3. Bassett of St Athan and Bristol

The Bassett families lived in the St Athan, Aberthaw, Penmark area of Glamorganshire, and had strong associations with Bristol, Gloucestershire. Christopher Bassett was a kind of land agent working for the Fonman Manors and the Dean and Chapter of Gloucester cathedral on their land sales, purchases and leases. The link between these Bassetts and the other families is that Christopher Bassett's daughter, Margaret Bassett married Edward Williams, and that Christopher Bassett appears to be the original owner of land that became Cae Caradog farm.

Christopher (1724-1809) & Alice (1720-1791, born Holland) Bassett

Christopher Bassett was born 1724 to William and Alice Bassett at St Athan, Glamorgan. His sister Elizabeth and brother William both died in infancy.

Alice Holland was born 1720 to John and Elizabeth Holland who lived in the Penmark/St Athan/Aberthaw area. John Holland was engaged in shipping goods between Aberthaw and Bristol/ Minehead (which suggests why the family are easily able to move between Bristol and Aberthaw).

1745 Marriage of Christopher Bassett and Alice Holland at St Nicholas church, Bristol. This church was next to the original Bristol bridge and quayside - and has since been rebuilt twice. From around 1745 they lived in the Redcliffe Street area of Bristol.

While in Bristol they had 2 children:

Elizabeth Bassett, baptised at Redcliffe St Mary Church, Bristol in Mar. 1745, and
'Margret' Bassett, baptised at Redcliffe St Mary Church, Bristol in Jan. 1748.

Christopher and Alice were Welsh methodist supporters and followers of Howell Harris (who was the organiser of the welsh and english methodist societies up to 1749). It appears that Christopher moved to Bristol around 1740-45 to champion the methodist cause, at this point still a movement within the Anglican church. They were involved in promoting methodist meetings and 'societies' at their house in Bristol and organised meetings at Smith's Hall, Bristol.

At this time the methodist movement had split into factions, a key division was between the Welsh Methodists and the Wesleyan methodist societies (led by John Wesley) who had set up their own methodist chapel in Bristol in 1739 [ref: 201]. Christopher Bassett states that the welsh methodist cause had become, by his own account, 'difficult and demanding'. In a letter he wrote to Howell Harris in 1746 he writes: "To brother Harris, ... Some of our younger brothers have not Gifts to continue here as long at a time, you know my dear brother that we are counted ye deadest lukewarmest people belonging to you, as surely it is to much ye case, therefore let your bowels of compassion cause you to send amongst us such as soon most likely to be instrumental in Gods hands to bring us out of our worst than bablylonish captivity. ... Brother Comford, my wife, sister Page and both Sisters Palmer with many others give their love to you. C. Bassett." [ref: 214]

Christopher and Alice returned to Aberthaw/ Penmark sometime between 1748-1751. They had a further 3 children - all baptised at St Mary Church, Penmark. They were, respectively, Christopher in 1751 (who died in his first year and is buried at St Mary), Christopher (Jnr - their second son) in 1752 and Alice Bassett in 1754. Elizabeth and Margaret, the eldest daughters, kept their association with Bristol - and indeed may have remained there.

1751-1764, details of the baptisms of the Bassett children were listed at St Mary Church, Penmark - ie Elizabeth 1746, Margaret 1747, Christopher (2nd son) 1752 and Alice 1754. These were listed all together on a separate page in the church baptism and deaths register, implying they were all registered (or re-registered in the case of Elizabeth and Margaret) at the same time (and followed events in the register dated 1751, and before events dated 1764). The same church register reveals that Christopher Bassett junior, the son, a noted methodist cleric, became curate for St Mary Church in 1780 and took over this register at that point (so it may well have been him who added his family baptisms on an empty page).

1755-1767 Christopher Bassett of Penmark was a 'steward' for the Fonman Manors and Fonman Castle Estate including Fonmon, Penmark, Porthceri, Barry and Michaelston-le-pit. From 1755-1759 he is steward for Lady Mary Jones (the guardian of Robert Jones) and then from 1759-1767 steward for Lord Robert Jones himself. Robert Jones (d. 1793) lived beyond his means, resulting in much of his estate being mortgaged and sold - he spent his latter years on the continent, mainly in France, in refuge from his creditors [ref: 211].

1782 Freehold of lands owned by Robert Jones of Fonmon was transferred to John Franklen for £1,000 [ref: 208]. This document listed Christopher Bassett as having leased land within the Fonmon Estate in St Athan parish, in Manor of Fonman/ Penmark Parish and in Llancarvan. It also lists some of the loans and mortgages outstanding by Robert Jones.
In 1786 a letter of attorney from Robert Jones, living in St Omer, France, to Christopher Bassett instructs him to surrender a piece of land in St Mellons for the use of Thomas Edmund [ref: 212].

1759-1760 Christopher Bassett is one of two Chief Constables for Dinas Powis hundred - which includes Penmark and Llandough [ref: 007].

