Nathaniel and Mary Basse - more documents about their lives

Repost about ancestors who were first immigrants to Virginia Colony.

 Mary Jourdan Basse 1592-1630, an immigrant to the American Colonies in 1622, my 9 times great grandmother. I found more articles on line, about both Nathaniel and Mary Basse...so am copying them here. The last photos are the primary documents, while much of the rest is cobbled together from possible documents and stories.

The following was posted about her HERE:

Mary Jourdan was born 1590/1595 in London, England and died 7 Jan 1630 [1] [2]

Married:

1. on 05-21-1613 in in London, England to Captain Nathaniel Basse (1589-1654)

Children of Mary Jourdon and Nathaniel Basse:

1. Humphrey Basse b. 07-15-1615 in London, England
2. Samuel Basse b. 07-15-1615 " " "
3. JOHN BASSE b. 09-07-1616 " " "
4. William Basse b. 12-25-1618 " " "
5. Anthony Basse b. 03-13-1620 " " "
6. Edward Basse b. 05-08-1622 " " "
7. Mary Basse b. 06-16-1623 at Basse's Choice, Va.
8. Genevieve Basse b. 10-09-1624 " " " "
9. Ann Basse b. 10-09-1624 " " "
10. Richard Basse b. 08-27-1625 " " " "
11. Gregory Basse b. 12-10-1628 " " " "
12. George Basse b. 12-11-1628 " " " "

Notes

• Capt. and Mrs. Basse were early Jamestown, Va. settlers. They owned Basse's Choice Plantation near Jamestown where the rest of their children were born. They returned to London, England before their deaths.
• Nathaniel died 03 July 1654, in London, Middlesex, England. His wife Mary died in childbirth with their twelfth son, 17 Jan 1630. 
• Parents: not known. Possibly a daughter of Samuel Jordan (1578-1623) & his unknown 1st wife, but there is no documentation to support this.

Another recent find (but published over 20 years ago) gives this information HERE:

BASSES PLAYED PROMINENT ROLE IN COLONY

VIRGINIA H. ROLLINGS ColumnistDAILY PRESSSept 19, 1992

In 1625, accounts of inhabitants, arms, and provisions at each plantation were required when assets of the Virginia Company were transferred to the king.

The muster at "Basse's Choice" on Pagan Creek in Wariscoyack, now Isle of Wight County, listed Capt. Nathaniel Basse, age 35, who arrived on the ship Furtherance in 1622; William Bernard, 21, who had come with Basse; Edward Wigge, 22, by the Abigail, 1621; Thomas Phillipes, 26, by the William & Thomas, 1618; Elizabeth Phillipes, 23, by the Seaflower, 1621; Thomas Bennett, 38, by the Neptune, 1618; Mary Bennett, 18, by the Southampton, 1622; Roger Heford, 22, by the Return, 1623; Benjamin Simes, 33, Richard Longe, 33, Alice Longe, 23, by the London Merchant, 1620; Robert Longe, born in Virginia.

Living at Basse's Choice after the 1622 Indian attack were: Capt. Nathaniel Basse (who had been in England); Samuel Basse; Benjamin Simes; Thomas Sherwood; Benjamin Handcleare; William Barnard; John Shelley; Nathaniel Moper; Nathaniel Gannon; Margaret Giles; Richard Longe and his wife and infant; Richard Evans; William Newman; John Army; Peter Langden; Henry ---; Andrew Rawley; and Peter ---.

One hundred colonists, many from Barbados, were brought to Isle of Wight by Capt. Basse, Sir Richard Worsley, John Hobson, and Christopher Lawne: "Basse's Choice" was probably awarded in connection with this colonization project.

A puzzling reference to Nathaniel Basse with information about the family of his father, Humphrey Basse, is the deposition recorded on Aug. 30, 1654, at Lord Mayors Court of London, recently published by Peter Wilson Coldham: "Major Edward Basse, citizen and merchant of London aged 60, and Dame Mary Poole (Pole) wife of Sir John Poole of Bromley, Middlesex, age 62, depose that Hester Hobson of Bromley, widow, Abigail Thorpe of Chelsea Hampton, Oxon, widow, and Sarah wife of Thomas Hastler, citizen and barber surgeon of London, are sisters and are daughters of Humphrey Basse of London, Merchant, and Mary his wife, both long since deceased.

The sisters are co-heirs of Luke Basse who died a bachelor and was brother of Nathaniel Basse lately deceased without issue in Virginia.

