| Notes |
- Joshua and Lydia sold land in Homer, Onondaga County, New York in
1805. In a local paper in Cortland, it lists Joshua and William H. as being
colci and watch makers, gold and silver smiths.
Mrs. Elizabeth Huntington Bright, DAR #10183, and Mrs. Antoinette
Huntington Ethridge, DAR #11198, both joined under service for Joshua.
1790 Federal Census of Litchfield County, Connecticut
Bassett, Joshua 3-0-3
1800 Federal Census of Dutchess County, New York
Bassett, Joshua 10201-21110-00
1820 Federal Census of Homer, Cortland County, New York
Joshua Bassett 001101-00000
1m16-18,1m16-24,1m45+
1830 Federal Census of Cortland, Cortland County, New York
Joshua Bassett 0000100001-000002001
William H. Bassett 0000010000-100010000
From "History of the Town of Cortlandville"
Joshua Bassett was another of the first prominent citizens to locate
on the site of Cortland village. His residence stood where Calvert block now
is. He with his son, W.H. Bassett, were the first jewelers and silversmiths in
the place.
We have spoken of Joshua Bassett as having been the first jeweler in
the village. Of his family and others of his time we quote as follows from Mr.
Ballard: "In the third number of the first village paper, and over the date of
July 12th, 1815, Joshua Bassett and his son, William H. Bassett, announce to
the public that they are clock and watchmakers, gold and silversmiths and have
lately opened their shop in Cortland, where they make to order all kinds of
work in their lines, having recently received from New York a fresh supply of
materials". This ship was upon the same lot as the dwelling house of Mr.
Bassett. Located on the west wide of Main street and about in the center of
the village, it was one of the handsomest as well as one of the most eligible
sites in town. Part of it is now occupied by the Calvert block and the First
National Bank.
There were sons and daughters in the family of Mr. Bassett, and for
over sixty years the family name was represented in the village. Parents and
children were distinguished for intelligence and uprightness of character. The
eldest son, Wm. H., possessed more than ordinary talent. He spent some years
in Philadelphia as a pupil of distinguished artists. He became an accomplished
engraver and a member of the Graphic Company located in Hartford, Conn., then
perhaps the most celebrated company of artists in the United States. He was
attractive in person, graceful in manner, winning in conversation and an
exquisite humorist. The second son, Abiram L., was a genius in his way, and an
acute observer of men, especially of their follies and weaknesses, and
luxuriated in fun. Pages might be written of his grotesque operations on the
unsuspecting, which are still related with the traditions of that period. One
of the daughters married Wm. Randall and another married Samuel Moody Perkins,
one of the early attorneys of the village.
Revolutionary War Pension Application
On this 10th day of October A.D. 1832 personally appeared before me,
William Mallery, a Judge of the Cortland Common Pleas and County Courts now
sitting, Joshua Bassett, a resident of the Town of Cortlandville in the county
of Cortland and State of New York, aged seventy five years, who being first
duly sworn according to the law doth on his oath make the following
declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June
7th 1832:
That he entered the service of the Unites States under the following
named officers, and served as herein stated;
That he enlisted some time in May, 1776 at Mansfield, County of
Windham & State of Connecticut under Capt. Gershom Barrows. From the place of
enlistment he marched to the City of New York and stayed there until about the
middle of September following. When New York was evacuated, marched from
thence to White Plains, from White Plains marched to New Jersey, where General
Lee was taken, continued on the march for most of the time after he left White
Plains 'til he was discharged on Christmas Day, 1776 in a place opposite
Trenton, New Jersey, his term of enlistment having expired. Received no
written discharge.
On the 10th of January, 1778, he enlisted at the same place where he
first enlisted in May, 1776--under Maj. Ripley, a recruiting officer, f
three (3) years. Stayed at Mansfield where he enlisted til about the middle of
February following, then took a letter to Capt. Staunton and proceed
Fishkill to join the Continental Troops. Was placed in the company commanded
by Capt. Staunton--Lieutenant Williams --Ensign Staunton--in the Regime
commanded by Col. Sherburne.
