Samuel Bassett descends from #4B William Bassett of Lynn, Massachusetts as follows:
Roger Bassett and wife Ann Holland
William Bassett of Lynn (b. 1624) and wife Sarah Burt
William Bassett (b. 1647) and wife Sarah Hood
John Bassett (b. 1682) and wife Abigail Berry
Zephaniah Bassett and wife Mary
Edward Bassett (b. 1742) and wife Huldah Cleverly
Samuel Bassett (b. 1775) and wife Elizabeth Scott
Samuel Bassett (bl. 1804) and wife Julia Ann Burnap
One of a Thousand: A Series of Biographical Sketches
By John Clark Rand
Samuel Bassett
Samuel Bassett, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Scott) Bassett, was born in Boston, in November 1804.
He was educated in the Boston public schools; learned the trade of sail-maker, which vocation he afterwards followed on his own account, and as one of the firm of Bassett & Thayer.
Mr. Bassett was married in Westborough, in 1830, to Julia Ann, daughter of Elijah and Hannah Burnap. Of this union were five children: Celadon, Julia A., Clarissa, William S. and Samuel B. Bassett.
Mr. Bassett removed to Chelsea in 1838, where he has ever since resided. He was elected town clerk in 1849, and was annually re-elected til 1857, when the city was organized, and he was elected city clerk, continuing to hold this office till 1884, when he declined re-election. He was also chosen city treasurer and collector, serving until 1875, when he declined further service in that capacity. Seldom has a public officer held such positions for so many years, or been so much beloved. His face had so long been a familiar one at the City Hall that it seemed an indispensable feature, and the people and the city government would gladly have continued him in some office connected with city business, had he not modestly but resolutely insisted that younger men should now assume the burdens he had so conscientiously and faithfully borne. His election to the various offices had always been without opposition, and he was often significantly designated as the “unanimous S.B.”. He was a father to the orphan and a counselor and friend to the widow. Every mayor and member of the city government during his long term of office-holding had reason to be grateful to him for information furnished and for kindly ant thoughtful suggestions.
During the civil war he was an active friend of the soldier and his family. In every position he was a trusted public servant. During ten years he was one of the assessors, and thus became familiar with the value of property, as well as boundaries and titles.
He was the first treasurer of the Chelsea Savings Bank, elected in 1854, serving until his declination in July, 1874, and for many years was one of the trustees. He was an active member and executive officer of the “Ornamental Tree Society”, which has added so much to the beauty of Chelsea’s streets.
This tribute is inserted here, without the knowledge of Mr. Bassett, as his fellow citizens feel that it is his due that he should appear in, as he has most emphatically been, “ONE OF A THOUSAND.”