Fifth Generation
Fifth Generation
Family of Henry BASFORD (22) & Mary WATKINS
77. Gassaway Watkins BASFORD (Henry4, John3, Thomas2, Thomas1). Born abt 1795-1800 in Maryland. [65] Gassaway Watkins died in Annapolis, Anne Arundel Co., MD, on 7 Oct 1840. [122] Buried in Saint Anne’s Cemetery, Annapolis, Anne Arundel Co., MD. [94]

He is a probably son of Henry and Mary (Watkins) Basford. [12] His middle name is circumstantial evidence supporting this connection, but this has not been proven.

Gassaway Bassford is listed in the 1829 Baltimore city directory as a fancy Windsor chair maker living at 68 S. Charles St. He is listed in the 1833 Baltimore city directory as an ornamental painter living at 13 Tomson St. [12]

Gravestone, Saint Anne’s Cemetery, Annapolis, Anne Arundel Co., MD [94]
In Memory of/Cassaway W. Bassford/who departed this life/
Oct’r 7th, 1840, age 48 years/.../Also/Eliza Ann Consort of/C. W. Bassford/

[35], [12], [94]

He married Elizabeth Ann DAVIS on 2 Jun 1822 in Anne Arundel Co., MD. [35] Born abt 1804. [12] age 49 at death. Elizabeth Ann died in Annapolis, Anne Arundel Co., MD, on 19 Feb 1853. [12] Buried in Saint Anne’s Cemetery, Annapolis, Anne Arundel Co., MD. [94] aka: Eliza.

[35], [12], [94]

They had the following children:
171i.
Robert H. (1823-1888)
172ii.
Mary Ann (~1828-1853)
78. (son) BASFORD (Henry4, John3, Thomas2, Thomas1). Born abt 1795-1800 in Anne Arundel Co., MD. [25] age 10-15 in 1800 census. (son) died ? .

[25]

79. (son) BASFORD (Henry4, John3, Thomas2, Thomas1). Born abt 1800-1804 in Anne Arundel Co., MD. [25], [26] under 10 in 1810 census, age 16-25 in 1820 census. (son) died ? .

[25], [26]

80. Henry BASFORD (Henry4, John3, Thomas2, Thomas1). Born abt 1803 in Maryland. [71], [72] age 47 in 1850 census, age 57 in 1860 census. Henry died in Anne Arundel Co., MD, bef 27 Apr 1869. [123] probate records. aka: Bassford.

The Henry Basford who married Margaret Clagett, and secondly Eliza Clagett, is the probable son of Henry and Mary (Watkins) Basford, although this has not been proven. The fact that he is listed next to Alvertus Basford (the nephew of Henry and Mary) in the 1850 census is added circumstantial evidence that supports this hypothesis. [71] Also, the fact that Henry, the husband of Margaret is referred to as Henry Basford, Jr. in an 1835 land record also suggests that he would be the son of Henry and Mary. [12] (Some sources have suggested that the Henry who married the Clagett sisters is actually the son of Benjamin and Ann (Whittington) Basford. [50])

On 2 Apr 1835, Henry Basford, Jr. and wife Margaret bought land known as “Isaac’s Addition” and “Beale’s Park” in Prince George’s Co. from the heirs of Joseph Jones. The land apparently comprised the real estate of Joseph Jones. [12]

On 25 Mar 1839. Henry Basford and his wife Margaret of Prince George’s Co., Md. sold to Samuel Sutton of Baltimore, MD for $150.00 "Isaac's Addition", "Bealle’s Park" and "Beale's Park Enlarged" lands purchased from the heirs of Joseph Jones. Margaret Basford, wife of the above Henry, relinquished her dower rights. Henry and Margaret apparently moved back to Anne Arundel Co. shortly after selling this land, probably to run his father’s farm and care for his mother. [12]

He is probably the Henry Bassford listed in the 1840 federal census for 1st & 2nd Dist., Prince George's Co., MD, p. 12 [68]
Henry Basford
1 male under 5
1 male 30-39
1 female under 5
2 females 20-29

It is also possible that he is the Henry Basford listed in the 1840 federal census for 1st District, Anne Arundel Co., MD, p. 125. [68]
Henry Bassford
2 males 5-9
1 male 30-39
1 female 20-29
2 females 30-39
1 female 70-79
(However, this seems less likely since the ages of the children do not fit with Mary and Emory, who are the only known children born before 1840.)

