Josiah Lassiter & First Wife & Mary Russell

Josiah Lassiter 1740/54 – ca 1819
& first wife
& ca 1798 Mary Russell 1775/83 – aft 1850
of Gates County NC


based on the Oral traditions compiled by Ed Lassiter & the family Bible of Thomas L Lassiter


Josiah Lassiter married Mary Russell 14 August 1798 [or 1788 per Ida Lassiter Hudgins]
Josiah Lassiter deeds property to Aaron Lassiter on 9 Nov 1798. . .being property from his father, Aaron Lassiter.
Mary Russell was daughter of William Russell of VA and Sarah Armistead.
Mary Russell married again.

The descendants of Henry say that Josiah had a middle name of Marion.

Children of Josiah Lassiter and Mary Russell:
1. Henry Lassiter 10 Jan 1803 Gates Co – 12 Jan 1878 Hertford Co NC
married Elizabeth Best 22 Nov 1808 Hertford Co – 15 Apr 1871
dau of Henry Best
a Mary A. Lassiter 29 Aug 1826 – 11 Feb 1909
married father of Wm. King
b. Joseph H. Lassiter 22 Mar 1828 – 18 Jun 1886
c. Martha J. Lassiter 26 May1830 – Sep 1900
d. Benjamin B. Lassiter 10 Aug 1832 – 28 Mar 1898
e. John W. Lassiter 10 Mar 1835 – 27 Mar 1870
f. Abner P. Lassiter 5 Aug 1837 –
g. William N. Lassiter 12 Sept 1839 – 1864 at Point Lookout (note in Bible)
h. Thomas Leroy Lassiter 16 Jan 1842 Hertford Co – 21 Apr 1922
married Annie Virginia Hudgins 5 Jun 1850 – 5 Jun 1933
daughter of Warner Pugh Hudgins & Sarah Elizabeth Rountree
i. William F. Lassiter 22 Oct. 1870 – dy
ii. Dora E. Lassiter 27 Oct 1871 –
married a Liverman
iii. Julia C. Lassiter 3 May 1873 – dy
iv. Emma J. Lassiter 9 Oct 1875 – Oct. 31, 1912
v. Edward Thomas Lassiter 10 Feb 1877 Gates Co NC – 1951 Norfolk VA
1. J Roy Lassiter 1915 Norfolk VA –
a. J Roy Lassiter Jr. 1951 – of Norfolk VA has two boys and a girl
vi. Annie M.. Lassiter 17 Jan 1879 – dy
vii. John C. Lassiter 15 Dec 1880 – dy
viii. Fannie E. Lassiter 29 Sep 1883 –
married a Byrd
ix. Lewis Lafayette Lassiter 16 Mar 1885 – dy
x. Charley C. Lassiter 22 Aug 1886 – dy
xi. Warner Hudgins Lassiter 10 Apr 1888 – 1979 Windsor NC age 91
gson Terry Lassiter has family Bible per Jay Lassiter
1. Violet Lassiter no children
married Bob White
2. Warner Hudgins Lassiter Jr
a. Terry Lassiter lives Atlanta
3. Jane Lassiter
married and had children in Charlotte
xii. Henry Clay Lassiter 27 Sep 1890 – dy
i. Rufus C. Lassiter 13 Nov 1844 Northampton Co NC – 1940
j. Sarah Elizabeth Lassiter 14 Jan 1848 Hertford Co – Jan. 1886
married Henry Powell
2. John Lassiter ca 1804 – 1881 Gates Co NC
married bef 1831 Ann E [Nancy] Brooks ca 1810 – ca 1848

Aaron’s Will also establishes Josiah to be a descendant of Lassiters in Chowan County before the Revolutionary War. We have seen that more than one Josiah lived in the County during the period 1781 to 1800. When Josiah married Mary Russell in 1798, he was likely 48 years old, or older at that time. He was probably older if he fought in the Revolutionary War which lasted from 1775 until 1781. The records do not show Josiah’s marriage to Mary Russell was his only marriage. Census records suggest it was not.

Land records show deeds to and from Josiah Lassiter in the 1790’s. His land bordered that of Josiah Granberry, Abraham Harrell, and others.

