Descendants of James P. Lasley

First Generation

1. Thomas LASSLEY1. Thomas died in Nov 1859 in Stoddard Co., MO.
This is only a possible correct person; more work is needed. This person is included here by virtue of the fact that Lasley family oral history originally prepared in 1939 with information provided by James Dennis Lasley indicates that his father was James Preston Lasley (which has been positively confirmed) and that James Preston Lasley's father was a Thomas A. Lasley. According to this same family oral history, Thomas had sons named James Preston, Amos, John, and George.

This particular Thomas Lassley wrote a will in September, 1859 in Stoddard Co., MO and left his property to 5 sons, a daughter, and his wife Sarah. Four of the son's names in the will match those in our family oral history: Preston (James Preston was called Preston in life), Amos, George, and John. Thomas died in November, 1859, but we find no record of him anywhere prior to the date he wrote the will. Also of interest is the fact that James Preston Lasley was recorded as Preston Lassly on the 1860 census in Posey Co., IN.

The below will was copied from a photo copy of the original which was obtained during a personal visit to the Stoddard County Courthouse in September, 2002. Punctuation and capitalization are as in the original.

Record Book of Wills in Stoddard County, Missouri,
Book A, pgs. 84 & 85

In the name of God Amen.
I Thomas Lassley being feeble in health but of Sound Mind believing that I am
soon to die do make and publish this my last Will and testament hereby revoking
all other wills and Testaments that I may made and
1st. I bequeath my Soul to God who gave it.
2nd I desire to be buried in a plain christian like Manner.
3rd I will and bequeath unto my Sons Amos Lassley, Calvin Lassley, Preston
Lassley, John Lassley one dollar each good and Lawful money of the united States
of America.
4th I will & bequeath unto my daughter Julia Lassley one dollar of good and
Lawful money of the united States of America.
5th I will and bequeath unto my Son George Lassley a certain Sorrel Horse one
syed now in his, the Said George Lassleys possession.
6th I will and bequeath unto my beloved wife Sarah Lassley all the remainder of
my worldly goods, both personal and Real to have and to hold the same until her
death and at the death of my wife (the said Sarah Lassley) my property in whole
shall revert to my son George Lassley.
7th I desire that all my just debts shall be paid.
8th I hereby constitute and make my much esteemed friend Samuel D. Hensen my
Executor to carry out this my last will and testament.... under my hand this
21st day of

pg. 85

September AD 1859.

his
Thomas X Lassley
mark

By and at the request of Thomas Lassley we assigned our names as witnesses to
the foregoing will and Testament Given under our hands this 21 day of September
AD 1859
D.C. Hicks
Hiram H. Purtle

State of Missouri
County of Stoddard
Be it remembered that on the 22nd day of November AD 1859 personally appeared
before the undersigned Van W. Hale Clerk of the District County Court of the
County and State aforesaid. David C. Hicks and Hiram Purtle the Subscribing
witnesses to the annexed Will of Thomas Lassley and being by me first duly Sworn
deposes and Say that the Said Thomas Lassley the Testator Subscribed the Same by
making his Mark thereto in their presence and published the said will or
instrument of writing as his last will that he the Said Testator was at the time
of publishing his said will of sound mind and more than twenty one years of age
and that they the said deponent attested the Said will as witnesses thereto by
subscribing their names in the presence of said Testator.
David C. Hicks
Hiram Purtle
In witness where of I Van W. Hale clerk of the District County Court of the
county of Stoddard State of Missouri have hereunto Subscribed my name and
affixed the Seal of Said Court of office in the County aforesaid this 22nd day
of November AD 1859.
Van W. Hale Clerk
Received for Record and Recorded November 22nd 1859
Van W. Hale Clerk

We also obtained a record of his property which was sold or claimed by the widow after his death. There was no real estate involved, only 5 cattle, several horses and numerous household items.

Thomas married Sarah.
There is a record of Sarah Lassley being the defendant in a civil court case in May 1860 in Stoddard Co., MO, but there are no records of the case still extant, at least none could be found during a personal visit to Stoddard Co., in September, 2002. She cannot be accounted for after that date and is not on the 1860 census there.

They had the following children:

2i.

James Preston (ca1834-1865)

3ii.

4iii.

5iv.

6v.

7vi.