HOUSTON COUNTY, GA - BIOS Bassett Family Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Sue Bassett Folawn F122775@aol.com Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/houston.htm Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm The Bassett Family of Houston County by Sue Bassett Folawn Stephen Bassett, son of William Bassett and his wife Mary Phillips, was born in Cumberland Co. NC in 1788, and grew up in that area. He married Jane Morris, daughter of Elisha and Rachel Morris, in Barnwell, SC in 1815. Along with many thousands of others, especially settlers from the Carolinas, they arrived in Georgia with the hopes of the land and a new life, offered by the Georgia Land Lotteries. Family tradition says that the young family settled first near old Ft. Hawkins, close to Macon, when that part of the state was still on the frontier and the Cherokee Indians were still inhabiting the area. By the 1820 Census, they had moved to Jones Co., near Clinton. In 1828, Stephen purchased 202 1/2 acres from Alexander B. Kennedy for Lot 33, District 5 of Houston Co. for $250.(1) This was land originally drawn by Mr. Kennedy in the 1821 Georgia Land Lottery. The property was approximately a mile and a half southeast of Byron, Ga. This is where the Bassetts settled permanently. There would be years of hard work ahead, but people who managed to obtain the land offered in the Lotteries, considered themselves fortunate, indeed. The land in Houston County was rich. It was also forested and needed to be cleared and fenced in order to plant crops and orchards. At this point, roads were few and primitive. Railroads would not arrive in the area until the 1840's. Their church, believed to have been the Shiloh Methodist Church, near their farm, was undoubtedly the mainstay of both their spiritual and social lives. Notations in the Bassett Bible list the dates that each of the Bassett sons and daughters joined the Church, indicating its great importance to them. Stephen and Jane farmed, raised their family of 5 children and lived long and productive lives, accumulating a considerable amount of land in the process. The Civil War brought great personal tragedy to the family with the loss of 3 grandsons in service; Stephen and Will Clark (sons of daughter Mary) and Walter Pattishall, (daughter Harriet's son) as well as the death of a son-in-law, Wiley Clark, (Mary's husband). Two of their young Melvin grandchildren (children of daughter, Georgia) also died of illness during this time. (1863) Stephen Bassett died in 1867 (age 78) and Jane in 1870 (age 71). Family tradition says that they are buried in the Shiloh Methodist Churchyard near Byron, GA. While there are no markers for them in evidence, there are estimated to be as many as 150 unmarked graves within the cemetery. They were married for 52 years. **************************************************************************** ** The will of Stephen Bassett; Book B, Pages 201 & 202, Minute Book pg. 415 Houston Co. GA. "In the name of God, Amen. I, Stephen Bassett, of the State of Georgia and County of Houston, being of sound mind and perfect memory, taking into consideration the frailty of human nature and knowing it is appointed unto man once to die & and being of advanced age and knowing by the course of nature I must soon depart this life I wish to dispose of by will of what earthly property it has pleased God to bless me within this world to make, ordain, promulgate and establish this my will and testament. 1st My soul I commit to God who gave it and my body to the earth, hoping my friends will give it a decent burial. 2nd My debts I wish paid with the least possible delay by my executors as I do not wish that my condition should be kept from their dues when there is no occasion for delay. 3rd I give my whole estate, real and personal, to my beloved wife Jane Bassett during her natural life or widowhood and until her death or marriage the property that I herein give my said wife is to be used by her and kept together for her support and maintenance, and at her death or marriage I give devise and bequeath to my two sons, William F. Bassett and Stephen E. Bassett, one half of my whole estate, real and personal, to be equally divided between them, and to my three daughters, Mary A. A. Clark, Harriet J. A. Pattishall and Georgia A. Melvin, I give, devise and bequeath the other half of my whole estate, real and personal, to be equally divided between them. 4th And it is my further will and desire that the property herein given to my daughters above named shall vest in each of them as a separate estate, free from the debts, contracts and liabilities of any husband or husbands that either of them may ever marry. 5th I herein nominate and appoint my two sons, William F. Bassett and Stephen E. Bassett, Executors of this, my last will and testament, in witness whereof, I have herein set my hand and seal February 7th, 1867. Witnesses; D. F. Gunn F. M. Trell (Probated Sept. 1867) M. H. Thomson Mary Bassett Clark was the firstborn child of Stephen and Jane Bassett. Born in North Carolina, she would have been an infant when they arrived in Georgia in 1820 and was 11 when her parents settled in Houston Co., near Byron. She grew up with her 4 siblings (William, Harriet, Stephen Elisha and Georgia) and married Wiley Clark in 1836. They were the parents of 9 children. More than most, we can look at the old records of Mary's life and marvel at the story they tell and the history this family lived through. Following the death of her husband of over 25 years during the Civil War, she homesteaded the Clark farm near Powersville and raised her 3 remaining children there (Victoria, Sarah and Drew), with 2 of her older boys living nearby. She did not remarry.. She outlived all but one of her siblings and died in Monroe Co. in 1905 at age 85. Mary's obituary reads; "Mrs. Mary A. Clark, daughter of the late Stephen and Jane Bassett was born Oct. 15, 1819 and died in Monroe Co. Ga. on June 23, 1905. She was buried at Shiloh Methodist Churchyard, Houston Co. Ga. She married Mr. Wiley Clark. She had 2 sons to die in the War (1). Her husband joined the State Troups and was taken sick and sent home. When he reached Powersville, Ga. his daughter (2) had died that day. In a few days, he passed away also. She leaves 2 sons and 1 daughter, Mrs. V.A. (3) Maynard of Forsyth, Ga., Rev. J.F. Clark of Texas, and Mr. D.E. Clark of Monroe Co. Ga." From "Monroe Co. GA. Published Obituaries" Washington Library, Macon, GA (1) Will and Stephen (2) Mary (3) Mrs. Elisha Thomas Maynard William F. Bassett was born near Macon, the first born son of Stephen and Jane Bassett, but came to the Byron area as a small child. He married Sarah Ann Walker in July of 1847. William served with the Georgia 20th Infantry, Co. A, during the Civil War. This family lived in the Powersville area throughout their lives and were large landowners. He was a County Officer in 1866 (Tax Receiver) Will of William F. Bassett Will Book B-280-281 Mar. 12, 1875 Filed: July 24, 1875 To wife Sarah A. Bassett, my entire estate.... Following her death; 2 daughters: Angelina H. Bassett and Mary Ann Bassett, my homeplace consisting of about 700 acres formed by lots: 5/33 (original Stephen Bassett lot in Houston Co.), 5/34, 5/19, half of 5/20 2 sons: Stephen M. Bassett and William F. Bassett, Jr., my Everett Lands, about 600 acres consisting of 9/240, portion of 9/239, 6/226, 6/255, portion of 6/256 Executors: Wife Sarah A. Bassett and brother Stephen E. Bassett William and his wife Sarah are both buried in Shiloh Churchyard. Byron, GA. as are all four of their children Harriet Bassett Pattishall was the 3rd child of Stephen and Jane Bassett, born in 1830 near Byron, GA. She married Jackson C. Pattishall of Houston Co. in 1844. Harriet and her husband Jack, had 13 children, 7 surviving to adulthood. Below is the text of a letter, written by Harriet to her sister Mary Bassett Clark during the Civil War; (There are early Houston County records referring to the Buzzard's Roost Ferry on the Ocmulgee River in the 11th land district of the county. It was near the present day town of Kathleen, Ga.) Harriet and Jackson Pattishall are buried at Shiloh Churchyard in Byron. At home August 9th, 1863 Mrs. Mary A. A. Clark My dear sister, I received your kind letter this morning. I was more than glad to hear from you all. This leaves me with a sick family. Jack and Lish and Eugenia all have the fever and has been down a week today. Jack is very weak for he liked to of died. I have been sick myself. It was caused from fatigue and wanting to sleep. I hope this may reach you all well and doing well. Dear sister, trouble is common over here, more so among the common people than the rich. The rich is as high minded as ever and is dodging the war and the troubles of it. Dear, it seems like everything in the way of trouble is come on me at once. It seems insupportable and no friend near to relate my troubles to nor to sympathize with me. It seems like I had rather die than live if it was not for my helpless little children that would suffer for my attention. I have not heard from my husband and my son in nearly 3 weeks. I can't tell why they don't write to me I am in a distressed condition with my sick family and not well myself. This is a very sickly place. I want to get away from here bad. Tell Daniel (Mary's son) to get off at buzzard roost station. We live two miles from the station. Inquire for the widow Bryans place or for where we live either. Rebecca Bryans. Jack will meet him if he knew what day he would come. Tell him to come soon. I want you to come with him if you can. If you can Mary. The children all want to see Aunt Mary. I dreamed of you last night. I must close so nothing more from your loving and affectionate sister this time. Harriet J Pattishall * Stephen Elisha Bassett Stephen Elisha Bassett was born near Byron, GA. in 1833 and grew up as the second from the youngest child of Stephen and Jane Bassett. According to the old Bassett Bible pages, he joined the church as a young man of 18, and was a practicing Christian for the rest of his life, devoting much of it to spreading God's word. He married Frances Hicks (daughter of Elijah H. Hicks and Martha Fudge), on Feb. 18, 1855 in her father's home in Crawford County. (3) He was 22. She was 20. Early in their marriage, the couple settled near Fort Valley on the Hardison Place, north of town on Taylor's Mill Road. In 1865, he purchased the property and built the "Bassett homeplace" (also on Taylor's Mill Road), known for many years now as Pineola. Here they raised their family and spent many years. The Bassett homeplace remained in the family for over 100 years, occupied by sons and grandsons and their families. Stephen Elisha and Frances were married for nearly 35 years and were the parents of 9 children, 7 of whom lived to adulthood, Gus, Walter, Stephen, Elisha "Lish", Charlie, Sidney and Fannie. His pet name for her was "Puss" (1) In his early years, the Rev. S. E. Bassett (as Stephen Elisha was listed in later records) was a Methodist minister and Circuit Rider, traveling and preaching, performing marriages and burying the departed, around the surrounding counties. These ministers were known as "Saddlebag Saints" for their efforts at carrying the Word on horseback. (2) Stephen Elisha also farmed and was a highly successful businessman. He ginned the cotton of his neighbors, sold cotton gins, and acquired extensive property in both Georgia and Alabama. He was also one of the incorporators of the Dow Land Bank of Fort Valley as well as one of the founders of the Fort Valley College, the first college for blacks in the state. In a disagreement with the Methodist church in 1882, he was granted a letter of removal (a form of resignation). He thereafter donated the land for and built and established his own church, the Congregational Methodist Church on Persons Street in Fort Valley. He preached there for 12 years.(2) He also organized the Crawford County Wesleyan Congregational Church. At the time of his death in 1897, he was superintendent of the Congregational churches of Alabama for the Congregational Home Missionary Society. In 1884, the Bassett homeplace was being managed by a Mr. Lonie Taylor (3), which sounds as if Stephen Elisha and Frances may have moved to town when he built the new church. This is also the year that his son, Stephen Hicks Bassett, purchased the homeplace from his father and his own family moved there. He would seem to have been a many faceted man; a farmer with very large holdings, a successful businessman, and a man dedicated to his religious calling for all of his adult life, paradoxical, but much admired. Following the death of Frances in 1889, he married "Miss Tommie" Young, who had been the governess for his daughter Fannie. When he died, in 1897, his funeral service was preached by the Rev. S.E. McDaniel on the words; "I have fought a good fight, I have kept the faith, I have finished the course. Servant of God well done, Rest in thy loved employ." (4) Stephen Elisha is buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, Ft. Valley, with a wife on either side. Source notes; (1)Diary/ledger of S.E, Bassett 1868 and 1872 (found at Pinelola-2000) (2) Information from "Methodist Church 1847-1905". Thomas Public Library, Fort Valley (3) "Near-by Orchards, farms and farmers. Business Directory of Fort Valley and Many Other Items", page 17, printed in 1884, speaks of the farm's "splendid orchards". (Found in the Fort Valley Library, reported by Paul and Delise Knight) (4) Bassett Bible (Pineola) GEORGIA ANN BASSETT MELVIN (1835-1915) Below is a letter written by Georgia Bassett to her cousin in South Carolina. April 9th 1863 Mrs Martha L Hatcher My Dear Old Friend I seat myself this evening to write you a few lines to inform you that I am yet in the land of the living and although some years have elapsed since I have seen you I assure you you are not forgotten by me. This leaves me in very good health and I trust you enjoying the like blessing. Brother Elishas wife received a letter from you last year which was intended for us both. I recon you thought I did not intend to reply ***obscured by scotch tape***I think you will only wonder ***obscured by scotch tape*** with a kind loving husband who always treated me very kind and was all to me that I could ask or wish we live in peace and pleasure without any thing to mar our happiness eight years to a day. I can look back upon my past life I never knew what trouble was until the 14th of last July he joined the Southern Rights Artillery oh what a sad day it was to me when I looked after him perhaps for the last time. I never shall be able to express the feelings I ***** not more than two minutes after he was gone. I thought if the whole world was at my command I would give it all just only to have him with me again but that pleasure was denied me and I have never seen him since nor did my troubles end here. I had two lovely children the oldest was nearly three years old her name was Anna Valetta the baby was nearly 3 months old her name was Georgia Melissa. I never saw more promising children in my life. They both and especially Anna was a favorite with everyone that saw them. But alas their time on earth was short the destroying Angel entered my sweet little home and took my sweet little children from me. Georgia died just nine days before Anna both scarlet fever in the worst form. I never saw anything suffer like they did in my life. Georgia was not able to make any noise at all in about ten days before she died. She lived fourteen days after she was taken and Anna live twenty three days after she was taken. Oh how desolate is my once sweet little home striped of all that was lovely and pleasant in my eyes. No one but God and myself know what trouble deep I waded through in the past ten months. I was first taken sick in ****scotch tape**** bed a week to both my little darlings was took sick ***scotch tape*** to get off my bed to wait on them **** a good nights rest in thirty nights. It only seems a wonder that I was spaired. I have now only one consolation left and that is I know the Lord does all things well. I cannot see now why he should thus afflict me but I know it is all right for God cannot err. I have the blessed consolation of knowing my little darlings is in Heaven free from the cares, troubles and snaresof this world and by the grace of God I intend to meet them where parting will be no more. I am blessed with a Christian husband if he should be spaired to me I will try and be content with my lot but the dreadful thought of losing him nearly distracts me. Dear Martha I recon you are tired of my tale of woe. I recon you scarcely recognize the once light hearted Georgia Bassett in these lines. I would be very glad to see you and have a long talk with you. Close for the present hopeing to hear from you very soon. Your truly devoted friend Georgia A Melvin [Written upside down in the upper margin of the 2nd page]: Direct your letters to Fort Valley Ga please write to me soon Mrs Georgia A Melvin Fort Valley Ga (Georgia's husband, Wiley Melvin, did return from the War, and they went on to live full lives and have 2 more children (William and Wiley). They lived in Fort Valley throughout their lives and are both buried in Oaklawn Cemetery.)