The house and lot belonging formerly to my father, Elder C.B. Hassell, between Main and Church streets, in Williamston, N.C., known perhaps to nearly every citizen of Martin County, where he lived and died in 1880, was loaned to him by my stepmother till her death in 1897. My half-brother Walter and I bought it in 1898. In 1920 I gave my half interest to my four children. Two of them, Charles and Mary, sold their parts, but my other children, Frank and Calvin, and brother Walter’s widow, and her two children, C.B. and Mrs. Emma Hoyt, will retain their interest. On account of the indebtedness of one of the heirs to a bank in Williamston, which feels unwilling to carry the debt any longer, the house and lot are to be offered for public sale Monday, Dec. 22.
My tenderest and most sacred memories linger about that house. There I was reared, with my brothers and sisters; there on August 17, 1863, I first experienced a hope in the salvation of my crucified Redeemer, and there my godly father every day with a little bell, called in his children and servants, just before breakfast, and just after supper, to hear him read a portion of Scripture, and to sing with him a hymn of praise to God, and to engage with him, on bended knees, in solemn thanksgiving and supplication to the Divine Author of all our mercies. “Heaven came down our souls to greet, and glory crowned the mercy-seat.” In my life of 82 years, these were the most delightful and blessed moments that I ever enjoyed.
For the past several years of his life, my father held prayer-meeting in his house every Sunday night. During his last illness of more than a month, he was almost continually engaged in prayer and praise to the Lord. In family worship, he called upon my step-mother to lead in prayer once a week. These prayers were more solemn, reverent and thrilling than any others I ever heard. After his death she prayed audibly and devoutly in her bed-room every night and I continued family worship with my children in our bed-room.
Sylvester Hassell
From the editorial page of the Williamston Enterprise, Friday, Dec. 19, 1924, W.C. Manning, editor.
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073995/1924-12-19/ed-1/seq-2/#words=December+19%2C+1924
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