| Notes |
- 3B323651. Captain Isaac Bassett, son of Simeon and Effie Euphemia (Tweedy) Bassett, was born 4 Aug 1819. He died 22 Dec 1895. He married Adeline Virginia Hurdle, daughter of William Hurdle, on 27 Dec 1838. She was born 22 Jul 1822. She died 27 Dec 1897. They are both buried in the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
Three unnamed children are buried in the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C. on the following dates 11 Nov 1841, 17 Nov 1848 and 20 Mar 1849.
1860 Federal Census of 5th Ward, Washington, DC (1 Jun 1860)
Isaac Bassett 42 M Washington 5,000 400 Asst. Doorkeeper Senate
Adelaide 39 F Washington
George T. 20 M Washington
Isaac 10 M Washington
1880 Federal Census of Washington, District of Columbia
Isaac Bassett 60 M DC CT IR Head Doorkeeper U.S. Senate
Adeline V. 58 F DC DC DC Wife Keeping House
Emma C. Duncanson 39 F DC DC PA Daughter At Home
Ella Stewart B 12 F DC MD MD Other Servant
United States Senate Catalogue of Fine Art
By William Kloss and Diane K. Skvarla (2002)
Isaac Bassett began his Senate career in December 1831, at the age of 12, when he was appointed by Daniel Webster to serve as the institution's second page. Bassett's father, Simeon Bassett, was a Senate messenger at the time, and young Isaac frequently accompanied him to the U.S. Capitol. Isaac Bassett later recalled, "on one of these visits... Daniel Webster called me to him and took me up in his lap and... said to me: "My little man, would you like to be made a page?".
Promoted to messenger in 1838 and to assistant doorkeeper in 1861, Bassett worked in the Senate Chamber, attending nearly every legislative session until his death in 1895. He was deeply esteemed by senators and fellow employees alike for his discrete, faithful, and dedicated service. "I have tried to do my duties and act honestly," he wrote, and for this the Senate honored him with gifts and testimonials on several occasions. By the 1880s the elderly Bassett, with his long gray beard and dignified bearing, had become an icon of the gentlemanly, statesmanlike qualities that represented the Senate at its best. He was a willing subject for newspaper reporters, cartoonists, and photographers, always ready to regale anyone who would listen with stories of the Senate in "olden times" and of the great men who had served then.
Bassett's most abiding legacy to the Senate is the manuscript he left behind at his death, which provides an unparalleled view into the institution during the 19th century. Hoping to have a memoir of his Senate experiences published posthumously "to give the public the benefit of these years of observation among public men," he made copious notes and compiled a rich array of newspaper clippings describing the Senate's people, traditions, and procedures. The book was never published. However, the manuscript survived, faithfully preserved and eventually donated to the U.S. Senate.
Historic Congressional Cemetery
Isaac Bassett, Assistant Doorkeeper, 1831-1895, died 22 Dec 1895. Buried Range 32, Site 188.
Simeon Bassett, Doorkeeper, died 24 Apr 1869. Buried Range 77, Site D-4.
Historical Minutes
Senator Daniel Webster had selected the first male page nearly a century and a half earlier. Proving that personal connections counted in the those days, he chose Grafton Hanson, the nine-year-old grandson of the Senate Sergeant at Arms. In 1831, the Senate added a second page - twelve-year old Isaac Bassett. as the son of a Senate messenger, Bassett also benefitted from family connections.
Beginning a tradition in which service as a page sometimes became the first step on a Senate career path, Hanson held a variety of increasingly responsible Senate jobs over the next ten years. Bassett, who is well known to students of nineteenth-century Senate folklore, remained in the Senate's employ for the rest of his long life. In 1861, he became assistant Senate doorkeeper - a post in which he earned the legendary distinction of being the official who stopped a Massachusetts soldier from bayoneting the Senate desk previously occupied by Mississippi Senator Jefferson Davis. In late nineteenth-century engravings showing the Senate struggling to wrap up end-of-session legislation, former page Bassett appears as the elderly man in the long white beard moving the chamber clock's minute hand backwards from the twelve o'clock adjournment time to gain a few precious minutes to complete the Senate's work.
Evening Star, Thursday, December 19, 1895 - Twelve
Capt. Isaac Bassett's Death
Peacefully Away
His Requiem at the Capitol - Arrangements for the Funeral - An Interesting Career.
Capt. Isaac Bassett died at 4:10 o'clock yesterday afternoon, surrounded by members of his family. There were present his wife, who has passed her seventy-fourth year of age, his sons, Isaac A. and George T., his brother and his sister. The death of Capt. Bassett was expected for several weeks, and there were many times when it did not seem possible for him to live more than a few hours, but his wonderful vitality frequently surprised his attending physician, and time and again he rallied, when it seemed that his life was ebbing away. It was known for a long time that his disease could not be other than fatal, and the autopsy verified the belief that he suffered from a cancer of the pancreas and a large pyloric orifice of the stomach.
