Jeremiah Basse facts for kids

Jeremiah Basse (who passed away in 1725) was an important leader in the early American colonies. He served as a governor for both West Jersey and East Jersey. He first became governor of West Jersey in 1697 and then also of East Jersey in the same year.

Jeremiah Basse took over as governor after Andrew Hamilton went back to England in 1698. A new rule stated that only people born in England could hold public jobs. However, Basse found it hard to manage the government well during his time as governor. Because of these challenges, Andrew Hamilton was appointed governor again in August 1699.

After his time as governor, Basse held other important roles. He became the Provincial Secretary for New Jersey in 1703, working with governors like Lord Cornbury. Later, from 1719 to 1723, he served as the New Jersey Attorney General, helping with legal matters for the colony.

Basse's Family and Connections

Jeremiah Basse was born in England. His mother was Mary Basse. Before she married Jeremiah's father, she was married to a man named John Barkstead.

This means Jeremiah Basse had half-brothers named John, Francis, and Joshua Barkstead.

Jeremiah also had a sister named Hester Basse. Hester married John Lofting, who was a merchant and also made engines. John Lofting was originally from the Netherlands. He came to England and became a citizen.

In 1698, John Lofting and Jeremiah Basse sent goods to Perth Amboy in East New Jersey. This was on a ship owned by Basse. The ship unloaded its goods without stopping to pay taxes in New York. Because of this, the governor of New York took the ship and sold it. Lofting and Basse took legal action and eventually received money for their losses.