Eleanor Finch
Richard Bassett was a Founding Father of the United States and a lawyer by profession. Born in 1745 in Cecil County, Maryland, he was a captain of a Dover cavalry militia during the American Revolution and served on the Delaware council of safety. Bassett represented Delaware in the 1787 US Constitutional Convention as a Federal Party member, but did not play an active role in the proceedings. He went on to serve as a US Senator from 1789 to 1793, and later became the Governor of Delaware. Bassett also played a key role in drafting the Delaware Constitution, which was adopted in 1792. So, while Richard Bassett did not sign the US Constitution, he was a key figure in the founding of the nation and the establishment of Delaware's state constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 2nd April 1745 |
| Date of Death | 15th August 1815 |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Role in American Revolution | Captained a troop of Dover cavalry militia, served on the Delaware council of safety |
| Political Party | Federal Party |
| Marital Status | Twice married, to Ann Ennals and a woman named Bruff |
| Number of Children | Fathered several children |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Notable Political Roles | Governor of Delaware, Senator from Delaware, Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, State of Delaware |
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What You'll Learn
Richard Bassett's role in the US Constitutional Convention
Richard Bassett, born in Cecil County, Maryland, in April 1745, played a role in the US Constitutional Convention, which took place in 1787. Bassett, a lawyer and planter, had a successful career before the convention. He owned the Bohemia Manor estate and properties in Dover and Wilmington. During the American Revolution, he captained a troop of Dover cavalry militia and served on the Delaware Council of Safety.
Bassett represented Delaware in the Annapolis Convention in 1786. The following year, he attended the US Constitutional Convention. However, unlike some of his fellow delegates, Bassett did not actively participate in the proceedings. He made no speeches, served on no committees, and cast no critical votes. Despite his passive role, Bassett's presence at the convention contributed to the process of drafting and shaping the US Constitution.
Following the Constitutional Convention, Bassett continued his political career. He participated in Delaware's constitutional convention and served in both the upper and lower houses of the state legislature. In the Delaware ratifying convention, Bassett voted in favour of ratifying the Constitution, which was a unanimous 30-0 decision. Bassett's support for the Constitution demonstrates his commitment to establishing a strong framework for the young nation.
Bassett's political career extended beyond Delaware. From 1789 to 1793, he served in the US Senate. During his Senate tenure, he voted in favour of enhancing the power of the President to remove governmental officers. He also opposed Alexander Hamilton's plan for the federal assumption of state debts. Bassett's votes in the Senate reflect his political beliefs and his interpretation of the Constitution, which he had helped shape.
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Richard Bassett's military career
Richard Bassett, born in 1745 in Cecil County, Maryland, was a lawyer, planter, and politician from Delaware. He had a notable military career during the American Revolution, serving as a captain of the Dover cavalry militia and as a member of the Delaware council of safety.
During the Revolutionary War, Bassett demonstrated his leadership skills by captaining a troop of Dover cavalry militia. This role entailed leading and commanding a cavalry unit, which played a crucial role in the war effort. Bassett's military service was not limited to his captaincy; he also served on the Delaware council of safety, providing strategic guidance and ensuring the safety and security of the state during tumultuous times.
Following the Revolution, Bassett continued his public service by participating in Delaware's constitutional convention and serving in both the upper and lower houses of the state legislature. His dedication to his state and country is evident in his diligent attendance at the U.S. Constitutional Convention, where he listened, observed, and supported the efforts of his fellow delegates.
Bassett's military career laid the foundation for his subsequent success in state and federal governments. He served in the U.S. Senate from 1789 to 1793, where he contributed to shaping the young nation's policies. Bassett's experience in the military likely influenced his perspective on governance and his approach to decision-making in the Senate.
In summary, Richard Bassett's military career as a captain of the Dover cavalry militia and his service on the Delaware council of safety during the American Revolution were integral parts of his life. His leadership skills and dedication to his country's safety paved the way for a distinguished career in politics and government, where he continued to serve his state and nation diligently.
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Richard Bassett's political career
Richard Bassett, born in Cecil County, Maryland, in April 1745, had a long and illustrious political career. After studying law and starting a law practice in Dover, Delaware, Bassett served during the Revolutionary War as a captain of the Dover Light Horse Regiment and the Delaware State Militia. He also served on the Delaware Council of Safety from 1776 to 1777 (or 1786, according to one source), and on the Governor's Council for ten years.
Bassett entered politics as a member of the 1776 and 1792 Delaware Constitutional Conventions. He served in the Delaware State Senate in 1782 and was a member of the Delaware House of Representatives in 1786. In 1786, he represented his state in the Annapolis Convention, and the following year, he attended the US Constitutional Convention, although he did not actively participate in the proceedings.
Bassett's political career advanced to the federal level when he served in the US Senate from 1789 to 1793. During his time in the Senate, he voted in favour of the president's power to remove governmental officers and against Hamilton's plan for the federal assumption of state debts. After his Senate term, Bassett continued to hold various governmental positions, including chief justice of the Delaware Court of Common Pleas from 1793 to 1799.