Josiah Lassiter deeds property to Aaron Lassiter on 9 Nov 1798 – being property from his father, Aaron Lassiter.

Josiah Lassiter is listed in the 1800 census as a household of 5, which would indicate marriage, maturity or death of several household members. It is possible that Josiah in the 1800 census is the son of the Josiah mentioned in Aaron Lassiter’s Will, probated in 1781. I believe the Josiah named executor and son of the 1781 Will of Aaron Lassiter and the Josiah Lassiter named in the 1798 marriage are the same person.

John Lassiter, the orphan of Josiah Lassiter, apprenticed to Henry Lassiter in 1821 to learn the business of a carpenter.

There is an interesting deed from Randolph County , in which a negro boy named Tom is purchased by Aaron Lassiter of Gates County from the estate of Ezekiel Lassiter, deceased of Randolph County . Clearly the Lassiter families in Gates and Randolph County knew of each other.

Chowan County Taxables in 1770 list
Leciter, William
Lesetor, Jeremiah [2 slaves],
Rubin,
Amos,
Robert [+6 slaves],
Hosias,
George [+1 slave],
Jonathan,
Abisha,
Ezekiel,
Aaron [2 polls – possibly Aaron and Aaron Jr],
Josiah,
Robert, Jr.

Taxables are all males 16 year old and over. This lets us put some potential birth dates on those listed.
So this Josiah was born before 1754 to be listed on the 1770 poll.
He would have been old enough to have fought in the Revolutionary War.

Chowan County Taxables in 1778 list: Capt David Rice’s Company,
Lassiter, Aaron, Sr; 290 acres, 1 slave, 17 cattle
Lassiter, Aaron, Jr 11 cattle, 1 horse
Lassiter, Josiah. 3 cattle

Gates County Tax List of 1782 [Gates was formed in 1779] Lists Lassiters:
Lassiter, George
Lassiter, Abisha
Lassiter, Edward
Lassiter, George [Jr?]
Lassiter, Michal
Lassiter, Abisha
Lassiter, Jonathan
Lassiter, Josiah 100 acres, 1 slave, 8 cattle, 1 horse
Listed between Samuel Harrell and Thomas Fullington is a
Lassiter, Aron 15 acres, 14 cattle ,2 horses

List of Colonial Soldiers
10th NC Regiment has a Lasiter, Josiah, private, Hogg’s Company, enlisted 20 July 1778 for 9 months; dead 15 September 1778 . Land warrant No. 2857 was issued to his heirs, and one James Lassiter turns over his rights to a John Sheppard on 4 May 1785 .
This does not reflect whether Josiah was from Chowan or Gates County .
Is this Aaron Lassiter Senior’s son?

Bounty Land Warrants list a Lascetur, Josiah, Prv, for 640 acres for 84 months of service, 19 Jan 1786 – land delivered to T. Butcher.
Again, the record does not reflect this soldier was from Chowan / Gates County . [also spelled Lasciter]

Heitman‚’s page 341 lists ‘Lasiter, Jethro, Ensn (Ensign) 7th NC, Nov 28, 1776 , 2nd Lt. Dec 1776, 1st Lt Oct 12, 1777 ‘ retired 1 Jun 1778 .
There is a Jethro Lassitor listed in Halifax District.

State Records 891 and 892:
Lasater, William Privt. Of Cavalry
Lasater, Abner, Privt
Lasiter, Josiah ‚ dead 15 Sep 1778 – Hogg’s CO Enlisted 20 July 1778
Lasciter, Shadrach, 241, 731 Acres Lieut, 24 Months service, deeded 6 Jan 1884 to Wm Patterson of Warren & Thos Davis.
Lassiter, Thomas [Henry Thomas Lassiter??]
Lassiter, Jacob – Sold, Newbern Dist.
Lassiter, James, Sold, Sergt.
Lasiter, Jonas or Jas, Pvt, Dixon’s Company 12 May 1881 for 12 months, left 21 May 1782 .
Lasiter, Luke, Pvt, Raiford’s Company, 13 Jun 1781 to 12 months, left 25 Jun 1782
Lasiter, Jese, Pt, Hall’s Co, 1781 12 months, left 12 Apr 1782 .
Laster, Josiah, assigned to Cpt McNeil (sp?), Patent # 2858 to Josiah’s heirs and # 2859 to James’ Heirs.

