| Notes |
- In a letter written in 1930, Francis is listed as Alderman and living at 416 West 11th Street, Erie, Pennsylvania.
1870 Federal Census of Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania (18 Jul 1870)
Francis Bassett Jr. 25 M England Photographer --- 800
1880 Federal Census of Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania
Francis Bassett 35 M EN EN EN Head Photographer
Dorinda 30 F PA MA PA Wife Keeping House
Florence 8 F PA EN PA Daughter At Home
Edmund Nichols 24 M PA -- -- Other Photographer
Maggie Alexander 15 F PA IR -- Other Servant
Tayphena Nichols 55 F PA -- -- MotherL At Home
1900 Federal Census of 3rd ward, Erie, Erie County, PA (11 Jun 1900)
F.J. Bassett 55 M Apr 1845 EN EN EN Head Photographer (1851)
Dora E. 50 F Mar 1850 PA PA PA Wife
Florence M. 28 F Dec 1871 PA EN PA Daughter School Teacher
(Married 30 years, 1 child, 1 living)
Library & Archives Photo Collections, Erie County Historical Society
Francis J. Bassett Collection
Francis J. Bassett (1845-1933) moved to the United States from England with his family in 1851 when he was six years old. He married Dora E. Nichols of Waterford, PA in 1870. His daughter Florence was born a year later. In 1872 Francis Bassett began a photography business with C.E. Wilbur in Waterford, PA. By 1876, Bassett had moved to Erie, PA. and dissolved the partnership. His studio was located at 728 State Street, Erie, PA.
During his career Bassett, with the help of his wife, Dora, produced images of thousands of men, women and children and groups during an important period of growth in the community. Following his wife's death in 1903, he discontinued the photography business.
The Bassett Collection consists of 11,495 glassplate negatives varying in size from 4"x5: to 11"x14", spanning 1872-1903. A majority of the collection consists of studio portraiture; approximately 200 images feature other subjects. Small numbers document people and activities outside of his studio. A selection of portraits and other topics have been printed and are available for viewing. A finding aid for the entire collection, roughly alphabetical in nature, may be used on site.
Like many other photographer's children, Florence was frequently photographed by her father. Note her less-than-enthusiastic expression. She is responsible for donating the collection to ECHS following her father's death in 1933.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1845 - 1933 (87 years)