John E. Bassett

Benton County, Florida (currently Hernando County), existed ca. 1840-1850. It was named after a Missouri senator, Thomas Hart Benton, which changed after Senator Benton became unpopular in Florida, for political reasons. By 1890, Hernando County was split up into (ranging from north southward) Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco counties.

Historical Florida county lines

There is an 1850 US Census Slave Schedule for Benton County, which included the name of John Bassett, who listed a 32 year old mulatto female and three children (presumably hers, but idk). In reviewing these old documents, it is advisable to compare the original with the transcribed indexes, which contain frequent errors.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-XC94-TTH?i=2&cc=14...

"United States Census (Slave Schedule), 1850 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-XC94-TTH?cc=1420440&wc... : 22 May 2014), Florida > Benton > Benton county > image 3 of 4; citing NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

There is also a grave marker for Private John Franklin Bassett (no dates, Company C, 9th Florida, CSA) on the Lykes Family plantation cemetery at Spring Hill, Hernando County, Florida. Regiment Name: 3 Florida Infantry. Also in Company C: John T. Bassett and Josiah B. Bassett.

And in the same cemetery, there is another marker of great interest to our family history: that of Martha Cooper (Baisden) Law born 26 March 1812 in Liberty County, Georgia and died 28 Oct 1882 (aged 70) Brooksville, Hernando County. She married Peter Law and named one of their sons, Josiah Baisden Law, probably after her father. She quite likely is the sister of our John F. Bassett's wife, Frances Jane Baisden.

Pvt. John Franklin Bassett on Findagrave

Additionally, there is another census on which this ancestor is listed: 1870, Hernando County, Florida, where his race although shown correctly in the original data sheet, was transcribed to read "Black", in error. In this document he is shown as the 68 year old retired head of household with his son, John F. Bassett (farmer, age 32) and daughter-in-law, Mary Bassett (age 22). The marriage of his son with Mary J. Gornto/Gorinto has been proven and documented.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNZ6-JND

"United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-D173-7X3?cc=1438024&wc... : 8 June 2019), Florida > Hernando > Hernando County > image 44 of 76; citing NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

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William Bassett (b. 1800 in South Carolina and residing 1850 in Hamilton County, Florida) probable brother of our John Bassett. William's wife was Aurora Bassett (b. 1810); children were: Sarah A. Bassett (b. 1835), Lewis Bassett (b. 1837), Nancy Bassett (b. 1840), John Bassett (b. 1842), Devin Bassett (b. 1844), Rhoda Bassett (b. 1845), and Richard Bassett (b. 1848).

"United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6QTQ-1GQ?cc=1401638&wc... : 9 April 2016), Florida > Hamilton > Hamilton county > image 2 of 48; citing NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

I find John Basset on the 1790 US Census for Orangburgh District, South Carolina. Himself with one male over the age of 16 and one female. No slaves or free persons of color in the household.

Heads of families at the first census of the United States taken in the year 1790 - South Carolina