There is always the issue of other individuals with the same names. I was surprised to discover another Josiah Lasseter who married a Mary Russell albeit earlier perhaps before 1763, which likely would make that Josiah too old to be the ancestor of our John Lassiter.


William Russell
& bef 1763 Sarah Armistead bef 1744 –
of Gates Co NC


Sarah Armistead was born before 8 Sept 1744 when identified in the will of Hannah Demovel, her great grandmother as daughter of John Armistead and Hannah his wife.

Sarah Armistead married William Russell by 1763 when her father gave her husband a slave woman.

In a lawsuit over issue of that slave, the plantiffs were: Sarah Russell, wife of Jeremiah Jordan ; Elizabeth Russell, wife of Henry Hill; Mary Russell, wife of Josiah Lasseter; Nancy Russell; and John Armistead Russell.

Children of William Russell and wife Sarah Armistead:
1. Sarah Russell
married Jeremiah Jordan
2. Elizabeth Russell
married Henry Hill
3. Mary Russell
married Josiah Lasseter
4. Nancy Russell
5. John Armistead Russell

Source: The Virginia Genealogist Volume 12, page 53 et seq. The Armisteads of Cumberland County , Virginia by Nancy E. P and Malcom E Gardner, Arlington , VA.


John Armistead 1718 –
& ca Hanna Harrison
of Westmoreland and Cumberland Counties VA


John Armistead was born in 1718 the son of Francis Armistead and wife Sarah.

Children of John Armistead and wife Hanna Harrison:
1. Sarah Armistead bef 8 Sept 1744 –
married by 1763 William Russell
2. Elizabeth Armistead
3. William Armistead

Francis and Sarah Armistead of Westmoreland and Cumberland Counties , Virginia had a son John, born in 1718. John and his wife Hanna had three children, Sarah, Elizabeth and William. Sarah was born before 8 September 1744 when she was identified in the Will of her great grandmother, Hannah Demovel. Sarah married William Russell by 1763 [a date by which her father had given her husband a slave]. In litigation over the slave, Mary Russell is identified as the wife of Josiah Lasseter.

Source: The Virginia Genealogist Volume 12, page 53 et seq. The Armisteads of Cumberland County , Virginia by Nancy E. P and Malcom E Gardner, Arlington , VA.

Aaron Lassiter 1701/11 – ca 1781
& ca 1735 Christian Booth ca 1719 – aft 1785
of Gates County NC

based on the Oral traditions compiled by Ed Lassiter & the family Bible of Thomas L Lassiter

Aaron Lassiter is the son of George Lassiter born prob ca 1666 Nansemond Co VA died ca 1745 Nansemond Co /Chowan Co married ___ Nansemond Co VA to unknown will lost in Nansemond Co wife born unk date and place, probably in Va.

Christian Booth was the daughter of Joseph Booth.

Aaron Lassiter wrote his will 7 Oct 1779 and it was proved in Gates Co in 1781.

Child of Aaron Lassiter:
1. Josiah Lassiter ca 1740/53 –
2. Aaron Lassiter ca 1760 –
married 6 Jan 1785 Ruth Smith
3. Rose Esther Lassiter
married bef 6 Oct 1779 Harrell
4. Mary Lassiter
married bef 6 Oct 1779 Spight
a. Christian Spaight bef Oct 1779
5. Ezekiel Lassiter d 1794
6. Christian Lassiter
married bef 6 Oct 1779 Costen
7. Michal Lassiter
married bef 6 Oct 1779 Bond
8. Annemerier Lassiter
married bef 6 Oct 1779 Bond

Aaron Lassiter appears on 1732 Quit Rent list in Chowan Co.