1759 Alehouse Recognisance, an early form of pub licensing. In 1753 an Act of Parliament required victuallers and alehouse keepers to enter into a bond, before 2 Justices of the Peace, promising to maintain good order in their houses and not permit unlawful games. Christopher Bassett gave surety for 6 local alehouses in 1759 at £10 each. [ref: 007]

Christopher Bassett was also the Glamorgan agent for the Dean & Chapter of Gloucester Cathedral, who owned extensive land and parishes around Cardiff. He is mentioned in 3 cases of probate - for Robert Alexander of Penmark in 1760, Lewis Morgan in 1784 and Iltid Nicholl of Penmark in 1787. In each case, Christopher Bassett is a bondsman [ref: 211].

1784 Christopher Bassett is seen as a one of two collectors of Land Tax Assessments for occupants of Penmark East and West [ref: 207].

1791 Alice Bassett died, buried at St Tathan church, St Athan with other members of the Bassett/ Williams family. The monumental inscription states: "In memory ... of Alice the wife of the above named Christopher Bassett who died April 9th 1791 aged 71 years" [ref: 004].

1802 Christopher Bassett appoints Edward Williams (husband of his daughter Margaret) of St Brides Major as his 'true and lawful Attorney" [ref: 209]. In related deeds it appears that Christopher Bassett purchased land (16 acres) from the Right Honourable Lady Dinevor and sold them on to Evan Simmons for £850. It appears that by 1802 Christopher Bassett was seriously ill and could not even sign his own signature - hence the appointment of an attorney and also writing his own will at this time - though he lived for another 7 years!

Lady Cecil Dinevor (or Dynevor) was the second Baroness Dynevor (1735-1793), inherited from her father William Talbot (1710-1782) on his death. She was the wife of George Rice but assumed the surname of 'de Cardonnel' in lieu of Rice. She lived at Dinefwr Castle, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire.
Deeds also confirm Christopher Bassett had previously sold land to William Gibbon (who was the son of Grant Gibbon and Eleanor Bassett - daughter of Christopher Bassett of Lanalay (1642-1721) - who was a descendent of the Beaupre Bassetts).

When Christopher Bassett died in 1809, his wife had died and so had 3 of his 5 children. This left his inheritance to his two daughters - Margaret (who had become Margaret Williams by marrying Edward Williams of St Brides Major) and Elizabeth (who had become Elizabeth Wall). Elizabeth had no living children and her husband had also died. This saw the end of the Bassett surname for this Bassett family branch - though it re-occurs as a family name.

1809 Will of Christopher Bassett of Penmark, Gentleman (written 1802, died 1809) [ref: 002]:

Margaret Williams (his daughter) is sole executor.
"I give all my lands and hereditaments in several parishes of Penmark and St. Athan ... unto my daughter Margaret, the wife of Edward Williams of the Parish of Saint Brides Major, Gentleman. For and during the term of her natural life and from and after her decease I give and devise the same unto my grandson Christopher Basset Williams and heirs."
"I give and bequeath unto William Williams of Minehead, in the County of Somerset ... an annuity of £30 ... to issue out of all .. my messuages, lands and hereditaments situated in the Parish of Lancarvon in said County of Glamorgan in trust to and for my daughter Elizabeth the wife of Thomas Wall of the city of Bristol, Brewer."
"I give and devise all and singular my messuages, lands and hereditaments situated in the parish of Lancarvon aforesaid (subject to the payment of the aforesaid annuity) unto my said daughter Margaret Williams for and during the terms of her natural life. From and after her decease I give and devise the same unto my grandsons Philemon Williams and Evan Morgan Williams to be equally divided between them as tenants in common and not as joint tenants and to their heirs and assigns forever subject to the payment of £1200 to my granddaughters in the following manner that is to say:
- the sum of £400 to my granddaughter Elizabeth Williams
- the sum of £400 to my granddaughter Margaret Alice Williams
- the sum of £400 to my granddaughter Anna Williams "

Ultimately, the major part of the inheritance of Christopher Bassett became split amongst the 3 sons of Margaret and Edward Williams:

Philemon Williams, inherited the lands in Wick for what is Cae Caradog farm.
Christopher Bassett Williams, obtained lands around St Athan/ Penmark through the Will of Christopher Bassett - subsequently sold to Leyson Lougher, father of his wife Mary Williams (born Lougher).
the inheritance of lands around Llancarvon (aka Llancarfan), Glamorgan went to Margaret Williams and then was to be shared between her sons Philemon Williams and Evan Morgan Williams. Yet to find any mention of these lands - however none of the family were landowners or occupiers in Llancarfan by the time of the 1841 tithe map - which implies the land was sold.
Evan Morgan Williams, obtained a house in Llantwit Major and the personal belongings of his mother Margaret Williams (born Bassett) through her will. This house may well be the Court House (or Ivy House) of Llantwit Major which has a plaque as pictured below - which states that it was extended in the 18th Century by Christopher Bassett:

Children of Christopher and Alice Bassett:

Elizabeth Bassett (1746-1828). Married Thomas Wall of Bristol, brewer.
Margaret Bassett (1747-1824) (see Edward and Margaret Williams)
Christopher Bassett (1751-1751)
Rev. Christopher Bassett (1752-1784). A renowned methodist cleric who became curate of St Fagans and Penmark and Porthkerry (his biography is in Dictionary of Welsh Biography [ref: 001] and also documented elsewhere [ref: 201]):
- son of Christopher Bassett of Penmark, Co. Glamorgan, gent - "his pious parents meant him for the ministry";
- educated at Cowbridge School; entered Jesus College, Oxford, November 9, 1768; BA 1772; MA 1775;
- ordained by the Bishop of London, as curate at St. Anne's, Blackfriars, London; lecturer at St. Ethelburga;
- Christopher Bassett received the support of the Dean and Chapter of Gloucester when he was being considered in 1779 for the post of Vicar of St. Johns, Cardiff (he failed to get the post).
- he fell ill, and became curate for St. Fagan's, and then St Mary, Penmark and then Porthkerry, all near to his parents home.
- friendly with the Rev. David Jones, of Llangan who published an eulogy on his death.
- He became very ill in 1783 and was advised to go to the 'Hot Wells' in Bristol where he stayed at his sister's house (Elizabeth Wall in Redcliff Street, Bristol). He died there of tuberculosis in 1784 - age 31.
- Buried in St Tathan church, St Athan.
Alice Bassett (1755-1777) died age 22 and is buried at the Bassett grave in St Athan. She probably died in childbirth, as there is a further Alice Bassett (1777-1777) also buried at St Athan.

Thomas (d. 1806) and Elizabeth (born Bassett, 1746-1826) Wall

Thomas Wall

Elizabeth Bassett was the eldest daughter of Christopher and Alice Bassett, who was born in Bristol - St Mary Redcliffe church and parish - in 1746 after her parents had moved there.

Thomas and Elizabeth Wall lived in Redcliffe Street, Bristol in the parish of St Mary Redcliffe. Thomas was a common brewer.

1784 Elizabeth's brother, the Rev. Christopher Bassett, a well known methodist preacher, came to her house as an ill man and after being sickly for some years. He died there 1784 and is buried in St Athan, Glamorgan.

1794 Thomas Wall made a complaint to the Bristol Council against John Davis - the collector for His Majesty's Duties of Excise - for charging too much tax on the beer he was making [ref: 213]:

Thomas Wall was a 'common brewer'
He provided written evidence on how many barrels, firkins and gallons of beer he made, and how much he was overcharged by John Davis. The quantities he made were not large, and amounted to what was designated 'small beer'. He also made 'table beer' on some occasions.
He claimed a total overpayment of £20, 11 shillings and 4 pence.

1806 Will of Thomas Wall - appears to have been written 1803. He died sometime 1804-1806. [Ref: 002]

Thomas was a Gentleman, formerly a common brewer of Bristol.
Will granted all wordly possessions of Thomas Wall to Elizabeth Wall, his wife, for her own use "without any blame or hinderance from my children". [There is no evidence he had children with Elizabeth - but may have had children from a previous marriage].
Will also names Rev. Job Wall.
Will witnessed by Thomas Wall, Edward Williams and Phillip Morgan. No executor named.
Will states "have me buried in my own grave in Brunswick Square .. and to have a plain brown back coffin". Brunswick square (and Portland Square) was the first suburb of Bristol, made of new townhouses around St Pauls Church, completed 1794 and in the greek style. The implication is that Thomas and Elizabeth Wall had moved to this area after giving up, or retiring from, his brewing business. Today, Brunswick cemetary is disused and has become public gardens, the townhouses have largely turned into offices and St Pauls is a circus school.

Elizabeth Bassett subsequently moved back to Penmark, Glamorganshire - possibly to live with or near her sister, Margaret Williams, who was also a widow.

1828 Death of Elizabeth Bassett, buried at St Tathan graveyard with other Bassett and Williams family members.

There appears to be a line missing from the monumental inscription - but it says: "and widow of Thomas Wall of the City of Bristol who died 5th March 1828 aged 82 years"
Her St Tathan church death record states 'Elizabeth Wall of East Aberthaw age 82 buried 8 March 1828 at St Athan'.

William (1693-1766) and Alice (born Morgan, 1695-1768) Bassett

William Bassett was born 1693. No link has yet been made between this William Bassett and the earlier Bassett gentry families associated with Beaupre castle, Llanelay and Miscin (for whom there is good documentation). [ref: 202].

Alice Morgan was born in 1695.

William and Alice married at Gileston in May 1719.

1723 Death record for William Bassett, age 0.

1724 Birth record of son Christopher Bassett to William and Alice Bassett of St Athan.

1729 Birth and death record for daughter, Elizabeth, at St Athan.

Monumental Inscriptions at St Tathan churchyard, St Athan [ref: 004] states:

"In memory of WM. BASSETT, ALICE his wife, their three children and Grandson. The said WM. BASSETT died Nov 23rd 1766 aged 73 years. ALICE his wife died Feb 5th 1768 aged 73."

Children of William and Alice Bassett:

William Bassett (1723-1723). Buried St Athan
Christopher Bassett (1724-1809) - see Christopher and Alice Bassett
Elizabeth Bassett (1729-1729). Buried St Athan.