Notes |
- The obituary for Nymphas is found in the Shelbyville, Indiana Republican, 4 January 1874.
Oliver Clemens Basse
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V V
Nymphas Bassett Thankful Ann Bruce
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Rufus Jedidah
Bassett Handy
Nymphas Bassett, the fourth child of Rufus and Jedidah (Handy)
Bassett, was born in Benson, Rutland County, Vermont on 7 Mar 1785. Ruf
Bassett, his wife, and their family including son Nymphas, moved from Vermont
across Lake Champlain to settle in Jay, Essex County, New York about the year
1800. He married Thankful Ann Bruce, possibly the daughter of Benjamin and
Philadelphia (Wheeler) Bruce, about 1806 in Keeseville, Jay Township, Essex
County, New York. Their first two children, Barnabas and Jonah, were born in
New York. Nymphas, his wife, and their two young sons moved to Highland
County, Ohio early in 1814. Their son Sylvester was born on 24 Mar 1814 on an
Ohio river flatboat while en route from New York to Ohio. Nymphas and h
family lived in Ohio for six years. Four more children were born in Ohi
Nymphas Bassett and family moved to Shelby County, Indiana around 1820, when
this was little more than a wilderness, and when the red man was a frequent
visitor at his humble cabin. He lived in Shelby County until about 1 month
before his death when he started west for Arkansas, for the purpo
himself said, of assisting in the settlement of a new country. He di
Taney County, Missouri on 16 Oct 1873, aged 88 years.
Nymphas shows in the Original Shelby County Land Purchasers on 27 Aug
1823. Nymphas Bassett bought the family homestead in Marion Township, Shelby
County, Indiana from the US Government in 1828 at one dollar and twenty-five
cents per acre. He was among the first permanent white settlers in this part
of the state. The country was wild and heavily timbered and to clear land and
fit it for cultivation required hard, continuous labor. The Bassetts cleared a
number of acres in Marion Township, the original homestead on one hundr
eighty five acres being one of the finest and most valuable farms in the
county.
Nymphas Bassett was a man of high standing and wide influence in his
community, and for many years ranked among the successful farmers and
representative citizens of the township in which he lived. Ardently religious
and a leading member of the Mount Pisgah Baptist Church and the First Regular
Baptist Church on East Washington Street, he took an active interest in
spreading the truths of the Gospel among the settlements of Shelby and
adjacent counties and to him, more perhaps than to any other, was due t
early growth and subsequent advancement of the Baptist denomination in
Shelbyville and various other localities. He made and donated the brick for
the original Baptist Church on East Washington Street, Shelbyville, and when
the college at Franklin, the leading educational institution of that
denomination in Indiana, was about to be sold for debt, he rode on horseback
from Shelbyville to the latter place, a distance of twenty-one miles, in time
to bid it off and turn it over free of encumbrance to the proper authorities.
For this and other meritorious acts he greatly endeared himself to his
denomination and his name is still revered in Baptist circles throughout the
state as one of the champions and liberal patrons to the church during the
time of its trials and struggles in the Middle West. This good man and his
faithful wife lived together until an advanced age, and when the latter died
the husband was so overwhelmed with grief that he determined, if possible, to
seek relief in new scenes under new circumstances. Accordingly at the old age
of ninety-one years he disposed of his interests in Shelby County and started
overland for Arkansas.
1810 Federal Census of Town of Jay, Essex County, New York
Nymphas Bassett 00100-30100
Rufus Bassett 00101-00101
1820 UNITED STATES CENSUS
Jackson Township, Highland County, Oh
Male 4 Und
Male 1
Male 1 45 & Ov
Female 1 26 - 45
1830 UNITED STATES CENSUS
Marion Township, Shelby County, India
Male 2 Und
Male 1
Male 1
Male 2
Male 1
Female 2 Und
Female 1 40 - 50
1840 UNITED STATES CENSUS
Marion Township, Shelby County, India
Male 1 Und
Male 1
Male 2
Male 1
Female 1
Female 1
Female 1 40 - 50
1850 Federal Census of Marion Township, Shelby County, Indiana
Nymphas Bassett 66 M Vermont Farmer 5000
Thankful Bassett 62 F Massachusetts
Nymphas Bassett 29 M Ohio
Rufus Bassett 20 M Indiana
Nymphas W. Bassett 14 M Indiana
ANOTHER PIONEER GONE
SHELBYVILLE REPUBLICAN 4 JAN 1874
Died - In Taney County, Missouri on the 16th day of October, 1873,
Nymphas Bassett, aged 97 years.