Thomas Hastler is appointed attorney."

John Basse (born Sept. 7, 1616, died 1699 in Virginia), who married the daughter of Chief Robin in 1638, was one of several sons of Capt. Nathaniel Basse and his wife, Mary Jordan Basse. On Aug. 14, 1638, John Basse married Keziah Tucker, "daughter of Robin the Elder of ye Nansemums kingdom, a baptized Christian ..."

The cherished manuscript labeled, "Booke of John Basse Norfolk County Virginia, 1675," is filled with dates of births, marriages, and deaths, beginning with Humphrey Basse and tracing to the present families in Nansemond (Suffolk) and Norfolk. Jesse Lindsey Bass, 1875-1960, was a chief of the Nansemonds.

His son, Earl L. Bass, for many years a shipyard employee, was chief at age 75, when the assistant chief, Oliver Perry of Virginia Beach, petitioned in 1984 for state recognition of the tribe.

The old farm in Chesapeake, about 65 acres, descended to Earl Bass from Indian ancestors who lived there before the Jamestown settlement.

One John Bass was a headright of Thomas Hampton, who patented 1,000 acres in 1637 on south side of the Nansemond River adjacent to Indian fields on Powells Creek. In 1640, Peter Knight, who had married Genevieve Basse, daughter of Nathaniel and Mary, received 150 acres at Basse's Choice.

Land records name a John Basse who owned land in Warwick County in a patent to Thomas Iken. The 1669 patent was for 135 acres in Mulberry Island Parish with a dwelling formerly owned by William Pierce "at the mouth of a creek which divides this from Baker's neck where the church formerly stood along James River and the great marsh dividing this from Mulberry Island near George Harwood, John Basse, to an old field near the cart path along Brewer's and Paulle's land up Warwick River."

Virginia land grants include numerous headrights (persons whose passage was paid by others) of the Basse name.

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Another source gives this information Here:

NATHANIEL BASS

Born	baptised 29 Dec 1589 at the Church of St. Gabriel, Fenchurch Street, London, Middlesex, England
Parents	Humphrey Bass and Mary Buschier
Married	21 May 1613, Mary Jordan, London, Middlesex, England
Died	03 July 1654 London, Middlesex, England
Children

1) Humphrey	b. 15 July 1615 d. 22 Mar 1622 Good Friday Indian Massacre at Basse's Choice
TWINS
2) Samuel	b. 15 July 1615 (not in Basse Record Book but in French Huguenot article
3) John	b. 7 Sep 1616 London, Middlesex, England m. 14 Aug 1638 (Keziah) Elizabeth, dau. of Great Petter, King of the Nansemond Indians ch. Nathaniel, Keziah, Elizabeth, Jordan, Samuel, William, Richard, John d. 2 Apr 1699, Norfolk-Nansemond Co., VA more on John Bass
4) William	b. 25 Dec 1618 London, Middlesex, England m. 20 Sep 1641 Sarah Batton d. Norfolk, VA
5) Anthony	b. 13 Mar 1620 London, Middlesex, England Was in Westmoreland Co., Va. 1654, sponsored by Giles Bren
6) Edward	b. 8 May 1622 London, Middlesex, England m. abt.1644 Mary Tucker, Norfolk-Nansemond Co., VA Mary was a Nansemond Indian d. abt.1696 Chowan Co., NC Edward traded with Showanee Indians in Carolinas
7) Anne	b. 9 Oct 1624 m. 11 Jun 1640 Thomas Burwell Jr.
TWINS
8) Genevieve	b. 9 Oct 1624, 10 minutes after Anne London, Middlesex, England m. 11 Jun 1640 Peter Knight
9) Richard	b. 27 Aug 1625 London, Middlesex, England
10) Gregory	b. 10 Dec 1628 London, Middlesex, England came to Virginia 1642, sponsored by Wm. Prior
TWINS
11) George	b. 11 Dec 1628 several hours after Gregory, London, Middlesex, England d. 1681 Norfolk-Nansemond, VA
12) Son	b. 17 Jan 1629/30 - stillborn (Mother Mary Jordan Basse dies)

The first English settlement in the area known by the Indians as Warrosquoake (Isle of Wight Co., Virginia) was made by Captain Christoper Lawne, Sir Richard Worsley, Knight & Baronet, and their associates NATHANIEL BASSE, Gentleman, John Hobson, Gentleman, Anthony Olevan, Richard Wiseman, Robert Newland, Robert Gyner and William Willis. They arrived at Jamestown with one hundred settlers on 27 April 1619 in a ship commanded by Captain Evans. They immediately settled on the south side of the Warrosquoake River (James River) and established the plantation "Warrosquoake", to be known as "Lawne's Creek". When their patent was confirmed it was to become known as the "County of Isle of Wight".

