General Notes

Dea. Samuel1 Bass and wife and at least two children came to Massachusetts about 1631 or 32.

Samuel Basse was married to Anne Savell 25th April 1625 at St. Mary's Church, Saffron Walden, Co. Essex. His baptism is not on record there but that of Ann Savell is there in the parish register as were also two other children. Ann, daughter of William Savell was baptized 25th April 1601 at Saffron Walden. William Savell also had Elizabeth bapt. 10 Dec.1598 and Susan bapt. 4 June 1609. He also had a son William bapt. 24 Feb.1604/5 since the will of William of Braintree Mass. calls Deacon Samuel Bass his brother. (See Register Vol. 107-198).

Samuel Bass & wife were members of the church at Roxbury at an early date, probably by 1632 though no date is given. He is said to have settled near Hog Bridge there. He was made freeman of the colony May 14,1634.

He received no grant of land in Braintree and must have purchased of someone else. He came here previous to July 6,1640 at which time he was elected the first deacon of the church, having been dismissed and recommended to them from Roxbury (Hancock's Century Sermons, 1739 p.28). His homestead was at the N.W. corner of Granite and Hancock Sts., Quincy and parts of the land on Granite St. remained in the male line of descent until 1951 when Alva Morrison Bass died there single, a space of over 310 years. No records show how this land was acquired.

The Braintree records give the following account of his death: -
"Deacon Samuel Bass, aged 94 departed this life upon the 30th day of December, 1694, who had been a Deacon of the Church of Braintree for the space of above 50 years and the first Deacon of that church, and was the father and grandfather and great grandfather of a hundred and sixty and two children before he died, the youngest whereof was Benjamin Bas, son of Joseph Bas and Mary his wife born seven days before his death".

Mrs. Ann Bas, the wife of Deacon Samuel Bas, died the 5th of September 1693, aged 93. So says the town record but the ancient rough gravestone in Hancock Cemetery says Mrs. Ann Bass died 1692 aged 92.

He held numerous town offices, was selectman as early as 1642 and as late as 1673, many years not being recorded in the earliest records, and was Representative twelve years. He is recorded as selectman 1642,1645,8,51,52,53,1670,72, but the records are incomplete in early years.

Samuel Bass and son Thomas Bass both lived in Bogastow or Natick (now Sherborn) for some time in the 1660's as both signed the petition of the inhabitants there to be set up as a separate town May 7,1662 (Mass. Archives 112-136).

In 1672 he sold 140 acres there to John Hull, called himself of "Brantery, yeoman, and wife Ann did not sign the deed", she being aged and blind", says the deed. (S.D. 10-15).

S.P. 13-539: Will of Samuel Bass of Braintry, dated May 11,1694:
To son John 10 a. salt marsh & a woodlot in Captain's Plain already set out to him & my malt house & orchard before it, 1/2 a well, 1/2 kitchen & some lands in Stoney Field he hath in his possession, 1/4 of my upland in the Farme after paying legacies to my two daus. Mary Capen & Sarah Penniman & if there is any marsh after the 10 a. apiece given to my 3 sons, to be son John. To son Thomas 10 a. salt & a woodlot in Captain's Plain already laid out to him, 1/4 of upland at the Farm. To son Joseph 10 a. salt valued at ¹100, & the house he liveth in & orchard on the back side of it & fresh meadow at E. of it & a bed etc. he lieth upon at ¹100 and my barne & 2 a. on which it sets reserving liberty for yard room & passage for son John to his barn, and 2 a. at head of the home lot, & 1 a. joining the 2 a. which was John Dassets, being part of a 5 a. lot, & 1/2 my kitchen & 1/2 well & 7 a. in Stoney Field where my cows use to pasture valued at ¹100, and a woodlot already set out to him at Captain's Plain & stock, and moveables etc. at ¹100 & 1/4 upland at the Farme, & he is not to sell it away without the approbation of his two brothers & if he have children he may give it to them or if he have need to spend it, he may, for his own comfort & supply and if he marry a wife he may give her ¹100 of it and the rest to any of his blood relations.
4thly. To Samuel Bass, carpenter, 7 a. pasture in Stony Field & salt he already has in possession & 1/4 part of upland in the Farm, also 1/2 the woodlot in Captain's Plain given my son Joseph & ¹60 out of Joseph's estate if he have no children nor spend it. To Joseph Bass Jr. ¹50 out of son Joseph's estate except he have children & spend it, & ¹40 to my grandson Samuel Bass, cooper, out of Joseph's estate etc, all this after son Joseph's decease. To dau. Mary Capen ¹40 & to dau. Sarah Penniman ¹20 out of my upland at the farm & 5 cows. To John Bass Jr. my malt house if he out live his father & 2 a. planting land in Stoney Field & 4 a. pasture about 1/4 a. at his door where barn stands. To my grand daus., excepting Sarah Biling all moveables goods & Hannah Walsbey is to share with them. All remainder of my estate to sons John & Thomas who are to be executors. Witness: Robert Field, William Thayer, Samuel Tompson.

S.P. 18-4 New Series - Witnesses swear to the will Jan.31,1694/5.

S.P. 13-541, Inventory of Samuel Bass who deceased 30 Dec.1694 apprized Jan.3,1694/5:
House & orchard behind it, fresh meadow at the end of it, with kitchen & well ¹96.
Malt house & orchard before it etc. ¹70.
Barn & 2 a. & 2 a. at head of lot & 1 a. bought of John Dosset & 7 a. in Stoney Field.
60 a. in Captain's Plain ¹90.
6 a. in Stoney Field ¹18
20 a. at ye Farm at ye 4 score acres
21 a. at ye Farm at Great Island
18 a. at ye Farm at the ox pasture
11 a. in 3 parcels at the farm
4 cows, 8 a. swamp Total ¹942/1/6
Taken by Samuel Tompson, Samuel Penniman, James Brackett Jan.31,1694(5).