Lassiter

106 South East Street.

The two hundred-first in a series of posts highlighting buildings in East Wilson Historic District, a national historic district located in Wilson, North Carolina. As originally approved, the district encompasses 858 contributing buildings and two contributing structures in a historically African-American section of Wilson. (A significant number have since been lost.) The district was developed between about 1890 to 1940 and includes notable examples of Queen Anne, Bungalow/American Craftsman, and Shotgun-style architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

The photo above was taken in April 2008 for Google Maps Streetview. A year later, the house at 106 South East Street was sold to the City of Wilson and demolished to make way for the Freeman Place housing development.

As described in the nomination form for the East Wilson Historic District: “ca. 1913; 1 story; Dempsey Lassiter house; L-plan cottage with hip-roofed porch; aluminum-sided.”

In 1918, Dempsey Lassiter registered for the World War I draft. Per his registration card, he lived at 103 East Street; was born 28 October 1874; was a blacksmith for Hackney Wagon Company; and his nearest relative was Mary Jane Lassiter.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on East Street, wagon factory laborer Dempsey Lassiter, 35, and wife Mary, 25.

Detail from 1922 Sanborn fire insurance map of Wilson.

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Lassiter Dempsey (c: Mary J) farmer h 106 S East

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 106 East Street, owned and valued at $1250, Dempsey Lassiter, 55, wife Mary J., 44; nephew Charles Bynum, 16; and nieces Katie Powell, 10, and Willie M. Leonard, 6.

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Lassiter Dempsey (c: Mary J) farmer h 106 S East; Lassiter Robt (c) h 106 S East

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 106 South East Street, farm laborer Dempsey Lassiter, 65; county school teacher Mary, 55; and widowed sister-in-law Carrie Bynum, 30, a housekeeper.

In 1940, Charles Lee Powell registered for the World War II draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 10 June 1918 in Nash County, N.C.; lived at 114 South East Street, Wilson; his contact was uncle Dempsey Lassiter, 110 [sic] South East Street; and he worked for G. S. Tucker & Company, South Goldsboro Street, Wilson.

In the 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Lassiter Dempsey (c: Mary J) farmer h 106 S East

Dempsey Lassiter died 16 July 1946 at his home at 106 South East Street, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was married; was 68 years old; was born in Wilson County to Green Lassiter and Mary Powell; was a farmer; and his informant was Mary J. Lassiter. He was buried in Rountree cemetery [actually, Odd Fellows cemetery].

Mary Jane Lassiter died 21 August 1966 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 84 years old; was born in Wilson County to Charles Bynum and Julia Ann Davis; was a school teacher; and was a widow. James Bynum was informant.

Hardy Lassiter of Baltimore (and his brother Henry Lassiter.)

We have read of Hardy Lassiter, a free man of color born about 1780, who died in what is now Wilson County in 1853. Hardy Lassiter had a son, Hardy Lassiter Jr. (1828-?), but also had grandsons, great-grandsons, and even great-great-grandsons named Hardy Lassiter, who carried his name out across the United States.

We have already met Hardy Lassiter (1864-1928), who migrated to Arkansas as an Exoduster. This man was the son of Green Lassiter, nephew of Hardy Lassiter Jr., and grandson of Hardy Lassiter Sr. 1864 Hardy’s son Hardy Lassiter was born about 1886, just before the family went west. We also met the Hardy Lassiter, son of Silas Lassiter, who migrated to Georgia.

Here, yet another Hardy Lassiter, this one the son of John Henry Lassiter, who was a brother to Green and Silas Lassiter.

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  • Hardy Lassiter

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: drayman John Lassiter, 50; wife Isabella, 33, wash woman; and children and grandchildren Ida, 17, Henry G., 9, Marcellus, 7, Hardy, 5, and Ora, 7 months.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Stantonsburg Road, John H. Lassiter, 57, and children and grandchildren Marcellious, 18, Hardie, 16, and Oeta, 14, all odd jobs laborers.

