Sam was born on 18th April 1876 in Red House Farm, Preston Brook. He was the 4th child of 9 of Daniel and Catherine Basnett, nee Smith. He was baptised on 29th June. His siblings were Sarah A.S., Mary Ellen, Fanny, John Thomas, Annie, Catherine, William Salt and Elizabeth. Their father Daniel was a farmer.
In 1881 they had two domestic servants and two Irish farm labourers.
In the 1891 Census, his sister Sarah has left home and William Salt and Elizabeth were born since the 1881 census.
By 1901 Sarah had returned to the family home. Mary Ellen had left, John Thomas and William S were cattlemen on the farm, Samuel was a teamster and Elizabeth was a dress makers apprentice.
On 14th October 1901 Sam’s father Died aged 62. Sam’s mother died in July 1903 aged 63 years.
On February 18th 1909 Sam married Alice Basnett from Walton at the Parish Church in Walton. The 1911 Census shows Sam as a farmer living in Preston Brook with Alice and a domestic servant. The 1914 and1915 Electoral Registers still show Sam and Alice as living in a dwelling house in Preston Brook. The 1918 Roll shows him away on military service with his home now being Red House Farm.
During the First World War, Sam served in the A.S.C. (Army Service Corps) No. 256268 with 435 Company until 27th November 1920. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Alice died on the 20th January 1937. Sam had already retired from farming. They were living at Ivy House, Whitley Superior, Cheshire.
In 1941, Sam married Ester May Kinder.
Sam died on 22nd February 1953 in Warrington General Hospital. His widow was E.M. Basnett of 360 London Road Appleton.
Sam’s First Wife Alice Basnett.
Alice was born on the 27th April 1878 in Acton Grange to James Mort and Emily Basnett. In 1881 they were living with James parents who had a farm and provisions shop in Acton Grange. By the 1891 Census they had moved to Grange Mill, Acton Grange where James was a Miller/Farmer. Alice now at school also had a younger brother, James H. The 1901 Census shows them still at the Mill, with James now working on the farm.
Alice and Sam married in 1909.
Alice died on the 20th January 1937, leaving her effects to her widower, who was now retired. They were now living at Ivy House, Whitley Superior, Cheshire.
Sam’s Second wife Ester May Kinder.
Ester was born on the 15th May 1901 in the district of Runcorn, Cheshire. She died in the district of Warrington, Lancashire aged 82 in January 1984.