Will of Aaron Lassiter of Gates County NC 6 Oct 1779 – prob Feb 1781
– son Aaron Lassiter my manor plantation and all the lands thereunto belonging to him
– son Josiah Lassiter the plantation where he now lives
– my daughter Rose Harrell, 5 sh sterling money
– daughter Mary Spight, 5 sh sterling money
– son Ezekiel Lassiter 5 sh sterling money
– my granddaughter Christian Spight one feather bed and furniture and one cow and calf
– daughter Christian Costen 5 sh sterling money
– wife Christian Lassiter the use of my Estate during her natural life – afterwards to my four children, namely Michal Bond, Josiah Lassiter, Annemerier Bond, Aaron Lassiter to them their heirs and assigns forever.
EX: Josiah Lassiter

deed of gift Christian Lassiter to son Aaron mentions her father Joseph Booth and land he left her.

evidence of Josiah’s brother, Ezekiel Lassiter’s death: Aaron Lassiter against Aaron and William Hill, Executors of Ezekiel Lassiter and due for hearing in the Edenton District, Court of Equity, October Term, 1792. Thomas Iredell, C.M.E.E.D, files suit.

George Lassiter ca 1675 – bef 1753
& Anne unknown
of Gates County NC

based on the Oral traditions compiled by Ed Lassiter & the family Bible of Thomas L Lassiter

Children of George Lassiter and wife Anne:
1. Robert Lassiter ca 1702 – ca 1780 will
a. Prudence Lassiter
married Job Riddick
i. Lassiter Riddick
ii. Millison Riddick
iii. Sally Riddick
iv. Job Riddick
b. Robert Lassiter II ca 1740 – bef 1778
married unknown daughter of Abner Eason
i. Sarah [Sally] Lassiter 1 May 1765 –
married 2 Jan 1787 Josiah Howell
1. Eason Howell
ii. Robert Lassiter ca 1767 – 1797
iii. Mourning Lassiter ca 1769 – bef 1828 TN
married Bertie Co 27 Nov 1786 John Gardner

Dear Sally, Abner Eason is also one of my husband’s ancestors. As is shown in Abner’s will, proved 1794, Bertie Co., NC, he decrees: “I give to my grandson Jethro Lassiter, 2 negros, Phillis & Idey. I give my grandson Robert Lassiter one negro boy named Ison.”

Grandson Jethro Lassiter was the son of Frederick Lassiter and his [unknown named] 1st wife, a daughter of Abner Eason. It has been assumed that grandson Robert Lassiter, was also a son of Frederick, but THIS IS INCORRECT. Grandson Robert Lassiter’s mother, was another [name unknown] daughter of Abner Eason. [both daughters had pre-deceased Abner].

Grandson Robert Lassiter was the son of Robert Lassiter Jr. by his [name unknown] Eason wife. Robert Lassiter Jr.’s father, Robert Lassiter Sr., names these grandchildren in his will proved in Gates Co., NC in 1780:

ITEM: I give and bequeath to my gran daughter SARAH LASSITER daughter of ROBERT LASSITER deceased, my two negroes namely Rody and Jimy. Also one fether bed and furniter[sic] to be delivered to her when she coms[sic] to lawful eage[sic] or at her marriage, they and their increase to be delivered by my Executor Job Riddick.
ITEM: I give and bequeath to my gran daughter MOURNING LASSITER daughter of ye afforsaid ROBERT LASSITER, my negro Jesse and in case that either Sarah or Morning afforsaid should die without isue that ye surveying[sic] sister shall have both ye parts when they or she comes of Lawfull eage or marryes[sic]
ITEM: I give and bequeath to my granson ROBERT LASSITER son of ROBERT LASSITER afforsaid five pounds lawfull money of the Province and to be his full share of my Estate.
********************

Robert Lassiter, the grandson of both Abner Eason & Robert Lassiter Sr., died without heirs in Bertie Co., NC in 1797 My husband descends from Sarah Lassiter, sister of Robert Lassiter, who died in 1797. Sarah married Josiah Howell. Josiah & Sarah named a son, Eason. Josiah Howell was the executor of John Rhodes Sr.’s will in Smith Co., TN in 1808. John Rhodes Sr. was the husband, of Absillah Eason Rhodes, another daughter of Abner Eason. Thus, John Rhodes’ wife, was the aunt of Josiah Howell’s wife, Sarah Lassiter Howell.

