Second Generation
Family of William BASSFORD (1) & Thankful DURYÉE

2. Thomas BASSFORD (William1). Born on 14 Apr 1792 in New York. [16] per gravestone. Thomas died in New York City, NY, on 12 Aug 1852. [11] Buried on 13 Aug 1852 in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY. [12] Death Cause: Cholera. [11]

He ran a tobacco shop at 67 Pump St., New York City. [1]

One or both of the following census entries probably refer to Thomas.
1830 federal census , for 11th Ward, New York City, NY, p. 231 [18]
Tho's Rassford
2 males under 5
2 males 5-9
1 male 10-14
1 male 20-29
1 male 30-39
1 female under 5
1 female 5-9
1 female 10-14
1 female 15-19
1 female 30-39

1830 federal census for 6th Ward, New York City, NY, p. 386. [18]
Th's Bassford
2 males under 5
3 males 5-9
1 male 15-19
1 male 20-29
1 male 30-39
1 female under 5
1 female 5-9
1 female 10-14
1 female 20-29
1 female 30-39

In 1837, he bought a 140 acre farm in Fordam and moved there with his older sons. His wife and younger sons remained in Manhattan where they lived at 9 East Third St. Thomas and Rebekah never lived togeter again. [1]

1840 Yonkers, Westchester Co., NY, p. 146
Tho's Bassford
1 male under 5
1 male 5-9
1 male 10-14
2 males 15-19
2 males 20-29
1 male 40-49
1 female under 5
1 female 15-19
1 female 20-29
1 female 40-49

He is probably the Thomas Basford buried in the Greenwood Cemetery on 13 Aug 1852. [12]

"On 8 May 1829, Thankful Bassford, Byrta W. Bassford, Eliza Bassford, Eliza Waldron, Abraham Bassford & wife Abbe, Joseph Adams and Mary Ryan of NYC sold to Silas Chapman of Philipstown for $650, land bounding Jonathan Owen, Dillivard, Nehemiah Oakley, Lanes Brook, John Lawering, Canopus Hollow Rd., 77 acres which Thomas Bassford died seized of." [14] This would seem to imply that the land being sold was part of the estate of Thomas Bassford. Could he have died earlier than is believed?

The death certificate for his son George Washington Bassford gives Thomas's birthplace as England. [19]

Gravestone inscription, Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY [16]
Thomas Bassford
Born April 14th, 1792
Died Aug. 12th, 1852
Rebekah Bassford widow of Thomas Bassford
Born Jan. 19th, 1796
Died Nov. 30th, 1858
Rebecca A. Smith Daughter of Thomas & Rebekah Bassford
Born Feb. 17th(?) 18__
Died May _th, 18__
John O. Smith
Born June _1th(?) 1821
Died Feb. 21st 1890(?)

[1], [12], [2], [20], [21], [10], [17], [22], [18], [16], [11], [9], [23], [24], [19], [25]

He married Rebekah McDONALD, daughter of (?) McDONALD & Mary (McDONALD) (abt 1771-8 Jul 1847), on 9 Sep 1812 in New York City, NY. [20], [22] Born on 19 Jan 1796 in New York. [16] gravestone. Rebekah died in New York City, NY, on 30 Nov 1858. [26], [11], [25] Buried on 5 Dec 1858 in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY. [12] Death Cause: Apoplexy. [11]

She is probably the Rebecca Bassford who was buried 5 Dec 1858 in the Greewood Cemetery. [12]

1850 federal census for 6th Ward, New York City, NY, p. 184 [27]
Rebecca Bassford, female, age 54, b. NY
Thomas, male, age 34, b. NY, lawyer
William, male, age 25, b. NY, carpenter?
Joseph, male, age 22, b. NY, carpenter
George, male, age 20, b. NY, sugar maker
Stephen, male, age 18, b. NY, sugar maker
Henry, male, age 17, b. NY
Abraham, male, age 14, b. NY
Rebecca, female, age 25, b. NY
Virginia, female, age 23, b. NY
Bridget Kerry?, female, age 20, b. Ireland

The death certificate for her son George Washington Bassford gives Rebekah's birthplace as Scotland. [19]

Gravestone inscription, Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY [16]
Thomas Bassford
Born April 14th, 1792
Died Aug. 12th, 1852
Rebekah Bassford widow of Thomas Bassford
Born Jan. 19th, 1796
Died Nov. 30th, 1858
Rebecca A. Smith Daughter of Thomas & Rebekah Bassford
Born Feb. 17th(?) 18__
Died May _th, 18__
John O. Smith
Born June _1th(?) 1821
Died Feb. 21st 1890(?)