His Last Moments
Capt. Bassett was conscious almost to the lat moment of his life, although he had not been able to converse with his friends for some days, and during the twenty-four hours preceding his death the lower part of his body had been practically lifeless. But he could recognize his friends about his bedside, and clung to their hands affectionately as his end approached. Many (visitors) called at his home, 18 2nd Street, northeast, and Dr. Sunderland, his pastor, was there daily.
As long as the captain lived his mind dwelled on the old familiar scenes of the Senate, and he would inquire of the doings there so long as he had the power of speech.
His Long and Faithful Service
For the first time in sixty-four years the reassembling of the present Congress found Capt Bassett absent from the Senate Chamber. The second page of that body and appointed at the instance of Daniel Webster, Bassett became an object of interest as the years passed by. He was always faithful to his duties, and was promoted to be assistant doorkeeper of the Senate, which position he has held for over a generation. His father was from Connecticut, and removed to this [place] about a hundred years ago; his grandfather, Isaac Bassett, having been a soldier in the revolutionary war.
During the war he organized a company for the defense of the capitol with Senator Gorman, who had served under him as a page, as lieutenant, and it was by this service he gained the title of captain. He had been an eye witness to numberless interesting scenes in Congress, and as a confidential employee was never known to betray his trust. The full story of Capt Bassett's interesting life was lately published tn The Star.
Funeral Arrangements Incomplete
Up to 2:30 o'clock today the Senate had taken no action in relation to the funeral of the late Capt. Bassett. It was thought by many that in consideration of the long service of the late assistant doorkeeper of the United States Senate, a "senatorial funeral" might be given him. But it is very doubtful if this will be done. It is likely, however, that an appropriation will be made covering the expenses of the funeral, and that a committee of Senators will be appointed to attend the ceremony.
The Senate Takes Notice
In executive session this afternoon the death of Capt. Bassett was referred to and the question of what the Senate should do in relation thereto was briefly discussed. No action was taken, but a resolution will probably be introduced to open session tomorrow by Mr. Sherman suggesting a proper course for the Senate. This resolution will commend the faithful services of Capt. Bassett.
The Evening Star, December 28, 1888
Two Golden Weddings
Full of Honors and Years - Testimonials of Friends
The fiftieth anniversary of the marriage of Capt. Isaac Bassett to Miss Adeline Hurdle was celebrated last night by the two particularly interested parties and by a number of other persons who were only incidentally interested. The home of the happy couple, at No. 18 2d street northeast, was crowded yesterday evening from 7 to 11 o'clock, and the 69 years old official and his wife, just three years younger, received the congratulations of a host of visitors, many of whom have known the
assistant doorkeeper for the greater portion of the 57 years which he has spent in the service of the Senate. Two sons, Mr. G.T. Bassett, of the pension office, and Mr. Isaac A. Bassett, of the post office, were present, and so was Mr. Grafton D. Henson, who was one of Capt. Bassett's supporters on the occasion of his marriage.
Among numerous presents received were a silver tray from several Senators, accompanied by a note from Senator Evarts; a gold car receiver, from the Senate pages; a gold urn, form Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Winner, of New York; and a music box, from Mr. G.T. Bassett. Gold coins were sent by several persons, but a bouquet, from Mrs. Cleveland to Mrs. Bassett, had the place of honor, and was apparently the most high-valued gift received.
28 Dec 1888, ??? Press
Mr. Bassett was married to Miss Adeline Hurdle, the daughter of Mr. William Hurdle, of this city, by the Rev. Mason Noble, the pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church. The ceremony was performed at the home of the bride on New Jersey Avenue, Capitol Hill. Mr. Bassett was but 19 years old, while his child-wife was only 16.
The Evening Star, December 29, 1897
Mrs. Bassett's Funeral
Last Rites Over Her Remains to Occur Tomorrow
Funeral services over the remains of Mrs. Adaline V. Bassett, widow of Isaac Bassett, whose sudden death was announced in yesterday's Star, will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from her late
residence, No. 18 2d street northeast. Rev. Mr Luccock of the Metropolitan Presbyterian Church will officiate at the services, and interment will be made at Congressional Cemetery.
The death of Mrs. Bassett occurred on the 59th anniversary of her wedding. She will be mourned by a great number of acquaintances and will be missed in church circles, where she has figured so conspicuously in all charitable work. She was greatly beloved by her friends and highly respected by all who knew her and were acquainted with her good deeds.
|
Bassett Family Association Database
1819 - 1895 (76 years)