BIOGRAPHY
of William Bassett Sr.
LOCATION; Limpsfield Surry, England
SPOUSE: Margaret McQuiddy B. 1768, Spotsylvania, Virgina d.September 26,1844, Cross Plains, Brown Twp., Ripley County, Indiana, AGE: 76 Years
MARRIED: November 22,1786, Mercer, Kentucky
DIED:February 6, 1840 Cross Plains, Ripley County Indiana AGE: 84 Years
CHILDREN: 10
1..Nancy Roe Bassett (1782-1858)
2.Thomas A. Bassett Sr. (1791-1853)
3.Jamea Bassett (1793-1850)
4.Sarah Ann Bassett (1796-1874)
5.Elizabeth Bassett (1796-1831)
6.Polly Mary Bassett (1801-1853)
7.Rebecah Bassett (1801-1853)
8.Melinda Bassett (1805-1871)
9.William H. Bassett Jr. (1808-1877)
10.Harriet Bassett (1811-1888)
I. American Rev. War History:
1. 3rd CONTINENTAL LIGHT DRAGOON REGIMENT (Baylor's Horse, or Lady Washington's Horse)
LINEAGE [Wright, Continental Army, p. 346] Authorized 1 January 1777 in the Continental Army as the 3d Continental Light Dragoon Regiment and assigned to the Main Army.
Organized in spring 1777 at Morristown, New Jersey, to consist of three troops from Virginia, two troops from Maryland, and one troop recruited at large.
Relieved 5 November 1778 from the Main Army and assigned to the Middle Department
Relieved 7 May 1779 from the Middle Department and assigned to the Southern Department.
II. The history of the British 4th Battalion, New Jersey Volunteers.
The year 1778 progressed rather uneventfully for the 4th battalion. They chiefly garrisoned Staten Island along with the 1st and 3rd battalions and made a few raids into New Jersey. At the end of September, they were a part of the army under Lord CORNWALLIS that foraged in Bergen County and led to the destruction of the 3rd Continental Light Dragoons near Old Tappan.
While the battalion did not take part in that action, they did take a few prisoners at this time and took the opportunity to recruit some men and bring many of their families within the British Lines. It was one of the tragedies of the war that families of the combatants of both sides were often left to tend the farms in a hostile countryside.
2. American Rev. War Pension Request: W-9739, for Bassett, William, VA, Service: Cont. Sieries M805, Roll: 60, Image: 385, File: W9739. Continental (Va.), wife: Peggy.
3. LDS IGI record shows William BASET, father: Michel BASET
4. FamilySearch™ Pedigree Resource File: Compact Disc #128 Pin #3374850 Submitter: Eugene James WEATHERBY, 23 SE 9th St. Madras, OR 97741
5. Dragoon Diary - Page 510,by C. F. William Maurer - Biography & Autobiography - 2005 - 572 pages "History and Genealogy of William Bassett and Margaret McQuiddy and their Descendants." Privately published in 1989. Baylor, George. [With research notes about Wm Bassett provided by his 3rd great grandson - Ronald L. "Smokey" Bassett]
6. Franklin County, KYGenWeb Revolutionary War Soldiers: WILLIAM BASSETT, SR., Private, b. 1755 England, Continential Light Dragoons, New Jersey
www.rootsweb.com/~kyfrankl/revwar.htm
7. William was recruited by [Col. George Baylor?] to serve as a Revolutionary War soldier from 1776-1779, as a trooper in Colonel George Baylor's 3rd Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons, Captain Stith's Company. He was wounded at Old Tappen, New Jersey, during the nighttime British attack known as "Baylor's Massacre". He was wounded by a bayonet stab in the back. He was placed on the pension roll in 1834 as a "Private of Cav." at $100 annual allocation. He was one of three troopers who were memorialized during ceremonies held in Sept 2003 at Old Tappen, NJ, recognizing the 225th anniversary of the massacre.