To recap, Abner Eason had TWO daughters who pre-deceased him. One married Frederick Lassiter and had Jetro Lassiter; the other married Robert Lassiter Jr., and had Robert Lassiter III.

Marilyn Owen

  1. William Lassiter –
    3. Moses Lassiter ca 1693 – ca 1767 will
    married Judith Eason
    a. Frederick Lassiter ca 1750 – 1787 Bertie Co NC
    married ca 1769 daughter of Abner Eason
    i. Jethro Lassiter ca 1770 –
    married 1772 Sarah Walton
    iii. Frederick Lassiter ca 1773 rem. mid TN 1797
    married Rachel Rhodes dau of Absillah Eason Rhodes,
    the younger sister of his father’s first wife. Bib Fay
    iv. Polly (Mary) Lassiter ca 1775 –
    married 1794 John Kittrell
    married prior 1807 2nd John Watson
    v. Ann (Nansey) Lassiter ca 1777 – died bef 6 Jan 1797
    married 4 Jan 1794 William H Green
    William H Green married 2nd 6 Jan 1797 Peggy Outlaw dau of David
    vi. William Lassiter ca 1779 – [probably dead bef 1807]
    b. Jethro Lassiter ca 1755 –
    c. Timothy Lassiter ca 1760 – Henry in turn had a son named
    married Sarah Costen
    i. James Lassiter
    ii. Henry Lassiter
    1.
    d. Judith Lassiter ca 1757 –
    married William Cofield
    e. Moses Lassiter Jr bef 1764 –
    married Elizabeth Harris
    f. Jotham Lassiter 1732 –
    g. Millicent Lassiter
    h. Jeremiah Lassiter
    4. Gabriel Lassiter ca 1688 – 1769
  2. Jotham Lassiter
    6. daughter Lassiter –
    married Moses Reddick
    7. George Lassiter d 1764
WILL OF GABRIEL LASSITER, dated June 18, 1764; proved December 26, 1769, Chowan Co., NC
In the name of God Amen I GABRIL LASSITER of Chowan County in the Province of North Carolina being of sound mind and memory and calling to mind the uncertainty of this mortal Life Do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in frame & form as follows
IMPRIMIS I give and bequeath to my loving Cozen[sic] ROBERT LASSITER the plantation whereon I now live and all my Land in North Carolina or Else Where also seven Negroes Jesop Jacob and Sam and Sesor Jeames* and Jes* & Milley.
ITEM I give my Cozen JEREMIAH LASSITER the plantation whereon he now lives and the land joining to it that was Robert Rountree’s Also three Negroes named Luke and Rose and Ben.
ITEM I give my Brother ROBERT LASSITER one doller[sic]
ITEM I give my Brother GEORGE LASSITER one doller
ITEM I give my Brother WILLIAM LASSITER one doller
ITEM I give my Brother MOSES LASSITER one doller
ITEM I give my Brother AARON LASSITER one doller
ITEM I give my Brother JOTHAM LASSITER one doller
ITEM I give my Brother MOSES REDDICK one doller
ITEM I give my brother cozen MOSES SPIGHT one doller
I also give my said cozen ROBERT LASSITER after my just debts are all paid and __?__ all that rest and residue of my Estate of what nature and kind soever.
Lastly I nominate and apoint[sic] my Cozen ROBERT LASSITER to be my Executor to this my Last WIll and Testament hereby revoaking[sic] all other will or wills heretofore by me made Declaring this only to contain my Last WIll and Testament Where of I have hereunto set my hand and placed my seal this Eighten[sic] day of June in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred and sixty fore[sic]. [Signed] GABRIL LASSITER
Signed Sealed Established and Declared by the above named GABRIL LASSITER to be and contain his last Will and Testament in the presents of us who transcribed as witnesses at his request.
Edward [his mark] Brisco, JEREMIAH LASSITER, Robert Herman Jurat
Recorded in Book A, Folio 260 & 261
[signed] James Norfleet
Volume II – January, 1901 – No.1 – of the “North Carolina Historical
and Genealogical Register” – J.B.R. Hathaway (Editor) – Edenton, North
Carolina cites the following:
Lassiter, George – Chowan – Feb’y 13th, 1764. Sons Uriah, George,
Jonathan, and Abisha, daughters Bethany Lassiter and Mich(a)el
Lassiter, – George Lassiter Exr. – Test, Jonathan Nichols, Robt.
Lassiter, John Slauen.
  1. Uriah Lassiter
    b. George Lassiter d 1796 with will
    i. Josiah Lassiter ca 1795 – ca 1857
    married [2] 10 Feb 1849 Susan Pierce
    1. Josiah Lassiter ca 1835 –
    c. Jonathan Lassiter
    d. Abisha Lassiter
    e. Bethany Lassiter
    f. Mich(a)el Lassiter
    8. daughter Lassiter –
    married Moses Spight
    9. Aaron Lassiter ca 1701 – 1781
    married Christian Booth
    a. Josiah Lassiter 1740/54 – ca 1819
    married 1st unknown
    married ca 1788 or 1798 Mary Russell
    i. Henry Lassiter 1803 –
    ii. John Lassiter ca 1804 –

