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- Captain William Bassett was from Southampton in England. He had been an officer in the English Army. He was a member of the House of Burgesses, and of the Council for 1667.
During the early years of his residence in New Kent he lived at the site of the Castle, which by his last will he devised to his nephew, Joseph Foster. He purchased a large amount of land and acquired a large estate which he disposed of in a lengthy will made in 1671. Among other things, he directed that he be buried at the Upper Church in Blisland Parish, which was the Old Warreney Church, but there is no evidence that this was done.
The land which he gave his wife and son constituted the large Eltham Plantation, which became the seat of his family, and was one of the great plantations in Virginia for the whole of the Colonial Period.
Captain William Bassett of New Kent County, in his will, dated August 28, 1671, proved January 4, 1671/1672, mentions (among others) his mother, Mrs. Anne Deckeson. Captain Bassett's mention in his will of "a house in Newport in the Isle of Wight, in which my mother lives near the town gate".
The will of William Basset, Blissland Parish, New Kent County, Virginia, Gentleman, dated August 28, 1671, probated January 4, 1671/1672. He desired to be buried at the upper church of the parish "by my dear wife and boy"; to Joseph Foster, land purchased of John Pouncey in New Kent County, and "a Virginia forty foot house" to be built for him upon this; to Joseph Foster also the middle silver tankard and a couple of silver spoons; to his two sisters (Joseph Foster's) Anne and Mary Foster, 6000 pounds of tobacco each, when of age or married; to my mother Mrs. Anne Deckeson; to sister Mary Scott, all my interest in a house in Newport, Isle of Wight, in which my mother now lives near the town gate; wife Bridget Bassett, the house and land where I now live, formerly bought of Charles Edmonds, for her life, and the housing due to me as intermarrying with her or by me purchased of Emanuel Wills, who married her sister Elizabeth; or if the said house should be sold by an order formerly given to Mr. Imson Hurle, the proceeds to be paid to said Bridget; to only son William Bassett, tract of land bought of Colonel Robert Abrahall and John Brock, being 1800 acres, and 1200 acres adjoining taken up by me; and if son die, said land to nephew Joseph Foster; residue of estate to son and if he die under 18 years of age two thirds there of to my wife and one third to Joseph Foster, and if said Foster died under age without issue then to his two sisters, or the survivor of tthem. Executors, "my deare Brother Nathaniel Bacon, Esqr." and George Lyddal.
The reference in the above will by Captain William Bassett to a desire to be buried "by my dear wife and boy" of course, opens up the question of a marriage prior to his marriage to Bridget Cary. Nothing further than this allusion has been discovered bearing on the question. The following patent, however, seems suggestive: April 18, 1639, a William Bassett was granted 150 acres in James City County on Chickahominay River and into the woods called by the Indians Pottacocok; due said Bassett, 50 acres of his own personal adventure, 50 acres for the adventure of his wife, Isabella Bassett; and 50 acres for the transportation of a servant named Richard Sanders.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1640 - 1671 (31 years)