Mr. Bassett settled in Shelby County, Indiana, in the Spring of 1824,
when this was little else than a wilderness, and when the red man was not an
infrequent visitor at his humble cabin. He lived here, watching the wondrous
transformation through which the county has passed, continuously, until about
one month previous to his death, when he started west, for the purpose, as he
himself said, of assisting in the settlement of a new country. He was
emphatically one of the oldest inhabitants. Mr. Bassett was the father of 10
children, the grandfather of 61, and great grandfather of 85.
SHELBYVILLE REUNION OF 1912
Shelbyville Republican July 19, 1912 page 1 column 3
BASSETT REUNION AT FAIR GROUND
Two Hundred Descendants of Nymphas Bassett Have Family Gathering And Delightful Time.
The two hundred members of the Bassett family which gathered at the
fair grounds Thursday certainly did have one big time. All was jollity and
merriment. The day was superb and there was nothing to mar the delightf
occasion. At the noon hour all gathered in the big floral hall where three
long tables had been spread, and there was room and abundance for all. Elmer
Bassett, the well known attorney of this city, acted as master of ceremonies
and later as toastmaster. He introduced Rev. H.N. Spear, pastor of the Baptist
church of this city, who asked the blessing of God upon the assembled family
and all the absent ones and returned thanks for the good things of life that
had come to the family and also upon the bounteous repast now spread before
the guests. The dinner was such a one as the good ladies of Shelby county so
well know how to prepare. Eatables of the best in quality and abundance in
quantity were right there and the guests died ample justice to al
At the close of the dinner, Mr. Elmer Bassett asked that all remain
seated as there was to be another kind of feast. He then told of the idea of
the reunion and of the arrangements for the same. He read the interesti
history of the family from its earliest days. The roll of members which had
been prepared of the descendants of Nymphas Bassett numbered about 450
and 200 were present. He called the roll and the following, as nearly as the
Republican could check the roll, responded to their name:
THOSE IN ATTENDANCE.
Mrs. Jonah Bassett was the first to respond. Her maiden name was Catherine
Monroney and she was 90 years old June 15th, 1912. The youngest member of the
Bassett family was the little daughter that arrived at the home of Mr. and
Mrs. Charles Bassett, of Marion Township, the day of the reunion. She sent her
regrets. Said she would like to have been there but her papa and mama were too
busy to bring her, but she would be there next year anyhow. Miss Cuba Bassett,
Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. Larue Davis and two children, Shelbyville; Mr
Alice Bowman, Fairland; Mr. and Mrs. William H. Bassett, Shelbyville; Mrs.
John C. Bland and four children, Indianapolis; Mrs. Elizabeth Cochran a
daughter Helen Cochran, Indianapolis; Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Bassett,
Indianapolis; Mrs. Willard Pence and son, Indianapolis; Mrs. Thankful A
Kennedy, Shelbyville, Misses Helen and Lucile Kennedy, Shelbyville; Mr. and
Mrs. John Rhodes and son William of Greensburg; Mr. and Mrs. Albert Kennedy
and two children, Shelbyville; Mrs. Fred Jones, Shelbyville; Mr. and Mr
James M. Bassett, Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. William Noble Bassett and t
children, of Morristown; Mr. and Mrs. George Bassett and three children, north
of Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Bassett, Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. Curtis
Bassett, north of Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bassett, north of
Shelbyville; Dr. Clancy Bassett and wife, of Thorntown; Mrs. George W. Hinds,
of Morristown; Miss Ruby Hinds, New Castle; Catherine Eliza Hinds, Morristown;
Mrs. Frank White and daughter, Morristown; Mr. and Mrs. S.V. Hinds and Miss
Mary Hinds, Morristown; Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Nave, Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs.
