Joseph Roundy Bassett descends from #217 Mathew Bassett of Marblehead as follows:
Mathew Bassett and wife Elizabeth Maily
John Maily Bassett (b. 1778) and wife Sarah Duparr
Joseph Roundy Bassett (b. 1818) and wife Sarah A. Anderton
The History and Traditions of Marblehead
With the opening of the railroad to Salem, in 1839, an impetus was given to the manufacturing interests of the town, and an era of prosperity began. One of the first to avail themselves of the advantages presented by this ready means of transportation by rail, was Mr. Joseph R. Bassett, and energetic and enterprising young man who had established himself in the shoe business a few years before. As his business increased he built a factory near the depot, and began to devise measures for the improvement of the town. But in those days the people of Marblehead were not easily convinced of the necessity of improvement, and Mr. Bassett was obliged to contend with the stubborn opposition and blind conservation of his fellow-citizens. For years a twine factory or rope-walk had been situated in a field fronting on Washington Street, and a few feet back of this building there was a tan yard and a cordage factory. The only access to these buildings until another way was opened by the extension of Pleasant Street, was by means of a narrow foot path which led from Washington Street to a gate at the entrance to the pastures on “Reed’s Hill”. The first venture of the enterprising shoe manufacturer was to purchase the field in which the rope-walk stood, and in a short time the foot path was transformed into the street now known as School Street. The town refused to sanction his action, and would not accept the street after it was finished. He was not to be discouraged, however, and a short time after purchased the “Sewall Lot,” through which a street was laid out from the Cornish and Evans estate to a point on “Reed’s Hill”. This street was accepted by the town in 1844, and has since been known as “Sewall Street”. “Spring Street” was laid out during the following year, and was so named from a spring of pure water on the premises. Mr. Bassett’s next movement was to lay out and build four streets over Reed’s Hill, and in that vicinity. The question which now perplexed the people was, “How could the house-lots on all these streets be sold, and by whom would they be purchased?” The problem was soon solved. On every street that he had laid out Mr. Bassett began to build neat and comfortable cottages, agreeing to furnish those of this workman who purchased them with constant employment, and to deduct a certain proportion from their earnings every week, until the houses and lots were paid for. This proposition was readily accepted by man of his workmen; and in a few years the entire section in the vicinity of the new streets were covered with houses. Though actively engaged in enterprises which were to a great or less extent of a public nature, Mr. Bassett did not neglect his own business. With the keen foresight of a shrewd business man, he made use of every new invention as it appeared, and the effect was soon apparent in the increasing proportions of his business. In 1844 he introduced the first sewing-machine ever used in the town. It was used for stitching uppers, Miss Hannah Johnson, a young woman at work in his factory, being the first operator. Previous to this time, all the shoes manufactured in town had been made entirely by hand. With the introduction of the sewing machine other possibilities were suggested and the idea was conceived of using it for binding shoes as well as stitching them. The work was at first performed by stitching the binding on one side of the upper with the machine, and then turning it over and sewing it down on the other side by hand. This was not a very satisfactory method, however, and finally Mr. Bassett succeeded in inventing a binding attachment for the machine. The “binder”, was it was called, was made from an old pewter spoon which had been filed and bent into the requisite shape. But it performed its work well, and was as successful as if made from some more pretentious material. During the year 1847, Mr. Bassett erected a steam sawmill on the shore in the section known as the ship-yard. This was for the manufacture of wooden shoe-boxes; but it had an effect little dreamed of, even by its sanguine projector. The necessity of a good road to the mill suggested the laying out of streets, and the founding of a new settlement. The idea was speedily put in execution. A large tract of land in the vicinity was purchased, and Commercial Street, the town streets running parallel with it, and the cross streets intervening, were laid out. Two years late, the street leading over the hill, known as “Prospect Street”, was laid out. The growth of the settlement in this section was hardly less rapid than that of those near the depot and on “Reed’s Hill”. As before, houses were erected and sold to workingmen at reasonable prices, and in a short time there was a village of comfortable homes where once had been vacant fields and pasture lands. It is unnecessary to write of the large buildings erected in the vicinity of the depot during these and the years that followed. We have already, perhaps, devoted too much space to the doings of one man. But it should be remembered that to him, more than to any other person, the citizens of Marblehead are indebted for the growth and industrial development of their community. During the great panic of 1857 he was the only manufacturer who did not close his factory. Hundreds of workingmen were thrown out of employment, and in their extremity all looked to him. He employed them all, nearly the entire laboring population, and by his persistent energy averted the suffering and distress that otherwise must have been inevitable. It is a difficult task to write of men still living. Their mistakes, their weaknesses, and their faults are brought prominently to view even in praising their virtues; and few men have lived who have not made enemies. So, perhaps, with this man. He has undoubtedly made mistakes, been guilty of indiscretions, and shown many grievous faults but with these we have nothing to do. The record of his career while a resident of Marblehead bears evidence that he has not lived for himself alone, and it is ours only to recognize in him the public-spirited citizen who did what he could for the good of community.