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- The National Cyclopedia of American Biography, Volume 6
Edward Bass (Includes Drawing)
Edward Bass, first Protestant Episcopal bishop of Massachusetts, and seventh ni succession in the American episcopate, was born in Dorchester, Mass., Nov. 23, 1726. He was given a liberal primary education, entered Harvard, and wa graduated in the class of 1744. He engaged in teaching immediately after his graduation, and was incensed to preach in Congregational churches. In 1852 he applied for orders in the Protestant Episcopal church, and was ordained both as deacon and priest by Bishop Sherlock in London, whence he had journeyed for the purpose. Upon his return, in May, 1752, he was installed rector of St. Pauls? Church, Newburyport, Mass., which place he made his home during his life. Upon the colonies withdrawing their allegiance from Great Britain, Mr. Bass yielded to the popular sentiment in favor of independence, and omitted the prayers as set down in the prayer book for the royal family, and, in consequence, lost the annual stipend contributed to the clergy by the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts. He, however, continued the services of the church until the war was over, and then applied for arrearages of stipend, but he society refused. This action led him to publish his defense in a pamphlet which was issued in London in 1786. The University of Pennsylvania conferred on him the degree of S.T.D. in 1789. In 1796 a convention of clerical and lay delegates from the newly organized Protestant Episcopal Church in Massachusetts, unanimously elected Mr. Bass to become bishop of the diocese. He was consecrated in Philadelphia by Bishop White, assisted by Bishops Provost and Claggett, May 7, 1797, and his jurisdiction extended over the churches in Rhode Island and New Hampshire, he continuing, in addition to his duties as bishop, to exercise his care as priest of the parish at Newburyport, where he died Sept. 10, 1803.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1726 - 1803 (76 years)