David Elliot and two children, north of Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. George Nave
and daughter, near Shelbyville; Maybelle Crouch, Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs.
William Bassett, near Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. Chandis Bassett and daughter
Frances, near Shelbyville; Mrs. A.W. Tindall, south of Shelbyville; Dr. and
Mrs. W.W. Tindall and son, Shelbyville; Miss Marie Tindall, south of
Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Bassett, near Shelbyville; Mr. Frank Bassett,
Alexandria; Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Bassett, Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. Melv
Bassett and two children, near Shelbyville; Mrs. Albert Drake, Fairland; Mr.
and Mrs. Milton Bass and four children, Fairland; Mr. and Mrs. John R.
Bassett, near Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. Henry C. Darnell, Plainfield, he
married Nancy Jane Bassett Bowman; Mr. and Mrs. James K. Bassett, Shelbyville;
Mr. and Mrs. Ollie Bassett and four children, Shelbyville; Marshall Bassett,
near St. Paul; Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Bassett and son, near St. Paul; Mr. and
Mrs. Lee B. Carrithers and son, Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. David Wilkinson and
five children, Fairland; Mr. and Mrs. William Skillman, son and daughte
Charlie Skillman and Minnie Skillman, Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. Omer Skillman
and son William, Jr., who is in the fifth generation; Jeremiah Wilkinson and
children, Jeremiah, Gertrude and David, Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Moore
and daughter, of Action; Mrs. Mary Riser, Shelbyville; Mrs. Everett Tucker and
two children, Fairland; Mrs. Rolla Cherry and son, Shelbyville; Mrs. Wallace
McCain and son, Franklin; Carl Riser, Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Bassett and three sons, Charles V., Elmer E. and Elbert F., Shelbyville; Mrs.
Missouri Towns, Indianapolis; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ball and son Frederick,
Indianapolis; Mary Olive Towns and Lottie Towns, Indianapolis; and Mrs. John
R. Cross, McLeansburg, Ill.
Another child of the fifth generation is Bassett Wilkins Neeley, of
Franklin, Kentucky, son of Mrs. Mary E. Bassett-Neeley, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. W.N. Bassett, of Morristown.
In addition to the members of the Bassett family Mrs. Wiley, of
Indianapolis, a sister of Mrs. George Bassett, and her little grandson; Rev
H.N. Spear and wife, of the Baptist Church, and representatives of the three
papers of the city were present. There were also a few others whose names were
not on the printed list and thereby we failed to obtain.
The toastmaster, Elmer Bassett, after calling the roll, asked that
Mrs. Catherine Monroney Bassett, the widow of Jonah Bassett, being the oldest
representative present, make a speech. She did so, expressing her thanks and
gratification at being spared to be present. She was 90 years old on the 15th
of June last.
Recitation were given by little Edith Bassett, daughter of Melv
Bassett; Frances Bassett, daughter of Chandis Bassett, who gave very
effectively "The Love of the Titan," and Miss Clydia Bassett, who gave in fine
style "The Pilot's Story."
James M. Bassett, aged 73, was called on and told a number of
interesting reminiscences of his grandfather, Nymphas Bassett, as he knew him
well. At 75 he was a wood chopper and always working. At one time he owned 880
acres of land, cleared a large part of it up. When he came to enter his land
there were 500 Indians camped on it. In 1856 he returned to his original home,
New York, on a visit, and during his absence his wife died and had been buried
two weeks before he returned or had any knowledge of it, as news travelled
slowly or not at all in those days.
Mrs. Clarissa Sleeth made an effecting speech after which the family
sang "In the Sweet Bye and Bye." Rev. Spear then spoke and told of the great
blessing of a fine ancestry and told of the commendable life of Nymphas
Bassett, who was a member of the Baptist church and made the brick for the
first Baptist church built here and donated half of them and of his buying
Franklin College when it was sold on a mortgage and saving it for the Baptist
church. Other speeches were made by George Hinds, 87 years old, Nathan Nave,
John Rhodes, Harry C. Darnelle, Wm. H. Bassett, John R. Bassett and W.S.
