clerk in Springfield postoffice, was accidentally drowned in the Agawam River, near that city. The telegram came like a bolt out of a clear sky to his parents and the whole family.
In April, 1909, the farm was left in charge of the oldest son then living, who had been married the previous December, and we moved into town, where we hoped to take life a little easier, my wife and I having worked hard for thirty years, and perhaps the sorrows of recent years telling on our lives.
On Oct. 6 the same year, only six months after our occupying our new home, came the heaviest blow, and the deepest sorrow of all, for the dear wife and mother was suddenly taken, after only one hour of suffering and sickness, to her Heavenly home and I was left so lonely, and not alone, for God was with me, and the seven dear children to comfort and help me bear this, the greatest sorrow of my life. I am glad also to say that my children are all members of our church, and I trust are trying to live the blessed life which their dear mother and myself have tried to present before them. Some blessed day I expect to meet all these dear ones and an innumerable company, including our dear Bro. Johnson, who has been so faithful and instrumental in bringing so many into the fold.
May God’s richest blessing rest upon all who may read this and may we all meet in His Kingdom.
