ROCHESTER — Connie Eshbach, vice president of the Rochester Historical Society, once heard that Rochester sent more residents to fight in the American Revolution than any other town of its size.

One of those residents, Thomas Bassett, was honored with a grave marking ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 26 at Dexter Lane’s cemetery.

Many residents and descendants of Bassett met in his final resting place to honor his service to the nation during its struggle for independence.

The event was conducted by the Cape Cod and Islands chapter of The Sons of the American Revolution.

Bassett was born in Rochester in 1759 and enlisted in a militia company at just 16 years old in 1775.

He was the youngest of 10 children before having nine children of his own.

During his time serving the country, Bassett served as a Private in Dorchester Heights before going to sea, working on the ship “The Rising Empire,” tasked with sinking British ships.

He also served as a foot soldier in Bristol, Rhode Island at the end of 1776 and in West Point, New York in 1780.

Bassett passed away in 1833.

A wreath was placed by Troop 31 scouts Joshua Van Inwegen and Zachary Bellefuille beside Bassett’s grave.

If you heard gunshots in Rochester on Saturday morning, you were hearing the firing of muskets as part of the ceremony.