Montgomery of the Republican.
On motion of Henry C. Darnell, the committee, which did such splendid
work this year, was elected to take charge of the next reunion and its was
vote to have them annually hereafter. The committee in charge this year James
M. Bassett, William H. Bassett and John R. Bassett, but the committee concede
that the greater part of the work was done by Elmer Bassett. The Orebau
Bros. took a photograph of the family while at dinner and they all look
happy. Later they took several while the family were seated in the
amphitheatre. It is proposed to have a bigger and better reunion next year, so
everybody get ready.
SHELBYVILLE REUNION OF 1913
SHELBYVILLE REPUBLICAN August 4, 1913 page 1 colu
page 2 column 3
BASSETT FAMILY'S SECOND REUNION
Big Event At The Beautiful Fair Grounds Sunday - A Large Attendance of
Splendid People
BLOOD THICKER THAN WATER
The Splendid Qualities of Nymphas Bassett To Be Seen In His Active,
Enterprising, Vigorous and Successful Descendants.
The Bassett family, descendants of Nymphas Bassett, held their second
annual reunion at the fair grounds here Sunday, August Third. It was a grand
event, one that delighted all who attended. There were 163 Bassetts by blood
and marriage who answered the roll call.
This was a goodly number and guests of the family ran the number up to
near 250. There were 202 who broke bread together at the first table. And such
a dinner. It was one of Shelby's best, and could not be surpassed in Indiana,
"The home of good eats". There was fried chicken, baked chicken, lamb, ham,
veal loaf, roast beef, flakey bread, salads, pickles, beets, preserves, jams,
jellies, peach, custard, apple and blackberry pies, cakes - oh! my - angle
food and dozens of other kinds. The dinner was a grand one. The ladies had
shown the highest art in culinary skill and everybody did justice to the
splendid repast, such as the Olympian gods never enjoyed. There was no such
cooks and eats in those days.
After dinner, family and friends were comfortably seated in the shade
of the big beeches, north of the mechanical hall, where the dinner had been
held.
Elmer Bassett, in behalf of the committee, called the family to order
and acted as master of ceremonies, Mr. Bassett said:
"Friends, relatives, this is one glad day, one that you appreciated
and enjoy. We all enjoyed the dinner, but we enjoy more this meeting together.
We have heard the call for the blood and I, for one, believe and know that
blood is thicker than water. Blood tells even to the third and fourth
generation. This is a day of joy and gladness, for we meet and greet our
relatives and old friends again and meet new ones as others come to join the
ranks of our grand family, the Bassetts.
"It is also a day of sorrow and of sadness, for we miss the friendly
faces and the warm hand clasps of some who were with us last year, but who
will never be with us again. They have gone to their reward."
Mr. Bassett then announced that the family would sing "Showe
Blessings", and with Mr. Bassett and Rev. C.A. McCullough, leading, it was
sung with a right good will.
Rev. C.A. McCullough, pastor of the Shelbyville M.E. Circuit, who,
with his wife and five fine little sons, was present, was introduced and made
a very appropriate address on "Perfect Obedience". Rev. McCullough spoke of
the blessings and rewards that came from perfect obedience, not only to the
will of our Heavenly Father, but to our parents. Rev. McCullough spoke of the
love and solicitude which parents feel for their children, and that when their
commands were implicitly obeyed it meant much for the training and life of the
child, as it added to his success, prosperity and happiness. The speaker
showed that we not only could render a perfect obedience to our parents, but
to our Heavenly Father. He closed his address by and exhortation that day by
day we should live a life of obedience so that when at last that great day
came when all should give an account of the deeds done in the body, we would
be a thousand times thankful we had always rendered a perfect obedience. The
speaker's text was from Matthew, sixth chapter, tenth vers
At this point Mr. Bassett gave a short sketch of Nymphas Bassett, the
founder of the Shelby county branch of the Bassett family.
