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- Boston Traveler, Massachusetts, Wednesday, January 4, 1865
Death of Hon. Z.D. Bassett
Hon. Zenas D. Bassett, of Hyannis, died on Friday last of lung fever. He began life as cook in a fishing schooner, was afterwards a seaman on a coaster, captain of a merchant vessel, and subsequently a merchant in this city and in New York. He retired with a competency in 1880, and settled in Hyannis. He held many important positions, at different times, was twenty-eight years a Director in the Yarmouth Bank, served two years in the State Senate, was for several years Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, and for twenty years President of the Barnstable County Insurance Company. During the war of 1812, he was captured by the British, and was confined in the Dartmouth prison. He was a man of exemplary habits, systematic in business, cautious, prudent, and steadfast in the support of his convictions.
Lowell Daily Citizen and News, January 6, 1865
Hon. Zenas D. Bassett, a prominent citizen of Hyannis and a member of the State Senate in 1851, died on Friday last, aged about 70 years. While in the senate, he was familiarly recognized, by his colleagues as Captain Bassett, having in early life been engaged in maritime pursuits, first as cook of a fishing vessel, but subsequently as captain of a merchantman. After leaving the sea he was a merchant in New York and Boston, finally settling in Barnstable county, where, as elsewhere, he was greatly esteemed by all who knew him. Quite a number of his colleagues of 1851 have gone before him to the spirit-land. Of these we recall the names of Buckingham, Wilkins, Welch, Boynton and Keyes. Those who survived will cherish pleasant memories of Captain Bassett.
I have a copy of "A Concise Diary, kept by Zenas Doane Bassett, Esquire, Containing a number of critical, quizzical, political, sentimental and nonsensical Circumstances, principally relating to HIMSELF, Commencing on the day that completed his 21st year VIZ the 14th day of October 1807". It is the most fascinating account of his life including naval battles that he took part in during the War of 1812. He was later captured by the British and held in
Halifax.
1860 Federal Census of Barnstable, Barnstable County, Massachusetts (1 Aug 1860)
Zenas D. Bassett 73 M Massachusetts Gent. 17000 25000
Sarah L. 57 F Massachusetts
Emma V. 20 F Massachusetts
Willard G. 6 M Massachusetts
Margrt Codd 25 F Massachusetts
Sample Entries from Zenas Doane Diary
Boston - Saturday, October 17, 1807.
Run from dan to beersheba in quest of business, and returned home in
the evening with the dissatisfaction of not finding even a prospect of any. An
officer belonging to the U.S. Frigate Constitution suped with us, from which I
received a polite invitation to visit him on board tomorrow 9 o'cloc
June 18, 1812 Warr declared against England.
Tuesday, August 2, 1814.
Left home in the Schooner Chimera 29 tons for Macha Pungo; having made
one safe trip in the same vessell to the same place. Called at Nantucket.
Saturday, August 6, 1814.
Captured by the 74 Ramilties, terror board vessell in co. Vesse
burnt-
Saturday March 18, 1815.
Peace concluded between Great Britain and the United States; upon same
terms as the war commenced; so much for the "Pumpkin heads at the helm and for
"Sailors rights and fair trade", Hope they are now satisfied.
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