| Notes |
- Massachusetts Historical Commission, recorded by Robert Macintosh, 5 Sep 1982
Address: 51 Park Street in Lee, Massachusetts
Original Owner: Joseph Bassett
Nathaniel Bassett came to Lee in 1778 with his brother Cornelius
(Cornelius was actually his cousin). Cornelius was Lee's first mason and
Nathaniel was Lee's first blacksmith. Nathaniel Bassett had ten childre
among them a son, Joseph who became a cabinet maker. When Joseph was married
in 1823, Nathaniel built for him a small house as a wedding present, forming
the rear portion of the house that exists today. Three years later the main
(front) portion of the house was built. Immediately east of the house, where
Cumberland Farms stands today, Bassett had his shop. Joseph Bassett died in
1873, the house coming into the possession of James Watson Bassett who twice
made repairs and lived there some twenty years.
Briefly at the end of the century the house was owned by someone other
than a member of the Bassett family, C.E. Hull. Hull was a coal and gra
dealer who eventually entered into partnership with David Dresser, forming the
Dresser-Hull Co., still in business today selling fuel and building supplies.
The house returned to the Bassett family in 1900 when Hull sold it to Charles
Hollister.
Charles Hollister was a native of Lee who made his fortune in N
York. He was Joseph Bassett's grandson. When he bought the house in 1900 he
made extensive renovations, giving the house the overall style it enjoys
today. He added the ell on the east side, the large veranda, the gable trim,
the covered arrival, changed the attic vent windows from fan-shaped to
circular, and altered the interior. The house was occupied by Hollister until
the 1960's. Today it is the property of Jim and Mary Kelly who operate it as
the Victoria Restaurant.
|
Bassett Family Association Database
1801 - 1873 (72 years)