John Bass Sr (1673 - aft. 1732)

Born 4 Dec 1673 in Nansemond County, Virginia Colony

Ancestors

Husband of Love (Harris) Bass — married 8 Jan 1696 in Perquimans County, North Carolina

Husband of Mary (Unknown) Staples — married about 1714 in Chowan Precinct, North Carolina Colony

Descendants

Died after 18 Jan 1732 after age 58 in Bertie County, North Carolina Colony

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Paul Bass [send private message]

Biography

John Bass Sr was a Virginia colonist.

John Bass Sr was part of a Southern Pioneer Family.

John Bass was born 4 December 1673^[1] in Nansemond County, Virginia Colony. He was the son of William Basse and Catherine Lanyere. John dropped the "e" from Basse and was after known as John Bass. (There is some confusion as to whether John was born in Nansemond or Norfolk County. New Norfolk County was formed in 1636 and Upper and Lower Norfolk in 1637. In 1645 Upper Norfolk County became Nansemond County. Norfolk County was formed from Lower Norfolk in 1691. When John married in 1696, he was said to be of Nansemond County.)

John was one quarter Native American. He grew up among the mixed-race peoples living in Nansemond County. His grandmother Elizabeth, who married John Basse (1613-1699), was the daughter of the weroance (king) of the Nansemond Indian tribe.

John Basse married ye dafter of ye King of ye Nansemund Nation, by name Elizabeth in Holy Baptism and in Holy Matrimonie ye 14 day of August in ye yeare of Our Blessed Lord 1638.^[2]

Intermarriage between Indians and whites was forbidden under Virginia law in the early 1690's. Because of this law, there was some migration across the line into the Carolina Colony where there was no such prohibition. So John married his first wife, Love Harris, in Perquimans County, Carolina Colony (later North Carolina) on 8 January 1696.

John Bas and Love Harris was Married ye 8th day of Janewary 1696 both of Nanse Mum County and Nanse Mum Parresh by Mager Samuel Swann Esqr.^[3]

After their marriage, John and Love returned to Nansemond County where they lived for a number of years. Their sons, Edward Bass and John Bass, were born there about 1697 and 1700. They were still living in Virginia in 1701 when a case was brought against John in Norfolk County by Thomas Hodges, Surveyor, for being delinquent "from the high wayes." This case was dismissed when John paid the appropriate costs.^[4]

The following years give us no records until 1719. On 14 July 1719 Thomas Speight sold land in Perquimans County, North Carolina to John Bass.^[5] On 30 January 1720/21 Abraham Hill of the Upper Parish of Nansemond Co. sold to John Bass of Chowan Pct. 200 acres in Chowan Precinct, North Carolina Colony near the head of Horsepool Swamp adjoining Thomas Speight, William Woodley, and Mansfields's Swamp.^[6] So at some time between 1701 and 1719 John and family moved to Chowan Precinct, North Carolina Colony. (Bertie Precinct formed from Chowan in 1722.) Since the earliest record so far found for John in North Carolina is 1719, can it be assumed that this is when he emigrated from Virginia?

Also during this time period Love (Harris) Bass died and John remarried possibly about 1715 in Chowan Precinct (later Bertie County), North Carolina. When he died, his will named his wife as Mary. No death record for Love has been found, nor marriage record for Mary. There is disagreement as to the mother of John's later children. The will indicates that there were several minor children in 1732. John's manor plantation was left to son Edward Bass "Except the use and Liberty of sd Plantation for my loving wife Mary for her Lifetime for ye bringing up my small children. ... all the remainder of my Estate both within and without the doors to be Equally divided amongst my Last wifes children..."^[7] These bequests seem to indicate that Mary's children were still very young. Any minor child would have been born after 1711, or they would have been of age (21) in 1732. At this time, it appears that at least Edward, Moses and John Jr. were Love's children. Further research will need to be done to determine the birth dates of John's other children and their probable mother.

After John's move to North Carolina, he began to acquire more property in the neighborhood of the Urahaw Swamp (located in modern Northampton County).

