Richard Bassett ( politician ) Richard Bassett ( April 17 , 1745 — August 15 , 1815 ) was an American lawyer and political figure from the state of Delaware who , as a veteran of the Revolutionary War and delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 , is considered one of the Founding Fathers of the United States . A member of the Federalist Party , he served in the Delaware General Assembly , as Governor of Delaware , and as U . S . Senator from Delaware . He holds the Senate Rank of 1 , as the most senior United States Senator during the First Congress of the United States . Early life and family . Bassett was born at Bohemia Ferry in the Province of Maryland ' s Cecil County . His mother , Judith Thompson , had married part - time tavern - owner and farmer Michael Bassett who deserted the family during Richard ' s childhood . Since Judith Thompson was the great granddaughter and heiress of Augustine Herrman , the original owner of Cecil County ' s massive estate of Bohemia Manor , her family raised young Richard . Eventually this heritage provided him with inherited wealth , including the Bohemia Manor plantation as well as much other property in Delaware ' s New Castle County . Bassett studied law under Judge Robert Goldsborough of Province of Maryland ' s Dorchester County and , in 1770 , was admitted to the Bar . He moved to Delaware and began a practice in Kent County ' s court town of Dover , which , in 1777 , became the newly independent state ' s capital city . By concentrating on agricultural pursuits as well as religious and charitable concerns , he quickly established himself amongst the local gentry and “ developed a reputation for hospitality and philanthropy . ” In 1774 , at the age of 29 , Richard married Ann Ennals and they had three children , Richard Ennals , Ann ( known as Nancy ) and Mary . After Ann Ennals ' death he married Betsy Garnett in 1796 . They were active members of the Methodist Church , and gave the church much of their time and attention . Professional and political career . Bassett was a reluctant revolutionary , more closely in tune with the approach of George Read than with his neighbors from Kent County , Caesar Rodney and John Haslet . Nevertheless , in 1774 he was elected to the local Boston Relief Committee . When the new government of Delaware was organized , Bassett served on the 1776 Delaware Council of Safety , and was a member of the convention responsible for drafting the Delaware Constitution of 1776 , which was adopted September 20 , 1776 . He was then one of the conservatives elected to 1st Delaware General Assembly , and served for four sessions , from 1776 / 77 through 1779 / 80 . Subsequently , he was a member of the House of Assembly for the 1780 / 81 and 1781 / 82 sessions , and returned to the Legislative Council , for three sessions from 1782 / 83 through 1784 / 85 . He concluded his state legislative career with a final term in the House of Assembly during the 1786 / 87 session . He thereby represented Kent County in all but one session of the Delaware General Assembly from independence to the adoption of the U . S . Constitution of 1787 . However , Bassett ’ s most notable contributions during the American Revolution were his efforts to mobilize the state ’ s military . Some sources credit him with developing the plans for raising and staffing the 1st Delaware Regiment , with his neighbor , John Haslet at its command . Known as the " Delaware Continentals " or " Delaware Blues " , they were from the smallest state , but at some 800 men , were the largest battalion in the Continental Army . In " 1776 " , historian David McCullough describes them as " turned out in handsome red trimmed blue coats , white waistcoats , buckskin breeches , white woolen stockings , and carrying fine , ' lately imported ' English muskets " . Raised in early 1776 , they went into service in July and August 1776 . Bassett also participated in the recruitment of the reserve militia that served in the “ Flying Camp ” of 1776 , and the Dover Light Infantry , led by another neighbor , Thomas Rodney . When the British Army marched through northern New Castle County , on the way to the Battle of Brandywine and the capture of Philadelphia , Bassett “ appears to have joined his friend Rodney in the field as a volunteer ” . Once the Delaware militia returned home after the British retired from the area , Bassett continued as a part - time soldier , assuming command of the Dover Light Horse , Kent County ' s militia cavalry unit . in 1799 Bassett was elected governor of Delaware and held his position until 1801 . Later issues and Methodism . Bassett was one of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention and , without supplying much input , signed the Constitution . Meanwhile , the Delaware Constitution of 1776 was in need of revision , and Bassett once again joined with another of Delaware ' s Founding Fathers , John Dickinson in leading the convention to draft a revision , which became the Delaware Constitution of 1792 . Upon his retirement from the United States Senate in 1793 , Bassett began a six - year term as the first Chief Justice of the Delaware Court of Common Pleas . At the time it was a court of general civil jurisdiction and the predecessor of the present Delaware Superior Court . By this time Bassett was formally a member of the Federalist Party , and as such was elected Governor of Delaware in 1799 . It was during his time in office that Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours first came to Delaware to begin his gunpowder business . However , it was also during his term that Thomas Jefferson was elected President of the United States , causing great concern for the future of the country among the Federalists . The retiring President John Adams , rushed the Judiciary Act of 1801 through the Federalist 6th Congress , creating a number of new judgeships on the United States circuit courts . Being a staunch Federalist and old political ally , Adams , on his last day in office , February 18 , 1801 , appointed Bassett , as part of the so - called " midnight judge " appointments , to one of the positions , judge of the Third Circuit . He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 20 , 1801 , and received his commission the same day . But the legislation was repealed by the new Jeffersonian 7th Congress , and his tenure ended quickly on July 1 , 1802 . He never again held public office . ! colspan = 12 style = " background : # ccccff ; " | Delaware General Assembly < br > ! Year ! Assembly ! Senate Majority ! Speaker ! House Majority ! Speaker In addition to his high profile in government , Bassett was a devout and energetic convert to Methodism . Having met Francis Asbury in 1778 at the home of their mutual friend , Judge Thomas White , Bassett soon had a conversion experience , and for the remainder of his life devoted much of his attention and wealth to the promotion of Methodism . He and Asbury remained lifelong friends . This association caused him to become linked in many people ’ s minds to the loyalists , as both White and Asbury were viewed to be opposed to the war . But it also led to a strong abolitionist belief , which led him to free his own slaves and advocate the emancipation of others . Death and legacy . Bassett died at Bohemia Manor and was first buried there . In 1865 his remains were moved to a Bassett and Bayard mausoleum in the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery in Delaware ' s largest city , Wilmington . Bassett was a stout man of medium build . He was very fashionable and influential in society . At the Constitutional Convention of 1787 he was described as " gentlemanly , a religious enthusiast and a man of plain sense " with " modesty enough to hold his tongue " . Bassett ’ s daughter , Anne married James A . Bayard , a U . S . Representative and U . S . Senator , and they were the ancestors of the branch of the Bayard family that has played a prominent role in Delaware politics ever since . His niece and adopted daughter , Rachel McCleary , married Governor Joshua Clayton of yet another family long prominent in Delaware politics . Bassett Street in Wisconsin ' s capital , Madison , is named in his honor . Almanac . Elections were held October 1 and members of the General Assembly took office on October 20 or the following weekday . State Legislative Councilmen had a three - year term and State Assemblymen had a one - year term . The General Assembly chose the U . S . Senators , who took office March 4 for a six - year term . However , Bassett ' s term was only four years to establish a rotation . Beginning in 1792 elections were held the first Tuesday of October . The State President became the Governor and was popularly elected . He takes office the third Tuesday in January and had a three - year term . Judges of the Courts of Common Pleas were also selected by the General Assembly for the life of the person appointed . U . S . Circuit Court Judges were appointed by the President and approved by the U . S . Senate . ! colspan = 7 style = " background : # ccccff ; " | Public Offices ! Office ! Type ! Location ! Began office ! Ended office ! notes ! colspan = 7 style = " background : # ccccff ; " | Delaware General Assembly service ! Dates ! Assembly ! Chamber ! Majority ! Governor ! Committees ! District ! colspan = 7 style = " background : # ccccff ; " | United States Congressional service ! Dates ! Congress ! Chamber ! Majority ! President ! Committees ! Class / District ! colspan = 12 style = " background : # ccccff ; " | Election results ! Year ! Office ! Subject ! Party ! Votes ! ! Opponent ! Party ! Votes < br >