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: Private
Birth: 22 Jun 1750 Yarmouth / Barnstable / MA Death: 24 Sep 1789 Yarmouth / Barnstable / MA
Qualifying Service Description:
1778, he served as a Private in the company of Captain Micah Chapman, commanded by Colonel Nathaniel Freeman - served 13 days on alarm
Additional References:
Secretary of the Commonwealth, Massachusetts Soldiers, and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, Volume II, Massachusetts. Boston: Wright & Potter Printing Co., 1901, pg 237
Massachusetts Secretary of State, Muster/Payrolls, and Various Papers (1763-1808) of the Revolutionary War [Massachusetts and Rhode Island], Micropublication FHC, Volume 35. Washington: National Archives.
Spouse: Elizabeth/Betsey Howes Children: Francis;
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.
William Bassett, son of Elisha and Ruhama (Jennings) Bassett, was born on 22 June 1750 at Yarmouth, Barnstable County, Massachusetts Bay Colony. The fifth child of seven Williams siblings was Lydia, Abigail, Elisha, Samuel, Deborah, and Lot.1
The departure of the French fleet, after the failed attack on the British Garrison at Newport, Rhode Island, in August 1778 allowed Major General Charles Grey to lead the largest invasion of British forces in New England against the privateering enterprises operating from the ports of Dartmouth, Bedford, and Acushnet on the western coast of Buzzard’s Bay. Directed to destroy all vessels, wharves, storehouses, and supplies of rebel privateers, 4,000 British troops disembarked on September 5th at Clark’s Cove. They marched north through Dartmouth to Acushnet, leaving a trail of destruction. In response, Massachusetts militia Brigadier General Joseph Otis alarmed the militia companies of Barnstable County. Captain Micah Chapman of the East District of Yarmouth responded on September 6th with his company of 77 men, including William Bassett and his eldest brother, Elisha. It is reported in “A Pay Roll of Capt. Micah Chapman’s company, in Col. Freeman’s regt. of militia on the Alarm at Dartmouth and Falmouth in the Service of the Massachusetts State, Sept. 6, 1778.” William served 13 days and earned wages of £3, 9 shillings, 4 pence.2 Having completed their directive, the British fleet sailed on September 8th through the Elizabeth Islands past Falmouth and on to Martha’s Vineyard, where they pillaged arms, cash, and livestock from the Vineyard’s citizens.3
William Bassett married Elizabeth “Betsey” Howes, daughter of Jonathan and Rebecca (Chapman) Howes, on 15 January 1786 at Yarmouth. Together, they had one known child:
Francis was born in 1786, and married Mrs. Francis Langdon Cutter.
Mrs. Betsey Howes, “wife of Mr. William Bassett, born February 1st, 1760, died December 1st, 1786, in the twenty-seventh year of her age”. She was buried at the Dennis Village Cemetery. Mr. William Bassett “who was born June 22, 1750, and died September 24th, 1789, in the fortieth year of his age” was buried at the Dennis Village cemetery beside his wife.4
Sources:
Yarmouth Vital Records, Volume 3, page 143
Muster/Payrolls and various papers (1763-1808) of the Rev. War (MA & RI) Vol. 35, pg. 237 (image 555)
A Journal of Occurrences along the Rebel Coast, 1775-1781 by Frederick V. Lawrence, Jr. pgs. 85-98.
Dennis Village cemetery, gravestones of Mrs. Betsey Bassett and Mr. William Bassett.
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