Elizabeth, wife of William Bassett (mtDNA)

Status summary

Completed as of May 6, 2021:

• Recruiting matrilineal (direct female-line) descendants of Elizabeth, wife of William Bassett for mtDNA testing - anyone interested in submitting their DNA for testing should contact Raymond T. Wing (email: wing.genealogist AT gmail DOT com)

Biography

First Generation

As with most females, very little is known about Elizabeth, the wife of William Bassett. It is believed the couple were married and arrived at New Plimouth together in 1621 aboard the Fortune. It is believed Elizabeth was the mother to all of William Bassett's children (born Plymouth): William (c1624), Elizabeth (c1626), Nathaniel (c1628), Sarah (c1628), Joseph (c1632) and Ruth (1633).

Second Generation

Elizabeth Bassett was born New Plimouth abt 1626. She married Sandwich 8 Nov 1648 Thomas Burgess. They were divorced 10 Jun 1661. The couple never had children. Some sources state Elizabeth married William Hatch and she died Swansea in 1670.

Sarah Bassett was born New Plimouth abt 1628 and died prob. Plymouth aft 22 Mar 1693. She had a son, John Sprague "Jr." born shortly after her first marriage to John Sprague "Sr." as they were fined on 6 Jun 1655 for having a child born too soon after marriage. However, Y-DNA testing documents this child (John "Jr.") was not fathered by John, but rather by a member of the Fuller family. Rev. Samuel Fuller (II) was the only Fuller living near Duxbury in 1654, so is believed to be the genetic/biological father of John. In addition to John, Ruth and John had six children (born Duxbury, likely now Bridgewater): Elizabeth (c1657 m George Sampson), Ruth (1659/60 m Eleazer Smith), Samuel (1662), William (1664), Dorcas (c1666 m Joseph Hatch) and Desire (1668 m John Gifford).

DNA results TBD

To date, we know of no matrilinear (all female line) descendants of Elizabeth, wife of William Bassett, who has taken a mtDNA test.