| Notes |
- The immigrant ancestor of the Bassett family of Lynn, Massachusetts and Salem County, New Jersey, was William, who came to New England at the age of 11 in 1635. His parents, Roger Bassett and Ann Holland, were married in St. Martin's Church, Dorking, County Surrey, England, on 27 Apr 1623. The marriage record still exists there, as does the baptismal entry on 30 May 1624 for William, who apparently was their only child.
After the early death of her husband, Ann (Holland) Bassett married Hugh Burt. The marriage took place sometime after 3 Oct 1628, the day of burial of Ursellah Burt, Hugh's first wife.
Hugh Burt, his wife Ann, William Bassett and Edward Burt registered as passengers on the ship "Abigail" 17 Jun 1635. The family settled in the colony of Massachusetts Bay. Hugh Burt's name is found among the original inhabitants of Lynn who were given land in 1638. He received 60 acres.
William Bassett is said to have married, about 1646, Sarah Burt, the daughter of his stepfather, Hugh. No mention of her thus far has been found in ship passenger lists, nor is her baptism recorded with other of Hugh's children in St. Martin's Church. Early histories of Massachusetts mention the wife of William Basset of Lynn, stating that she was Sarah Burt, daughter of his stepfather. William and Sarah lived on Nahant Street, and this property was owned by their descendants when the History of Lynn, by Lewis and Newhall, was published in 1865.
During the Indian wars William Bassett was an ensign in Captain Gardner's company from nearby Salem. Later he became a captain. For his services in this capacity he was awarded by the General Court a grant of three acres 128 poles of land. In Lynn and Essex County records he was called "Quartermaster". He served many times on the jury for trials in the Quarterly Court, was a constable of Lynn, a selectman, and was among those citizens who signed for the purchase of land from the Indians in 1686. In 1669 he was a member of the Council of War with Major Benjamin Church of Scarborough, Maine.
All his children were born in Lynn, Massachusetts and were all living at the time William Bassett made his will 10 Feb 1701. William Bassett died 31 Mar 1703. The date of Sarah (Burt) Bassett's death is not known.
Will of Ann (Holland) Bassett Burt, mother of William Bassett
(Written 8 Jun 1664; Rcords and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County)
My will ist that William Bassett Jr. should have one of my cows, and John Bassett should have one cow, and Elisha Bassett should have on cow, and that Samuel Bassett should have the steer. And it is my will that these children should have the profit of these cattle and the principal when they be 18 years old, and I give to Elizabeth Bassett a new feather bed, a bolster and a pillow and a pillow bear (case), a blanket and a rug, and I give Sarah Bassett my old feather bed, a bolster and pillow and pillow bear, a blanket and a tapestry covering, and I give to Merriam Bassett, a copper kettle, a table cloth and 1/2 dozen napkins and a ewe sheep, a hand towel, and I give to Mary Bassett my biggest iron pot, a long table cloth and 4 napkins and a hand towel, a ewe sheep; to Hannah Bassett 2 iron pots and a warming pan and a pair of sheets and a pair of pillow bears and a ewe sheep; to Ellen Bartrom, a ewe lamb and to Hannah Bartrom, a ewe lamb and I give to the wife of William Bartrom my black broadcloth suit and one pewter basin, and I give to Liddi Burrill 5 shillings or a ewe lamb, and my will is that their goods should not be used until the children doth reserve them and that these girls should have the profit of their sheep and the principal when they come to age. Witnesses: Francis Burrill and William Crofts.
The inventory included household items, one cow and 10 sheep. Total value 47 pounds, 2 shillings, sixpence.
|
Bassett Family Association Database
