54 - Richard Bassett (DE)

#54 - Richard Bassett (DE)
Birthplace: Cecil County, Maryland
Age at Convention: 42

1) Religion
-- Devout Methodist who held religious meetings at Bohemia Manor (his inherited estate) and supported the church financially
-- "Mr. Bassett is a religious enthusiast, lately turned Methodist, and serves his Country because it is the will of the people that he do so" (William Pierce)

2) Slavery
-- Held a strong abolitionist position based on religious beliefs
-- Freed his own slaves
-- Advocated the emancipation of others

3) Upbringing
-- Son of part-time tavern owner and farmer who deserted his family while Bassett was young
-- Raised by his mother's relatives and eventually inherited much wealth and a plantation
-- Little formal education; self taught by reading law

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/bassett.html
2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Bassett
3) http://www.fjc.gov/servlet/tGetInfo?jid=113
4) http://www.geocities.com/peterroberts.geo/Relig-Politics/RBassett.html

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (2) or Primarily Secular (0)
2) Abolitionist (1), Partial Abolitionist (1) or Non-Abolitionist (0)
3) Wealthy (0) or Middle-Class/Poor (2)