RE: Craig's Station in Mercer County, Illinois You may be talking about Craig's Station in Woodford County, KY, Located on Clear Creek . founded by the Toliver Craig branch of the Craig's. This is one of several Craig's Stations in the area. Check the Woodford County, Illinois "Woodford County Genweb site.
8. Title: Roster of Soldiers and Patriots of the American Revolution Buried in Indiana Chapter: Records of Revolutionary Soldiers Surnames, A-B Page:
9. U.S. Pensioners, 1818-1872
Name: William Bassett, Widow's Name:Peggy Bassett
Pension Office City/Town: Madison, Pension Office State: Indiana, Year range: 1835-1850.
10. Soldiers of the Revolution Buried in Indiana:
Bassett, William. Born 1755. Service: Entered service from Virginia in 1776 under Col. George Bailor. Served 2 years, 9 months. Proof: Pension claim W. 9739. Died: Feb. 6, 1840. Buried on farm in Brown Twp. government marker and name on bronze tablet in Versailles Court House. Married: 1780, Margaret. Many descendants still living in Ripley Co.
11. DAR shows 11 applications for membership using William, including Blanche Battin. Her membership number was 212062.
12. William Bassett was born in [1755]. He died 6 Feb 1840. He is buried on a farm in Brown Township, Ripley County. He was married in 1780 to Margaret. Source: Page 53, Roster of Soldiers and Patriots of the American Revolution. Buried in Indiana, 1938.
1810 US Census
Bassett, William.
Franklin Co., KY, pg 113: White Males: 1(0-9) -0-2(16-25)-0-1(45+), White Females:3(0-9), 2(10-15),1(26-44)
Franklin Co., KY, series M252, Roll 6, Page 122: also shows another Bassett, William,
White males: 1 (0-9) 2 (10-15) 2 (16-25) 1 (26-44) 1 (45+), White Females: 3 (0-9) 2 (10-15) 1 (26-44)
1812 - War of 1812
William Bassett is believed to have been in same regiment as Israel Boone (son of Daniel Boone) killed at the Battle of Blue Licks, 19 August 1782, as was Capt. Hickman. {KY Soldier of the War of 1812, pg 32}
1818. At Craig's Station KY. Bassett Sold 300+ acres in Franklin Co. in Nov 1818 for $1250
NOTE: Franklin County was formed in 1795 from part of Woodford, Shelby, and Mercer
Counties. In 1799 a portion of Franklin County was removed to form Gallatin County. Franklin County, located in the central Bluegrass region of Kentucky, was named in honor of Benjamin Franklin.
The city of Frankfort, named for "Frank's Ford" was founded in 1786. It serves as county seat and the State Capital (US GenWeb)
1820 US Census
Basset, William : 075 RIPL 010101-01201-0200 1 male 10-16 yrs,1m16-26,1m45+; 1 female 10-16 yrs,2f16-26,1f45+. Brown Twp, Ripley County, Indiana. [Note: Came to Indiana in about 1819]
1840 US Census:
William Bassett
State: IN County: Ripley County Township: No Township Listed Year: 1840 Record Type: Federal Population Schedule Page: 084 Database: IN 1840 Federal Census Index (Ancestry.com)
Census history: https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Indiana_Census
1784--Clarksville, (on the north bank of the Ohio River, opposite Louisville Kentucky), became the first authorized American settlement in Indiana.
1787--The United States government established the Northwest Territory to open the land to Revolutionary War veterans and other settlers.
1800-1809--The Indiana Territory was established in 1800. Michigan Territory was detached in 1805, and the Illinois Territory was set off in 1809.
1816--Indiana became a state.
1820-1930--The Family History Library has microfilms of the U.S. federal censuses of Indiana.
1800--The 1800 census for Indiana was lost.
1810-- The 1810 census for Indiana were lost, except the 1810 Harrison County census.
1820-- Davies County census was lost.