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Lassiter Hardy (c) lab h 644 Wiggins

In the 1940 census of Baltimore, Maryland: WPA laborer Henry Lassiter, 52; wife Nettie, cook; children Alberta, 18, and Lillian, 17; brother Hardy Lassiter, 44, WPA laborer; wife Adlenna, 40, laundress; roomer Edgar Molock, 18; sister-in-law Almeater Jones, 35, cook; and nieces Martha Weaver, 15, and Katie Powell, 20.

In 1942, Hardy Lassiter registered for the World War II draft in Baltimore, Maryland. Per his registration card, he was born 15 December 1896 in Wilson, North Carolina; lived at 1511 West Mulberry Street, Baltimore; his contact was Lena Lassiter, same address; and he worked for Mrs. B. Dunning, Curtis Bay, Ord. Depot, Maryland.

In the 1950 census of Baltimore, Maryland: laborer Hardy Lassiter, 54; wife Lena, 53, domestic; and Emma Lassiter, 83, widow.

Hardy Lassiter died 12 September 1960 in Baltimore. As a World War I veteran, he was buried in Baltimore National Cemetery.

  • Henry Lassiter

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: drayman John Lassiter, 50; wife Isabella, 33, wash woman; and children and grandchildren Ida, 17, Henry G., 9, Marcellus, 7, Hardy, 5, and Ora, 7 months.

On 15 July 1914, Henry Lassiter, 22, of Wilson, son of J.H. Lassiter and Isabella [no maiden name], married Frances Pender, 21, of Wilson, daughter of Isaac and Lou Pender, at Isaac Pender’s in Wilson. Primitive Baptist minister Jonah Williams performed the ceremony in the presence of Willie Arrington, Thomas Cooke, and C.H. Barnes.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farm operator Henry Lassiter, 29, and wife Francis, 31.

In the 1930 census of Baltimore, Maryland: Henry Lassiter, 38, tub factory laborer; wife Frances, 39, servant; and daughters Alverta, 8, and Lillian, 7.

In the 1940 census of Baltimore, Maryland: WPA laborer Henry Lassiter, 52; wife Nettie, cook; children Alberta, 18, and Lillian, 17; brother Hardy Lassiter, 44, WPA laborer; wife Adlenna, 40, laundress; roomer Edgar Molock, 18; sister-in-law Almeater Jones, 35, cook; and nieces Martha Weaver, 15, and Katie Powell, 20.

In 1942, Henry Lassiter registered for the World War II draft in Baltimore, Maryland. Per his registration card, he was born 5 November 1892 in Wilson, North Carolina; lived at 1511 West Mulberry Street, Baltimore; his contact was Nettie Lassiter, same address; and he worked for Earl Kerns, Gref Company, Fairfield, Maryland.

In the 1950 census of Baltimore, Maryland: Henry Lassiter, 53; wife Nettie, 43; grandchild Ralph, 12; nephew Hardy, 20 [yet another Hardy Lassiter, born in 1929, who had a son Hardy Lassiter Jr. in 1951]; and lodger Mandora Knox, 20.

Henry Lassiter died in July 1966.

Baltimore Afro-American, 2 August 1966.

Hardy Lassiter, who went to Georgia.

We have read of Hardy Lassiter, a free man of color born about 1780, who died in what is now Wilson County in 1853. Hardy Lassiter had a son, Hardy Lassiter Jr. (1828-?), but also had grandsons, great-grandsons, and even great-great-grandsons named Hardy Lassiter, who carried his name out across the United States.

We have already met Hardy Lassiter (1864-1928), who migrated to Arkansas as an Exoduster. This man was the son of Green Lassiter, nephew of Hardy Lassiter Jr., and grandson of Hardy Lassiter Sr. 1864 Hardy’s son Hardy Lassiter was born about 1886, just before the family went west.

In this post, we will follow the Hardy Lassiter who migrated to Georgia, and in a later post, we will meet a Baltimore Hardy Lassiter. Georgia Hardy was the son of Silas Lassiter, first cousin of Arkansas Hardy, and grandson of the first Hardy.