• 12 February 1722 William Whitehead to John Bass, Senior 300 acres south side Uraha [Urahaw] adj. Kames Field. Part of 600 acre patent dated 30 March 1721. May Court 1723, Bertie Precinct.^[8]
• 10 April 1722 William Bennett & wife Grace Bennett of Albemarle Co. Chowan Precinct deed to John Bass of aforesaid county and Precinct for £15 Sterling money of Great Britain 200 acres of land in Chowan Precinct between Maharra [Urahaw] Swamp and Yeorbrough; proved May Court 1723.^[9]
• 16 July 1722 William Bennett & wife Grace Bennett of Albemarle Co. Chowan Precinct deed to John Bass Jr. of Perquimans Precinct for £37 Sterling money of Great Britain 200 acres adjoining Urahaw Swamp; proved May Court 1723.^[10] This sale of land to John Bass, Jr. indicates he was at least age 21 in 1722, so born about 1700-1701.
• 14 May 1723 Grace Bennett to Thomas Bryant - Power of Attorney, at Court held at James Howard's to ack to John Bass, Sen. and John Bass, Jun. "my right of Dowrie and power of thirds" to all lands sold by my husband, William Bennett to aforesaid Basses. Wts: Henry Sims, Charles Merritt (No court date)^[11]
• 14 April 1727 Land grant, John Bass 460 acres on the north side of the Morattock River in Bertie Precinct joining Yourha [Urahaw] Swamp, James Hutchinson and Robert Newsom. Witness; R. Everhard.^[12]
• 13 January 1728 John Bass sold 310 acres for £25 to James Field. This was the land John bought from Thomas Speight on 14 July 1719, located in Perquimans Precinct.^[13]
• 1 August 1729, August Court 1729 William WHitehead of Bertie precinct, NC, for £10 current money of NC deeds to John Bass of same precinct 100 acres of land in Bertie, adjoin Edward Bass. Witnesses James Howard and Edd Outlaw.^[14]
• 12 August 1729, August Court 1729 Thomas Bryant of Bertie to John Bass for £10 current money of N.C. 100 acres of land on the south side of Yourrah Swamp on north side of Roanoke River in Bertie Co. adjoining William Whiteheads patent, part of a grant to William Whttihead, Frances Bryant acknowledged.^[15]

Death & Legacy

John Bass died January/February 1732. His will was dated 18 January 1731/32 and he is said to have died at the age of 58. Will proved at February Court 1732, Bertie County, North Carolina. In the will he gave his wife Mary "the liberty of the plantation ... for bringing up my small children," referred to "my sd last wife's children," and left 50 acres to his friend, Daniel Wharten Burbegg. Executors were sons John and Edward Bass.^[16]

Children and bequests named in his will (birth dates are tentative pending research):^[17]

1. Edward (c 1696- ) received manor plantation where John lived except John's wife Mary was allowed liberty of the plantation to bring up John's minor children
2. John (c 1700-1777 ) received "my ould square Mosled gun"
3. Aaron (c 1701- ) received his father's plantation on the south side of Bear Swamp
4. Judith (c 1702- ) married William Cannady; received 100 acres by father's will
5. William (c 1703- ) received land at Beaver dam
6. Sarah (c 1704- ) married Lewis Anderson, received 100 acres in Northampton County by father's will
7. Lovey [Loucy] (c 1707- ) received 100 acres of land
8. Mary (c 1709- ) received 100 acres north side of Urahaw Swamp by her father's will
9. Ann (b c 1710- ) not named in will, mother of Aaron Johnston who received 100 acres by her father's will
10. Elizabeth (c 1711- ) not mentioned in father's will but called the "now wife of Edward Taylor" whose son John Taylor was given a deed of gift of 100 acres on the south side of Hunting Quarter Swamp in Northampton County on 6 November 1747 by her brother John Bass.
11. Patience (c 1712- ) received plantation on the south side of Bear Swamp
12. Moses (c 1728- ) received "all my land that lyeth on the north side of Baire Swamp which is adjoining my brother Edward's line."

Notes on North Carolina Counties

• In 1696 when John Bass and Love Harris were married there were only five Precincts (later Counties) in Carolina Colony: Bath, Chowan, Currituck, Pasquotank, and Perquimans.
• 1710 North Carolina and South Carolina made separate Provinces
• 1722 Bertie Precinct formed from Chowan Precinct
• 1739 Precincts now designated as Counties
• 1741 Northampton County formed from Bertie County

Bass Family

(The following is quoted, with permission of the author Paul Heinegg, http://www.freeafricanamericans.com/ from info on this page http://www.freeafricanamericans.com/bailey-berry.htm )

(Note: There are disagreements with Paul Heinegg regarding birth dates and some other information from other sources.)

