Representative women of New England/Lelia F. H. Rockwood
LELIA FRANCES BASSETT ROCKWOOD, Department Patriotic Instructor of the Woman's Relief Corps of Massachusetts, was*born November 4, 1843, in Little Falls, N.J. She is descended on her father's side from William Bassett, who came to Plymouth in the second forefather ship, the "Fortune," in 1621. Joseph Bassett, her great-grandfather, was a Revolutionary soldier. (His record can be found in " Massachasetts Soldiers and Sailors of the American Revolution," vol. i., p. 760, Captain John Callender's Company.)
Nathaniel Bowman Brown Bassett, her father, was born October 19, 1814, in Plymouth, Vt., and died July 10, 1866, in Milford, Mass. He was a teacher in Albany and .several other places in New York and in New Jersey, but failing health compelled him to give up the profession which he had followed with success for many years.
Mrs. Rockwood's mother, Caroline Fisher Bassett, daughter of Benjamin Fisher, was born in West Fairlee, Vt., and died in Milford, Mass., July 29, 1899. She was descended from Anthony Fisher, an English Puritan, who settled in Dedham, Massachusetts Bay Colony, in 1637.
Lelia Frances Bassett (Mrs. Rockwood) attended the public schools of Milford until she reached the age of fourteen, and subsequently for several years pursued a regular course of study under the instruction of her father, who was then a confirmed invalid. She began to teach in Milfonl when she was eighteen years of age, and continued in this work until June, 1876. The school committee in their report for that year referred to her as follows: "We have few changes to report. One of them is the resignation of Miss Lelia F. Bassett. For years she taught the primary school in the upper room of the old Town House. Under her care it grew to be a model .school, excelling in good order and in rapid advance of the pupils in study. She possessed superior gifts as a teacher, and in her resignation the town has met a loss not easy to repair. But what is our loss is another's gain. As Mrs. Rockwood she carries with her the good wishes of hundreds of parents who had learned to es- teem her as the kind and judicious teacher of their children."
Samuel Rockwood, to whom Miss Bassett was married July 2, 1876, was a native of Milford, Mass., being a son of Deacon Peter and Sabra (Parnell) Rockwood. He died in Milford, April 6, 1S97.
Mrs. Rockwood joined the Pine Street Baptist Church on July 3, 1864. She has been a teacher in the Sunday-school continuously to the present time. She is active and helpful in all branches of the work of the church. She servetl for several years as president of the Woman's Circle, and also as president of the Woman's Missionary Society. Chosen clerk of the church on July 3, 1885, she has performed her duties in that capacity so satisfactorily that she continues in the office, her faithfulness and ability being recognized by all the members. During all the years she has held this position she has ofhcially re])resente(l the church at conventions, councils, and other meetings. She is one of the original members and has been a director in the Woman's Auxiliary to the Young Men's Christian Association, which was organized in 1888. She worked untiringly for its success for fourteen years, serving as treasurer eleven years. Other duties compelled her to resign from official work in this association, but she retains her membership and continues her interest.
The Milford Improvement Society elected her a director when first organized. The Quinshi- paug Woman's Club, of Milford, Hopedale, and Mendon, was organized June 8, 1897, and Mrs. Rockwood was elected treasurer, serving also two years as a director. When the social service department of the club was started, in 1899, she was one of the committee of five appointed to have charge of it. During the two years .she served on this committee the stamp savings system was introduced into some of the schools, meeting with great success. This is one of Mrs. Rockwood 's pet schemes, as she believes in developing habits of thrift among the children of the public schools by encouraging them to save their ))ennies.
Having literary ability, she has prepared papers for the Woman's Club and other socie- eties. She is thoroughly patriotic, and takes a deep interest in all matters relating to the Grand Army of the Republic. As a member of Major E. F. Fletcher Relief Corps, No. 72, of Milford, she has done excellent work in vari- ous offices and on committee!^. When presi- dent of the corps, in 1899-1900, she conducted the work in a pleasing and efficient manner, representing it .so creditably on public occa- .sions that higher honors were conferred upon her. The Department Convention of Massa- chusetts has at several of its sessions elected her a delegate to National Conventions. , While serving in this capacity she has visited Western and Southern cities, her interest in patriotic work extending throughout the Union.
As Assistant Inspector she -showed such a knowledge of her duties and capability of im- parting instruction that she was appointed Department Inspector in 1901 by Mrs. Maria W. Going, Department President. Her report at the next annual convention covered fifteen printed pages, one paragraph of which shows the variety of work accomplished: "It has been my privilege to visit many of our corps per- sonally, and everywhere I have found the same spirit of charity, loyalty, and helpfulness among my co-workers, and have been cordially re- ceived by them at all times; and, whether standing with them on the top of 'Old Grey- lock' Mountain or on the sandy beach of Prov- incetown, I have felt, as never before, that the future good of our country was assured by reason of the noble, earnest women who com- prise our membership.
"I have attended all the Council meetings, been present at four County Associations meet- ings, instructed eight corps, attended eighteen exemplifications and social days combined, was present at the institution of the corps in Web- ster, inspected twelve corps, installed the officers of six corps, was a delegate to the National Convention at Cleveland, Ohio, have written six hundred ninety-eight letters, and have at- tended to various other matters pertaining to my oflRce. I also repre.sented the Department at the Barnstable County Association at Sand- wich." Mrs. Rockwood journeyed to Califor- nia with the official party of the Department of Massachusetts, Grand Army of the Republic, and Woman's Relief Corps, and served as a delegate at the convention in San Francisco. She made an extended tour in the State, and was the recipient of many courtesies from friends.
At the convention held in Boston February 11 and 12, 1892, Mrs. Rockwood was chosen a member of the Department ExeGlitive Board. She has continued her visits to corps, participating also in Grand Army gatherings, public meetings, and receptions. Her remarks on these occasions are always interesting, and their effect is aided by her pleasing manner. At the annual convention, February, 190.3 (having previously declined to be a candidate for the office of Junior Vice-President), she accepted an appointment as Department Patriotic In- structor, conferred by Mrs. Clara H. B. Evans, Department President. Mrs. Rockwood is a National Aiile in the W. R. C. She is now doing active work in preparing for the National Eiicnmpment of tlic G. A. R. and National Convention of the W. R. C. in Boston in August of this year (1904), being chairman of the Auditing Connnittee and a member of the Executive Committee, Reception Committee, and Floral Committee.
Mrs. Rockwood anticipates joining a chapter in the D. A. R. and the Colonial Dames, to each of which organizations she is eligible.