Lassiter Farms, Inc.

The story of the Joab Lassiter family begins in Northampton County, North Carolina, 30 March 1793 when Joab was born to Shadrick Lassiter. His mother’s given name is unknown at present; however her maiden name is believed to be Bullock. Shadrick had served in the Revolutionary War from the Halifax District. Joab was one of six children, 3 girls and 3 boys. Five of the six children were under the age of 18 in 1807 when their father died. It is assumed their mom was deceased prior to 1807 as there is no mention of her in legal transactions. Shadrick’s estate was not settled until 26 February 1811, in Northampton County court, due to minor children at the time of his death. In his fathers land division Joab received 46 ½ acres located on the north side of Uraha Swamp, in Northampton.

Joab married Sarah (Sally) McDaniel 12 January 1814 in Northampton County. She was born 15 May 1787 in Pasquotank County, NC. Their first child, Shadrick was born 22 February 1815 in Northampton County. Margaret (Peggy) was born 16 January 1817 in Northampton. October 1817 Joab purchased his brother David’s share of their father’s estate. He had also purchased additional property in Northampton. December 1818 he sold 110 acres of land in Northampton. It is believed about that time the family began their migration westward.

The exact route they took westward is uncertain. Many Northampton residents who traveled westward made a stop-over in Sumner County, Tennessee before heading on to Stewart County, Tennessee, Trigg County, and Calloway County, Kentucky. Joab’s brother David is found in Sumner County in the 1830. Census records indicate their next baby; Mary E. was born in Kentucky in 1819. Joab is recorded in the 1820 Trigg County, Kentucky census with
1 male between the ages of 1-10, 1 male between the ages of 18-26, 2 females between the ages of 0-10 and 1 female between the ages of 18-26. It stands to reason Mary E. was born during their stay in Trigg.

On the first tax roll of Calloway County in 1823, Joab is recorded as having 1 white male over the age of 21, 1 black male and 1 horse. His first 160 acre Kentucky Land Grant #280 was issued 14 December 1826. This land was situated on the Kentucky-Tennessee State Line west of Crossland. Lassiter Cemetery is now located on part of that land. The Lassiter family attended Providence Primitive Baptist Church, once located on property owned by Joab near the cemetery. Family stories indicate an elementary school was located in the same vicinity. Between 1826 and 1836 Joab was issued a total of 8 Kentucky Land Grants for a total of 1280 acres. Additional acreage was purchased from individuals. His land spread from the State Line northward to the Taylor Store /Harris Grove area and westward to the Graves County line. Calloway County Tax Lists indicate the watercourse’s on which his land was situated is Clarks River-East Fork and Terrapin Creek.

Their third daughter Nancy was born 31 May 1821. David was born in 1825, Martha in 1830 and Isaac in 1831. Tax records indicate between the years 1831 to around 1845 several slaves lived on Joab’s farm. His livestock included horses and cattle and the main crops grown were corn, wheat and tobacco.