On 4 Sep 1846, Henry Basford of Anne Arundel Co. purchased an additional 14-2/4 acre parcel of “Elizabeth’s Fancy” from Richard Marriot, who had purchased it from John Sellman. (In 1833-1835, Richard Marriot had purchased 4/5 of “Elizabeth’s Fancy” from the John Basford heirs. However, Henry Basford, Sr. had not sold his portion.) In Aug 1848, Henry Basford and wife Margaret sold back to Richard Marriot a 6-7 acres piece of “Elizabeth’s Fancy” being situated next to the chapel. [12]

He is probably the Henry Bassford listed in the 1850 federal census for 1st District, Anne Arundel Co., MD, p. 294 [71]
Henry Basford, male, age 47, b. MD, farmer, real estate 3000
Bettie Clagett, female, age 32, b. MD
Margaret Basford, female, age 31, b. MD
M. Ann, female, age 14, b. MD
Emory S., male, age 11, b. MD
Henry A., male, age 9, b. MD, blind
Jane, female, age 6, b. MD, blind
Cha's, male, age 3, b. MD, blind
Eliza, female, age7?/12, b. MD
Bettie Clagett would probably be a sister of Margaret. (Presumably, she is also the Eliza Clagett that Henry married as his second wife.) He is listed next to Alvertus Basford, age 37, who would be his cousin.

On 4 Apr 1854, Henry Basford and wife Eliza made a promissory note to Eliza Robinson, guardian to Mary R. and Anna C. Claggett for $600 for all that part of “Hall’s Resolution “ and including the portion of “Elizabeth’s Fancy” bought from Richard Marriot on 4 Sep 1846. (Note that Eliza Clagget married Mordecai Robinson on 18 Aug 1850 in Anne Arundel Co.) On 12 Dec 1854, Henry and Eliza gave a second promissory note to Eliza Robinson, guardian of Mary and Anna Clagget. All monies were to be paid within three years. [12]

1860 federal census for District 1, Anne Arundel Co., MD, p. 1003 [72]
Henry Bossford, male, age 57, b. MD, farmer, real estate 5000
Eliza, female, age 42, b. MD
Mary, female, age 23, b. MD
Henry, male, age 19, b. MD
Eliza, female, age 14, b. MD
Charles, male, age 11, b. MD
Ella, female, age 10, b. MD

On 7 Apr 1868, Henry Basford and wife Eliza purchased from McCeney Howes and his wife Susan a tract of land in Anne Arundel Co. near Governor’s Bridge for $800. This land adjoining lands of John Sellman, William Clagget and Henry Basford, being part of the same land Henry Basford purchased from Richard Marriot on 4 Sep 1846, being known as part of “Hell’s Resolution” and part of “Elizabeth’s Fancy.” Also a right of way through William Clagget’s land to the public road which Henry Basford reserved for himself in terms made by him and William Clagget. [12]

Henry Basford died leaving Eliza a widow. On 27 Apr 1869, she asked that letters of administration to be granted to her son Henry A. Bassford. [123]

[48], [123], [68], [71], [72], [12], [124]

He first married Margaret CLAGETT, daughter of (?) CLAGETT, on 4 Jul 1833 in Annapolis, Anne Arundel Co., MD. [124] “last Thursday” on 11 Jul 1833. Born abt 1819 in Maryland. [71] age 31 in 1850 census. Margaret died bet 1850 and 1853. [12] 1850 census and husband remarries. aka: Margaret Watkins. [35]

Their Anne Arundel Co. marriage license gives her name as Margaret Watkins, but the marriage record in the “Maryland Gazette” gives her name as Margaret Claggett. [12] Perhaps one was a maiden name, and the other was the surname of a first husband? The fact that a Bettie Clagett was living with Henry and Margaret at the time of the 1850 census would seem to increase the probability that her maiden name was Clagett. (Probably Bettie was a sister, and was likely the same one who later married Henry.)

[35], [71], [12], [124]

They had the following children:
173i.
Mary Ann (1837-?)
174ii.
Emory J. (~1839-?)
175iii.
Henry A. (1841-1932)
176iv.
Eliza Jane (Never Married) (1845-1921)
177v.
Charles Clagett (1848-1919)
178vi.
Ella (Never Married) (1850-1924)

[35] gives marriage as 3 Jul 1833.

He second married Eliza CLAGETT, daughter of (?) CLAGETT, on 11 Apr 1853 in Anne Arundel Co., MD. [35] Born in 1815 in Maryland. [122] Eliza died in Anne Arundel Co., MD, in 1898. [122] Buried in Davidsonville United Methodist Church Cemetery, Davidsonville, Anne Arundel Co., MD. [94] aka: Bettie. [71], [94]

She is probably the Elizabeth Basford, age 55, b. MD, seamstress, listed in the 1870 census for District 1, Anne Arundel Co., MD, p. 526. [87]

