Thursday, May 1, 2008

Oakhurst, Salem New Jersey

Oakhurst is a lovely victorian style home that was renovated in the Colonial Revival style in the 1920s (affecting mostly the front and side porches).

It is located at 100 West Broadway in Salem, New Jersey, in the same block as the great Salem Oak. The house is privately owned (by Laura and Barry Fite) who have been restoring the home for several years, and continue to do so.

Special elements of this house include its slate tiles, mansard roof, and ornate soffit details. Inside, much of its original wordwork remains.

The house was built in 1884 for Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bassett. Joseph's biography and family information can be found below. The original owners probably only lived in the house until 1892 when Joseph, a druggist, died.

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Joseph Bassett, was the son of William & Abigail (Hazelton) Bassett and was born 11 Nov 1842 in Salem Co NJ; he died 24 Dec 1892. Joseph served in the Union Army during the Civil War in Co. D, 12th New Jersey Infantry. He married 9 Apr 1884 to Elizabeth Allen Griscom. When Joseph died at the age of 50, Elizabeth was a 39 year old widow with 2 children. She moved back to live with her parents, Morris & Margaret Griscom, as is evidenced in the 1900 census of Mannington Township. Elizabeth was still living in the 1910 census, in the east ward of Salem City with her two daughters, and her brother Allen Griscom. She received a pension for her husband's military service.
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U.S. Census > 1880 United States Federal Census > New Jersey > Salem > Salem > District 148
Bassett William W M 77 retired merchant NJ NJ NJ [b abt 1803]
Bassett Abigail W. W F 66 wife keeping House NJ NJ NJ
Bassett Joseph W M 38 son druggist NJ NJ NJ [b abt 1842]
Bassett, S. Anna W F 31 dau assistant house keeper NJ NJ NJ
Bassett, Clara J. W F 29 dau assistant house keeper NJ NJ NJ
Bassett, Fenwick H. W M 22 son druggist clerk
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Children of Joseph & Elizabeth (Griscom) Bassett (born in Salem County NJ):
(1) Clara A. Bassett, b. July 1886
(2) Margaret G. Bassett, b. May 1891

Joseph's Bassett ancestors had original arrived in colonial America around New Haven Connecticut, then lived for two generations in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts. In the third generation the Bassett family married and lived in Pilesgrove, Salem County, New Hampshire, with several of the succeeding generations living in Pilesgrove, Mannington and Salem City, New Jersey.

If you are a member of, or are interested in, the Bassett family, please visit the Bassett Family Association web site.http://www.bassettbranches.org/index.shtml