NYPHMAS BASSETT
Numphas Bassett was born in Vermont about 1782. When a young man he
went to the state of New York where he married Thankful Ann Bruce near
Keysville. Later they removed to Ohio, where they remained six years and then
came to this county, arriving here in 1820, and settling in Marion township.
They labored and prospered in the new land, and one time Mr. Bassett was the
owner of six hundred acres of the best Shelby county land. He lived here until
1873, when at the age of 91 years, he set out in an emigrant wagon for
Arkansas, this county having become too thickly settled for a man of his
nature, who preferred being always on the frontier of civilization. He died at
Vincennes while on the way to Arkansas. He was the father of ten children and
it was his descendants who have met in this great reunion. At roll call the
following responded:
Nancy Bassett, Fairland; Katherine Bassett, Alice C. Bassett Bowman,
Fairland; Mr. and Mrs. Leonidas Bowman and sons Howard and Kenneth, of
Fairland; Mr. and Mrs. William H. Bassett, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Bassett and
son Gail, Katherine Bassett Pence and son William Wayne, Indianapolis; John S.
Bassett, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Bassett and son Arthur, Mr. and Mrs. Milton
Gordon and sons Stanley, William and Oscar and baby, Katherine, Miss Ethel
Bassett, city; Thankful Ann Kennedy, Alma Kennedy, Alma Kennedy Parsons,
Columbus; Helen Kennedy, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Kennedy and children John Morgan
and Mary Nell, Mr. and Mrs. James M. Bassett, Mr. and Mrs. William N. Bassett,
Morristown; Margaret Bassett and James Bassett, Morristown; Mr. and Mrs.
George Bassett and children, Mrs. Oscar Jones, Clyda and CLara, Mr. and Mrs.
Elmer Bassett, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Bassett, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bassett, Eliza
Bassett Hinds, Morristown; Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Hinds and children George and
Catherine Eliza, of New Castle; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Walker and son Pau
city; Mr. and Mrs. John F. Walker, city, Mrs. Walker being formerly Miss Mary
Hinds, of Morristown, and being married to Mr. Walker since the last reunion,
Elizabeth Bassett Nave, city; Mr. and Mrs. George Nave, city; Mr. and Mrs.
William Bassett, city; Mr. and Mrs. Chandis Bassett and daughter, Frances;
Nancy Bassett Tindall, Dr. William W. Tindall and son William; Marie Tindall,
Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Bassett, Marie Bassett Vandevoir, Westville, Ill; Maggie
D. McKay Ensminger, Mr. and Mrs. William Blankenbaker, Fairland; Sarah Bassett
Arnold, of Latham, Kas., and son Ransom Arnold, Leoti, Kas., Mr. and Mr
Wilbur Bassett, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Bassett and daughters Mildred and Edith,
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Herthel and sons Wilbur and Morris, Mr. and Mrs. Chester
Nigh and son Ralph; Mr. and Mrs. Milton Bassett and children Oas, Myrtl
Bertie and Effie, of Fairland; John R. Bassett, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Wilkins
and daughter Elizabeth, Fountaintown; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bassett and
children Frances Raymond and Virginia, the last named of the children being
born July 18, 1912, the date of the first annual reunion of the family; Mr.
and Mrs. Otto Harris, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Logan and daughters Hazel, Irene and
Catherine, of Greenfield; James K. Bassett, Mr. and Mrs. Speed Means,
Morristown, and two children Richard and Ruth; Marshall Bassett, St. Paul; Mr.
and Mrs. Ernest Bassett and children, William, Harold, Helen and their baby;
William O. Bassett, Kokomo; Mr. and Mrs. Leonidas B. Carithers and son William
R., Mary Bassett Riser, Mr. and Mrs. William Riser and son, Fairland; Lilly
Riser Lawrence and children Marie, Earl and Lorine, Manilla; Carl Riser, Mr.
and Mrs. Charles E. Bassett and sons Charles W., Elmer E. and Elbert F., Wilma
and Alma Addock, Portageville, Mo., and Nona Cross, McLeansburg, Ill., Albert
Drake, Mr. and Mrs. Otto L. Coyle. When the residence are not given they are
what we call home folks, live right here in Shelbyville or Shelby county where
everybody knows them.
After the roll call Mr. Bassett introduced Miss Clyda Bassett and her
friend Miss Margaret Wright, both of whom are students at the Muncie Normal
College and they gave a most delightful dialogue - "The Jolly Bachelor Maids"
and the story turned out very happily as it usually does when a man and a maid
love each other.
Letters of cheer, good will and well wishes were read from the
following absent member:
Mrs. Jennie Gilson, Leone, Kas.
Mrs. Clara Bassett Freeman, daughter of Jerry Bassett, Mooreham, Mo.
She
told of her new baby which had been named Edward Bassett Freema
There were also letters from Mrs. Elizabeth Kibby, June C. Tucker and
family, Eva Arnold Reader and Chas. H. Gailwick and wife.
Attorney John F. Walker made a happy and felicitous speech and was
very thankful that he had succeeded in becoming eligible to membership for the
Bassett family reunions.
LITTLE FOLKS HEARD FROM
Then came some recitations from some of the younger member of t
family:
Recitation................................ Edith Basse
Recitation................................ Mildred Basse
Recitation................................ Frances Basse
Recitation................................ Raymond Basse
Song...................................... Katherine Hin
Recitation................................ Ethel Bassett
Mrs. Katherine Bassett, widow of James Bassett, who is now ninety-one
years old, June 30th, and who is a member of the second generation of Bassetts
in the county, was the oldest person present, and she was royally honored by
being given a prominent place on the program. She had dictated the story of
her early life to her son, Wm. H. Bassett, and it was read by him. It being
worthy of a more extended notice than can be given here we will give it in
full in another issue.
Mrs. Clarrisa Anderson, daughter of Samuel Bassett, gave one of the
spiciest and most enjoyable talks of the day and wound up with some splendid
advice and admonition.
Mr. Wm. H. Bassett, of the committee which had charge of the two
reunions that had been so successful, then in behalf of his brother members,
James M. Bassett and John R. Bassett, thanked the family for their splendid
support in the two reunions and nominated the following committee for next
year: Herbert Bassett, George Nave and Leonidas Bowman. The present committee
set a high mark which we predict will be equaled or surpassed next year.
Everybody is going to help make each reunion surpass the last on
The meeting adjourned after a most delightful day for every one.
SHELBYVILLE REUNION OF 1914
SHELBYVILLE REPUBLICAN August 3, 1914 page 1 colu
ANNUAL REUNION BASSETT FAMILY
Held at fair grounds Sunday - Large attendance and a delightful time for
everybody.
The third annual reunion of the Nymphas Bassett family was held at the
Shelby County fair grounds Sunday. Nymphas Bassett, the hardy, courageous and
ambitious old Shelby county pioneer, has left descendants endowed with the
same characteristics and worthy of the name. He conquered the primitive things
of life and endured the hardships and privations of an early settler in Shelby
county. He conquered them, too, and they did not break his spirit, for after
success here in Indiana, he started as an old man, years past the allotted
three score and then, to drive to the wilds of Arkansas and again make a
conquest of the wilderness - but death called him before he had reached his
new fighting grounds. Such a will and such an ambition to conquer and w
success is worth much to the families of the descendants. Those who emulate
his splendid example will have much to be thankful for. We are here to say
that the sire and grand sire has home worthy imitators in the Bassett family
of today who are winning success under equally as difficult but differe
circumstances. Today men and and families differ not so much in talent as in
energy coupled with ambition and ability that win success.
The reunion Sunday was a grand success. It was the third. It was
largely attended. Two hundred and ten partook of the sumptuous dinner which
was one of those grand old Shelby county dinners, with all the good things
that the county affords, Fried chicken, baked chicken and dumplings, roast
beef, lamb, veal loaf, pickles of all kinds, baked beans, slaws, salads,
tomato, preserves, butter, flaky bread and rolls, jellies, cakes, pies,
etc., etc.