1890-- Census schedules for all of Indiana were destroyed.
BIOGRAPHY:
1782: Danial Boone's account of the 19 August 1782 "Battle of Blue Licks" at which it is believed Wm Bassett may have been involved, and Boone's son, Israel, was killed. However, no record of the Bassett's involvement have been found.
"On the eighteenth day Col. Todd, Col. Trigg, Major Harland, and myself, speedily collected one hundred and seventy-six men, well armed, and pursued the savages. They had marched beyond the Blue Licks to a remarkable bend of the main fork of Licking River, about forty-three miles from Lexington, as it is particularly represented in the map, where we overtook them on the nineteenth day. The savages observing us, gave way; and we, being ignorant of their numbers, passed the river. When the enemy saw our proceedings, having greatly the advantage of us in situation, they formed the line of battle, represented in the map, from one bend of Licking to the other, about a mile from the Blue Licks. An exceeding fierce battle immediately began, for about fifteen minutes, when we, being over-powered by numbers, were obliged to retreat, with the loss of sixty-seven men; seven of whom were taken prisoners. The brave and much lamented Colonels Todd and Trigg, Major Harland and my second son, were among the dead. We were informed that the Indians, numbering their dead, found they had four killed more than we; and therefore, four of the prisoners they had taken, were, by general consent, ordered to be killed, in a most barbarous manner, by the young warriors, in order to train them up to cruelty; and then they proceeded to their towns.
On our retreat we were met by Col. Logan, hastening to join us, with a number of well armed men: This powerful assistance we unfortunately wanted in the battle; for, notwithstanding the enemy's superiority of numbers, they acknowledged that, if they had received one more fire from us, they should undoubtedly have given way. So valiantly did our small party fight, that, to the memory of those who unfortunately fell in the battle, enough of honour cannot be paid. Had Col. Logan and his party been with us, it is highly probable we should have given the savages a total defeat.
I cannot reflect upon this dreadful scene, but sorrow fills my heart. A zeal for the defence of their country led these heroes to the scene of action, though with a few men to attack a powerful army of experienced warriors. When we gave way, they pursued us with the utmost eagerness, and in every quarter spread destruction. The river was difficult to cross, and many were killed in the flight, some just entering the river, some in the water, others after crossing in ascending the cliffs. Some escaped on horseback, a few on foot; and, being dispersed every where, in a few hours, brought the melancholy news of this unfortunate battle to Lexington. Many widows were now made. The reader may guess what sorrow filled the hearts of the inhabitants, exceeding any thing that I am able to describe. Being reinforced, we returned to bury the dead, and found their bodies strewed every where, cut and mangled in a dreadful manner. This mournful scene exhibited a horror almost unparalleled: Some torn and eaten by wild beasts; those in the river eaten by fishes; all in such a putrified condition, that no one could be distinguished from another.
As soon as General Clark, then at the Falls of the Ohio, who was ever our ready friend, and merits the love and gratitude of all his country-men, understood the circumstances of this unfortunate action, he ordered an expedition, with all possible haste, to pursue the savages, which was so expeditiously effected, that we overtook them within two miles of their towns, and probably might have obtained a great victory, had not two of their number met us about two hundred poles before we come up. These returned quick as lightening to their camp with the alarming news of a mighty army in view. The savages fled in the utmost disorder, evacuated their towns, and reluctantly left their territory to our mercy. We immediately took possession of Old Chelicothe without opposition, being deserted by its inhabitants. We continued our pursuit through five towns on the Miami rivers, Old Chelicothe, Pecaway, New Chelicothe, Will's Towns, and Chelicothe, burnt them all to ashes, entirely destroyed their corn, and other fruits, and every where spread a scene of desolation in the country. In this expedition we took seven prisoners and five scalps, with the loss of only four men, two of whom were accidentally killed by our own army.
