Bassett Family Association Database

Thomas Manchester Bassett

Male 1832 - 1896  (63 years)


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  • Name Thomas Manchester Bassett 
    Born 17 Jun 1832  Tiverton, Rhode Island Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 9 May 1896  Indianapolis, Indiana Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • Memorial Record of Distinguished Men of Indianapolis and Indiana, edit
      by Jacob Piatt Dunn, the Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, 1912:

      Thomas M. Bassett
      In recalling the business men of Indianapolis who have passed from the
      scene of life no name comes more quickly to mind than that of Thomas
      Manchester Bassett, who for more than nineteen years was closely identified
      with the mercantile interests of the city.
      Mr. Bassett was born in the town of Tiverton, Newport county, Rho
      Island, on the 17th of June, 1832, and the house in which he was born stood on
      the state line which separates Rhode Island from Massachusetts, the place of
      his nativity being near Westport, Bristol county, Massachusetts. He was a son
      of Eben and Salome Bassett and was the younger of the two children, the other
      of whom was Mary. When the children were very young the family removed to New
      Bedford, Massachusetts, and in that place the years of Thomas M. Bassett's
      youth and early manhood were passed. The father died when the children were
      not yet of adult age and their care and education thus devolved entirely upon
      the widowed mother, who accorded to them the best advantages possibl
      gauged by her limited financial resources. Mr. Bassett worked for his own
      support as far as possible while he was attending the district school a
      until he was fourteen years of age, at which time be obtained his first
      permanent employment, -- in the dry-goods store of Samuel Southgate, of New
      Bedford. Four years later Mr. Southgate transferred his business to Taunton,
      Massachusetts, and was accompanied by Mr. Bassett, who continued in his employ
      for several years, and who finally availed himself of an opportunity to become
      connected with the dry-goods house of George W. Warren, in the city of Boston,
      this establishment having been eventually developed into the present great
      dry-goods house of Jordan Marsh & Company, the largest of its kind in N
      England. Mr. Bassett's services were retained by Jordan Marsh & Company and
      so favorable an impression did he make that the firm gave him char
      wholesale department. He remained with this representative concern for twelve
      years and resigned his position to accept a very flattering offer from the
      firm of William M. Whitney & Company, of Albany, New York, and the firm of
      Neal & Company, of Baltimore, Maryland, to become joint buyer for the t
      houses. This engagement necessitated his removal with his family to Samford,
      Connecticut.
      Mr. Bassett's good judgement, persistent effort and fidelity to business
      associates were a matter of general recognition, as was also his high
      reputation among the trade as being an excellent merchant. None were more
      appreciative of his ability and sterling character than A.P. Pettis, the head
      of the firm Pettis, Ivers & Company, of Indianapolis, Indiana. Mr. Pettis
      seized the first opportunity to secure Mr. Bassett as a partner, and this
      partnership alliance was formed in 1877, the house of Pettis, Ivers & Company
      having become widely known throughout Indiana under the title of the New York
      Store. On account of ill health Mr. Ivers returned from the firm, and the
      title was then changed to Pettis, Bassett & Company. Mr. Ivers died so
      afterward and the business was continued by the firm of Pettis, Basse
      Company until 1890. Impaired health then made Mr. Bassett's retirement
      absolutely unavoidable and the affairs of the firm were adjusted to meet the
      new conditions and exigencies.
      Mr. Bassett's domestic life offers a record no less interesting than that
      of his business career. He was married on the 11th of July, 1852, to
      Miss Sarah Margaret Townsend, a daughter of Almond and Clarissa (Baker)
      Townsend. After many years a son was born to them and was named Edwin S.
      Bassett. He was an unusually bright, promising lad and lived to be nearly
      eight years of age. His death was a very severe affliction to Mr. Bassett, who,
      no doubt, had pictured in his mind something of the future of his son, whose
      death crushed all his hopes and anticipations, so that his grief and
      disappointment were great. It may be noted as a singular coincidence that Mr.
      Bassett's son was born on the birthday anniversary of the former's mother and
      died on the birthday anniversary of Mr. Bassett himself. After a few years
      Mr. Bassett's niece, Mrs. Salome A. Frost, of Boston, Massachusetts, ga
      birth to a son, to whom was given the name of Edwin B. Frost, in honor of the
      deceased son of Mr. Bassett. Mr. Bassett looked upon this boy as a
      representative of his own son but the child lived only a few years, and thus
      again sorrow and disappointment were brought into the life of Mr. Bassett, who
      said that never again could he consent to have a child named for his so
      These afflictions and disappointments he carried with him until his death. In
      memory of his son Mr. Bassett, by his will, remembered the Indianapolis Orphan
      Asylum with a very generous fund, which is known as the Edwin S. Bassett fund.
      He otherwise showed his generous disposition in many ways but always without
      the least ostentation or display.
      In politics Mr. Bassett called himself a Democrat, but he was never a
      strict partisan and always reserved the right to cast his vote for the men and
      measures meeting the approval of his judgment. His religious views were in
      harmony with the Unitarian tenets but upon taking up his residence in
      Indianapolis he and his family became regularly identified with Plymou
      church, which at that time was thought to be the most liberal in the city. He
      was a member of the Indianapolis Board of Trade and also of the Commercial
      Club. In Boston, Massachusetts, he was affiliated with the Blue Lodge of the
      Masonic fraternity and he was also a member of the old Massachusetts
      Historical Society. He was on the the founders of the New England Society of
      Indianapolis and ever took a deep interest in its affairs. He was very strong
      in his attachment to those whom he called his friends.
      Mr. Bassett died on the 8th of May, 1896,and would have been sixty-four
      years of age had he survived until the 17th of the following month. H
      remains rest in beautiful Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, and his widow
      still resides in this city.

