Col. Philip Johnson and wife, Elizabeth Bray
Johnson
1771 – 1773:
Richard Hunt Singleton, renter
ca. 1793 – 1796:
Richard Corbin
1796 – ca. 1840:
Burwell Bassett
1840 – 1843:
Abel Parker Upshur
1843 – 1845:
John Coke
1845 – 1869:
Col. Goodrich Durfey
1869 – 1879:
Israel Smith
1879 – 1927:
Smith heirs
10/22/27:
Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin acquired the property for
Colonial Williamsburg, granting Edith and Alice Smith life tenancy.
5/16/30:
Fire destroys most of the roof and part of the
second floor interiors; most earlier portions remain intact.
8/17/31:
Life tenancy in the main house is released in
exchange for a monthly stipend and a life right in Bassett Hall
cottage for Edith Smith and a stipend for Alice Smith.
12/27/33:
Colonial Williamsburg deeds all of Bassett Hall
property, except nine and one-half acres on which the house
is located, to John D. Rockefeller Jr.
11/36:
The Rockefellers move into Bassett Hall.
4/25/36:
Colonial Williamsburg transfers nine and one-half
acres with the house to Bassett Hall Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary
of Colonial Williamsburg, Inc.
1/30/42:
Bassett Hall Inc. transfers nine and one-half
acres with the house to John D. Rockefeller Jr.
10/21/43:
Edith Smith dies, ending all Smith life rights
to Bassett Hall.
11/18/48:
John D. Rockefeller
Jr. gives Bassett hall to John
D. Rockefeller 3rd, reserving
a life interest for himself.
5/11/60:
John D. Rockefeller
Jr. dies. John D. Rockefeller
3rd assumes responsibility for
Bassett Hall.
7/10/78:
John D. Rockefeller
3rd dies leaving Bassett Hall
property to family members who
present it to Colonial Williamsburg.
5/9/79:
John D. Rockefeller
3rd Fund Inc. gives furnishings
of Bassett Hall to Colonial
Williamsburg.
6/15/80:
Bassett Hall opens to the public as a house
museum.
Historic Triangle