After the splendid dinner the audience was called to order by Herbert
Bassett, chairman of the committee on arrangements. He told all present how
glad the committee and the members of the family were to see so many present.
After the speech of welcome, Mrs. Mary Bassett Neely rendered a pleasing
monologue. Mrs. Neely is both an accomplished pianist and reader. The
following program was then carried out:
Address - Rev. H. Spear
Reading - Miss Frances Bassett
Reading - Miss Clyda Bassett
Miss Bassett gave two numbers with piano accompaniment by Mrs.
Merle
Walker.
Solo - Herbert Bassett
Mr. Bassett sang a medley, giving parts of a number of son
rendered
by the Old Church Choir. It showed ability as a singer. Mrs. Catherine
Israel played the accompaniment.
Reading - Miss Ethel Bassett
Address - Lee Carithers
Mr. Carithers undertook to make fun of the committee for making a
bum
selection as a speaker - but his speech was so good that is pleased
every one and caused the people to think that the committee made a wise
choice when it picked Lee.
Short and impromptu speeches were then made by invitation of the
chairman by Mrs. S.T. Adcock, of Missouri, her daughter, Mrs. Olive Cross, of
McLeansboro, Ill,; Mrs. Clarissa Anderson, of Tipton; James M. Bassett, Dr.
W.W. Tindall and W.S. Montgomery of this city, and John Hourer, of Noble
township, president of the Reed Family Association which meets the third
Saturday in August of Flatrock, two miles south of Waldron.
The chairman then thanked all for their attendance and gave a cordial
invitation to all to return again next year.
NOTES BASSETT REUNION
Two hundred and ten ate dinner, and probably fifty or sixty more
relatives and friends came in the afternoon.
It was the largest reunion of the three that have been hel
The committee for next year is Dr. W.W. Tindall and Andrew Bassett, of
this city, and Charles Bassett, of Van Buren Township.
The efficient committee this year was Herbert Bassett, Lon Bowman and
George Nave. They did their work well.
Rev. H. Spear, of the Baptist church here, delivered the prayer of
thanks for the bountiful dinner and other blessings and also delivered the
benediction.
The reunion closed by all singing God Be with You Till We Meet Again,
with Mrs. H. Spear at the piano.
PRESENT FROM A DISTANCE
Melvin Hinds and family, New Castle.
Dr. B.W. Neely, wife and son, Bassett, of Franklin, K
Mrs. Clarissa Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Anderson, son Willi
Floyd and niece, Myrtle Anderson, of Tipton County.
Mrs. S.T. Adcock, of Portersville, MO., and her daughter, Mrs. Olive
Eunice Cross, of McLeansboro, Illinois.
Dr. Clancy Bassett, Thorntown.
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Bassett and Mrs. Lon Cochran, of Indianapolis.
DEATHS AND BIRTHS
Since the last reunion the following deaths have occurre
George W. Hinds, of Morristown.
Frank Adcock and a son and a granddaughter of Mrs. Clarrissa Anderson.
The births have been: Elizabeth O. Walker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Jno. F. Walker, of this city; Mary Ruth Peake, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert
Peake, near Winchester church; Mary Catherine Hinds, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
James Hinds, of Morristown; Mary Catherine, four weeks old, was the youngest
person present.
William Lawrence Bowman, aged 16 months, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lon
Bowman, of Van Buren township, is mentioned this year since his name was
omitted last year.
Mrs. Catherine Bassett, aged 92, of Van Buren township, was the oldest
person present.
This was the first time Mrs. Adcock of Missouri, has ever seen any of
her people, as she was taken to Missouri more than fifty years ago by h
parents. She and her daughter, Mrs. Cross, took a number of pictures of the
relatives so that they might show the splendid looking people they had here
upon their return home. Missouri, you know, is the "show me" state.
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