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In the 1860 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Silas Lassiter, 38, farmer; wife Orpie, 34; children Sallie, 12, Mary, 11, James, 9, John, 7, Elizabeth, 5, Penina, 4, Hardy, 3, Silas, 1, and George, 2 months; and Delphia Simpson, 14. Silas reported $490 in real estate and $155 in personal property.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Silas Lassiter, 47, and children Ophelia, 25, Mary, 20, Elizabeth, 16, Handy, 14, Penninah, 15, Silas W., 12, Milly, 8, and Jerusha, 4.

On 27 January 1884, Hardy Laster married Elizabeth Jenkins in Pierce County, Georgia. [We cannot be sure, but it appears Lassiter migrated to south Georgia to work in the turpentine industry.]

In the 1900 census of Blackshear, Pierce County, Georgia: turpentine chipper Hardy Laster, 51; wife Lizzie, 37; and children Trudy, 15, Janie, 11, Gaynell, 9, Colier, 7, Earnest, 5, and Draroza, 3. All were born in Georgia except Hardy.

In the 1910 census of Blackshear, Pierce County, Georgia: farmer Hardy Laster, 53; wife Elizabeth, 38; and children Vanelia Neal, 19, and Collier, 17, Earnest, 15, Deargie, 13, Jessie D., 4, and Sylvestus, 2; and grandson Alonzo Washington, 5.

In 1917, Ernest Lassiter registered for the World War I draft in Hernando County, Florida. Per his registration card, he was born 10 August 1897 in Little Rock, Arkansas; his father was born in Wilmington, North Carolina; he worked for Central Cypress Company, Centralia, Florida; and his nearest relative was Hardy Lassiter, Blackshear, Georgia.

Janie Sims died 15 November 1918 in Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida. Per her death certificate, she was 28 years old; was born in Blackshear, Georgia, to Hardy Laster; was married to Jesse Sims; worked as a laundress; and was buried in Blackshear.

In the 1920 census of Blackshear, Pierce County, Georgia: machine shop laborer Hardy Laster, 68; wife Elizabeth, 46, cook; and son Sylvester, 13.

Hardley Lassiter died 20 November 1922 in Blackshear, Pierce County, Georgia. Per his death certificate, he was born 3 March 1851 in North Carolina to Sirlis and Orphia Lassiter; was married to Eleziabeth Lassiter; worked as a laborer; and was buried in Blackshear Colored Cemetery.

Vanilla Chisholm died 25 July 1927 in Manhattan, New York, New York. Per her death certificate, she was born in 1897 to Hardy Lassiter and Elizabeth Jenkins; was married to Jon J. Chisholm; worked as a hairdresser; and was buried in Blackshear, Georgia.

Georgia, U.S., Marriages from Select Counties, 1828-1978, database on-line, http://www.ancestry.com; Georgia, U.S., Death Records, 1914-1940, database on-line, http://www.ancestry.com.

Hardy Lassiter Jr. sells his inheritance.

A year after inheriting, Hardy Lassiter Jr. sold the 57-acre parcel he received in the division of his father Hardy Lassiter Sr.‘s estate.

Deed Book 1, page 25, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson.

This indenture made the 19th day of May AD 1855 between Hardy Lassiter of the first part & William L. Farmer of the second part — all of the county Wilson State of North Carolina witnesses that for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred and twenty five Dollars, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged the said Hardy Lassiter has given, granted bargained sold & conveyed & by these presents does give, grant, bargain, Sell & convey unto the Said Wm. L. Farmer his heirs & assigns a certain tract or parcel of land lying in the county of Wilson, adjoining the lands of Nathan Rountree, Washington Ruffin & others, containing fifty seven & a half acres more or less, the land being that drawn by the Said Hardy Lassiter in the division of his Fathers estate to have & to hold the said land unto the said William L. Farmer his heirs & assigns. And the said Hardy Lassiter does hereby covenant & agree himself, his heirs, executors & administrators to forever warrant & defend the title hereby conveyed to the Said William L. Farmer his heirs & assigns forever

In testimony whereof we hereunto set our own hands & seas this the day & date above written    Hardy (X) Lassiter    Witness B.E. Farmer

Studio shots, no. 232: Ichabud and Mary Ann Lassiter Powell.

