William Bassett, Sr. Family

William Bassett, Sr., the son of Michel Baset, was born on April 18, 1755 in Limpsfield, Surrey, England. He was recruited by Col. George Baylor to serve in the Revolutionary War from 1776–1779 as a trooper in the 3rd Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons, Captain Stith’s Company. He was wounded in the back by a bayonet at Tappan, New Jersey, during the nighttime British attack known as “Baylor’s Massacre.”

William was placed on the pension roll in 1834 as a “Private of Cav” at $100 annual allocation. He was one of three troopers memorialized during ceremonies held in September 2003 at Old Tappan, New Jersey, recognizing the 225th anniversary of the massacre. After his service in the Revolutionary War, he migrated to Kentucky and settled near Craig’s Station.

On November 17, 1786, in Mercer County, Kentucky, he married Margaret “Peggy” McQuiddy, daughter of David McQuiddy and Mary Todd. Peggy bore ten children at their home in Franklin County, Kentucky. In November 1818, William sold 300 acres of land at Craig’s Station for $1,250 and moved his family to Brown Township, Cross Plains, Ripley County, Indiana, about 1819.

William Bassett died on February 6, 1840 at Cross Plains in Ripley County. He and Peggy are buried on the family farm in Brown Township, Cross Plains, Ripley County, Indiana.

Nancy Roe Bassett

Born August 27, 1782 in Kentucky. She was adopted and raised by William and Peggy until her marriage in Franklin County, Kentucky on October 18, 1803, to Cassius Claxon, son of William James Claxon and Elizabeth Hall. Cassius was born April 7, 1782 in Virginia. Cassius died June 1, 1872; Nancy died September 11, 1858. Both are buried in Owen County, Kentucky.

Thomas A. Bassett, Sr.

Born April 14, 1791 in Woodford County, Kentucky. He married Mary Jackson, daughter of John C. Jackson, on July 16, 1813 in Franklin County, Kentucky. Mary was born in Kentucky in 1791. Mary died August 22, 1850; Thomas died April 14, 1853. Both are buried at Cross Plains, Ripley County, Indiana.

James Bassett

Born November 18, 1793 in Woodford County, Kentucky. He married Dorcas Clark, daughter of Amos Clarke and Nancy Anne Duvall, on October 30, 1815 in Franklin County, Kentucky. Dorcas was born in 1803 in Kentucky and died after August 1850. James died of dysentery on July 18, 1850 at Cross Plains, Ripley County, Indiana, and is buried in Ripley County.

Sarah Ann “Saly” Bassett

Born January 13, 1796 in Franklin County, Kentucky. She married George William Nicholson on September 29, 1813 in Franklin County, Kentucky. George was born March 24, 1789 in Hampshire County, Virginia. He died June 24, 1865; Saly died May 7, 1874. Both are buried in the Nicholson Cemetery, Brown Township, Ripley County, Indiana.

Elizabeth Bassett

Born January 2, 1798 in Franklin County, Kentucky. She married George W. Swisher, son of James Swisher and Magdalena Tickel (or Copp), on May 20, 1819 in Ripley County, Indiana. George was born in 1799 in Guilford County, North Carolina. Elizabeth died about 1831 in Vermilion County, Illinois, and was buried at Martin Cemetery, Vermilion County, Illinois. George died December 10, 1852 in Vermilion County, Illinois, and was buried in Swisher Cemetery, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois.

Polly Bassett

Born August 14, 1801 in Franklin County, Kentucky. She married Azariah Jacob Dowers, son of Jacob Dowers, Jr. and Elizabeth, on December 19, 1819 in Ripley County, Indiana. Azariah was born April 17, 1793 in Virginia. Polly died January 29, 1853 in Ripley County, Indiana, and is buried at Cross Plains Baptist Cemetery. Azariah died February 6, 1855 in Ripley County, Indiana.

Rebecca Bassett

Born September 13, 1803 in Franklin County, Kentucky. She married Alva Wetherbee, son of James Wetherbee and Susanna Vaughan, on April 25, 1824 in Ripley County, Indiana. Alva was born about 1804 in Kingsbury, Washington County, New York. Rebecca died in 1853 in Ripley County, Indiana. Alva died sometime after 1860 in Cass Township, Jones County, Iowa.

Malinda (Melinda) Bassett

Born February 8, 1805 in Franklin County, Kentucky. She married Henry Dowers, son of Jacob Dowers, Jr. and Elizabeth, on March 29, 1827 in Ripley County, Indiana. Henry was born in 1798 in Franklin County, Kentucky.

William H. Bassett, Jr.

Born October 8, 1808 in Franklin County, Kentucky. He married Nancy Shreve, daughter of Jonathan Shreve and Elizabeth Myers, on June 18, 1829 in Ripley County, Indiana. Nancy was born May 10, 1814 in Ohio. William died April 11, 1877 in Mount Vernon, Linn County, Iowa, and was buried at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Linn County. Nancy died in 1905 in Linn County and was buried at Martelle, Linn County, Iowa.

Harriet Bassett

Born July 14, 1811 in Franklin County, Kentucky. She married Reuben Dooley Wade, son of Dawson Wade, Jr. and Nancy Rice, on December 11, 1827 in Ripley County, Indiana. Reuben was born May 7, 1808 in Mt. Sterling, Montgomery County, Kentucky. Reuben died March 7, 1882 in Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois, and was buried in the Aledo Cemetery. Harriet lived until 1900, when she died in Illinois.