| Notes |
- 1850 Federal Census of Lee, Berkshire County, Massachusetts (28 Aug 1850)
Isaac Bassett 53 M Massachusetts Painter 2500
Lydia 42 F Massachusetts
Ann M. 19 F Massachusetts
Alfred 16 M Massachusetts
Charlotte 13 F Massachusetts
Walton 7 M Massachusetts
THE LATE ISAAC BASSETT
Who Died in this City December 14, aged nearly 96
14 Dec 1892
One of the Few Remaining Links between the past and present, passes
away - A son of a Revolutionary Hero and one of the First Settlers of Lee - He
was one of the Early Abolitionists.
On Wednesday evening, December 14, passed away to his final reward,
one of Berkshire's oldest citizens, Isaac Bassett, a native of Berkshire, who
had spent all his long life within our borders. While in delicate health for
some time, his last illness was short, being but a day and he passed away with
scarcely a struggle. For a few years he had resided in this city with his son,
Mr. Alfred Bassett, where he found a peaceful and quiet home in his declining
years. The funeral was held Saturday afternoon in Lee, where his remains were
laid to rest by the side of his wife and other kindred in that, the town of
his birth, and where he spent many years of his long and useful life. It is
fitting that a suitable sketch be given of one who is among the last of the
lineal descendants of the Revolutionary fathers, and binding the present with
the past.
Mr. Bassett was 95 years and 11 months - a long life, indeed, as
compared with most of mankind. He had passed it here in Berkshire, in a quiet
way, but the influence of it will be felt for years to come. He was a lineal
descendant of William Bassett, one of the early settlers who came over in 1621.
The father of the deceased was Nathaniel Bassett, who enlisted in the war of
the revolution at the age of 17. He was stationed at West Point, and when the
"Vulture" sailed up the Hudson, with Major Andre on board, Nathaniel was one
of those who drew the cannon to the river and compelled the vessel to retreat.
It was in this way that Andre was captured and Arnold's diabolical plot
thwarted. Nathaniel settled in Lenoxdale after the war, when there were only a
few log houses in Lee. He is remembered by many now living. He was sexton of
the Lee Congregational church and for many years rang the bell at noon and 9
o'clock in the evening, in the days when that custom prevailed. He died in
1846, at the age of 88; for 54 years he was an honored member of the
Congregational church.
In exploring the country for a location, his path was by marked trees
from Stockbridge to Becket. The elder Bassett returned to Sandwich, after he
had decided on his location, and married Miss Bethiah Smith, who returned to
Lee with him on horseback. They settled at what is now Lenoxdale, the year the
furnace was built, and the property is now owned by Mr. Thompso
From this good old New England stock the subject of this sketch,
Isaac, was descendant; and he inherited many of the noble traits which were
characteristic of the family. The deceased was beloved by all who knew him, as
his parents before him had been. His father, after a few years removed to Lee
and settled on the farm now occupied by the youngest daughter, Mrs. Charles
Hinckley. The deceased, after his father's death, came into possession of the
farm and lived upon it some 40 years, when he sold it to his sister's husband,
Mr. Hinckley. He removed to Stockbridge, where he resided until some eight
years ago, when on the death of his wife he came to this city to make his home
with his son, at whose house he died. The Lee property is right opposite the
church and park, and has been in the family since it was settle
Eight children were born to his parents and some years ago a family
reunion of the then six remaining children was held with Mrs. Whiton, in Troy,
a daughter. There were, besides Mrs. Whiton, Mrs. Fuller, the mother of James
W. Fuller of this city, Mrs. Tobey of New Bedford; Isaac, then of Stockbridge,
and the subject of this sketch; Joseph Bassett of Lee, father of Mr. J.
Bassett of that town, and also Mrs. Hinckley. The latter a highly respected old
lady, yet resides in Lee and is the last member of the family, and the
remaining link between the past and the present; joining us by lineal descent
with the first settlers of Lee and that section.
Isaac married a daughter of the late Dea. Ashael Foot of Williamstown,
who died in 1884. She was a woman who was a helpmeet indeed and was a most
estimable lady. He is survived by four children, Mrs. Hubbard, who resides in
Colorado; Walton of Burlington, Vt., and for many years crippled; Mrs. Sexton
of Illinois, who was with her father at the time of his death, and Alfred, at
whose house he died in this city.
Mr. Bassett was for many years a member of the Congregational church
and was a man of the highest integrity and exemplary life. Like his father, it
was said of him that he left not an enemy behind him. He was one of the early
abolitionists, and believed it, because he thought it was right; he lived to
see his ideas carried into effect and slavery abolished. He was a
prohibitionist, because he believed it was a matter of principle. So, h
ended a long life full of years; a good citizen, a man in the ordinary walks
of life has gone hence to join his friends "in that land where partings never
come."
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Bassett Family Association Database
1797 - 1892 (95 years)