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Trumpet and Universalist Magazine, Boston, Massachusetts
Saturday, January 7, 1832
Rev. Alfred V. Bassett
We noticed in our last the very sudden death of Rev. Alfred V. Bassett, pastor of the Universalist Society in Dedham, Mass. The following account of his death is form the Dedham Advocate, and may be relied on as correct: -
?Dreadful Death ? A more melancholy instant of suicide probably never occurred in this region, than that which it is now our painful duty to record. The Rev. Alfred V. Bassett, Pastor of the Universalist Society in this town, committed suicide on Monday night last, by cutting his throat with a razor! The following particulars, as we learn from a friend of the deceased, are substantially correct. ? Mr. Bassett had been unwell several days with the prevailing influenza, and complained of a pain in his head, from which it is supposed that a fever on the brain produced that derangement of mind which caused him to commit the fatal deed.
After retiring on Monday night, he arose and extinguished the light, which had been left burning in consequence of his illness. The individual who lodged with him soon fell asleep. About 11 o?clock, being aroused by the struggles and groans of the deceased, he hastened to alarm the family, and the poor man was found lying on the floor, struggling amid the agonies which thirty minutes after, terminated in death. It appeared that he had drawn the razor on both sides of the throat, cutting very deeply on the left side. Mr. Bassett was 25 years of age, a native of Atkinson, N.H., and had been settled in this town two years. He was a young man of respectable talents, and by his amiable manners and kind disposition, had won the esteem of many, who are now calling to unite with his relatives and friends in mourning his untimely exit.
The following is a brief, though just description of the amiable character of the deceased. It is extracted from the Lowell Mercury:
?Mr. Bassett resided in the family of the editor of this paper over a year, and a more amiable and upright person he never saw. It is but justice to say, that there was not one bad trait in the character of this excellent young man. We do not believe that he had even a single enemy, in the whole circle of his acquaintance. Honest, honorable, unsuspecting and confiding in regard to others, he neither thought of deceiving nor of being deceived. He was the youngest of a large family of brothers and sisters; and from that circumstance, and possessing a slender constitution, and enjoying but a poor state of health, he was decidedly the favorite of the whole family. Having been tenderly and affectionately dealt with from his childhood, we often told him that he was not well prepared to encounter the hypocrisy and intrigue, he would be likely to meet with on every public road, and in every sequestered lane he might traverse after leaving the circle of those who loved him, and had no motives of interest or ambition to deceive. Still he could not be prevailed upon to view the world as it was. He viewed it as he wished it, and as it should be rather than as it is. His views of it were rather Utopian than real. We believe this last remark to be true in regard to every fair minded generous young man; but not to th4e same extent.
He was so perfectly honest and sincere in all that he said and did, that he never uttered a syllable on any subject but with the most scrupulous regard to truth, not even in the most familiar social intercourse, by way of joke. In fact he never uttered a joke, on any occasion; and if he was innocently made the subject of one, he would either preserve a complete silence, or reason on its impropriety.
He enjoyed the benefit of a good academic education and studious habits; but was kept from entering and pursuing his studies at college on account of the poorness of his health.
About four years since he began to prepare for the ministry; and about eighteen months since he was ordained over the society with whom he commenced, and closed his pastoral duties.
His religious opinions were the result of investigation. Charitable, just and friendly towards those who differed from him, he secured their friendship and good will. Is it not then a melancholy thought that one so amiable, so upright, so beloved by all who knew him, one of the few who had a large circle of friends, without an enemy, should die so young ? and by his own hand! Yet such is the fact. He committed suicide. Of the circumstances that led to this painful result we are yet apprised. From what we knew of him, however, we have little doubt that is was form some sudden and altogether unlooked for aberration of reason that left his mind a wreck, and led to the sad deed of self immolation.
He had been very unwell for several weeks previous to his melancholy exit. Owing to the bad state of his health, a young man of his acquaintance slept with him, and kept a lamp burning that he might afford him and aid he might need.
About 11 o?clock on Monday night, while the young man was asleep, he rose suddenly from his bed and committed the deed, that proved fatal in the course of the next hour. A doctor was called in, but alas, there was no help. From these circumstances it would appear to have been the impulse of the moment.
He has left one to whom he would probably have been united in a few months as a bosom companion, and numerous other relatives and friends to mourn his untimely death.
When we take into consideration the deep and imperishable love of life that exists in the bosom of every human being, and then reflect upon the extreme and hopeless agony necessary to overcome it, whether it be the result of religious despair, of disappointed affection, or the loss of friends, or a sudden change form affluence to extreme poverty, the humane emotions of pity and sorrow for the unfortunate, struggle for the ascendance in the bosoms of the kind and the good. How ardently do friends under the melancholy circumstances wish that the secret of the fatal intention had found its way to them in time to have afforded an opportunity to bind up the broken heart, and stay the hand of despair, by restoring in the afflicted bosom, the mild sway of reason and religion.
We cannot refrain from closing this obituary notice with a few lines of that excellent poet and man, Thomas Campbell ? ?On the grave of a suicide,? and from ?The pleasures of Hope.?
?Ah once we know the social passions glowed
In thy devoted bosom ? and the hand
That smote its kindred heart, might yet be prone
To deeds of mercy. Who may understand
Thy many woes, poor suicide, unknown?
He who thy being gave, shall judge of these alone.?
?Mild be the doom of Heaven ? as thou wast mild?
For oh! thy heart in holy mould was cast.
And all thy deeds were blameless but the last.?
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Bassett Family Association Database
1807 - 1831 (24 years)