Author: Timothy F Bassett
Richard William Bassett, Sr.

Richard Bassett, Sr. was born between 1760-1762 in Maryland from a Bassett lineage that had been in the country since the mid-1600’s. Richard served during the Revolutionary War as a private from the State of Maryland enlisting on April 25, 1778 in Lee’s Legion as a Dragoon for the duration of the War. He served under the command of Captain Michael Rudulph and Lt. Col. Henry Lee, who was often referred to “Light Horse Harry” Lee (Henry was the father of the Robert E. Lee).

Lee’s Legion was an elite body, made up of Partisans and Continentals, who had enlisted for the duration of the war. In total, Lee’s Legion numbered some 350 officers and men. In late 1780’s Lee and his Legion started the long march South to join Gen. Nathaniel Greene and his southern campaign. The Legion was subsequently involved in numerous battles throughout North and South Carolina including the siege of Ninety Six, Battle of Haw River (also known as Pyle’s massacre), and the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. It was later written that Lee’s Legion marched as though the “Hounds of Hell” were nipping at their heels. Pay records from the region has Richard receiving pay as late in the War as January 1, 1785.

On November 14, 1789, Richard received a Land Bounty Grant for land westward of the Cumberland in Washington County, Georgia. This land was granted as part of an Act of the General Assembly of Maryland and was awarded to soldiers who served during the war.

Richard arrived in Washington County, Georgia between 1791 and 1792. He was listed in the 1790 Census as living in Cecil County, Maryland and in 1793 he appears in Washington County, Georgia. According to the Georgia State Militia Records – “A muster roll with an Inspection of Horses, Arms and Accouterments of a detachment of Military Cavalry of the First Regiment Washington County in the service of the United States commanded by Capt. Hugh Irwin stationed at Aaron Tices near the Oconee River 1793”, No. 19 - Richard Bassett, “Gentlemen of Arms.” It is recorded that Richard entered service in the First Washington Regiment on September 11, 1793.

The State of Georgia had eight land lotteries between the years1805 and 1833 to divide the Creek and Cherokee Indian Lands. Richard was a fortunate drawer in the 1805, 1820, and 1830 Lotteries. It was during the 1830 Lottery that Richard was living in the Hill’s District of Harris County and is listed as a Revolutionary Soldier on his fortunate draw.

Richard died in Harris County, Georgia between September 11, 1840 and November 2, 1840. His will was probated on November 2, 1840 and he left all of his land, slaves and belongings to his wife, Ann and at her death, the estate was to be divided among his children per his wishes in the will. His children listed in the will included: sons - Richard Bassett, Jr., Kilby, Ezekiel, John, Nathan and daughters Ann, Elizabeth, and Polly.

Richard and his wife Ann are buried on their homestead near West Point, Georgia. Their exact gravesite has been found, but the location was not recorded other than to say it was on their homestead in Harris County and that only fragments of the marble markers remained. On May 1, 1974, a petition was submitted to the United States government for a Military Headstone for Richard, which was granted. This memorial headstone was erected in a Bassett family plot at the Hillview Cemetery in La Grange, Georgia. It reads "Richard Bassett, Sr., Lee's Legion, Revolutionar

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