1801-1889 - Hutt Valley Biographical Index and Genealogies (HBIG)

Hutt Valley Biographical Index and Genealogies website www.hbig.gen.nz
William BASSETT (1801-1889)
Obituary Evening Post 28 January 1889
An old settler named William Bassett, a native of Devonshire, and 88 years of age, breathed his last at 7 o’clock yesterday morning, his
constitution having completely broken up. The deceased had been a strong and energetic man, and in the early days of the colony he
achieved some prowess as a wrestler. He arrived in the colony in 1840, in, it is believed, the ‘Duke of Roxburgh’ (one of the first six ships
which landed passengers on the Petone beach), and during the whole of his time has resided in the Wellington Provincial District. He was a
bootmaker by trade, but had not followed his vocation for years, having by dint of thrift and business tact acquired sufficient property to live
on. He was twice married, his two sons and six daughters (all of whom are married and settled in various parts of the colony) being the
issue of the first marriage. The deceased is well-known throughout the district to both Europeans and natives, and very much respected.
Being a Maori linguist, he interpreted for one of the early Governors on several occasions.
Wellington Independent 9 Nov 1867
Lower Hutt, Wednesday, November 6. William Bassett was charged with maliciously injuring the property of Henry Percy. After hearing the
evidence, the Magistrate dismissed the case, with costs.
Evening Post 30 Nov 1868 Marriage
On the 29 th inst., George Chisholm Chignell, of Wellington, to Mary, third daughter of William Bassett, Hutt Road, Wellington.
Evening Post 06 Nov 1871
We regret to hear of the disappearance of two brothers of the name of Judd under circumstances which leave little doubt of their being
drowned. It appears that on Thursday morning last they left their homes at Waiwetu on a fishing excursion, and have not since been heard
of. It is supposed that the boat they went in upset, and the men were drowned, as two oars and a sprit-sail, identified as belonging to the
boat, have been found near the Lighthouse. On Saturday Constable Butler, of the Hutt, organized two volunteer search parties, some of
whom were on horseback, to search the beach, on the one side to the Lighthouse, and the other to the mouth of the Hutt River. Up to the
time of our going to press, no traces of the men have been found. They were both married a short time ago, to two sisters, the daughters of
Mr Bassett, of Petoni.
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Wellington Independent 06 Nov 1871 Supposed Fatal Accident – Two men missing
There is reason to fear that the gale of Thursday last has proved fatal to two residents of the Hutt district, who had on that day started on a
fishing excursion. On that morning two brothers, named Judd, left their home at Wainui on a fishing expedition, and since that time they
have not been heard of. The fear is that their boat was upset, and that both have been drowned; two oars and a small sprit-sail identified as
belonging to the boat having been found near the lighthouse. Immediately on the occurrence of an accident being suspected, Constable
Butler, of the Hutt district, organized a volunteer search party, some of whom proceeded to search the beach from Lowry Bay to the
lighthouse, while others went along the Petoni beach to the mouth of the Hutt, but, so far as we were able to ascertain last evening, no
traces of the missing men had been obtained. Both men had just recently married – the elder of the two, to the eldest daughter, and the
younger to the youngest daughter of Mr Bassett, of Petoni.
Evening Post 16 May 1876 Resident Magistrate’s Court - Larceny
James Kay, who was acquitted last week on a charge of stealing a blanket, was brought up to answer to another charge of larceny. Richard
Petford, publican of the Hutt, stated that on Sunday last prisoner was stopping at his house; he went there on the previous day; on Monday
witness missed the three blankets produced; they were taken off the beds in prisoner’s and another room; witness gave information to the
police, and went with Constable Stuart to Mr Bassett’s, at Petoni, where the missing blankets were found; they then went back to the Hutt,
where witness saw prisoner, and gave him into custody for stealing the articles mentioned. William Bassett deposed that he kept a boarding
house at Petoni; yesterday morning, prisoner went to his house and offered to sell him three blankets; this was between 7 and 8 o’clock;
prisoner said he had been carrying the blankets for a long time, and wanted to get rid of them; witness bought two of the blankets from
prisoner for 8s, and another man in the house purchased the other for 4s; witness went to an hotel at the Hutt, and pointed out prisoner as
the man who sold him the blankets; witness did not consider 4s each a very low price for the blankets. Prisoner said he was under the
influence of liquor, and did not know what he was doing. He was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, with hard labor.
Evening Post 21 Feb 1877 Death and Funeral Notice
On the 20 th February, at Petone, Mary, the beloved wife of William Bassett, shoemaker, aged 62 years. The Friends of William Bassett,
Shoemaker, Petone, are respectfully invited to attend the funeral of his late wife, Mary, which will leave his residence on Thursday, 22 nd
February, at 3.30 p.m. Henry Collett, Undertaker, Petone.
The Colonist (Nelson) 23 Apr 1883
The ss. British King, on her homeward trip (says the Wellington ‘Post) will take a somewhat notable passenger. We refer to Mr William
Bassett a Petone farmer, who arrived in Wellington on the 7 th February, 1840, and, who, having borne the burden and heat of the day as a
colonist, thinks he should like to pay a visit to the old Country. The worthy old pioneer, who is a native of Cornwall, is 85 years of age, but is
as hale, active, and cheerful as possible, and gaily announces his intention of coming out to New Zealand again after he has had a look at
his native country.
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Evening Post 28 Jan 1889 Death
On 27 th January, at Ryan-street, Petone, William Bassett, aged 88 years.
Evening Post 28 Feb 1889
In the matter of the Will of William Bassett, late of Petone, Settler, deceased. Public Trust Office, Wellington, 26 th February 1889. It is
hereby notified that the above Will has been finally accepted in accordance with the provisions of “The Public Trust Office Act, 1872” and
that the Public Trustee is the Executor appointed under the said Will. All persons indebted to the above-named deceased are requested to
pay the amounts of their several accounts to me. Also, all persons having claims against the said Estate are requested to forward the same
to me on or before Wednesday, the 3 rd day of April next. N.B. Any claim not sent in by the day named will be liable to be excluded from
participation. R. C. Hamerton, Public Trustee.
Evening Post 18 Dec 1895 Death
On the 17 th December, at Petone, Eliza, relict of the late William Bassett; aged 77 years.
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