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- The History of the Old Town of Derby, Connecticut - 1642-1800
By Samuel Orcutt, Ambrose Beardsley
Further Sketches
David Bassett was born in Derby, 1789, was a blacksmith by trade, and one of the pioneer manufacturers of the town. He leased the privilege of building a dam on Beaver Brook in 1831, and afterwards built his auger factory at this place, now Ansonia. Prior to this, Walter French, at Humphreysville, a local Methodist preacher, made augers, and is believed to have been the first auger maker in Connecticut. In 1836 Mr. Bassett at Birmingham manufactured augers in connection with Eleazor Peck, which he carried on very successfully for many years, when he retired, leaving the business in the hands of his son, Robert N. Bassett. Mr. Bassett also established the coal trade in Derby, and many of our citizens will remember how faithfully he served the public with honest coal at $3 a ton. He was one of the substantial, influential, upright men of the town; was its Representative in the Legislature in 1844, deacon in his church (Congregational) for many years, and died full of honors, deeply lamented, at the advanced age of 83 years.
Robert N. Bassett, his son, has been one of our stirring, public spirited and liberal men, and was very active in pushing forward the Ousatonic dam, besides being largely interested in many popular movements and enterprises of the day. During the Rebellion no man in Derby was more active and patriotic in the right direction than Robert N. Bassett. In the glow of his financial prosperity, the poor will long remember his liberal donation to them in their necessities. He represented Derby in the Legislature in 1863, besides filling many offices of trust.
1840 Federal Census of Derby, New Haven, Connecticut
David Bassett 00110101-0011101
1M10-15, 1M15-20, 1M30-40, 1M50-60, 1F10-15, 1F15-20, 1F20-30, 1F40-50
1850 Federal Census of Derby, New Haven County, Connecticut (19 Aug 1850)
Charles L. Bassett - 24 - M - Connecticut - Augermaker
Angeline C. - 25 - F - Connecticut
Living next door
1850 Federal Census of Derby, New Haven County, Connectcut (19 Aug 1850)
David Bassett - 60 - M - Connecticut - Farmer 7000
Maria - 54 - F - Connecticut
Emeline - 26 - F - Connecticut
Robert May - 36 - M - Georgia - Pilot
Maria H. May - 34 - F - Connecticut
Alice E. - 1 - F - Connecticut
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Bassett Family Association Database
Abt 1789 - 1872 (83 years)