His parents are Jesse Lassitter [b.Jun 28, 1800 in Lenoir Co., North Carolina, d.Oct 29, 1866 in Lenoir Co., N.C.], who married Sally Wood [b.Feb 14, 1812, d.Feb 11, 1865 in Lenoir Co., N.C.]. Jesse and Sally were married on Jun 28, 1827 in Lenoir Co. I couldn't find his parents until a lot of researching was done by my sister, Nancy Webb, and I, as he spelled his last name with a double "t", which Stephen dropped, apparently, upon reaching adulthood. Stephen is the only son I am aware of to marry and have children. His younger brother, Thomas, died while fighting in the War Against the States in 1862, having never married. Another brother and two sisters each died in their youth. One other sister, Lucy Jane, married Moses Joyner but no children were borne of that union. Stephen was b.Nov 21, 1832 and lived until Sept 16, 1872, just before his 40th birthday. His 1st love was a close cousin who had come with her mother to live in the home, due to her parents' financial hardships. It was hoped that, by having Mary Ann Warters living in the home of Jesse and Sally Lassitter, she would have a better chance in life. She and her mother, Sallie Joe Waters (1804-1902), had come to live with Stephen's parents and he and Mary Ann fell in love and asked for their parents' permission to marry. Jesse forbade it, for whatever reason. Apparently a fight ensued and word was sent out throughout the region that no one was to marry the young couple, be they a minister or a Justice of the Peace. Stephen and Mary Ann had run off, in an attempt to find someone who would marry them, but all was for naught. They returned, upset and with Mary Ann in tears. Sallie Joe met them with a Holy Bible and had them place their hands upon it. They pledged their love for each other and they deemed themselves married, promising to marry legally, "some day", when Stephen's father accepted their union. Now Mary Ann had always been a sickly girl and during the next 5 years (1863-1868) she would be blessed with three children: Thomas, b. Mar 27, 1863, Lucius, b. Mar 11, 1866, and Mollie, b. May 22, 1868. In August of 1868, Mary Ann contracted Typhoid and, being a sickly girl, wasn't able to combat the infection. After the War Between The States, most of the states South of the Mason-Dixon Line were "punished" for many years by people who held a grudge after the war had ended and kept many necessary supplies in short supply or completely unavailable to poor, innocent people who needed them. It was a very difficult time for North Carolina as well. Mary Ann was only 25 yrs. old when she passed from Typhoid, a disease which was curable, if she'd had the care she'd needed. Mary Ann was buried alone, in a cemetery that was referred to as "Spring Hill House" Cemetery. Tragically, Lucius, at the young age of 3 yrs., 7 months, also died, passing away in Oct. 1869 from Typhoid as well. And in Oct. 1870, dear little Mollie, only 2 yrs., 5 months, passed from diphtheria. Both Lucius and Mollie were buried with their mother in the Spring Hill House Cemetery. No one else has since been buried there aside from Mary Ann's mother, Sallie Jo, who passed in 1902. The only child who lived was young Thomas, who was to have a very unhappy childhood, due in part, to the death of his mother, and apparently the ill will between him and his new stepmother, Loucretia (Pitts) Lassiter, b.1846, whom his father did marry. They were blessed with a son whom they named Stephen (1872-1949), after his father, Stephen, who would only be able to see his 2nd son, Thomas's 1/2 brother, from March 14th, 1872, when the baby was born, until Sept 16th, 1872, when the elder Stephen would draw his last breath, leaving Loucretia a widow at the tender age of 26. She would never remarry. Thomas, now 9 yrs.old, was an orphan, in that both his mother and father were dead and he only had a stepmother to care for him. At the age of 10 yrs., he was sent to be raised by his aunt, Lucy Jane (Lassiter) Joyner and her husband, Moses Joyner. When he was of age, he would change his name to Thomas Lassiter Warters to honor both of his parents. His loving aunt and uncle, who never had children of their own, treated him like he was their own child and left their tobacco farm to him when they passed away. He would go on to marry, have six children and become very financially successful, growing tobacco and selling cigars from his shop.
Stephen Lassiter, who fell in love with his cousin, Mary Ann, his 1st born son, Thomas Lassiter Warters (1863-1938), his widow, Loucretia (Pitts) Lassiter (1846-1911), and his namesake, Stephen Lassiter (1872-1949) are all buried at Fairview Cemetery in La Grange, Lenoir County, North Carolina. May they all Rest In Peace. Stephen is buried under the last name of Lasitter, although his last name is also listed as Lassiter and Lassitter.
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