Chowan County Taxables in 1770 list
Leciter, William
Lesetor, Jeremiah [=2 slaves],
Rubin,
Amos,
Robert [+6 slaves],
Hosias,
George [+1 slave],
Jonathan,
Abisha,
Ezekiel,
Aaron [2 polls – possibly Aaron and Aaron Jr],
Josiah,
Robert, Jr.

Taxables are all males 16 year old and over. This lets us put some potential birth dates on those listed.
So this Josiah was born before 1754 to be listed on the 1770 poll.
He would have been old enough to have fought in the Revolutionary War.

Chowan County Taxables in 1778 list: Capt David Rice’s Company,
Lassiter, Aaron, Sr; 290 acres, 1 slave, 17 cattle
Lassiter, Aaron, Jr 11 cattle, 1 horse
Lassiter, Josiah. 3 cattle

Gates County Tax List of 1782 [Gates was formed in 1779] Lists Lassiters:
Lassiter, George
Lassiter, Abisha
Lassiter, Edward
Lassiter, George [Jr?]
Lassiter, Michal
Lassiter, Abisha
Lassiter, Jonathan
Lassiter, Josiah 100 acres, 1 slave, 8 cattle, 1 horse
Listed between Samuel Harrell and Thomas Fullington is a
Lassiter, Aron 15 acres, 14 cattle ,2 horses

List of Colonial Soldiers
10th NC Regiment has a Lasiter, Josiah, private, Hogg’s Company, enlisted 20 July 1778 for 9 months; dead 15 September 1778 . Land warrant No. 2857 was issued to his heirs, and one James Lassiter turns over his rights to a John Sheppard on 4 May 1785 .
This does not reflect whether Josiah was from Chowan or Gates County .
Is this Aaron Lassiter Senior’s son?

Bounty Land Warrants list a Lascetur, Josiah, Prv, for 640 acres for 84 months of service, 19 Jan 1786 – land delivered to T. Butcher. Again, the record does not reflect this soldier was from Chowan / Gates County . [also spelled Lasciter]

Heitman’s page 341 lists – Lasiter, Jethro, Ensn (Ensign) 7th NC, Nov 28, 1776 , 2nd Lt. Dec 1776, 1st Lt Oct 12, 1777 – retired 1 Jun 1778 . There is a Jethro Lassitor listed in Halifax District.