"The marriage of a John Bass was recorded in Perquimans Precinct, North Carolina: John Bas and Love Harris was Married ye 8th day of Janewary 1696 both of Nanse Mum County and Nanse Mum Parresh by Mager Samuel Swann Esqr. [Haun, Old Albemarle County North Carolina, 62]. Love Harris was living in Norfolk County on 19 May 1693 when the court acquitted Ann Harris, Love Harris, and Elizabeth Jennett of any wilful neglect in the death of a 5 week old child of Ann Harris. This was probably the same Ann Harris, widow of Richard Harris, who bound her daughter Jean Harris to Malachy Thruston in Norfolk County court that same day. Four days prior to this she bound her son John Harris to James Lowry, and two months later on 18 July 1693 she presented an inventory of "what little estate Richard Harris died seized of" in Norfolk County court [DB 5, pt. 2, 287, 292-3, 298]."

"He was living in Norfolk County on 15 October 1701 when a case against him brought by Thomas Hodges, Surveyor, for being delinquent "from the high wayes" was dismissed on his paying costs [DB 6:220]. He was not mentioned in his father's will because he predeceased him. On 30 January 1720/1 he bought 200 acres in Chowan Precinct near the head of Horsepool Swamp [DB C-1:115]. A year later on 16 July 1722 he was in that part of Bertie County which became Northampton County where he bought 200 acres adjoining Urahaw Swamp [DB A:105]. Between 1722 and 1729 he purchased 5 tracts of land including a patent for 460 acres, accumulating a total of 1,060 acres adjoining Urahaw Swamp [DB A:129; C:126, 135; Hoffman, Province of North Carolina Land Patents, 225]. His 18 January 1732 Bertie County will named his children, gave his wife Mary "the liberty of the plantation ... for bringing up my small children," referred to "my sd last wife's children," and left 50 acres to his friend, Daniel Wharten Burbegg [SS 876/3:305]. Norfolk County Bass family papers record his death in the year 1732 at the age of fifty-eight. Mary remarried and as "Mary Staples widow and relict of John Bass, Sr." she sold her one third interest in the plantation where she was living on 21 November 1748 [Northampton DB 1:356]. John Bass's children named in the will were:

i. John3, born say 1700.

ii. Judith Cannady, born say 1702, wife of William Cannady of Edgecombe County. She received 100 acres by her father's will. She and husband William sold this land on 7 April 1744 [Northampton DB 1:175].

iii. Sarah2 Anderson, born say 1704, wife of Lewis Anderson, received 100 acres in Northampton County by her father's will. She and her husband Lewis sold this land on 10 November 1757 [DB 2:233].

iv. Ann1 Johnston, born say 1706, mother of Aaron Johnston who received 100 acres by her father's will. While living in Orange County, North Carolina, on 9 February 1758 he sold this 100 acres in Northampton County [DB 2:455]. He may have been the Aron Johnson who was counted as white in Wake County in 1790 [NC:104].

v. Edward2, born say 1710.

vi. William3, born say 1712, living in Bute County in 1771.

vii. Lovey Bass, born say 1720.

viii. Mary2, born say 1722, received 100 acres on the north side of Urahaw Swamp by her father's will.

ix. Aaron, born say 1724, received his father's plantation on the south side of Bear Swamp. There was an Aaron Bass who was taxable on one poll in Dobbs County in 1769 [NCGSJ XV:74] and taxable on one poll in Johnston County in 1784 [GA 64.1]. There was also an Aaron Bass who was counted as white in Chatham County, head of a household of a male and 3 females in 1790 [NC:87] and head of a Chatham County household of 3 "other free" in 1800.

x. Patience, born say 1726. Her father left her his plantation on the south side of Bear Swamp.