NATHANIEL BASSE and others undertook to establish another plantation in the same neighborhood, to the east, known as "Basse's Choice" situated on the Warrosquoake River (James River) and Pagan Creek. His patent was received 21 Nov 1621 for 300 acres plus 100 acres of marshland. The houses on Captain Basse's plantation were being built when at midday on Good Friday, 22 Mar 1622, the Indians attacked the settlers killing 347 of the 1240 English inhabitants in the 80 settlements on the north and south sides of the river (James). 26 at Isle of Wight were among those killed. The settlers made a valiant defense of themselves with guns, axes, spades and brick-bats. It is thought that Nathaniel and his wife, Mary, were in England at the time, and some of the children were at "Basse's Choice" with a nurse. The story is told that five-year old JOHN was one of the children that escaped and was rescued by some friendly Nansemond Indians! His older brother Humphrey died that day.

A census taken 16 Feb 1623/24 showed a total of 53 persons living at "Worwicke-Squeak" and "Basse's Choice". Nathaniel Basse and Samuell Basse among those listed.

Nathaniel was appointed to the House of Burgesses at the first Legislative Assembly representing Warrosquoake (Isle of Wight) for 1623/24. He was again a member of the House of Burgesses in Oct 1629 and 1631, appointed to Harvey's Council 1631/32 and a member of the Great Council 1631/32. On 6 Mar 1631/32 Nathaniel was commissioned to "trade between 34 and 40 N Latitude, England, Nova Scotia and West Indies to invite inhabitants hither". (If they were tired of cold and damp!) He was also commissioned to trade to the Dutch Plantation and Canada. He was given power of Justice of Peace.
(Virginia Council & General Court Records 1626-1634)

Basse's Choice originally called for 300 acres but it's acreage was closer to 400. Mr. Peter Knight, married to Nathaniel's daughter Genevieve, patented 150 acres of the same in 1640, and 255 acres in 1643. Peter Knight sold the tract to John Bland, an eminent London Merchant.

Nathaniel Basse was buried 3 July 1654 in the Church of St. Alphage, Cripplegate, London. Mary, his wife, had died 17 Jan 1630 with the birth of a stillborn son. After Nathaniel's death in 1654, the General Assembly of Virginia in 1659/60 ordered Mr. Wm. Drummond as agent of the Co-heirs of Nathaniel Basse to pay to Theodorick Bland of Westover, 2500 lbs tobacco in settlement of a suit affecting the land.

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And Find a Grave has this entry:

Nathaniel Basse was born in December 1589, in London, England, the son of Humphrey Basse and Mary (Buschier) Basse.

He was the brother of: Richard, Humphrey (died young), William, Mary, Hester, Humphrey, Thomas, Samuel, Barnaby, John, Lydia, Abigail, Luke, and Sarah.

Nathaniel married Mary Jordan in 1613, in England. His first trip to the new world was in 1619, arriving at Jamestown. Captain Basse and others established a plantation east of "Lawne's Creek" on the Warrosquoacke River (now known as the James River) and Pagan's Creek, and named it Basse's Choice. "Basse's Choice" is located in Smithfield Virginia.

The houses on Captain Basse's plantation were being built when at midday on Good Friday, 22 Mar 1622, the Indians attacked the settlers killing 347 of the 1240 English inhabitants in the 80 settlements on the north and south sides of the river (James).  

Nathaniel and his wife, Mary, were in England at the time, and some of the children were at "Basse's Choice" with a nurse. Five-year old John was one of the children that escaped and was rescued by some friendly Nansemond Indians. (He eventually married the chief's daughter). His older brother Humphrey (aged 6 years) died that day.  

Nathaniel was commissioned to trade between England and other countries, and to try to "invite inhabitants" to the new world. He served in the House of Burgesses at Jamestown at least twice.

Nathaniel and Mary's children were: Humphrey (1615-1622), Samuel (twin of Humphrey), John (1616-1699), William (1618-1641), Anthony (b1620), Edward (1622-1696), Mary, Genevieve (b1624), Anne (twin to Genevieve), Richard (b1625), Gregory (b1628), George (twin of Gregory).  

While giving birth to a stillborn son in 1630, Mary died, and is buried somewhere in Virginia. 

On one of his many trips back to England, Nathaniel died (in 1654), and was buried in the Church of St Alphage, Cripplegate, London. (The Church and surrounding area were almost totally destroyed during WWII).

********************************

There were photos attached to the Find A Grave article:

Remains of Church of St. Alphage, London, where Nathaniel Basse (and perhaps Mary Jourdan Basse) were buried.

Baptismal record of Nathaniel Base. 25 Dec 1589 Saint Gabriel Fenchurch, London England.

Buried in the church, not the churchyard, Nathaniel Basse July 3, 1655

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Reposting from: Sunday, August 18, 2013

The Native connection

The Nansemonds have said that the book which is not considered accurate uses the surname Tucker to refer to the original Indians who married Western European settlers.  They seem to discount that name, and say any time Kesiah Tucker comes up as Elizabeth Bass's name, it stems from the book that isn't accurate.  But that had been her name as daughter of the Chief of the Powhatans.
  
If one book calls her that name, however, it seems to me that it is just like an alias, not to be discounted completely.  I see throughout the family tree, other women named Kesiah, which must be in honor of that matriarch.  So the book could not have been wrong about her having that other (Indian) name.  It probably would not have been acceptable if the family were strict Christians however.

And I haven't yet researched the religious affiliations of my ancestors...if any is known.  Early Virginians belonged to the Church of England, which became the Episcopal Church later in America.  It wasn't until near the Revolutionary War that Baptists petitioned for their own religious freedom. 

The 10,000 name petition (dated 16 October 1776) has been digitized at the Library of Congress website. It was signed by people from all over Virginia who wanted an end to persecution of Baptists by the Established Church. Baptists and Baptist sympathizers alike signed the petition. 

 And there were also Quakers in the Suffolk area as well. 

Incidentally, the wife would be in charge of the household meals, bedding, clothing and child rearing, but at some point the families probably moved out of the houses of the tribe and into cabins like the Europeans had.  I wonder when that happened.  Somehow I think it took several generations.

And especially important to remember about this family, and this tribe, is the persecution from the white culture.  No wonder some of my ancestors moved from VA to NC, GA, AL, and then TX.

Powhatan style home in Williamsburg,VA

http://cova-inc.org/resources/edu_ark_viintro.html
This link is for a resource kit.  Very well done archeological background of Virginia native peoples.

the best research link I’ve found is: 

 https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Nansemond_County,_Virginia

site has lots of original document links.
More History From http://encyclopediavirginia.org/Nansemond_Tribe#start_entry 

Time Line

• December 1608 - Christopher Newport returns to England from Jamestown accompanied by the Indian Machumps. John Smith, meanwhile, attempts to trade for food with Indians from the Nansemonds to the Appamattucks, but on Powhatan's orders they refuse.
• Early September 1609 - John Smith sends Francis West and 120 men to the falls of the James River. George Percy and 60 men attempt to bargain with the Nansemond Indians for an island. Two messengers are killed and the English burn the Nansemonds' town and their crops.
• June 1611 - Sir Thomas Dale leads a hundred armored soldiers against the Nansemond Indians at the mouth of the James River, burning their towns. 
• August 14, 1638 - John Bass, who may be the son of Nathaniel Basse and Mary Jordan Basse, marries Elizabeth, a Nansemond woman who has converted to Christianity. 
• 1792 - The Nansemond tribe sells its last known reservation lands, 300 acres on the Nottoway River in Southampton County.
• 1850 - The Indiana United Methodist Church in Chesapeake is founded as a mission for the Nansemond Indians.
• March 20, 1924 - Virginia passes the Racial Integrity Act, a law aimed at protecting whiteness on the state level. It prohibits interracial marriage, the only exception being a marriage between a white person and a person with one-sixteenth or less Indian blood.
• 1930 - The General Assembly passes a law defining Virginia Indians as those possessing one-quarter or more of Indian blood and less than one-sixteenth of black blood. The law also stipulates that such people will be considered black unless they live on a segregated Indian reservation.
• February 20, 1985 - The Nansemond tribe is formally recognized by the [Virginia] General Assembly in House Joint Resolution 205.
• January, 2018, the legislation will grant federal recognition of the following six Virginia tribes: the Chickahominy, the Eastern Chickahominy, the Upper Mattaponi, the Rappahannock, the Monacan, and the Nansemond.
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