1978 Richard Bassett

 Cover Honors Founding Father Richard Bassett

Own this cover picturing Richard Bassett (1745-1815).  The Flag over Independence Hall stamp is tied to the cover with a Dover, Delaware, postmark.  Bassett spent much of his adult life in that city.  The date on the postmark represents the 233rd anniversary of his birth.

Bassett was born in colo...  more

 Cover Honors Founding Father Richard Bassett

Own this cover picturing Richard Bassett (1745-1815).  The Flag over Independence Hall stamp is tied to the cover with a Dover, Delaware, postmark.  Bassett spent much of his adult life in that city.  The date on the postmark represents the 233rd anniversary of his birth.

Bassett was born in colony of Maryland, but settled in Delaware to set up his law practice.  During the Revolutionary War, he served in the Continental Army as a company captain in the Delaware militia.  After the war, Bassett was appointed represented the state at the Constitutional Convention.  He also served in the US Senate and as governor of Delaware.  He was later appointed as a judge to the US Circuit Court for the Third Circuit.  When he retired from public life, Bassett returned to Maryland to farm.  Though he owned slaves, he freed them and became a strong abolitionist.