xi. Moses, born say 1728, received land on the north side of Bear Swamp by his father's will. He entered 100 acres on the west side of the Northwest River about 3/4 mile from Raft Swamp including his improvements on 21 November 1752. He was living near "the drains of Drowning Creek" on 1 February 1754 when Robert Carver entered 100 acres there [Philbeck, Bladen County Land Entries, nos. 677, 934]. He was taxable on 3 "white" tithes in Cumberland County, North Carolina, in 1755 [T&C 1], and he received a grant for 100 acres on Raft Swamp in Cumberland County on 21 October 1758 [Hoffman, Land Patents, I:474]. On 19 August 1761 the Cumberland County court granted permission for the mill he had erected on Raft Swamp to be designated a public grist mill, and the court granted him a license to keep an ordinary [Minutes 1759-65, 70]. In May 1762 he posted bond not to leave the county before the next court to answer a suit by the governor and James Simpson with Joshua Braveboy as witness, but he was not mentioned again in the Cumberland County court Minutes. His estate was settled in Prince George Parish, Georgetown District, South Carolina, on 28 February 1777. His estate mentioned his cousins, Jeremiah and Wright Bass, and Mourning, Sarah, Elizabeth, and Ann Going, children of Jacob Going [South Carolina DB S-5:283, 284]. His estate settlement did not mention any children, but he was probably related to William Bass, head of a Fayetteville, Cumberland County household of 5 "other free" and 1 white woman in 1790 [NC:42]. He may have been the "William Bass a free negro" who was presented by the Granville County court for living together in fornication and adultery with Patsy House [CR.44.289.19, no date].

xii. Elizabeth2, not mentioned in her father's will but called the "now wife of Edward Taylor" whose son John Taylor was given a deed of gift of 100 acres on the south side of Hunting Quarter Swamp in Northampton County on 6 November 1747 by her brother John Bass [DB 1:321]." The above children are also mentioned below.

Sources

1. ↑ Bass Family
2. ↑ [1] in North Carolina Digital Collections, State Library of North Carolina.
3. ↑ Haun, p 44
4. ↑ Norfolk County, VA Deed Book 6, p 220
5. ↑ Winslow, p 95
6. ↑ NC Deed Book C-1, p 116
7. ↑ Lucas, John
8. ↑ Bell, page 6
9. ↑ Bell, page 5
10. ↑ Bertie County Deed Book A, p 105
11. ↑ The Family of Capt. WILLIAM BENNETT & wife GRACE citing Bertie Co, NC Deeds-Vol I-1720-1725 Bk A p. 111
12. ↑ Hofmann, p 225.
13. ↑ Perquimans Co., Deed Book C-2 as cited in Winslow
14. ↑ Bertie County, Deed Book C, p 135
15. ↑ Bertie County Deed Book C, p 126
16. ↑ Lucas, John
17. ↑ Lucas, John

• Bell, Mary Best. Colonial Bertie County, North Carolina: Deed Books 1720-1744. 1963.
• Haun, Weynette Parks, Old Albemarle Co., N.C., Perquimans Precinct Birth, Marriages, Deaths and Flesh Marks; 1659-1820, (1980) as cited on The Native American Bass Family
• Hofmann, Margaret M. Province of North Carolina, 1663-1729, abstracts of land patents. Weldon, N.C. : Roanoke News Co., 1979.
• Lucas, John: John Lucas of Eastern North Carolina Descendants for transcript of will and some land transactions.
• Winslow, Mrs. Watson, History of Perquimans County, Baltimore: Regional Publishing Co., 1974. As cited on John Basse, Sr.
• FREE AFRICAN AMERICANS OF VIRGINIA, NORTH CAROLINA SOUTH CAROLINA, MARYLAND AND DELAWARE, from the Colonial Period to about 1820 , fifth edition, two volumes , paperback Jan 1, 2007 by Paul Heinegg online at Bass Family

See also:

• John Bass Family Bible Records in North Carolina Family Records Online includes marriage record of John Basse and Elizabeth Nansemond; marriage record of Edward Basse and Mary Tucker; some family birth dates, etc., both transcription and copy of original record.
• The Native American Bass Family for documentation proving the descent of John Bass from John Basse (b 1616) who married Elizabeth, daughter of the Nansemond chief, through William Basse and Catherine Lanier.
• Heinegg, Paul. Free African Americans of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland and Delaware. Books available to be read online.
• Woodrough, Margot. Whole Cloth: the Floyd Family, London to Cochran in Eight generations. 2006. Includes family lineage for descendants of William Basse (c 1522- ) and Mary Carkin. Also includes some biographical material for the Basse/Bass family, wills, etc.
• John Bass, Sr.
• The Signatures of the Nansemond Bass Family

Acknowledgments

• John Bass Jr-131 was created by Forest Peterson through the import of Hill_Family_Tree_8.ged on Oct 24, 2014.
• Thanks to Donna Glover for starting this profile.
• WikiTree profile Bass-703 created through the import of garner ancestry_2012-08-11.ged on Aug 11, 2012 by John Stroud.
• This person was created through the import of mostrecentforgramps.ged on 13 September 2010.