The regiment consisted of four (4) companies from the states of
Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. From Conn. the Captains were
Savage and Staunton. From Rhode Island, Capt. Webb; from New Hampshire Capt.
Taftman. From Fishkill, marched to West Point, then to White Plains. Thence to
Newport, R.I. where the forces of Gen'l Sullivan were staged at Newport until
driven off by the British. Then went to Bristol, continued there until the
British left Newport. Then returned to Newport and stayed about two weeks.
Then went to Morristown, New Jersey where the forces arrived in December, 1779
and took up their winter quarters. From Morristown marched to Tappan and was
there and about there during the summer and fall of 1780. Then marched to the
Highlands and received a discharge in a place nearly opposite West Point about
a month before the three years for which he enlisted had expired. The
discharge was granted the first day of January, 1781 by Col. or Maj. Willis.
Afterwards, gave his discharge to Capt. Baur--Barrows to draw his back pay and
has not seen it since.
Some time in the spring of 1780, owing to the time for many of the
soldiers in his company and regiment having expired, his company was
transferred to the Connecticut regiment commanded by Col. Hunting or Webb.
Thinks the company were joined to Capt. Hart's, but does not recollect
distinctly inasmuch as he was engaged for the last year and a half as an
artificer for the Armory or Work Shop in, repairing and fitting the arms of
the soldiers. He was the Superintendant of the Shop in which were engag
usually five or six workmen.
During the time he was engaged in the armory or work shop he drew a
ration and a half and was to receive double pay--receiving the pay of a
soldier and (8) eight dollars per month as an artificer per month--being
sixteen dollars per month--a portion of this he was to receive from an office
in Philadelphia which was never obtained.
When he enlisted his name was signed Joshua Bassett Jr. Thinks that on
the Muster Roll the Jr. was omitted. His father of the same name with himself
was in the service and enlisted in the same town in 1777--for 3 years. Does
not know to what Regiment he belonged.
He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the
present and declares that his name is not on the pension role of the agency of
any state.
[Signed Joshua Bassett]
Sworn to & subscribed
this 10th day of October, 1832
before me [signed William Mallery] first Judge
of Cortland County Courts
Account Book Entry
An entry in an account book (location now unknown) indicates he made
silver shoebuckles for George Washington. Margaret Hackworthy and Dorot
Symons each have a teaspoon which he made. (From notes of David Kyne
Abstract provided by Cortland County Historical Socie
JOSHUA BASSETT, silversmith, Cortland Village, one of the earliest
settlers, and a soldier of the Revolution, died in Cortland Village, Dec. 14,
1836, aged 80 years. (Republican and Eagle, Dec. 30, 1836). He left a will,
probated July 23, 1841, bequeathing as follows:
to wife Lydia Bassett, exx.;
to son Abiram L. Bassett, exr., house and lot in Cortland Village, on
the west side of Main Street, bounded south by Oliver W. Brewster, west by
Abiram L. Bassett, and North by Sylvester Blaim;
to son William H., $1000;
to daughter Maria Bassett, $500;
to daughter Harriet Bassett, $500;
to daughter Betsey Randall, "my silver Tea Pot";
to daughter Laura Perkins;
to two sons, the said William H. and Abiram L., "my silver smi
tools, to be equally divided between the, share and share alike";
to said son Abiram L., "a brass clock, being the one which has never
run"
Witnesses: Henry Stephens, Cortland Village. Tercius Ells, Cortland Village
The Cortland County Democrat
Decoration Day, 1878
In the 7 Jun 1878 issue of the Cortland Democrat, in recognition of Decoration
Day, were several short sketches of dead Civil War veterans buried in Cortland
(almost all in the Cortland Rural Cemetery).
Joshua Bassett was born January 22, 1767; died December 14, 1830. He was a
soldier of the Revolution; served in the infantry of the State of New York and
New Jersey. As a man, Joshua Bassett was highly esteemed by all who knew him.
He was distinguished for his sterling integrity. He died leaving that precious
legacy – a spotless name. He was grandfather to our esteemed fellow townsman,
W.R. Randall. (Section M-82 Cortland Rural Cemetery).
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Bassett Family Association Database
1757 - 1836 (79 years)