[1], [12], [20], [10], [27], [22], [26], [16], [11], [9], [23], [24], [19], [25]

They had the following children:
6 i. William Burleigh (1813-1866)
7 ii. Mary Catherine (1816-1838)
8 iii. Thomas (~1817-1887)
9 iv. Rebecca Ann (~1820-1883)
10 v. Joseph McDonald (~1828-1894)
11 vi. George Washington (~1830-1897)
12 vii. Virginia Lafayette (1825-?)
13 viii. Stephen Allen (1827-1904)
14 ix. Henry A. (Died as Child) (1830-1830)
15 x. Henry Augustus (1834-1897)
16 xi. Evelina M. (Died as Child) (1835-1848)
17 xii. Abraham B. (~1837-1922)

[2] shows a daughter Elizabeth who married John T. Duryée. However, she was Thomas's sister.

3. Abraham BASSFORD (William1). Born abt 1793-1797 in New York. [28], [27], [29], [30] age 53 in 1850 census, age 59 in 1853, age 71 at death. Abraham died in New York City, NY, on 13 Jun 1864. [31], [30] Buried on 15 Jun 1864 in Evergreens Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY. [30], [32] Death Cause: Apoplexy. [28] Occupation: Piano and Billiard Table Manfacturer, Musician. [28] aka: Abraham Isaac, Abram. [1], [2]

He served as a musician in the War of 1812. He first served in the Company commanded by Capt. Hartell in the Regiment of New York Infantry commanded by Col. R. Swartroach(?), having volunteered at New York City on or about the 28 Aug 1812, and being honorably discharged at New York City on or about 25 Nov 1812. (He was apparently a french horn player since one is included in the list of "clothing and equipment, depreciated, worn out, lost and destroyed" during the war.) He also served a second term as a musician in Capt. Davidson's Company of the District of Columbia Militia. He volunteered at Georgetown, Washingtton, D.C. on or about 1 Jul 1814 and served for a term of about 6 months, and was honorably discharged at Washington D.C. on or about the 1 Jan 1815. [33]

After the end of the war, he settled for a time in Georgetown, Washington, D. C., before returning to New York City in 1818. Apparently they lived with Maria's family in their suburban Mulberry St. home, before moving to 479 Pearl St. in lower Manhattan by 1820. Abraham's brother Thomas and his wife Rebekah lived with them there. By 1823, Abraham had moved next door to 477 Pearl St. [1]

He received a pension for his service in the War of 1812 (Claim #4663). [34]

1820 federal census for 6th Ward, New York City, NY, p. 226 [35]
Abraham Basford
1 male under 10 (Samuel)
1 male 10-15 (?)
1 male 26-44 (Abraham)
1 female under 10 (?)
1 female 16-25 (Maria)

He is listed in the New York City directories for a number of years: [36]
1820-1 turner, 479 Pearl St.
1824-33, ivory turner, 477 Pearl St.
1834-5, ivory turner, 547 Pearl St. & 218 Broadway
1839, billiards, 4 Ann
1845, billiard saloon, 196 Water.
1845, foundry, Pearl
1845, billiards, 149 Fulton & 14 Ann, res. 149 Fulton
1849-50, billiard table maker, 8 Ann, res. 26 Jones
1861, billiards, 149 Fulton & 8 Ann, res. 26 Jones
1861, pianos, 63 centre, res. 26 Jones
1862-3, billiards, 149 Fulton & 8 Ann, res 26 Jones
1864, billiards, 149 Fulton, res. 26 Jones

He was a cabinet maker and ivory turner by trade, and also worked as a musician. [1] He amassed a large fortune in the manufacture of billiard tables and pianos, and retired at the at of 49. In his early business life, he was a neighbor of Commodore Vanderbilt on Staten Island. Before his retirement, he began purchasing farms in the Bronx, then known as Westchester County. The old deeds show that a considerable portion of the land obtained for the Harlem and Hudson River Railroad was purchased by the elder Vanderbilt from his neighbor Abraham Bassford. His investment in lands, particularly in the Bronx, continued on a large scale for many years, and he was known at the time to be one of the wealthiest investors in the city. [28]

On 8 May 1829, he sold 77 acres of land wth Thankful Bassford, together with several other of his family members. [14]

1840 federal census for 2nd Ward New York City, NY, p. 53 [37]
Abram Bassford
1 male under 5
2 males 5-9
3 males 10-14
2 males 15-19
3 males 20-29
1 male 40-49
2 females under 5
1 female 15-19
1 female 20-29
1 female 30-39

1850 federal census for 9th Ward, New York City, NY, p. 475 [27]
Abel Bassford, male , age 53, b. NY, iron
Abbey, female, age 40, b. NY
Ab'm, male, age 18, b. NY, dry goods
Franklin , male, age16?, b. NY
Augusta, female, age 14, b. NY
Victoria, female, age 12, b. NY
W'm, male, age 11, b. NY
Warren , male, age1, b. NY
Mary, female, age 18, b. NY
Ron Ward, male, age 20, b. Ireland
Adam Mum?, male, age 30, b. NJ, drygoods

In 1851, Abraham and Abby moved with their children, to 26 Jones St. in Greenwich Village. [1]

For his service in the War of 1812, he received a Land Warrant (#52,379) for 80 acres. On 26 Aug 1853, Abraham Bassford, age 59, of 26 Jones St., New York, NY, filed a declaration to obtain additional pay, and contingent expenses of clothing and equipment, depreciated, worn out, lost and destroyed during the war. He applied for $98.50, of which $79.50 was awarded on 6 Mar 1854. On 16 Jun 1855, he filed a declaration for the purpose of obtaining an additional bounty land, to which he may be entitled under the Act of 3 Mar 1855, for which he received a second Land Warrant (#31,590) for 80 acres. [29], [33]

He might be the Abr'm Bashford listed in the 1860 census for West Farms, Westchester Co., NY, p. 412. [38] (The entry is mostly illegible)

He apparently died of apoplexy. He was found on the ground beneath a third floor window of his home, near which he had been sitting. Having suffered several apopleptic siezures previously, it was assumed that he had fallen from the window during such an attack. His family was quite surprised to find that he died leaving no will. As a result, there was considerable confusion and controversy regarding the title to large pieces of land that Abraham owned in New York City. The legal proceedings to resolve these issues stretched on for many years, and at the time that a newspaper article was published in 1907 had not been completed. There was speculation that the family had somehow been cheated out of the rights to the property. [28]

His wife Abby was named administrator of his estate on 18 Jun 1864. [39]

There is a Bassford Ave. in the Bronx that was apparently named after this family. [40, p. 26]

[1] indicates that he was born in 1793 in New York City.

[28] indicates that he was born in England in 1785 to an "aristocratic family," and came to America as a boy. This article also gives the date of his death as Aug 1864.

The death certificate for his daughter Florine indicates that he was born in England. [41]

[1], [42], [2], [28], [17], [27], [14], [43], [40, p. 26], [35], [37], [34], [29], [33], [16], [9], [31], [44], [30], [41], [32]

He first married Maria TOY, on 12 Nov 1812 in New York City, NY. [1] First Baptist Church on Gold St. Born ? . Maria died ? . They were divorced on 26 May 1824 in New York City, NY. [1]

Could she be the Maria Basford of Norfolk St., New York City, who died 18 Oct 1827, age 53, b. Philadelphia, PA, buried Methodist Allen St. Cemetery, New York City?

[1]

They had one child:
18 i. Samuel William (1816-1861)

Abraham filed for divorce on 15 Aug 1823, claiming that Maria had committed adultery with several men, often in his own house. The complaint named Abraham Van Tassel, whom she had claimed to be her brother; William Plain; signmaker Peter Pienoil of Greenwich Street; and tobacconist John D. Clark of Pearl Street.