Ichabud and Mary Ann Lassiter Powell.

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In the 1880 census of Taylor township, Wilson County, N.C.: farmer Ichabud Powell, 32; wife Mary A., 32; and children Beedy A., 9, Pheny, 7, John, 5, James W., 4, Henry G., 3, and Mary A.E., 11 months.

In the 1900 census of Jackson township, Nash County, N.C.: Ichabod Powell, 50, farmer; wife Mary A., 50; children Mary A., 20, Martha, 18, Joseph, 16, Margarett, 14, Geneva, 12, Billie P., 11, Dempsey H., 9, and Paul J., 6; and nephew Henry Lassiter, 28.

Mary Ann Powell died 5 April 1921 in Jackson township, Nash County. Per her death certificate, she was 74 years old; was born in Wilson County to Silas Lassiter and Orpie Lassiter of Wilson County; was the widow of Ickibuck Powell; and was buried in Powell graveyard, Nash County.

Many thanks to Levolyre Farmer Pitt for sharing this photo of her great-grandparents.

The obituary of Charles B. Lassiter, A. & T. grad and Army veteran.

Wilson Daily Times, 9 March 1946.

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Charles Bryant Lassiter registered for the World War II draft in Richmond, Virginia, in 1940. Per his registration card, he was born 8 November 1917 in Smithfield, North Carolina; resided at 303 East Clay Street, Richmond; his contact was mother Mamie Lassiter, 710 Viola Street, Wilson; and he worked at the Hotel John Marshall in Richmond.

Charles B. Lassiter died 8 March 1946 at the Veterans Administration hospital in Kecoughtan, Virginia. Per his death certificate, he was born 8 November 1917 to John M. Lassiter and Mamie Sanders; lived at 710 East Viola Street, Wilson; was single; was a World War II veteran; and worked as an insurance agent.

Recommended reading, no. 14: Miles Lassiter: An Early African-American Quaker.

Miles Lassiter did not live in Wilson County, but I recommend Margo Lee Williams’ book as a detailed chronicle of an African-American family history research journey and because Miles Lassiter may have been linked to Wilson County’s Hardy Lassiter through common roots in Gates County, North Carolina.

The division of Hardy Lassiter’s land among his sons.

Deed book 16, page 326-327, Edgecombe County Register of Deeds Office, Tarboro, N.C.

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Hardy Lassiter Sr.‘s land was divided among his sons Hardy Jr., Green, and Matthew Lassiter after his death. At the time of partition in 1854, the land was in Edgecombe County. Wilson County was formed the following year.

Obedience Lassiter receives her dower land.

Deed book 26, page 309, Edgecombe County Register of Deeds Office, Tarboro, North Carolina.

We’ve discussed Hardy Lassiter‘s estate here and here. Above, we see the 5 January 1854 deed transferring to his widow Obedience Lassiter her dower share of his real estate — “beginning at a small sweet gum in Henry Ruffin line then west to a small water oak on the run of Mill swamp then up the various courses of said swamp to the line of Simon Barnes heirs line then along said line to Nathan Rountree line then along said line to said Ruffins line again, then along said line to the beginning.” Lassiter’s will had not provided for his wife, and she sued for dower.

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In the 1850 census of Edgecombe County: Hardy Laster, 73, wife Beady, 54, and children Mathew, 26, Silas, 26, Green, 25, Hardy, 21, and Rachel, 20; all described as mulatto. Hardy reported owning $650 of real property.

Penny Lassiter buys 106 acres.

On 15 October 1853, Penny Lassiter paid Hilliard Thomas $242 for 106 acres of land on “the Tarboro road,” i.e. today’s N.C. Highway 42. To date, this is the earliest found purchase of land by an African-American woman in what is now Wilson County.

Deed book 26, page 258, Edgecombe County Register of Deeds Office, Tarboro, N.C.