State Records 891 and 892:
Lasater, William Privt. Of Cavalry
Lasater, Abner, Privt
Lasiter, Josiah ‚Äì dead 15 Sep 1778 – Hogg’s CO Enlisted 20 July 1778
Lasciter, Shadrach, 241, 731 Acres Lieut, 24 Months service, deeded 6 Jan 1884 to Wm Patterson of Warren & Thos Davis.
Lassiter, Thomas [Henry Thomas Lassiter??]
Lassiter, Jacob – Sold, Newbern Dist.
Lassiter, James, Sold, Sergt.
Lasiter, Jonas or Jas, Pvt, Dixon ‘s Company 12 May 1881 for 12 months, left 21 May 1782 .
Lasiter, Luke, Pvt, Raiford’s Company, 13 Jun 1781 to 12 months, left 25 Jun 1782
Lasiter, Jese, Pt, Hall‚’s Co, 1781 12 months, left 12 Apr 1782 .
Laster, Josiah, assigned to Cpt McNeil (sp?), Patent # 2858 to Josiah‚’s heirs and # 2859 to James’ Heirs.

There is a Court record May 23, 1805 in which a Josiah Lassiter, orphan of George Lassiter, Jr, deceased about 10 years, was bound as an apprentice to William Blanshard to learn the business of house carpenter.
In 1820, a Josiah Lassiter was assigned to help guard Hunters Mill.
This is obviously not Josiah the son of Aaron, mentioned in Aaron’s Will who was dead in 1820.
This could be the Josiah mentioned in the 1850 census.
Josiah Lassiter married Susan Pierce on 10 Feb 1849 .
It is believed this Josiah died circa 1857 and that he had a son Josiah.
The 1860 census lists a Josiah Lassater, age 25, living in the home of Demsey Blanchard, age 69 and his wife Senney, age 52 [896/834].
The son could be the Josiah mentioned in John Lassiter’s will, probated in 1881, as living on John Lassiter’s land.

1760 deed of Land Aaron Lassiter and Moses Lassiter shows them to be sons of George Lassiter of Chowan Co, NC/VA DBK G1 p 240-241.

Deed of Land Aaron Lassiter to Moses Lassiter mentions father by name, refers to will on file in Nansemond Co for description of land.

In 1701 George Lassiter petitioned for land grant as transp 5 persons one was his son Robert

e-mail from Marilyn Owen 1 May 2009
Dear Sally,
I have been reading your Lassiter & related familes material on your website. You have a lot of good information there, and I congratulate you! I have been working on these lines for years. In fact, Skip Lassiter [in an e-mail to you, since posted on your website] even credited me [Marilyn Owen] with finding the Robert & Mary Trevathan indenture. My husband descends from Sarah Lassiter, wife of Josiah Howell. Her line:

Sarah, Robert, Robert, George, Robert Lassiter, Thomas Leister[?]

I have a correction I’d like to make the the line of George Lassiter, son of Robert. Based on the oral traditions compiled by Ed Lassiter, you show that George was born c. 1675 and died c. 1764. But it was George’s son George, that died in 1764. And here is my evidence for that:

Gabriel Lassiter, everyone agrees, was the son of the elder George. Gabriel left the following will, dividing the bulk of his estate between his “cousin” Robert Lassiter [son of Robert Sr.–cousin, meaning nephew] and his cousin Jeremiah Lassiter [his nephew– son of Moses]. He ends his will by leaving a dollar to all of his siblings or [in case of his sisters] to their spouses.

WILL OF GABRIEL LASSITER, dated June 18, 1764; proved December 26, 1769, Chowan Co., NC
In the name of God Amen I GABRIL LASSITER of Chowan County in the Province of North Carolina being of sound mind and memory and calling to mind the uncertainty of this mortal Life Do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in frame & form as follows
IMPRIMIS I give and bequeath to my loving Cozen[sic] ROBERT LASSITER the plantation whereon I now live and all my Land in North Carolina or Else Where also seven Negroes Jesop Jacob and Sam and Sesor Jeames* and Jes* & Milley.
ITEM I give my Cozen JEREMIAH LASSITER the plantation whereon he now lives and the land joining to it that was Robert Rountree’s Also three Negroes named Luke and Rose and Ben.
ITEM I give my Brother ROBERT LASSITER one doller[sic]
ITEM I give my Brother GEORGE LASSITER one doller
ITEM I give my Brother WILLIAM LASSITER one doller
ITEM I give my Brother MOSES LASSITER one doller
ITEM I give my Brother AARON LASSITER one doller
ITEM I give my Brother JOTHAM LASSITER one doller
ITEM I give my Brother MOSES REDDICK one doller
ITEM I give my brother cozen MOSES SPIGHT one doller
I also give my said cozen ROBERT LASSITER after my just debts are all paid and __?__ all that rest and residue of my Estate of what nature and kind soever.
Lastly I nominate and apoint[sic] my Cozen ROBERT LASSITER to be my Executor to this my Last WIll and Testament hereby revoaking[sic] all other will or wills heretofore by me made Declaring this only to contain my Last WIll and Testament Where of I have hereunto set my hand and placed my seal this Eighten[sic] day of June in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred and sixty fore[sic]. [Signed] GABRIL LASSITER
Signed Sealed Established and Declared by the above named GABRIL LASSITER to be and contain his last Will and Testament in the presents of us who transcribed as witnesses at his request.
Edward [his mark] Brisco, JEREMIAH LASSITER, Robert Herman Jurat
Recorded in Book A, Folio 260 & 261
[signed] James Norfleet
**********

So Gabriel had a brother, Robert, who must be the following Robert Lassiter, named in a importation record with Gabriel’s father, George:

GEORGE LASSITER of Nansemond Co., VA petitioned for land for the transporting of five persons in March past 1702, INCLUDING SON ROBERT, etc. [Vol. 3 Hathaway’s North’s Carolina Journal, p. 141]
The complete text of the petition for headrights below is found in Colonial Court Records, Land Papers–Wills, 1665–1746:

AND Gabriel had brothers Aaron & Moses, named in his will. The following sale of land between Aaron & Moses, prove that their father was George Lassiter who left a will, now lost, and that the father was deceased by 1753 [the date of the sale of the land. Therefore, the George Lassiter who left a will in 1764, was George JR., son of George Sr. and grandson of Robert.

CHOWAN CO., NC DEED BOOK “G” NO. 1 [LDS film #0018491]
page 240 AARON LASSITER TO MOSES LASSITER, 1753
This indented Deed of Bargain & Sale made this Seventh Day of December in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred & fifty three between AARON LASSITER of the County of Nancemond in the Province of Virginia of the one part & MOSES LASSITER of the County of Chowan in North Carolina of the other part Witnesseth that the said AARON LASSITER for and in consideration of the sum of £twenty two current money of Virginia already in hand paid hath sold unto the said MOSES LASSITER a tract or parcel of land lying and being in the County of Chowan in the Province of North Carolina containing by estimation twenty five acres more or less and bounded near a place called Meherin Swamp in a place commonly called Broadneck, the bounds of which may be seen more plainer[sic] by the LAST WILL & TESTAMENT OF GEORGE LASSITER OF NANCEMOND COIUNTY WHO GAVE THIS LAND AND PREMISES UNTO HIS SON AARON AND OTHER LANDS TO HIS SON MOSES, A PARTY TO THESE PRESENTS WHICH SAID LAND JOINS. AARON LASSITER guarantees that he is the lawful owner and conveys title in fee simple Witness my hand & Seal the Day and Year above Writted.
Signed Sealed & Delivered [signed] AARON LASSITER
in the presents[sic] of us Josiah Granberry, WM. EASON, Edward [mark] Frothman
Received from MOSES LASSITER the within sum of 22 pounds current money of Virginia for the within mentioned consideration as Witness my hand the 07 Day of December, 1753. [signed] AARON LASSITER

Sincerely,
Marilyn Owen

One thought on “Josiah Lassiter & First Wife & Mary Russell”

  1. Did Joseph H. Lassiter have a son Joseph R. who moved to Edgecombe County around 1900? Jos. R. in 1930 Census there.
    Joseph H.,living in St. Johns helped George Thomas Deberry when he returned from Arkansas because his father was killed. I wonder why. I think their families were neighbors in Green Plains in 1860. Friendship?Relation? Did Lassiters ever work for the owner of Deberry’s Mill in the early 1800s? Hezekiah Lassiter and several orphans of Henry Deberry who died in 1844 were in a school or hotel in Jackson in 1850 Census. Mother was deceased by then also. Was he a guardian? Hard to learn about Peele Academy from a distance. You have an amazing amount of information.

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