On 29 Apr 1872, Henry A. Bassford, Eliza J. Bassford, Charles C. Bassford, Margaret Bassford, Eliza Bassford, and Patience, wife of Henry A. Bassford, all of Anne Arundel Co., sold to Mary Ann Clagget land called “Hall’s Resolution,” adjoining the lands of ___ Sellman, the lands of McCeney Howes to the bank of the patuxent next to Sallie Ann Bassford’s land, and thence running to the store adjoining the late Henry Bassford’s land. [12]

Gravestone, Davidsonville United Methodist Church Cemetery, Davidsonville, Anne Arundel Co., MD [94]
Bettie/Wife of/Henry Bassford/1816-1898

[7], [123], [71], [72], [87], [12], [94]

81. (son) BASFORD (Henry4, John3, Thomas2, Thomas1). Born abt 1805-1810 in Anne Arundel Co., MD. [26] age 10-15 in 1820 census. (son) died ? .

[26]

82. Adam (?) BASFORD (Henry4, John3, Thomas2, Thomas1). Born abt 1810-1814 in Maryland. [125], [126], [127], [128] age 36 in 1850 census, age 50 in 1860 census, age 58 in 1870 census, age 67 in 1880 census. Adam (?) died aft 1880. [128] Occupation: Collier, Farmer. [125], [126] aka: Adamson. [129]

He may be a son of Henry and Mary (Watkins) Basford, but this has not been proven. [12]

[129] suggests that he is the same person as Adamson Waters Basford, son of Thomas Basford. However, Adamson Waters Basford must have been born by 1801 when his father’s estate was settled. This is inconsistent with the age of Adam basford given in many census entries, which would put his birth around 1810-1814.

1840 federal census for Ohio Co., VA, p. 35 [130]
Adam Basford
2 males under 5
1 male 5-9
1 male 20-29
1 female under 5
1 female 20-29

1850 federal census for 44th District, Ohio Co., VA, p. 48 [125]
Adam Basford, male, age 36, b. MD, collier
Malinda, female, age 38, b. VA
William, male, age 14, b. VA
Margaret, female, age 12, b. VA
Randolph, male, age 10, b. VA
Crawford, male, age 9, b. VA
Adam, male, age 7 M, b. VA
Kassander, male, age 5, b. VA
Melvin, male, age 4, b. VA
Sarah, female, age 2, b. VA

He migrated to the Marshall County area because of the coal industry which was his trade. They lived on enough land that could be farmed. [129]

1860 federal census for Glen Easton P. O., Marshall Co., VA, p. 239 [126]
Adam Basford, male, age 50, b. MD, farmer, real estate 100, personal estate 270
Malinda, female, age 57, b. VA
Crawford, male, age 19, b. VA. farm hand
Adam, male, age 16, b. VA, farm hand
Casandra, male, age 15, b. VA
Melvin, male, age 14, b. VA
Sarah A., female, age 12, b. VA
Mary J., female, age 10, b. VA
Amanda, female, age 8 F, b. VA

1870 federal census for Cameron Twp., Marshall Co., WV, p. 421 [127]
Adam Basford, male, age 58, b. MD, laborer, real estate 800, personal estate 80
Malinda, female, age 60, b. WV, keeping house
Mary, female, age 16, b. WV

1880 federal census for Cameron, Marshall Co., WV, p. 71B [128]
Adam Basford, male, head, age 67, b. MD, father b. --, mother b. --, farmer, married
Malinda, female, wife, age 75, b. WV, father b. WV, mother b. WV, keeping house, married

He applied for a pension based on the Civil War service of his son Randolph on 18 Jun 1883 (#300,273). His wife Malinda made a similar application on 6 Sep 1879 (#251,373). [12]

[12], [125], [126], [67], [130], [131], [127], [128], [132], [132], [129], [133]

He married Malinda WHARTON on 24 Apr 1834 in Ohio Co., VA. [67], [131] Born abt 1803-1812 in Virginia. [125], [126], [127], [128] age 38 in 1850 census, age 57 in 1860 census, age 60 in 1870 census, age 75 in 1880 census. Malinda died aft 1880. [128]

[12], [125], [126], [67], [131], [127], [128], [132], [129], [133]

They had the following children:
179i.
William (Never Married) (~1836->1861)
180ii.
Margaret E. (~1838-1879)
181iii.
Randolph (Never Married) (~1840-1862)
182iv.
Bertram Crawford (1841-1912)
183v.
Adam (~1842-1920)
184vi.
Cassander (~1845-?)
185vii.
Melvin (1846-<1910)
186viii.
Sarah A. (~1848-?)
187ix.
Mary J. (~1850-?)
188x.
Amanda (~1852-?)
83. (daughter) BASFORD (Henry4, John3, Thomas2, Thomas1). Born abt 1810-1820 in Anne Arundel Co., MD. [26] under 10 in 1820 census. (daughter) died ? .

[26]

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