Bassett Family Association Database

Joseph Calghorn Bassett

Male 1807 - 1896  (88 years)


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  • Name Joseph Calghorn Bassett 
    Born 20 Sep 1807  Broadalbin, Montgomery County, New York Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 7 Jan 1896  Willimantic, Connecticut Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • Bassett, Joseph Claghorn
      Encyclopedia of Biography

      For sixty years Joseph Claghorn Bassett was engaged in business in
      Willimantic, Connecticut, his name being forever perpetuated in Bassett Park,
      a tract which was converted into a most desirable residence section of
      Willimantic, and in that city the Bassett block testifies to his public
      spirit. He lived to the great age of eighty-eight, and although he passed from
      earthly view a quarter of a century ago, his memory is green in the city he did
      so much to improve.
      Joseph C. Bassett was born in Broadalbin, Montgomery County, New York,
      one of a family of eleven children. He attended the public schools of h
      section, and being a great reader, he acquired a good education, althou
      school years soon ended. His first mercantile business was in the stove and
      hardware line, but quite early in life he engaged in business for himself in
      Heborn. In a short time, however, he came to Willimantic, Connecticut, where
      his long and valuable life was largely passed. In Willimantic he formed the
      partnership, Lord & Bassett, hardware, a firm which continued until Mr. Lord's
      death. John Wilson took his place in business, and the store was moved from
      the Hanover to the Tanner block, and from there to the Opera House block. Mr.
      Bassett finally retired, having been in business for sixty year
      After his retirement he bought ten acres of suburban property a
      founded Bassett Park, and erected the first house on the tract for himself. He
      developed this plot into most desirable building lots for home builders, and
      within ten years sold every lot. There was an unfailing spring of pure water
      that Mr. Bassett piped to Bassett Park, half a mile away, and until about 1917
      that was the only source of water supply for that section. He erected t
      Bassett block at the corner of Railroad and Main streets, also the block which
      Remington, the tailor, occupies, and was one of Willimantic's public-spirited
      citizens. He moved to Providence for a short time, but returned to Willimantic
      and there spent his last years. He was well read in the law, and was often
      called to adjust differences and settle vexed questions. His honor was
      unquestioned, and his energy and his public spirit kept him in business until
      eight decades of life had passed before he finally retired from every form of
      business life.
      Joseph C. Bassett married Annie Wealthy Hebard, daughter of Guy C. and
      Fannie (Spafford) Hebard, her father the builder and original proprietor of
      the Old Hebard Tavern in Willimantic in 1824. (The old tavern is yet standing
      on Pleasant street.) The old tavern was a very popular place of entertainment
      in the olden time, its spring dance floor being the first of its kind in
      Willimantic. The State Militia made the Hebard Tavern their "training day"
      headquarters, and life was very gay on such days. Guy C. Hebard was the first
      postmaster of the village, and there he died at the age of fifty. His wife,
      Fannie, continued the Tavern with the aid of her son-in-law, William L.
      Tingley, but finally it passed to others. Joseph C. and Annie Wealthy (Hebard)
      Bassett were the parents of two children: Carleton H., deceased, who married
      Addie Snow; Helen Frances, born February 4, 1846, in the house in which she
      now resides, the last survivor of her family, her home, No. 28 Pleasant
      street, Williamantic.
    Person ID I05753  1A William Bassett of Plymouth
    Last Modified 23 Sep 2011 

    Father Newcomb Bassett,   b. 7 Nov 1781, Rochester, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 27 Jun 1823, Broadalbin, New York Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 41 years) 
    Relationship Natural 
    Mother Esther Smith,   d. 12 Aug 1847, Broadalbin, New York Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Relationship Natural 
    Family ID F01276  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Annie Wealthy Hebard,   b. 25 Dec 1820,   d. 30 Dec 1889, Willimantic, Connecticut Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 69 years) 
    Married 1844 
    Children 
     1. Carlton Hibbard Bassett,   b. 10 Mar 1847,   d. 6 Apr 1886  (Age 39 years)  [Natural]
     2. Helen Francis Bassett,   b. 4 Feb 1852,   d. Deceased  [Natural]
    Family ID F02608  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart