Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1878-09-28
In Memoriann.

Died. on Sunday, the 25th Of August, at us
residence Clover Lea, IN HanOvt" cnrutv, Va
GEORGE WASHINGTON BASSETT, Sr, in
the scventy-uinth year Of bis age.
Without iudulging in the language Of labored
eulogv. il is an honored custom 90 pay becoming
tribute to the memory OF q venerable and esteem
ed friend Who represented many OF the ties and
traditions of the past
Icngsn active snd useful member Of the church
OF hisaucestorS when he remains OF our lsmentcd
friend were laid in the chul ch vard near his
residence the church. crowded with sorrowing
friends OF all classes, testified 20 The griet OF
Who'll, community in paving tae last tribute OF
their affection o. the memory of their beloved anu
houored friend whilst the galleries were crowded
with his old plantation servants. bearing teSumo-
nv. with their sad faces and fearful eyes, 60 the
charitable aud humane Christian qualities, the
rcnerou, hospitality, the friendly consideration
uf " Old Master" for friends ucishbors, aud
dependents.
I'VE refer to the distinguished ancestry Of oer
friend net as amatter OF eulogy for the dnli,
cold cal of death can only be soothed by the un-
alitriug iai,h and trust which b. had from early
mauhood-but as part of the history OF the
Stat, and of It's carly traditions.
The first ancestor Of Mr.. Bassctt was rovalist
refugee from Eng land, who lctta'tcr th" execution
OF Charles l., aud patented large tracts OF lanu
on pauuukcy river I'M 1912
Another was a member of the Colonial Council
az Williamsburg, commissioned by Queen Anne.
and another was a member of the Convention OF
I7SS. which ratified the Federal Constitution.
Nr. Bas>cu was married 90 his wife, Betty
Lewis. daughter OF Captain Robert Lewis, ncph.
CIV and private secretary OF Gc0crll Washington.
in FEEDER, ksburg. Va, on the lst of August,
1926. thew having resided for IN, past thirty-lve
wears 40 their seat in Hanover county, and
celebrated their golden wedding in the centennial
year.
Among,, the English ancestry Of Mr.. Basscit,
ne will note thns. most distinguished IN history I:
First Osmuud Bassctt. the Norman, whose name
As "a favored follower of William the Conqueror,
appears on the roll OF Bat,!c Abby alter tie
bate OF Hastings.
second Irtd Ralph Basset;. Chief Justice Of
England mn the reign ot Henry u.
ON tL. mattel ua. side We ind Isl. Sir Anthony
Brown EisCouut Nuutacutc. standard bearer 10
Henry VII 40 the battle of Bo,worth. who -four
ishcd 40 three corcuauons. and for his dSune ush-
cd services was permitted % wear hjS helmet cap
10 The presence of th- King. 2d. John Churchill,
Duke OF Marlborough. whose direct descendant.
Elizabeth Churchill. married thc Hun. VIM Bas-
sctt OF tlthlln. great grand athrr of Mr. Bass,tt.
rd Guhe,t Bu,u,t, Bishop of Salisbury. the
celebrated prcht.. politician. and author the
c,lthI entail friend lt William ol OrdugrI. whose
graudllu.lt.r, Mary Burnett daughter Of WIN.
Bu.uot. Governor Cd. New We k an Massachusetts,,
married Nm Browne, descendant of Sir lhomas
Browne. brother OF Sir Arthony-this Mary
Buru.t being the grcatgrsnemcth- OF both M.
and Mrs Gas,ct', Who were cousins.
George Washington Bisseu was grandson Of
Anna Maria cambridge, sister of Ms. Martha
Washington. She married Col. Bassett, Of
Ethan. member Of the Convention Of l5SS.
The subject of ibis sketch ives born in $500,
when Lady Washington was in deep affection for
the loss OF her distinguished husband, and she
requested her nephew 20 call his iniant son George
Washington. Her name appears IN TIE 'amily
bible as sponsor az bis baptism.
Mrs. Ba>Sett is a great-nece OF General Wash
;nston. being the granddaughter of his My SIS
ter. Betty, who married Col Fielding Lewis, OF
Warner HALL. Glorchester county.
The English Bass,tts are known by title az
chords q. Dunsuuville.'
In the blending Of tie Bassctt, Brown and
Burnct families the number "three' Is singularly
repeatsd-as. tor instance, in the coat-ofarmi.
The Bassett coat-otarms, three bars wavy,'
tBurk's Heradry,) with the motto " Pro reg ct
populo.' The Browne coat ctarms is three
rpread eagles" aud the Brrnet coatol-arms
"three holly leaves in a hunting horn
Its fitting to add Of an earnest Christian life
"tAat the beauty Of his simple faith was a better
gift than Norman blood.
Mrs Ella B. Washington of this town, and
widow of the late Col Lewis W. Washington, is
a daughter Of Col. George Washington Bassett,
ST., whose death is above anuounced.-Eds. F. p.