The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: MA
Qualifying Service: Patriotic Service
Birth: 15 Feb 1713/1714 Sandwich / Barnstable / MA Death: 12 Feb 1793 Yarmouth / Barnstable / MA
Qualifying Service Description:
Member of Committee of Observation and Prevention for Town of Yarmouth, October 11, 1774
Also, Delegate to Provincial Congress for Yarmouth, January 22, 1775
Also, Member of Committee of Safety for Town of Yarmouth, Aug 1, 1775
Additional References:
Sandwich, MA, Birth Records, 1671-1815, pg 51
Yarmouth Town Records, Volume 3, pg 148
History of Old Yarmouth, by Charles F. Swift, 1884, pg 152, 153,155
History of Cape Cod, by Frederick Freeman, Volume 2, pg 222-223
Spouse: Ruhannah Jennings Children: Lydia; Abigail; Elisha; Samuel; William; Deborah; Lot;
Members Who Share This Ancestor
None*
*This means that the NSSAR has no applications for this Patriot on file.
Instead the information provided is best effort, and from volunteers who have either researched grave sites, service records, or something similar. There is no documentation available at NSSAR HQ to order.
Elisha Bassett was born on 15 February 1713/1714 at Sandwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, the son of William and Abigail (Bourne) Bassett.1
He married Ruhamah Jennings, daughter of Samuel and Remember (Smith) Jennings of Sandwich, on 11 October 1739 at Sandwich. They had the following known children:2
Lydia was born on 14 August 1740 and married Abraham Howes.
Abigail was born on 30 January 1742 and married Samuel Howes.
Elisha was born on 14 March 1744 and married Susanna Howes.
Samuel was born on 17 April 1747 and married Mary Howland.
William was born on 22 June 1750 and married Elizabeth Howes.
Deborah was born on 30 October 1752 and married Levi Howes.
Lot was born on 22 January 1755 and married Deborah Howes.
Elisha held commissions as Captain in the British Royal Militia between 1765 and 1772 and would be known as Captain Bassett for the rest of his life.
With sympathies towards the suffering citizens of Boston operating under the punitive Boston Port Act, passed by Parliament on 31 March 1774, the Town of Yarmouth made contributions totaling twelve pounds to provide assistance. Additionally, at a town meeting held on 11 October 1774, seven men of Yarmouth, including Captain Elisha Bassett, were chosen to a Committee of Observation and Prevention.3
Further support from the citizens of Yarmouth for the cause of liberty was evident with the creation of a twelve-man committee on 16 October 1774 “to see that no tea is consumed in Yarmouth.” With the meeting of the Provincial Congress to be held at Cambridge on 1 February 1775, the Town of Yarmouth selected Captain Elisha Bassett to be their representative on 22 January.4
The Patriot died on 12 February 1793 at Dennis, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, and was buried at the Dennis Village Cemetery. Mrs. Ruhama (Jennings) Bassett, widow of Captain Elisha Bassett, died on 9 January 1797 at Dennis, aged 81 years, and was buried beside her husband.
Sources:
Sandwich Vital Records, 1671-1815, page 51
Yarmouth Town Records, Volume 3, 1670-1773, page 143
Swift, Charles Francis, History of old Yarmouth, 1884, page 152
Freeman, Frederick, History of Cape Cod, 1862, Volume 2, page 223
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