This campaign in some measure damped the spirits of the Indians, and made them sensible of our superiority. Their connections were dissolved, their armies scattered, and a future invasion put entirely out of their power; yet they continued to practise mischief secretly upon the inhabitants, in the exposed parts of the country."
1782: Served under George Rogers Clark Shawnee Expedition in Capt. James Ray's Company of Lincoln Militia.
War of 1812, : William Bassett shown as Private, enlisted 15 Aug 1812 to 14 Oct 1812, Capt. William Kerley's Co., First Rifle Regiment, KY. Son James also served, with Daniel Boone's 2nd cousin, Issac Boone. http://www.rootsweb.com/~kyfrankl/r-raisin.htm
BIOGRAPHY:
CRAIG'S STATION (BURNT STATION)
John Craig's Station, which housed Baptists seeking religious freedom, was established in 1779 along David's Fork, near present-day Winchester Road (U.S. 60), east of Lexington. Craig family members, including John, Joseph, Lewis, and Elijah, were associated with the Traveling Church , a Baptist sect that moved an entire congregation from Virginia to Kentucky. Several Traveling Church families settled at Craig's Station on Christmas Eve in 1779 and lived in crude log shelters during one of the most severe winters on record. Four cabins, possibly with an enclosing stockade, were built the next year. When a planned Indian attack was reported in March of 1781, the inhabitants fled to Daniel Boone's Station near what is now Athens, Kentucky. Within hours after they abandoned Craig's Station, an Indian raiding party burned the settlement, which led to its second name.
Nancy O'Malley, Stockading Up, Archaeological Report 127, Department of Anthropology, University of Kentucky, 1987. http://www.kyenc.org/entry/c/CRAIG03.html
BIOGRAPHY:
William Bassett Life Time-Line
- 22 April 1755: Born in Surrey England, Limpsfield, on the Surrey/Kent border
- About 1770: It is unknown why or when William arrived in the colonies, but was residing in Bottetourt Co., VA, there when "enlisted in the service".
- Possible date source: William Basset; Year: 1767 Place: America, Source Publication Code: 8543
Primary Immigrant: Basset, William; Source Bibliography: SMITH, CLIFFORD NEAL. British Deportees to America, Part 3: 1766-1767. (British-American Genealogical Research Monograph, 3.) McNeal, Ariz.: Westland Publications, 1981. 73p. Page: 6.
- The following dates & places extracted from Private/Trooper Wm Bassett’s recorded Declaration of Service in the American Revolutionary War, given at Ripley County, Indiana, 29 December, 1833.
August 1776: Enlisted. Resided in Bottetourt County, Virginia. [It is assumed that William enlisted into the Virginia Light Horse/Bland’s Regiment, under Col. Theodorick Bland. The unit was offered to Congress on Nov 1776 and accepted on that date, designated 1st Regiment of Light Dragoons.]
(Aug 1776 - August 1777) Marched to Fredericksburg, Virginia, there for 1 year.
Marched to Winchester, Va., Princeton
Marched to Frederickstown, Maryland. Inoculated with many for the smallpox.
Marched to Redding, Penn.
Marched Trenton, in pursuit of the British who had left New York.
Marched to Princeton and into winter quarters in the Wallace Edifice, remained there until the following spring.
Marched through Amboy and to within about five miles of New York City.
Marched to White Plains (HQ of Washington), was on bank of the Delaware during battle of White Plains.
Marched to Trenton,
Marched to Brunswick,
Marched to Springfield,
Marched to Amboy,
Marched to Elizabethtown,
Marched to Morristown,
Marched to Trenton. After the battle there and at Princeton was fought
Marched to Princeton, stationed for the winter (previous to the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse).
Marched to Monmouth Courthouse [June 28, 1778] and was there in the battle.
Marched to Hackensack
Marched to Old Tappan, attacked at night by British. [28 Sept]
Marched to Trenton
Marched to Philadelphia where he remained until the spring of 1779
Then to Baltimore where he was honorably discharged.
BIOGRAPHY:
Historical date-line as shown in the book Dragoon Diary, by C.F. William Maurer, with some information provided by Ronald Bassett:
- 9 January, 1777: Gen. Washington appoints Col. Baylor as commander of a Regiment of Horse.
- April 1777: Col. George Baylor is in Virginia to recruit troopers into 3rd Cont. Light Dragoons
- June 1777: Baylor’s unit is short 130 men
- July 1777: Bland near Bondbrook, NJ; moved through Trenton
- 21 August 1777: Col’s Baylor & Bland ordered to march from "crossroads" to Trenton.
- 23 Aug: From Nicetown, PA., through Philadelphia.
- 26 Aug: Under command of Count Pulaski, Baylor & Bland with 10,000 men located SW of Wilmington. Dragoons go with Gen. Washington to reconnoiter the British, who are landing troops.
- 29 Aug: Washington orders all troops out of Philadelphia.
- 11 Sept: Battle of Brandywine.
- 21 Sept: Count Pulaski, Chief of the American Light Dragoons, as Brigadier General.
- 4 Oct: Washington attacks Germantown, Light Horse used for communications.
- 2 Nov: Army moves to Whitemarsh.
- 15 Nov: Three troops of Col. Baylor’s Regiment are at White Marsh. [Same as White Plains?]
- 4 - 5 Dec: Possible British attack on HQ at White Marsh. Bland’s & Baylor’s Regiments of Light Dragoons to watch enemy movements.
- 5 - 7 Dec: Battle around White Marsh.
- 18 Dec: Winter quarters at Valley Forge. 3rd CLD were quartered in NJ.
- 1 Jan, 1778: 3d Continental Light Dragoons had 11 officers, 19 NCOs, 5 staff officers, 92 Rank & File, 127 total
.- 25 March: Dragoons to be headquartered in Evesham and Springfield.
- 6 April: 3rd Dragoons are in Trenton, NJ.
- 18 May: Clough’s dragons take part in attack during a British dance ball.
- 29 May: White & blue material bought for 3rd CLD uniforms.
- 10 June: All Cavalry ordered to assemble at Valley Forge.
- 28 June: 3rd CLD harass British rear guard, then are forced into battle near Monmouth Court House. Dragoons used as messengers between Commander in Chief and Field officers. Washington sends a note to Gen. Lee, by member of 1st troop, Third Dragoons, assigned to the Commander in Chief’s personal Guard. Lee disregards note, Lee is court martialed by Washington.
- 23 July: Letter from Washington to Col. Bland, have troops inoculated for Small Pox.[Noted by Bassett]
- 28 July: Hackensack, NJ. Maj. Clough (1st CLD) and 80 dragoons forage for livestock near Bergen Point.
- 20 Sept: Col. Baylor returns to take command of 3rd CLD from Maj. Alexander Clough, at the regimental camp in Hackensack, Bergen Co., NJ. Baylor notifies Washington that he had a "pattern coat" which was to be the fashion of the regiment, and unit would be uniformed by springtime. Thus it seems that the unit was not in a standard uniform at this time.
Note: Washington had great respect for Baylor, formally his aide-de-camp, and attached the First Troop of The Commander in Chief’s Guard to the 3rd CLD [Known as Martha Washington’s Own or Martha’s Horse]. This troop was part of the elite household guard, tasked to protect the person of General & Mrs. Washington. Lt. George Lewis, son of Washington’s sister, was second in command of this troop. Men in this guard would be between 5’ 8" and 5’ 10" tall, well drilled, and handsomely and well built. On 26 Sept Capt. Lewis’s First Troop rejoined the regiment in Peramus, but Capt. Lewis was not with them. Most of this unit was from Massachusetts.
- About 27 Sept: Washington orders Col. Baylor to join Putnam’s Brigade at Clarks Town, 3CLD were quartered in Harrington, now known as River Vale, NJ, originally part of the Tappan patent and then known as Old Tappan. This position put the unit between the American Army at Clarks Town and British foraging units.
- 27 Sept: 3rd CLD leave Paramus in early morning and take up position near Hackensack River, often called "over the kill", some three miles from Tappan Village. The troop was familiar with area, as after the Battle of Monmouth the previous spring, they had passed through the area en route to positions around Hackensack and Paramus. This location was known by various names, including Haring town, Old Tappan, and today it is township of River Vale, NJ.
- 28 Sept, 1778: Col. Baylor’s force consisted of about 12 officers and 104 enlisted men, with many officers and enlisted men being utilized on detached service. At about 3 am the British, assisted by local Tory guides, made a surprise bayonet assault on the sleeping dragoons housed in several houses and barns. With cries of "No quarter,""Skiver him,""Kill him!" 57 dragoons and 9 officers were cut down, wounded or taken prisoner. None of the dragoons was younger than 18 or older than 26. Both Col. Baylor and Maj. Clough were wounded.
- 5 Nov: What is left of the Regiment is sent to Bristol, Pennsylvania. Major Washington takes command of 3rd CLD
- 20 Nov at Bristol.
- 27 Nov: Unit sent to Frederick or "Hagar’s Town", Maryland.
- 28 Feb 1779: Frederick, MD, Strength Report shows 18 Rank and File are listed as Present/Sick, 3 Absent/Sick.
- 8 March: 3rd CLD ordered to furnish a guard for the Convention Army marching to Charlottesville.
- 7 May: 3rd CLD ordered to the south without delay, joining Col. Bland’s regiment.
- 21 May: Washington orders Col. Wm Washington to proceed therewith to the Southern Army.
- May 1779: Pvt. Wm Bassett’s declaration states "he was honorably discharged in writing by Capt. John Stith by Command of Col. Baylor in the month of May 1779." It is assumed the discharge was made due to wounds and prior to the units move to join the Southern Army.
1779 - The Move West:
It is believed that William joined Daniel Boone, with a group of Baptists, into Kentucky in about 1780. This may have been the same group that included Boone's family, which had been living in North Carolina.
1781 - March, 1781, Inhabitants of Craig’s Station fled to Daniel Boone's Station near what is now Athens, Kentucky. Within hours after they abandoned Craig's Station, an Indian raiding party burned the settlement, which led to its second name. [This may be when William’s war records were burned, per his declaration of service]
1782: Served under George Rogers Clark Shawnee Expedition, in Capt. James Ray's Company of Lincoln Militia.
1782 - 19 August 1782: Battle of Blue Licks was fought on August 19, 1782, and was the last battle of the American Revolutionary War fought in Kentucky.
With the remaining force of approximately 50 British rangers and 300 American Indians, Caldwell and McKee crossed into Kentucky. They hoped to surprise the settlement of Bryan's Station, but the settlers had learned of the approach of the army and "forted up." Caldwell and McKee's force laid siege to Bryan's Station on August 15, 1782, but withdrew on August 17 when they learned that a force of Kentucky militia was on the way.
The Kentucky militia who came to the relief of Bryan's Station on August 18 consisted of about 47 men from Fayette County and about 135 from Lincoln County. The highest-ranking officer, Colonel John Todd of the Fayette militia, was in overall command; under him were two lieutenant colonels, Stephen Trigg of Lincoln County and Daniel Boone of Fayette County.
The Kentuckians reached the Licking River on the morning of August 19, near a spring and salt lick known as the Lower Blue Licks. On the other side of the river, a few Indian scouts could be seen. Behind the Indians was a hill around which the river made a loop. Colonel Todd called a council and asked [Daniel] Boone, the most experienced woodsman, for his opinion. Boone, who had been growing increasingly suspicious about the overly obvious trail the Indians had been leaving, advised his fellow officers that the Indians were trying to draw them into an ambush.
Major McGary, apparently eager to prove that he was not a coward as Todd's earlier criticism had suggested, urged an immediate attack. He mounted his horse and rode across the ford in the river, shouting, "Them that ain't cowards, follow me." Men began to follow, as did the officers, who hoped to at least make an orderly attack. "We are all slaughtered men," said Boone as he crossed the river.
On the other side of the river, most of the men dismounted and formed into a battle line of three or four divisions. They advanced up the hill, Todd and McGary in the center, Trigg on the right, Boone on the left. As Boone had suspected, Caldwell's force was waiting on the other side of the hill, concealed in ravines. As the Kentuckians reached the summit, the Indians opened fire with devastating effect. After only five minutes, the center and right of the Kentucky line gave way; only Boone's men on the left managed to push forward. Todd and Trigg, easy targets on horseback, were quickly shot down.
The Kentuckians began to flee wildly back down the hill, fighting hand-to-hand with the Indians who had flanked them. McGary rode up to Boone's company and told him that everyone was retreating and that Boone was now surrounded. Boone gathered his men for a withdrawal. He grabbed a riderless horse and ordered his son, Israel Boone, to mount and make an escape. Israel refused to leave his father, however, and was shot through the neck as Daniel searched for another horse. Boone saw that his son's wound was mortal, mounted the horse, and fled.
1786 - 22 Nov 1786: He was married at Mercer, Kentucky, to Margaret "Peggy" McQuiddy.
1791 - 14 Apr 1791 to 08 Oct 1808: Seven children born at Simpson, (Franklin Co), Kentucky.
14 July 1811: Last child born at Brooksville, Bracken, Kentucky.
1811: The Battle of Tippecanoe was fought in 1811 between United States forces led by Governor William Henry Harrison of the Indiana Territory. [An old family letter states it is belived William was "a captain" at the battle, but there is no record to prove it]1812 - 15 Aug/14 Oct 1812: War of 1812: William Bassett shown as Private, enlisted 15 Aug 1812 to 14 Oct 1812, Capt. William Kerley's Co., First Rifle Regiment, KY. Son James also served, with Daniel Boone's 2nd cousin, Isaac Boone.
1817 - 28 June 1817: First Land Owners, Ripley Co., IN: Original Land Purchasers of Ripley County, IN. Bassett, William, Tract Book 1, Pg 34.
1820 US Census; Brown Twp, Ripley County, Indiana.
1821 - Record of Madison Baptist Association, 6 May 1826, say the Middle Fork of Indian Kentucky Church was founded in 1821 with eight members. James and Mary Benham deeded land to the deacons, John O'Neal and William Bassett, on 6 May 1826 (Ripley Co. Deed Book A p. 270.)
1838 - 4 Oct 1838: Makes last will.
1840 - 6 Feb 1840, Death. He is buried on the family farm in Brown Township, Cross Plains, Ripley Co., Indiana. His wife and a daughter are also buried in the well kept grave site [Per two visits by Ronald Bassett during the 1980's]
BIOGRAPHY:
First Land Owners, Ripley Co., IN: Original Land Purchasers of Ripley County, IN
Bassett, William, Tract Book 1, Pg 34: 28 June 1817.
Original Land Purchasers of Ripley County, IN
Ancestry.com BASSETT Wm ARW Records - Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970
William Bassett Sr; SAR Membership Number: 79001
Birth Date: 18 Apr 1755 | Birth Place: Surrey, England
Death Date: 6 Feb 1840 | Death Place: Ripley, Indiana
Spouse: Margaret McQuidy | Birth Date: 1768 | Death Date: 1844
Children: Sarah Bassett | Birth Date: 1796 | Death Date: 7 May 1874
Spouse: George William Nicholson | Birth Date: 24 Mar 1789 | Death Date: 24 Jun 1865
Children: Thomas Jefferson Nicholson | Birth Date: 3 Apr 1827 | Death Date: 12 Oct 1902
Spouse: Julia Elizabeth McGee
Children: James Samuel Nicholson | Birth Date: 16 Aug 1854 | Death Date: 7 Jul 1928
Spouse: Margaret J. McConnell
Children: Lloyd Leslie Nicholson | Birth Date: 18 Dec 1888
Spouse: Helen Roenna Rice
Children: Bruce Howland Nicholson | Birth Date: 1 Oct 1915 | Birth Place: Renwick, Humboldt, Iowa
Source Citation: SAR Membership Number 79001.
