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- 1900 Federal Census of Lyons, Wayne County, New York (1 Jun 1900)
James Bassett - 35 - M - Apr 1865 - NY-NY-NY - Head - Day Laborer
Josephine - 25 - F - Dec 1874 - NY-PA-RI - Wife
Wallace - 10 - M - Sep 1890 - NY-NY-NY - Son - At School
Florence - 7 - F - Sep 1892 - NY-NY-NY - Daughter - At School
Mildridge - 3 - F - Sep 1896 - NY-NY-NY - Daughter
(Married 11 years, 3 children, 3 living)
1910 Federal Census of Sodus, Wayne County, New York (12 May 1910)
James M. Bassett - 44 - M - NY-NY-NY - Head - Laborer Farmer
Josephine - 44 - F - NY-NY-NY - Wife
Florence J. - 17 - F - NY-NY-NY - Daughter
Milly A. - 12 - F - NY-NY-NY - Daughter
Chester C. - 6 - M - NY-NY-NY - Son
(Married 23 years, 4 children, 4 living)
1920 Federal Census of Huron Township, Wayne County, New York (29 Jan 1920)
James Bassett - 54 - M - NY-MA-NY - Head - Laborer General Farm
Josephine - 55 - F - NY-NY-NY - Wife
Chester - 16 - M - NY-NY-NY - Son
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Tuesday, June 21, 1938
Farmhand Guilty of Torch Slaying
Jury Returns Verdict After Brief Session
20 Years to Life in Prison Waits Defendant
Lyons - Chester L. Bassett, 37-year-old farmhand, was found guilty here yesterday of the torch slaying of his elderly father in a dispute over $7.
After three hours deliberation, a Wayne County jury reported its verdict of guilty of second degree murder shortly after 5 p.m. to Judge Lewis A. Gilbert. Bassett will face 20 years to life in Attica Prison when he comes up before Judge Gilbert for sentencing tomorrow.
According to testimony brought out at the trial, Bassett shot his 73-year-old father in the father's lonely Town of Rose farm home last Jan 12 after a futiile attempt to borrow $7. He then picked up a can of gasoline, dumped it about the room and set fire to the house. When discovered after the fire, the body of the father was charred almost beyond recognition.
Fleeing from the scene, Bassett surrendered to Erie, Pa., authorities two days later and confessed the crime. Later he made a similar confession at the Batavia State Police Barracks. This confession was admitted as evidence at the trial.
Bassett did not take the stand nor did any defense witnesses during the trial. He was defended by Attorney Edson W. Hamm, Lyons. District Attorney Charles B. Brasser prosecuted.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1865 - 