| Notes |
- He was listed as a Chelsea Pensioner at the time of his death.
1841 British Census of Shreve's Buildings, East Maidstone, Maidstone, Kent
Charles Bassett 45 Turnkey Born in County
Ann 45 Not born in County
Alfred 15 Ap Groom Born in County
Frederick 14 Ap Saddler Born in County
Mary 11 Born in County
1851 British Census of Shreve's Buildings, West Maidstone, Maidstone, Kent
Charles Bassett 59 M Head Egerton, Kent Chelsea Pensioner
Ann 58 F Wife Sunderland, Durham
Amelia 20 F Daughter Maidstone, Kent Dressmaker
1851 British Census of West Sunderland, Sunderland, Durham
Alfred Bassett 27 M Head Maidstone, Kent Cartman
Harriet 27 F Wife Maidstone, Kent
Charles Bassett
My Great, Great, Great, Great Grandfather, Charles Bassett, was born on 19th April, 1789. His father was Charles too, a Chimney Sweeper, and his Mother’s name was Lucy.
Charles was born in a stable, not just any stable, but the Chequer Stable in the village of High Halden fourteen miles south-east of Maidstone in the County of Kent. There was no room at the inn for Charles and Lucy for they were paupers and it is likely that the high men of High Halden hurried them on their way as soon as Lucy was able to travel least they become a charge upon the parish.
At the age of seven Charles was enlisted in the West Kent Militia on the 26th day of August 1796 at Brighton. Two years later the Regiment was posted to Ireland to aid in suppression of the rebellion. 19 Drummer Boys were included in the force which was present at the hanging of two rebels in Wicklow.
Charles served for twelve years and sixty-one days as a drummer boy and a further five years and eight months as a private before being promoted to Corporal.
Charles was a small man – five feet five and one half inches in height – with light brown hair and grey eyes and a fair complexion.
In June 1808 the regiment marched to Newcastle-upon-Tyne and in November moved to Sunderland. Here Charles met Ann Walker and they were married in St. Michael and All Angels Church in Bishopwearmouth on 8th May 1809. Lucy Bassett (Charles Sister?) and Elizabeth Walker were witnesses.
On the 12th October 1809 the regiment moved again this time to Tynemouth and it was here that their first child, a girl, was born on 17th February 1810. She was christened Harriet Walker Bassett on 25th March 1810 in Christ Church, North Shields.
In May 1810 the regiment were on the move again marching across the country to Hull in Yorkshire. After a two year sojourn in the land of green ginger they went to Leeds, finally returning to Kent in 1814. In June of that year the regiment was disbanded. Charles however remained an enlisted man until 1829 when having served 33 years he was discharged on 11th May. His long service record is summed up on his discharge papers in one word “Good”.
In addition to Harriet we know the names of four other children of Charles and Ann.
Edwin Born 1815
Charles Born 1822
Alfred Born 1824
Mary Ann Amelia Born 1830
After his discharge Charles entered the Prison Service at Maidstone. His occupation in the 1841 Census is given as “Turnkey”. He and his family were living at Shreeves Buildings in 1841 and were still there in 1851.
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Bassett Family Association Database
Abt 1789 - 1869 (80 years)