      The Indianapolis Journal, Indiana, Saturday, May 9, 1896
      Death of Thomas M. Bassett
      Another Man Prominent in the Dry Goods Business Dead

      Mr. Thomas M. Bassett, who retired from active business life seven years ago on account of ill health, died yesterday morning at 9:45 at his home, NO. 599 North Pennsylvania street. Mr. Bassett was until his retirement one of the proprietors of the New York store, under the firm name of Pettis, Bassett & Co. Mr. Bassett was born in Westport, Mass., in 1832. When he was a child his family removed to New Bedford, Mass., where, at the age of fourteen, he went into the dry goods house of Samuel Southgate. A few years later, when the store was removed to Taunton, Mass., Mr. Bassett went also. It was at Taunton that he met and married Miss Sarah M. Townsend. They lived afterward n Boston, where Mr. Bassett was employed as buyer in the great dry goods house of Jordan, marsh & Co. He continued in this capacity until he had an offer from two firms ? W.M. Whitney, of Albany, and Neal & Co., of Baltimore, to become buyer for the two houses, a position which he accepted, and for convenience he was obliged to remove to Stamford, Conn. In 1877 he became a partner of Pettis, Ives & Co., of the New York store, and came to Indianapolis, where he has resided ever since. When Mr. Ives withdrew from the firm the name of Mr. Bassett became prominent.
      Seven years ago, by reason of organic heart trouble, Mr. Bassett retired. He looked the picture of health, with his ruddy complexion and firm build. He was of a genial and kindly disposition, and a warm and true friend. The one great sorrow of his life was the death of his only son, about sixteen years ago. He was always a lover of children, and it was his great joy to give pleasure to them. He was a devoted helper to the cause of the orphans at the Orphans? Asylum, and holidays never passed without a generous remembrance to them. He was liberal in his charities. His widow and two nieces, Miss Ella Waite, who had made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Bassett for many years, and Mrs. Walter S. Frost, of Boston, of the immediate family, survive him. Mr. Bassett was an attendant at Plymouth Church, although he was a Unitarian. He belonged to the St. John?s Fraternity of Masons, of Boston. Mr. Bassett was one of the men instrumental in founding the New England Society, of Indianapolis. The funeral will not take place until Monday, as relatives from Massachusetts are expected. The burial will occur at Crown Hill, where he will be placed by the side of his son and mother.
      It is a coincidence that Mr. Ayres and Mr. Bassett who were both prominent dry goods merchants, and did business a square apart for many years and lived but a square apart, should die within a day of each other.

    Person ID I08288  1A William Bassett of Plymouth
    Last Modified 18 Feb 2020 

    Father Ebenezer Bassett,   b. 8 Nov 1791,   d. Deceased 
    Mother Salome Ann Manchester,   b. 11 Aug 1803, Westport, Bristol County, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 28 Sep 1881, Indianapolis, Indiana Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 78 years) 
    Married 9 Mar 1826  Pawtucket, Providence County, Rhode Island Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F01900  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Sarah Margaret Townsend,   d. Deceased 
    Married 11 Jul 1852 
    Children 
     1. Edwin Sylvester Bassett,   b. 11 Aug 1872,   d. 17 Jun 1880, Indianapolis, Indiana Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 7 years)  [Natural]
    Family ID F03591  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart