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- Evening News, August 6, 1921
53-Year Old Agreement Gives Him $15,000 Farm
MUSKEGON, Aug. 6 ? The Michigan Supreme Court has sustained a decision of Judge Barton, of Newaygo County, upholding a verbal agreement made 53 years ago between Judson Bassett, then 7 years old, and his cousin, Amanda Carpenter. By the decision, Bassett is given a farm valued at $15,000 in Newaygo county.
Mrs. Carpenter visited Bassett?s father in Minnesota, 53 years ago, and made an agreement that she was to care for the boy and treat him as her own son. Mrs. Carpenter left all her property to the American Baptist Association of Philadelphia, and Mr. Bassett sued to enforce the contract.
The Octogenarian Club
Judson Bassett
One of the few living pioneers of Dayton township is Judson Bassett who celebrated his 80th birthday Friday, August 9, at his farm home four miles west and a mile north of this city. He came to Dayton township in the spring of 1868.
Mr. Bassett was born at Madison, Minnesota, August 9, 1860, and was the son of Edward and Jane E. Bassett. His mother died shortly after his birth. When Judson was about five years of age, his cousins, Romanda Carpenter, came from Newaygo county to Madison to teach school and to keep house for her uncle?s motherless family. After remaining there about three and one-half years, Romanda decided to return to Newaygo county but had become so attached to little Judson that she asked the boy?s father if she might take him with her. The father objected at first but after much persuasion he finally consented.
Judson lived with Romanda here on the farm that belonged to her father, John R. Carpenter, who was Judson?s uncle. Mr. Carpenter came to Dayton township in 1860, settling on the 160 acres in section 31. He rece3ived the tract as his payment for services during the Mexican War. Judson remained on the Carpenter farm, of which he is now the owner, until he was 13 years of age and then resided with Alfred Amos for a time. A few years later he hired out by the season at the wage of $15 for the entire period.
Mr. Bassett was married on April 15, 1882, to Ida F. Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Josiah B. Smith, who also were pioneers of the community. The couple lived near Hesperia for a short time and at Walkerville for about eight years and then returned to the Carpenter homestead. Mr. Bassett became owner of the homestead after the death of his cousins, Romanda, in 1910. Mrs. Bassett died April 25, 1934.
Mr. Bassett?s daughter-in-law, Mrs. Albert E. Bassett, has recorded the family?s history back to Nehamiah Bassett, who came to New York City from France in the late eighteenth century, on the sailing ship, ?Fortune>? At tat time the family name ended with a single ?t? with the accent on the last syllable. This man was Judson?s grandfather.
Mr. Bassett has taken much pride in telling of this grandfather?s life for Nehamiah was the copper smith who died the rivetting on Robert Fulton?s first successful steamboat, the ?Clermont,? in 1807. He was 25 years of age at that time.
At present Mr. Bassett?s son, Albert, and his family are living with him on the old homestead for Mr. Bassett is now confined to his bed most of the time. The house in which the family lives is about 70 years of age and stands on the site of the log cabin which John Carpenter built when he purchased the place.
Mr. Bassett has three children living. They are Albert, at home; Mr. Florence E. Graham of Nashville, Michigan; and Ray E. Bassett of Atehns, Texas. A daughter,, Mrs. Lucy Deakins, died about a year ago. There are five grandchildren, and one brother, Edson Bassett, in the state of Washington.
Fremont Times Independent, August 17, 1944
Judson Bassett, 84, Passes August 9 In Dayton Township
Deceased Had Resided On Farm There For Almost Seventy Years
Judson Bassett, 84 years old, passed away last week Wednesday morning at his home in Dayton township where he had resided for almost 70 years. A native of Minnesota, he came to Michigan with his cousin, Romanda S. Carpenter, at the age of seven.
Mr. Bassett was born August 9, 1860, in Madison, Minn., the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edson Bassett. He came to Dayton township and was raised to manhood on the farm where he died. On April 15, 1882, he married Miss Ida Frances Smith. Mrs. Bassett passed away on April 25, 1935.
He was a member of the First Day Adventist church.
Mr. Bassett recently returned from Texas where he spent the past eight months.
Surviving are two sons, Albert Edward of Dayton township and Ray Eastman of Fort Worth, Texas; a daughter, Florence Estella of Nashville, seven grandchildren and several nephews and nieces in Minnesota. Another daughter, Lucy Elbra, passed away on March 8, 1946.
The funeral services were held Saturday afternoon from the Crandell & Ensing Funeral Home. Rev. W. M. Rogers, pastor of the Church of Christ, officiated. Interment was in Tyndall cemetery.
1870 Federal Census of Dayton, Newaygo County, Michigan (2 Sep 1870)
Judson Bassett 10 M ??????
Living with John R. Carpenter and family
1900 Federal Census of Victor, Clinton County, Michigan (18 Jun 1900)
Judson Bassett 39 Aug 1860 M MN NY VT Head Farmer
Ida F. 39 Sep 1860 F CN CN CN Wife
Lucy E. 17 Feb 1883 F MI MN CN Daughter
Albert E. 16 Feb 1884 M MI MN CN Son
Estella E. 10 Apr 1890 F MI MN CN Daughter
Roy E. 3 May 1897 M MI MN CN Son
(Married 18 years, 4 children, 4 living)
1920 Federal Census of Dayton, Newaygo County, MI (25 Feb 1920)
Judson Bassett 59 M NY VT VT Head Farmer Gen Farm
Ida F. 59 F CN CN CN Wife
Albert 35 M MI MN CN Son Farmer Home Farm
Ray E. 22 M MI MN CN Son Farmer Home Farm
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Bassett Family Association Database
1860 - 1944 (83 years)