General Notes

All data re:Richard William Bassett, his wife, their children and spouses provided by Jeffrey N Bassett of Mundelein, IL (January 1997).
Richard William Bassett was born ca 1761, possibly in Maryland.  He participated in the American Revolution and was a Dragoon in Lee's Legion of the Maryland Corps.  To date, nine children are known to have been born to Richard William Bassett and his wife, Ann _________ , (this info based on a will written by Richard in Harris Co, GA on 14 June 1838;  a codicil was added to his will on 11 September 1840).  Richard and Ann made their home in Maryland until about 1793.  Their next place of residence was Washington Co, GA.  By 1807 the family had relocated to Morgan Co, GA.  It is not known how long the family remained there before moving to Harris Co.  Richard's wife survived him;  in his will he wrote, " It is my will and desire that my beloved wife Ann should have all my estate and for the love and affection which I bear her, I give all of my estate of every description to have and to hold for and during her lifetime..."[Descendants of Richard W Bassett Vol 19 Tree 1055.FTW]

[Brøderbund WFT Vol. 19, Ed. 1, Tree #1055, Date of Import: Jan 24, 1999]

It has been noted that Ann may have been Richard's second wife and not the mother of his first five children.

Richard Basset and Elizabeth Moore married 4 Sept 1773 in Norfolk County, Virginia. (I do not know if this is our Richard Bassett) (Source: Virginia Marriage Records, The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, The William and Mary College Quarterly and Tyler's Quarterly Indexed by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Baltimore Genealogical Publishing Co, Inc. 1982)

STATE OF MARYLAND, KENT COUNTY MARRIAGE RECORDS (County seat Chestertown) Richard Bassett married Priscilla Boyer 16 Feb 1797 (Some researchers beleive this could have been Priscilla "Ann" Boyer).

Richard served in the Revolutionary War, his military records show that he enlisted or was appointed on 25 Apr 1778 as Richard W. Baset, term - war.  Richard served under Capt. Mich'l Rudulph of Lt. Col. Henry (Lighthorse Harry) Lee's Legion as a dragoon of that Corps belonging to the quota of Maryland.  His rank was private.  The last record is dated 1 July 1784 and has Richmond written on it.  Richard served in Lee's Legion for over six years. Richard signed the Receipt Rolls with his "mark" indicating that he could not read and write.

1805 GEORGIA LAND LOTTERY:  Richard Bassett, serial number 2119, of Washington County, had two draws, both blank.

1820 US CENSUS GEORGIA:  The Index of the 1820 census for Georgia does not list a Richard Bassett.

Richard was living in Pike County, Georgia in 1827. Memorial markers are at Hillview Cemetery in LaGrange, Georgia for Richard and his wife Ann.

RICHARD BASSETT WILL: Richard's will is recorded in Harris County Georgia Will Book A, 1833-1849, pages 59 and 60. The will was signed the 14th day of June 1838. It was recorded on November 2, 1840. Codicil to the will was signed by Richard Bassett on September 11, 1840.

Memorial markers for Richard and Ann were placed at Hillview Cemetery, LaGrange, Georgia by Mrs. Winnie Bassett Robinson of Florida.

Additional sources of information:  Mrs. Georgia W. (June) Dowdy; Early Troup County Georgia Marriages by Merle Bruce; correspondence with Wanda Bassett Carter;

Richard was a Dragoon in Lee's Legion of Maryland Corps in the Revolutionary War.
        He was in Georgia as early as 1793 in Washington Count
        Richard and Ann are buried on their homestead near West Point, Georgia. There were markers on the gravesite at one time. There is a memorial marker to Richard and Ann Bassett at the Hillview Cemetery at La Grange, Georgia, placed there by Winnie Robinson, a relative. It says "Richard Bassett, Sr., Lee's Legion, Revolutionary War 1760-1840, wife, Ann 1770-1841".
        The following is from Winnie Bassett Robinson, written about 1965."In the Act of December 21, 1830, setting up the Sixth Cherlokee Land Lottery, called "The Gold Lottery", Richard Bassett Sr. is found having drawn one of these lots in Cherokee County in this drawing which was held in 1832. The Law provided that before a land grant was granted the fortunate drawer had to live on the property for three years, otherwise the land grant would revert to the State. This grant reverted to the State. Richard Bassett, while living in Washington County, Georgia, had two draws in the 1805 Lottery and drew Land Lot 197 Dist. 24, Sec. W (Bleckley or Pulaski) which was granted Dec. 1, 1807. Bleckley or Pulaski was originally Wilkinson County, (adjoinging Washington County), and original County Formed in 1803, then Laurens 1807, then Pulaski in 1808, then Bleckley in 1812. In the 1820 Lottery, Richard Bassett living in Harris District of Morgan County, drew Lot 98 District 13, Habersham. The lot reverted to the State, although he was paying taxes on this lot in 1822
        From Georgia Military Affairs, Vol. 1, page 3, 1793-1800. Hays.  "A muster Roll with an Inspection of Horses, Arms, and Accouterments of a detachmend of Militia Cavalry of the first Regiment Washington County in the service of the United States Commanded by Captain Hugh Irwin stationed at Aaron Tices near the Oconee River 1793. No. 19 Richard Bassett, Gentleman of Arms.
        In review of the 1830 & 1840 census of Harris County, Georgia, it still notes a male living with Richard. Since no other record of Nathan appears after his marriage in 1823, this may be Nathan still living with parents.

1790 Federal Census of Cecil County, Maryland
Richard Bassett     1-1-1  

1830 Federal Census of Harris County, Georgia
Richard Bassett         000010001-000000001  1100-0100    Total 6  
Richard Bassit          000010000-200010000               Total 4

1840 Federal Census of Slaughter District, Harris County, Georgia
R. Bassett            00001000001-0000000001 2200-1010    Total 9  
R. Bassit             12100010000-1010010000              Total 8  


      THE WILL OF RICHARD BASSETT, SR.

        I, Richard Bassett, Sr. of Harris Co. and State of Ga. do make and constitute this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say; 1st it is my will and desire that all my just debts be paid. 2nd - It is my will and desire that my beloved wife Ann should have all my estate and for the love and affection which I bear her, I give all of my estate of every description to have and to hold for and during her lifetime and after her decease I wish all my estate disposed of in the following manner: 3rd - I give to my son Kilby Bassett my negro boy Romulus. 4th - I give to my son Nathan Bassett one tract of land containing 160 A being the same more or less lying and being in the county of Tallapoosa and state of Ala. which land I purchased of Henry Williamson and whose bond I now hold for titles. I also give him one horse with fifty dollars. 5th - I give to my son Richard Bassett my negro boy Esquire. 6th - I give to my daughter Sarah Morris my negro woman Milley, her child Liddy together with all her future increase. 7th - I give to my granddaughter Polly Bassett Morris my negro girl Rine. 8th - I give to my granddaughter Eliza Morris my wife's bed and furniture. 9th - It is my will and desire that after the death of my wife Ann, all my stock of every kind, all my household and kitchen furniture and plantation tools be sold together with the tract of land I now live on of Harris Co. and the proceeds thereof equally divided amongst my five children or their lawful issue to wit: My daughters Ann Coker, Elizabeth Wall, Polly Meirs, and my sons Ezekiel Bassett and John Bassett. 10th - and lastly, I constitute and appoint my son Kilby Bassett and my son-in-law Spencer Morris my executors to carry into effect this my last will and testament given under my hand and seal this 14th day of June in the year of our Lord 1838. Signed in presence of Thomas Winston, R.F. Erwin, and John Jackso
                                              (Signed) Richard Bassett

Codicil to this my last will and testament. It is my will and desire and I wish it to be distinctly understood that the negro woman and her child Liddy and all her increase which I have willed to my daughter Sarah Morris is to be considered exclusively her property as long as she may live and then to be equally divided amongst all her children and no other person or persons whatsover. Given under my hand the 11th of Sept. 1840.

                                               (Signed) Richard Bassett
Test: Thomas Winston, Benj. E. Pertain