Source Information: Ancestry.com. U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
Original data: Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970. Louisville, Kentucky: National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Microfilm,
Daniel Boone:
Bassett family oral history/legend states that Wm. Bassett and the McQuiddys were close friends of Daniel Boone, and Bassett is assumed to have come to Kentucky with Boone in Sept. 1779. Peggy McQuiddy’s brother, John, was Boone’s blacksmith.
In 1778 Boone and his men captured by Shawnees while making salt on February 9; he escapes in June; siege of Boonesborough, September 7-18; rejoins Rebecca and children, who had returned to North Carolina.
Sept, 1779 Leads large party of emigrants from North Carolina to Kentucky in September; December 25 settles Boone's Station, north of the Kentucky River, among these settlers were Abraham Lincoln's grandmother and grandfather.
1780 Participates in attack on Shawnee towns in Ohio; brother Edward killed by Shawnees in October. "I settled my family in Boonsborough once more; and shortly after, on the sixth day of October 1780, I went in company with my brother to the Blue Licks; and, on our return home, we were fired upon by a party of Indians." Daniel Boone
1781 Takes elected seat in Virginia assembly in April; captured by invading British forces in June, but soon released.
1782 One of the commanding officers at the Kentuckians' defeat by Indians at the Blue Licks, where son Israel is killed, August 19; in command of a company that attacks Shawnee towns in November.
Boone returned to North Carolina in order to bring his family back to Kentucky. In the autumn of 1779, a large party of emigrants came with him, including the grandfather of Abraham Lincoln. Rather than remain in Boonesborough, Boone founded the nearby settlement of Boone's Station. Boone began earning money at this time by locating good land for other settlers. Transylvania land claims had been invalidated after Virginia created Kentucky County, and so settlers needed to file new land claims with Virginia. In 1780, Boone collected about $20,000 in cash from various settlers and traveled to Williamsburg to purchase their land warrants. While he was sleeping in a tavern during the trip, the cash was stolen from his room. Some of the settlers forgave Boone the loss; others insisted that he repay the stolen money, which took him several years to do.
A popular image of Boone which emerged in later years is that of the backwoodsman who had little affinity for "civilized" society, moving away from places like Boonesborough when they became "too crowded". In reality, however, Boone was a leading citizen of Kentucky at this time. When Kentucky was divided into three Virginia counties in November 1780, Boone was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the Fayette County militia. In April 1781, Boone was elected as a representative to the Virginia General Assembly, which was held in Richmond. In 1782, he was elected sheriff of Fayette County.[21]
Meanwhile, the American Revolutionary War continued. Boone joined General George Rogers Clark's invasion of the Ohio country in 1780, fighting in the Battle of Piqua on 7 August. In October, when Boone was hunting with his brother Ned, Shawnees shot and killed Ned. Apparently thinking that they had killed Daniel Boone, the Shawnees beheaded Ned and took the head home as a trophy. In 1781, Boone traveled to Richmond to take his seat in the legislature, but British dragoons under Banastre Tarleton captured Boone and several other legislators near Charlottesville. The British released Boone on parole several days later. During Boone's term, Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown in October 1781, but the fighting continued in Kentucky unabated. Boone returned to Kentucky and in August 1782 fought in the Battle of Blue Licks, in which his son Israel was killed. In November 1782, Boone took part in another Clark expedition into Ohio, the last major campaign of the war.