Richard Bassett (Delaware politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard Bassett
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Judge of the United States Circuit Court for the Third Circuit | |
| In office February 20, 1801 – July 1, 1802 |
|
| Appointed by | John Adams |
| Preceded by | Seat established by 2 Stat. 89 |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| Governor of Delaware | |
| In office January 9, 1799 – March 3, 1801 |
|
| Preceded by | Daniel Rogers |
| Succeeded by | James Sykes |
| Chief Justice of the Delaware Court of Common Pleas | |
| In office March 4, 1793 – January 15, 1799 |
|
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | James Booth |
| United States Senator from Delaware |
|
| In office March 4, 1789 – March 3, 1793 |
|
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | John Vining |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Richard Bassett
April 2, 1745 Cecil County, Province of Maryland, British America |
| Died | August 15, 1815 (aged 70) Cecil County, Maryland |
| Resting place | Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery Wilmington, Delaware |
| Political party | Federalist |
| Relatives | Richard H. Bayard (grandson) James A. Bayard Jr. (grandson) |
| Education | read law |
| Signature |  |
Richard Bassett (April 2, 1745 – September 15, 1815) was a very important person in early American history. He was a Founding Father who helped create the U.S. Constitution and signed it. He also fought in the American Revolutionary War.
Bassett had many important jobs. He was a lawyer, a United States Senator for Delaware, and the governor of Delaware. He also served as a judge. Later in his life, he became a strong supporter of ending slavery. He even freed his own slaves.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Richard Bassett was born on April 2, 1745, in Cecil County, which was then part of British America. He studied law to become a lawyer. After finishing his studies, he started his law practice in Delaware.
Bassett was also interested in farming and helping others. He became well-known for being kind and generous. He was part of Delaware's groups that helped write the state's first laws in 1776 and 1792.
Service During the Revolution
During the American Revolutionary War, Bassett was a captain in the Dover Light Horse Regiment. This was a part of the Delaware State Militia. He served from 1777 to 1781, helping to fight for American independence.
He was also a member of the Council of Safety in Dover. This group worked to protect the people and support the war effort.
A Leader in Government
Richard Bassett played a big role in creating the United States. In 1787, he was chosen to be a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. This was a meeting where leaders from different states wrote the U.S. Constitution. Bassett was one of the people who signed this important document.
After the Constitution was written, he helped Delaware approve it. Delaware was the first state to do so.
Political Career
Bassett continued his public service in many ways:
- He was a member of the Delaware Legislative Council (now the Delaware Senate) in 1782.
- He served in the Delaware House of Representatives in 1786.
- From 1789 to 1793, he was a United States Senator for Delaware.
- He became the chief judge of the Delaware Court of Common Pleas, serving from 1793 to 1799.
- From 1799 to 1801, he was the governor of Delaware.
Becoming a Federal Judge
In 1801, President John Adams chose Richard Bassett to be a judge for the United States Circuit Court for the Third Circuit. He started this job on February 20, 1801. However, his time as a federal judge was short. The court he served on was closed down on July 1, 1802.
Later Life and Beliefs
After his time as a judge, Bassett became a farmer in Cecil County. He had a large estate called Bohemia Manor.
An important part of Bassett's life was his change of heart about slavery. While he had owned slaves earlier, he became a Methodist in the 1780s. This led him to believe that slavery was wrong. He then freed his own slaves. He also worked hard to convince the state of Delaware to end slavery.
Richard Bassett passed away on September 15, 1815, at his home in Cecil County. His remains were later moved to the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery in Wilmington, Delaware.
Family and Legacy
Richard Bassett's grandsons, Richard H. Bayard and James A. Bayard Jr., also became United States Senators for Delaware.
Places have been named in his honor, like Bassett Street in Madison, Wisconsin. Also, a town called Bassettown, which is now Washington, Pennsylvania, was named after him by his cousin.
