Bassett Family Association Database

Zenas Doane Bassett

Male 1786 - 1864  (78 years)


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  • Name Zenas Doane Bassett 
    Born 14 Oct 1786  Hyannis, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 30 Dec 1864 
    Notes 
    • 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.
    Person ID I03607  1A William Bassett of Plymouth
    Last Modified 1 Nov 2018 

    Father Joseph Bassett,   b. 21 Apr 1763, Barnstable, Barnstable County, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 7 Jul 1855, Hyannis, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 92 years) 
    Mother Zeviah Bearse,   d. Deceased 
    Married 13 Jul 1786 
    Family ID F00804  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Mary Palmer Howland,   b. 10 Mar 1787/88,   d. 16 May 1821  (Age 33 years) 
    Married 27 Dec 1808 
    Children 
    +1. Emeline Watson Bassett,   b. 7 Oct 1809, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Deceased  [Natural]
    +2. Orlando Bassett,   b. 5 Jun 1811, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Deceased  [Natural]
     3. Mary Howland Bassett,   b. 9 Jun 1813,   d. 24 Jul 1813  (Age 0 years)  [Natural]
     4. Mary Howland Bassett,   b. 2 Sep,   d. Deceased  [Natural]
    +5. Zenas Doane Bassett, Jr.,   b. 24 Oct 1818, Hyannis, Barnstable County, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 Sep 1881, Hyannis, Barnstable County, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 62 years)  [Natural]
    +6. Theodore Freeman Bassett,   b. 13 May 1821,   d. Deceased  [Natural]
    Family ID F01667  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Sarah Lewis,   b. 7 Oct 1809,   d. 20 Dec 1874  (Age 65 years) 
    Married 10 Oct 1822 
    Children 
     1. Julia Williams Bassett,   b. 11 Oct 1823,   d. Deceased  [Natural]
     2. Sarah Lewis Bassett,   b. 18 Apr 1825,   d. Deceased  [Natural]
     3. William Wallace Bassett,   b. 2 May 1827,   d. Deceased, At Sea Find all individuals with events at this location  [Natural]
    +4. Maria Louisa Bassett,   b. 3 Nov 1829,   d. Deceased  [Natural]
     5. Horace Scudder Bassett,   b. 24 May 1833,   d. Deceased, At Sea Find all individuals with events at this location  [Natural]
     6. Henrietta Howe Bassett,   b. 30 Oct 1835,   d. 4 Nov 1848  (Age 13 years)  [Natural]
     7. Emma Isadora Victoria Bassett,   b. 10 May 1840,   d. Deceased  [Natural]
     8. John Quincy Adams Bassett,   b. 1848,   d. Deceased  [Natural]
    +9. Willard Grafton Bassett,   b. 19 Nov 1853, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Apr 1922  (Age 68 years)
    Family ID F01668  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart