Person:William Bassett (55)

(Medical): "William Bassett - 52 - years came by his death do say upon their oath that about one of the clock pm on the 19th instant the deceased William Bassett came by his death from fractured ribs punctuating his right lung caused by decease being forced from the engine bed to the floor by the steam from the engine pipes accidentally giving way at the Catherine Reef engine house on Sunday night the 17th instant, and that there is no blame to any one in the matter. There were no marks of violence upon the body externally. "

1. ↑ Registry of Birth, Death and Marriages, Victoria, Australia. Death Certificate John Bassett. (Reference Details Year 1868, # 8567, Original a certified copy in possession of Sandra Williamson)
   listed on father's (John Bassett) death certificate.
2. ↑ Cornwall Online Census Project—1851 extract for William Bassett Martha Bassett nee Muffet. (Transcript of Piece HO107/1913 (Part 8), Enumeration District 1g, Civil Parish of Crowan, Eccl. Parish of - , Folio 511 Page 5. Accessed 9/10/2005 06.31 pm at <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~kayhin/cocp.html>)
   William Bassett was 34 and born in St Hilary Cornwall whic h woudl have made his birth year 1817.
3. ↑ Church of England. Parish Church of St. Hilary (Cornwall) (Main Author). Parish registers for St. Hilary, 1677-2000. (Microreproduction of original records housed at the Cornwall Record Office, Truro. Some microfilms are high reduction (42X). Use high magnification reader. Cornwall Record Office: P/87/1/1-11, 15. No photocopies allowed.)
   St. Hilary Parish Records. Christenings 1813-1959, Year 181 6, Page 20, Entry 219.

   Name William Son of John Martha Basset
   Abode Rosedown of this parish
   Fathers occupation Miner,
   Ceremony performed by Thomas Pascor Vicar Private (written in Left Hand Margin)
   Reference number: bcb027

4. ↑ ^4.0 4.1 Christening record for William Bassett. (St Hilary Baptisms 1813-1837, Page 28, Number 219, Film 226212 LDS).
5. ↑ Inquest for William Bassett. (Public Record Office Victoria (PROV), VPRS 24 Unit 219 File 65, Inquest for William Bassett)
   yr1869.

   Reference number: INQ0001

6. ↑ Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Pioneer Index, Victoria, 1836 - 1888: Index to Births, Deaths and Marriages in Victoria
   Year: 1869; Reg Number: 1155.

   Surname: BASSETT; Given Names: William; Spouse Surname/Father: John; Spouse Gvn Names/Mother: Martha; Age: 52; Birth Place: CORN; Year: 1869; Reg Number: 1155

7. ↑ Letters of Administration for William Bassett. (PROV, VPRS 07591/P2, Unit 862 Box 246/28 Probate).
8. ↑ ^8.0 8.1 Bendigo Cemeteries Trust Website. (http://www.bencemtrust.com.au)
   BASSETT, WILLIAM Interment Number: 000499 Cemetery: EAGLEHA WK.

   BASSETT, WILLIAM
   Date of Death: not available
   Date of Burial: 21/01/1869
   Interment Number: 000499
   Cemetery: EAGLEHAWK
   Section: MON G
   Grave Number: 50

9. ↑ Bendigo Cemeteries Trust Website. (http://www.bencemtrust.com.au)
   HUNKIN, WILLIAM JOHN Interment Number: 000598 Cemetery: EAG LEHAWK.

   HUNKIN, WILLIAM JOHN
   Date of Death: not available
   Date of Burial: 10/12/1869
   Interment Number: 000598
   Cemetery: EAGLEHAWK
   Section: not available
   Grave Number: 50

10. ↑ Bendigo Cemeteries Trust Website. (http://www.bencemtrust.com.au)
    BASSETT, MARY Interment Number: 00291 Cemetery: EAGLEHAWK.

    BASSETT, MARY
    Date of Death: not available
    Date of Burial: 20/04/1867
    Interment Number: 00291
    Cemetery: EAGLEHAWK
    Section: MON G
    Grave Number: 50

11. ↑ Bendigo Cemeteries Trust Website. (http://www.bencemtrust.com.au)
    BASSETT, MARTHA Interment Number: 005285 Cemetery: EAGLEHAWK.

    BASSETT, MARTHA
    Date of Death: not available
    Date of Burial: 15/08/1897
    Interment Number: 005285
    Cemetery: EAGLEHAWK
    Section: MON G
    Grave Number: 50

12. ↑ Ancestry.com. "1841 England Census." Database Online.. (Ancestry.com Operations Inc. \i Ancestry.com. \i0 . www.ancestry.com.au : 2006)
    (www.ancestry.com.au : accessed 26 Dec 2009), entry for Joh n & Martha Bassett & family: lines 1 - 8, Civil Parish: Bre age; County: Cornwall; Blowing House Stamps; HO107/136/19.
13. ↑ Church of England. Parish Church of Breage (Cornwall) (Main Author). Parish registers for Breage, 1559-1995. (Microfilm of original records in the County Museum (1960), and later housed at the Cornwall County Record Office, Truro, Cornwall. High reduction microfilm (42X). Use high magnification reader. Cornwall County Record Office: P18/1/1-19, 21-24.)
    Breage Parish Records. Baptisms, Christenings 1827-1959 FH L BRITISH Film Number 254177.

    Reference number: bcb025

14. ↑ Church of England. Parish Church of Breage (Cornwall) (Main Author). Parish registers for Breage, 1559-1995. (Microfilm of original records in the County Museum (1960), and later housed at the Cornwall County Record Office, Truro, Cornwall. High reduction microfilm (42X). Use high magnification reader. Cornwall County Record Office: P18/1/1-19, 21-24.)
    Breage Parish Records. Baptisms, Christenings 1827-1959 FH L BRITISH Film Number 254177, Page 81; Entry# 642; Date 1 8 Aug 1843.

    Mary;William & Marth;BASSETT;
    Black Downs;
    Miner;
    J Perry; Reference number: bcb022

15. ↑ Church of England. Parish Church of Breage (Cornwall) (Main Author). Parish registers for Breage, 1559-1995. (Microfilm of original records in the County Museum (1960), and later housed at the Cornwall County Record Office, Truro, Cornwall. High reduction microfilm (42X). Use high magnification reader. Cornwall County Record Office: P18/1/1-19, 21-24.)
    Breage Parish Records. Baptisms, Christenings 1827-1959 FH L BRITISH Film Number 254177 Page 119, Entry # 947, Date 1 4 May 1845.

    William;William & Martha;BASSETT;
    Croale;
    Miner;
    J Perry; P Reference number: bcb026

16. ↑ Cornwall Online Census Project—1851 extract for William Bassett Martha Bassett nee Muffet. (Transcript of Piece HO107/1913 (Part 8), Enumeration District 1g, Civil Parish of Crowan, Eccl. Parish of - , Folio 511 Page 5. Accessed 9/10/2005 06.31 pm at <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~kayhin/cocp.html>).
17. ↑ Unassisted Immigration to Victoria - Inward Passenger Lists for British, Foreign and New Zealand Ports 1852-19. (PROV Series VPRS 7666, 7667 and 7786)
    Port B, Fiche 127, Page 4 & 10.

    Passenger List SS Royal Charter 1857
    passenger #152
    William Bassett aged 40 miner
    Passenger #153
    Stephen Davey aged 36 miner
    Passenger #256
    John Bassett aged 36 Miner
    Catherine aged 33
    Francis aged 11
    John aged 10
    Catherine aged 8
    Martha aged 6 Reference number: SHIP002

18. ↑ Borough of Eaglehawk Rates Book
    1863 Rate #363.

    363;Bassett, William;;Sailors Gully;;Tent;5.0.0

19. ↑ Borough of Eaglehawk Rates Book
    1864 Rate #148.
20. ↑ Borough of Eaglehawk Rates Book
    Yr 1865 Rate #297.

    297;Bassett, William;Miner;Sailors Gully;Bassett, William;-----;---

21. ↑ Borough of Eaglehawk Rates Book
    Yr 1866 Rate #530.

    Rate #530;Bassett, William;Miner;Sailors Gully;;Slab hut & land;15

22. ↑ Borough of Eaglehawk Rates Book
    Yr 1867 Rate # 458.

    RAte # 458;Bassett, William;Miner;Lester St.;;Slab H & L;6

23. ↑ Borough of Eaglehawk Rates Book
    Yr 1868 Rate #465.

    Rate #465;Bassett, William;Miner;Lester St.;;Slab W/B H&L;22

24. ↑ Insolvency Proceedings for John Bassett. (PROV VPRS759/P Insolvency's, Unit 91 Documents relating to John Bassett's Insolvency Proceedings).
25. ↑ Unassisted Immigration to Victoria - Inward Passenger Lists for British, Foreign and New Zealand Ports 1852-19. (PROV Series VPRS 7666, 7667 and 7786)
    Ship TRUE BRITON, Port B, Fiche 254, Page 002.

    BASSETT, MARTHA aged 49
    BASSETT, NANNY, aged 23
    BASSETT, MARY, aged 22
    BASSETT, MATILDA J, aged 17
    BASSETT, ELIZTH, aged 15
    BASSETT, JOHN, aged 12

26. ↑ Annette O'Dononhue & Bev Hanson. Eaglehawk District Pioneer Register Vol 1 ABC. (Maiden Gully, Vic. : A.M. O'Donohue, 1995-<1998>)
    Pioneer #423 p.66.
27. ↑ The Bendigo advertiser (microform). (Began Dec. 9, 1853. Sandhurst, Vic. : R.R. Haverfield, -2003. Newspapers - Microfilm - Select reel(s) from cabinets NM)
    22 Novemeber 1869.

    ACCIDENTAL DEATH
    The District Coroner held an inquest yesterday at the Star Reef Hotel;, on the body of Wm Bassett, engine driver to the Catherine Reef United Company. The evidence of John Bassett, son of the deceased, was to the effect that on Sunday night deceased was engine driver for the night. The watchman, Crispin Smith, had the engine ready for starting at twelve o'clock, and witness saw his father get up on the engine-bed and raise his hands to move the valve then the jug burst and the steam burst out deceased was knocked down off the bed on to the floor. The place was full of steam, but Smith went and raised up deceased and removed him, and shortly afterwards he was taken home. Dr Atkinson attended him up to the time of his death, at midday on Tuesday. The accident appeared to be unavoidable. Thomas Eyre, manager of the company stated that he was present shortly after the accident and he found the steam escaping from the jug at the joint below the valve handle. Upon having the steam shut off it was discovered that there was a crack in the jug. The jug had been in used for about 3 years, and nothing appeared on it to indicate a flow. The accident appeared to be caused by the steam acting upon the condensed water upon the jug at the moment the deceased was lifting the valve screw by the handle. Deceased was a careful and good engine driver Crispin Smith gave evidence that from where deceased stood on the bed of the engine to the floor was a distance of 5 feet. Doctor Atkinson disposed that he had made a postmortem examination and found the deceased severely scolded by the steam, and his ribs fractured by the fall and penetrating the right lung, which injuries caused his death. The jury gave a verdict of accidental death.

28. ↑ The Bendigo advertiser (microform). (Began Dec. 9, 1853. Sandhurst, Vic. : R.R. Haverfield, -2003. Newspapers - Microfilm - Select reel(s) from cabinets NM)
    Friday 22, January, 1869.

    Quality: 4 ACCIDENTAL DEATH
    The District Coroner held an inquest yesterday at the Star Reef Hotel;, on the body of Wm Bassett, engine driver to the Catherine Reef United Company. The evidence of John Bassett, con of the deceased, was to the effect that on Sunday night deceased was engine driver for the night. The watchman, Crispin Smith, had the engine ready for starting at twelve o'clock, and witness saw his father get up on the engine-bed and raise his hands to move the valve then the jug burst and the steam burst out deceased was knocked down off the bed on to the floor. The place was full of steam, but Smith went and raised up deceased and removed him, and shortly afterwards he was taken home. Dr Atkinson attended him up to the time of his death, at midday on Tuesday. The accident appeared to be unavoidable. Thomas Eyre, manager of the company stated that he was present shortly after the accident and he found the steam escaping from the jug at the joint below the valve handle. Upon having the steam shut off it was discovered that there was a crack in the jug. The jug had been in used for about 3 years, and nothing appeared on it to indicate a flow. The accident appeared to be caused by the steam acting upon the condensed water upon the jug at the moment the deceased was lifting the valve screw by the handle. Deceased was a careful and good engine driver Crispin Smith gave evidence that from where deceased stood on the bed of the engine to the floor was a distance of 5 feet. Doctor Atkinson disposed that he had made a postmortem examination and found the deceased severely scolded by the steam, and his ribs fractured by the fall and penetrating the right lung, which injuries caused his death. The jury gave a verdict of accidental death. Reference number: npb_dth001

29. ↑ Letters of Administration William Bassett. (Public Record Office Victoria (PROV), VPRS: 28/P/2 Unit: 246 File: 37/766 & VPRS: 28/P Unit: 463 File: 37/766).
30.   The Bendigo advertiser (microform). (Began Dec. 9, 1853. Sandhurst, Vic. : R.R. Haverfield, -2003. Newspapers - Microfilm - Select reel(s) from cabinets NM)
    22 January 1869.

    Reference number: NPB001

31. ↑ Letters of Administration granted to Martha Bassett 26 Nov 1888
32. ↑ William is buried with his wife Martha and their unmarried daughter Mary,
    
    No Headstone on the Grave.
33. ↑ No Headstone
    
    Interred at this site
    William Bassett
    Martha Bassett
    Mary Bassett
    William J Hunkin
34. ↑ He was still living at home with his mother and father and younger siblings, although one month and three days after the census he married Martha Moffatt, and 6 months later they were christening their eldest chld Nanney.
    
    In 1841 the time the following people were living with him in his father's house.
    1. John Bassett, aged 50, Tin Miner, born Cornwall
    2. Martha Bassett, aged 45, , born Cornwall
    3. William Bassett, aged 25, Tin Miner, born Cornwall
    4. John Bassett, aged 20, Tin Miner, born Cornwall
    5. Ann Bassett, aged 15, Dressing, born Cornwall
    5. Martha Bassett, aged 12, Dressing, born Cornwall
    6. James Bassett, aged 8, born Cornwall
    7. Jenifar Moffatt, aged 15, Dressing, born Cornwall
35. ↑ At the time of his eldest daughter Nanney's christening.
36. ↑ at the time of their daughter Mary's christening.
37. ↑ at the time of his third child William's christening.
38. ↑ at the time of his daughter Martha Jane's christening.
39. ↑ At the time of the last census William had been lving at home with his parents he however married soon after to Martha Moffatt. In 1851 he was head of his own household.
    
    Living in the same house were
    1. William Bassett, aged 34, Tin Miner
    2. Martha Bassett, aged 35
    3. Nanny Bassett aged 9
    4. Mary Bassett, aged 8
    5. Martha Bassett, aged 4
    6. William Bassett aged 6
    7. Elizabeth Bassett, aged 1
40. ↑ Travelling together on Board the SS Royal Charter in 1857 and arriving in June 1857 at Melbourne were
    Party 1
    1. William Bassett aged 40 miner
    (It appears however that William's wife Martha did not follow until 9 years later on the SS True Briton, when their youngest son was 12 years of age)
    Party 2
    2. Stephen Davey aged 36 miner (brother of Catherine Bassett nee Davey and husband to Ann Bassett)
    Party 3
    3. John Bassett aged 36 Miner
    4. Catherine aged 33 (nee Catherine Davey)
    5. Francis aged 11
    6. John aged 10
    7. Catherine aged 8
    8. Martha aged 6
41. ↑ Lease No 102 John Bassett, Francis Bassett. 148 yds quartz area 2 acres 1 rood 2 perches applied for 30 August 1859 but included in Lease 103 Bassett Brothers (John Bassett, William Bassett, James Bassett and Stephen Davey) applied for on 24 August 1859 and granted 2 May 1860. The applicants stated they were working the land as a claim(s). The areas were adjacent being 2 acres 1 rood 2 perches and 5 acres 25 perches and 5 acres 25 perches respectively and situated in Butcher's Gully at the head of Napoleon Gully and Sailor's Gully. The applicants worked the land until the 10 year lease expired on 2 May 1870 but did not apply for renewal of the lease.
42. ↑ and presumably lived there.
43. ↑ as being owed wages to the value of £19.0.0 from his brother John Bassett He was listed as the of the Creditors during John's insolvency case.)
44. ↑ and was joined by his wife and children almost 9 years after William had immigrated to Australia. They travelled on the SS True Briton. The youngest child John was 12 years old.
45. ↑ Granted Allot 71 Sect A, perhaps to better accomodate his family now that they had moved out from Cornwall to join him in Australia.
46. ↑ He was working at the Catherine Reef United Company at the time of his death.
47. ↑ ACCIDENTAL DEATH
    The District Coroner held an inquest yesterday at the Star Reef Hotel;, on the body of Wm Bassett, engine driver to the Catherine Reef United Company. The evidence of John Bassett, con of the deceased, was to the effect that on Sunday night deceased was engine driver for the night. The watchman, Crispin Smith, had the engine ready for starting at twelve o'clock, and witness saw his father get up on the engine-bed and raise his hands to move the valve then the jug burst and the steam burst out deceased was knocked down off the bed on to the floor. The place was full of steam, but Smith went and raised up deceased and removed him, and shortly afterwards he was taken home. Dr Atkinson attended him up to the time of his death, at midday on Tuesday. The accident appeared to be unavoidable. Thomas Eyre, manager of the company stated that he was present shortly after the accident and he found the steam escaping from the jug at the joint below the valve handle. Upon having the steam shut off it was discovered that there was a crack in the jug. The jug had been in used for about 3 years, and nothing appeared on it to indicate a flow. The accident appeared to be caused by the steam acting upon the condensed water upon the jug at the moment the deceased was lifting the valve screw by the handle. Deceased was a careful and good engine driver Crispin Smith gave evidence that from where deceased stood on the bed of the engine to the floor was a distance of 5 feet. Doctor Atkinson disposed that he had made a postmortem examination and found the deceased severely scolded by the steam, and his ribs fractured by the fall and penetrating the right lung, which injuries caused his death. The jury gave a verdict of accidental death.
48. ↑ William died intestate leaving no will.
    After William's death his wife Martha did not apply for settlement of the estate until 26th November 1888 almost 19 years after William had died in a mining accident.
    Contained in the affidavit from Martha Moffatt was the following " That the reason why I am did not apply for Administration sooner was because I was of opinion that it was unnecessary to do so until the youngest of my children had attained the age of Twenty one years which has happened and I am now disirous of obtaining Administration for the purpose of distributing the estate among the persons entitled thereto."
    AS part of settling the estate the following advertisement that appeared in the Argus 18/10/1888
    Notice is hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen days from the publication here of application will be made to the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria in the probate jurisdiction that Letter of Administration for Williams Bassett.
    
    At the time of his death the estate had
    Property on freehold land
    *4-roomed weatherboard house of value of seven hundred and fifty pounds
    *1/4 acrea of freehold land situate High Street Eaglehawk aforesaid on which is erected a brick shop and dwellings house of the value of nine hundred pounds