On 30 Mar 1824, a hearing or order was issued in Abraham's divorce case. He was represented by lawyer Edward McGaraghan in the court of Circuit Judge Ogden Edwards. Peter Pienoil of Greenwich Street testified that he had known Abraham and Maria for at least 16 months, that Abraham was "a kind husband" but Maria has acted "in a very improper manner for a married woman by kissing and playing in a vulgar manner with others than her husband." He described her "expressions and language" as "lewd and wanton," claiming that he and Van Tassel have both slept with her in Abraham's home on Pearl Street, with Maria passing off Van Tassel as her brother. John D. Clark of Pearl Street testified that he had known them for 12 years and that he has
never known Abraham to be anything other than a kind husband and called her conduct "improper for a married woman." John P. Plain of Greenwich Street testified that Maria's "conduct and language" were "very improper, such as a married woman or any decent woman ought not to use."

A subpoena ordering Maria to appear in court was issued, and a notice of the court order was published in the New Yourk American and New York Patriot, but she had apparently moved to Philadelphia and did not appear to defend herself. On 12 May 1824, George Caines, Master of the Court of Chancery, reported that, in his opinion, Abraham's adultery charge against Maria has been "fully proved." The court granted the divorce "pro confesso" by Judge Edwards on 26 May 1824. [1]

He second married Abby Catherine KIPP, bef 1832. [1] Born abt 1810 in New York. [27], [32], [45] age 40 in 1850 census, age 68 at death. Abby Catherine died in New York City, NY, on 18 May 1878. [45] Buried on 21 May 1878 in Evergreens Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY. [32], [45] aka: Abigail. [41]

1870 census for 19th Ward 7-E Dist., New York City, NY, p. 191 [46]
Aby Basford, female, age 61, b. NY, keeping house, real estate 20000, personal estate 6000
Victora Chambers, female, age 30, b. NY, at home, real estate 32000, personal estate 8000
Monmouth, male, age 38, b. NY, importer, real estate 6000, personal estate 2000
Lillian?, female, age 6, b. NY
Isabelle, female, age 3, b. NY
Louis Basford, male, age 13, b NY, at school, personal esate 26000
Mary McGins?, female, age 34, b. Ireland, domestic servant
Sarah D___, age 23, b. Ireland, domestic servant
(Vicotia Chambers would be her daughter, but it is not clear who Louis would be.)

She is listed in the New York City directories for a number of years: [36]
1868, Abby C., widow of Abraham, res. 119 E. 46th
1871-3, Abigail C., widow of Abraham, res. 117 E 46th
1875, Abbie C., widow of Abraham

She may have been the daughter of pharmacist Daniel Kipp and his wife Abigail, both of whom lived at (were the proprietors of?) a boarding house at 478 Pearl Street, close neighbors of Abraham
Bassford's tavern in 1816. [16]

[1], [2], [28], [47], [27], [14], [46], [16], [39], [41], [32], [45]

They had the following children:
19 i. Abraham (~1832-1882)
20 ii. Mary Abby (Died Unmarried) (~1832-~1851)
21 iii. Thomas Franklin (~1834-1856)
22 iv. Florine Augusta (~1836-1912)
23 v. Victoria C. (~1838-~1883)
24 vi. William Kipp (1839-~1902)
25 vii. Adelaide (Died as Child) (~1841-1843)
26 viii. Abby Jane (Died as Child) (~1845-1850)
27 ix. Warren S. (~1849-~1883)

4. William Byrla BASSFORD (William1). Born abt 1797-1800 in New York. [27], [48] age 50 in 1850 census, age 63 at death. William Byrla died in New York City, NY, on 4 Sep 1860. [48] Buried on 7 Sep 1860 in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY. [12] Occupation: Jeweler, Turner. [49] aka: Byrla, Berlin. [1], [50], [51]

He may be the William Bassford listed in the 1830 census for 11th Ward, New York City, NY, p. 232. [18]
William Bassford
1 male age 30-39 (William)
1 female age 20-29 (?)
1 female age 60-69 (Thankful?)

He may be the William Bassford listed in the 1840 census for 17th Ward, New York City, NY, p. 320 [37]
W'm Bassford
1 male 40-49 (William)
1 female 60-69 (Thanksful?)
1 female 70-79 (?)

He is probably the Berlin W. Bassford listed in the 1850 census for 5th Ward, New York City, NY, p. 14 [27]
Benlin W. Bassford, male, age 50, b. NY
Amelia A., female, age 38, b. NY
Eliza E. Read, female, age 22, b. NY
Mary, female, age 24, b. NY
William, male, age 20, b. NY
David L. Arnold, male, age 60, b. NY
Maryane? McKay, female, age 20, b. Ireland
Annette Secor, female, age 60, b. NY

His will was dated 2 Aug 1859, and proved 13 Nov 1860. He named his wife Amelia A. Bassford sole heir and executrix. Witnesses were Daniel F. Seacord, and Horatio Bogart [50]

[1], [12], [2], [17], [27], [14], [49], [50], [51], [48], [44]

He married Amelia Amanda SEACORD, daughter of Daniel SEACORD (19 Jan 1789-17 Jun 1843) & Henrietta JARVIS (4 Oct 1790-3 Mar 1881), on 23 Aug 1846 in New York City, NY. [49], [51] Church of the Messiah. Born abt 1815-1818 in New York. [27], [52] age 32 in 1850 census, age 65 in 1880 census. Amelia Amanda died in New York City, NY, abt 18 Sep 1884. [11] burial. Buried on 18 Sep 1884 in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY. [11] aka: Amanda.

She is probably the Amelia Bassford, age 50, b. NY, seamstress listed in the 1870 federal census for New York City, 19th Ward, 10-E Dist., NY, p. 347, living with family of Otto Lake. [53]

1880 federal census for New York, New York co., NY, p. 197D [52]
Amelia Bassford, female, head, age 65, b. NY, father b. NY, mother b. NY, keeps house, widow
Henrietta Seacord, female, mother, age 89, b. NY, father b. NY, mother b. NY, widow

[49] gave surname as Slawra, and gave birth as 1820.

[2], [27], [53], [52], [49], [50], [51], [11]

5. Elizabeth BASSFORD (William1). Born abt 1800-1805. [27], [11] age 45 in 1850 census, age 53 at death. Elizabeth died in New York City, NY, bef 20 Mar 1853. [11] burial. Buried on 20 Mar 1853 in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY. [11] Death Cause: Apoplexy. [11] aka: Eliza.

She is probably the Elizabeth Waldron mentioned in a sale of land on 8 May 1829, together wth her mother Thankful Bassford and several other members of her family. [14]

1850 federal census for New York, Ward 5, NY, p. 46 [27]
Eliza Duryea, female, age 45, b. NY, real estate 4000
Eliza, female, age 7, b. NY
(A number of other families were listed in the same household, perhaps they were boarders.)

She was named administrator of her mother's estate on 31 Jan 1853. [15]

Her last residence was 72 Franklin, New York, NY (which was the same as her mother's last residence). [11]

Will dated Oct 1851 and proved 2 Apr 1853 and mentions her mother, Thankful Bassford; her brother, Byrla W. Bassford; her daughter "Eliza Gertrude John Thomas Duryee", her Aunt Sarah Anastasi, and Sarah's daughter Carolina; and her nephew Samuel William Bassford, the "son of my brother Abraham." John Thompson (of New York City, ship carpenter), and Hugh Laing (of New York CIty, President of the Clinton Fire Insurance Company) were named executors. [44]

[1], [27], [14], [43], [49], [11], [54], [15], [44]

She first married Adolphus WALDRON, ? . Born abt 1770. [49] Adolphus died abt 1826. [49] Occupation: Merchant. [49]

It is unproven that Elizabeth Bassford was married to Adolphus Waldron. [49] Although this would be consistent with the fact that an "Elizabeth Waldron" mentioned in a sale of land on 8 May 1829, together wth her mother Thankful Bassford and several other members of her family. [14]

[49]

They had no children.

She second married John Thomas DURYÉE, son of George J. DURYÉE (? -? ), on 8 Jul 1849 in New York City, NY. [54] Born abt 1805. [11] age 45 at death. John Thomas died in New York City, NY, on 31 Jul 1850. [55] Buried on 2 Aug 1850 in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY. [11] Occupation: Attorney. [49]

[49] gave birth as abt 1785.

[43], [49], [54], [55], [44]

They had one child:
28 i. Eliza Gertrude (~1844-~1919)

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