John Wesley Bassett is the son of Edward Bassett of England. Before finding this article, I did not know when the family arrived in the United States or where they came from in England. If the information is accurate, it may help locate Edward Bassett back in England.
Springfield Republican, July 5, 1900
Berkshire County, Pittsfield
Bassett-Golden Wedding
The golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Bassett off 1 Church street was celebrated yesterday afternoon, nearly 100 guests being present. Under the direction of Mrs. H.A. Root and Mrs. Frederick Hofmayer, the house was handsomely decorated with asparagus, maiden-hair ferns, daisies, roses, peonies, orchids and other flowers. Over the exits and entrance to the parlor were entwined the figures “1850” and “1900”. A buffet lunch was served during the afternoon, and bowls of lemonade were distributed about the rooms. Mr. and Mrs. Bassett received their friends in the parlor, and were the recipients of many hearty congratulations. They received a number of handsome presents, including a purse of $50 in gold. Mr. and Mrs. Bassett were married on the afternoon of July 4, 1850, at New Lebanon, N.Y., and at the same time Mrs. Bassett’s sister, Elizabeth, was married to Alexander Siegelbaum. Rev. Mr. Havens of Stephentown officiating at the home of Richard Crego, uncle of the brides. Mrs. Bassett was the daughter of Erastus Salls, a shoemaker by trade, who lived in Canaan, N.Y., and New Lebanon. John W. Bassett is a native of Southampton, Eng., and at the age of two years came to this country with his father’s family, who settled at Nassau, N.Y., where his young manhood was spent. He learned the trade of a carpenter, which he has practically followed ever since. Mr. and Mrs. Bassett, after living for some time in Nassau, went to Pittsfield in 1883 and have since resided there. Mr. Bassett has four brothers and three sisters living, and the couple are vigorous, he being 70 and Mrs. Bassett 67 years of age. Both are active members of the Methodist church. They have no children living, Mrs. Hofmayer being an adopted daughter. Among those present were: –
Mrs. Eunice Sweet of Greenfield, Mrs. Elbridge Axtell of this city, Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer Seaman of Glens Falls, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Carpenter and Gustavus Haynes of Canaan Four Corners, N.Y., Mr. and Mrs. William H. Bassett of Central Nassau, N.Y., Mr. and Mrs. Max Forhaltz of Stamford, Ct., Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wagner and son of Richmond, Albert Wagner of Canaan, Mrs. Pinkham and Mrs. Kate Bextein of North Adams, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Morey of Nassau, Mr. and Mrs. Simon Hofmeyer of Stockbridge, Mrs. Lewis of Waterford, N.Y., Mr. and Mrs. John Alien Root, Mr. and Mrs. H.A Root, Mrs. Caroline A. Tolman, Mr. and Mrs. Bancroft Carpenter, Mr. and Mrs. George Norton, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Parker, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Bassett, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew O. Waldran, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Hofmayer, Mr. and Mrs. Milford Rider, Mr. and Mrs. Moritmer Haynes, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Coons, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Livermore, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Conway, Mrs. H.A. Ashby, Mr. and Mrs. S.S. Wheeler, Mr. and Mrs. S.R. Chandler, all of Pittsfield.