Bassett's highest political office was achieved when he became the fourth governor of Delaware, serving from 1799 to 1801. During his tenure, he worked to advance the establishment of the continental army. However, his time as governor coincided with a contentious period, as the US Congress passed the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798, which were strongly opposed by the Delaware Legislature. Bassett resigned from the governor's office in 1801 to accept an appointment to the bench of the US Circuit Courts for the Third Circuit, a position he held until the court's abolition in 1802.
Richard Bassett died in 1815 and is buried in Wilmington, Delaware. He left a legacy not only in the political realm but also in the form of Bassettown, now Washington, Pennsylvania, which was named in his honour. Additionally, his descendants include two United States senators from Delaware, Richard H. Bayard and James A. Bayard Jr., reflecting Bassett's enduring influence in the state's political landscape.
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Richard Bassett's personal life
Richard Bassett, the American lawyer, and politician was born in April 1745 in Cecil County, Maryland. His father, a tavern keeper, deserted his mother, and Bassett was raised by a relative, Peter Lawson, from whom he later inherited the Bohemia Manor (MD.) estate. Bassett went on to study law in Philadelphia and received a license to practice in Dover, Delaware, in 1770. He was a successful lawyer and planter and eventually owned properties in Dover and Wilmington in addition to the Bohemia Manor. Bassett was a devout Methodist and held religious meetings at his estate. He also provided financial support to the church. Bassett was married twice—to Ann Ennals and a woman named Bruff—and had several children. He was the grandfather of Richard H. Bayard and James A. Bayard Jr., both United States senators from Delaware. Bassett passed away in 1815 at the age of 70 and was laid to rest at the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery in Wilmington, Delaware.
Bassett had a notable career in public service. During the Revolution, he captained a troop of Dover cavalry militia and served on the Delaware council of safety. He participated in Delaware's constitutional convention and served in both the upper and lower houses of the state legislature. In 1786, he represented Delaware at the Annapolis Convention. The following year, he attended the U.S. Constitutional Convention but did not actively participate in debates or committees. Bassett later served in the U.S. Senate from 1789 to 1793. During his Senate tenure, he voted in favor of the president's power to remove governmental officers and opposed Hamilton's plan for the federal assumption of state debts. After his Senate term, Bassett held various judicial and executive positions in Delaware. He served as chief justice of the Delaware Court of Common Pleas from 1793 to 1799 and then as governor of Delaware from 1799 to 1801. In 1801, he was nominated by President John Adams to the United States Circuit Court for the Third Circuit and served until the court's abolition in 1802.
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Richard Bassett's legacy
Richard Bassett, the Delaware politician, was born in 1745 in Cecil County, Maryland. He trained as a lawyer in Philadelphia and received a license to practice in Dover, Delaware, in 1770. Bassett was a prosperous lawyer and planter, and owned the Bohemia Manor estate, as well as homes in Dover and Wilmington. During the American Revolution, he captained a troop of Dover cavalry militia and served on the Delaware council of safety. Bassett participated in Delaware's constitutional convention and sat in both the upper and lower houses of the legislature. In 1786, he represented Delaware in the Annapolis Convention, and the following year, he attended the US Constitutional Convention. Bassett went on to serve in the US Senate from 1789 to 1793, during which he voted in favour of the power of the President to remove governmental officers. Bassett also served as chief justice of the Delaware Court of Common Pleas from 1793 to 1799, and as governor of Delaware from 1799 to 1801. In 1801, he was nominated by President John Adams to the United States Circuit Court for the Third Circuit and served until the court's abolition in 1802.
Bassett was a devout Methodist and held religious meetings at his estate, Bohemia Manor. He was twice married, first to Ann Ennals and then to a woman named Bruff, and had several children. Bassett died in 1815 at the age of 70 and is buried in Wilmington, Delaware. His legacy includes being the namesake of Bassett Street in Madison, Wisconsin, and the town of Bassettown, now Washington, Pennsylvania. Bassett also lived on in the political careers of his grandsons, Richard H. Bayard and James A. Bayard Jr., who both served as United States senators from Delaware.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Richard Bassett did not sign the US Constitution. He attended the US Constitutional Convention in 1787 but did not make any speeches, serve on any committees, or cast any critical votes.
Richard Bassett attended the US Constitutional Convention diligently but did not actively participate in any debates or decision-making processes. He allowed others to take the major steps while he represented Delaware as a Federal Party member.
After the US Constitutional Convention, Richard Bassett went on to a successful career in state and federal governments. He served in the Delaware ratifying convention, where he joined a unanimous 30-0 vote for the Constitution. He later served in the US Senate from 1789 to 1793 and as Governor of Delaware from 1799 to 1801.
Richard Bassett was a lawyer, planter, and politician. He was active in the fight for American independence from Britain and captained a troop of Dover cavalry militia during the Revolution. He was also a devout Methodist and supported the church financially. Bassett is considered a Founding Father of the United States and Delaware, where he played a key role in drafting the state's constitution.
