i have the originial email, some place if anyone wants copies of the pictures, that were emailed and shared about a month ago. kristina VIRGINIAN-PILOT By JOHN HOPKINS, The Virginian-Pilot © July 16, 2007 CHESAPEAKE James and Harriett A. Lassiter were farmers in the 1800s, living in an area that has since grown into Western Branch�s commercial district. Their family burial ground in Western Branch had been serene for more than 100 years until developers began bulldozing the land bordering it recently to make way for a strip mall. Today, a guardrail is installed a few feet from the headstones for the couple and their children. The sight troubles Rodney Quick, a Portsmouth native and past commander of Sons of Confederate Veterans, Norfolk County Grays. James Lassiter joined the Confederacy in the spring of 1861. Quick is disturbed by the idea that history could be discarded in such a way, that progress trumps sanctity. "It hurts my heart," Quick said, standing where a metal guardrail post is anchored into the ground near Harriett Lassiter's grave. "It's just sad that progress is rolling over history and rolling over people now." Sons of Confederate Veterans have ordered a marker for the site, their way of paying tribute to a soldier and people who came before them. The group is still searching for living family members. They would like to give the family a full memorial service next month with 21-gun salute, a First National Flag presentation and taps. "It doesn't matter if they are black or white, Union or Confederate or sharecroppers," said Keith Morris, commander of the Isle of Wight Avengers, a camp of Sons of Confederate Veterans. "It makes no difference. These graves need to be respected." The group is researching the Lassiter family's history to learn more about James, Harriett and the others named on smaller tombstones at the burial ground. So far, what they do know is that James Lassiter was a farmer, according to genealogical research gathered by Morris. James Lassiter's headstone shows he was born March 7, 1831, and died August 28, 1905. The words, "In memory of our father," are etched into his white marble tombstone. Harriett's tombstone shows that she was born April 23, 1838, and died Dec. 18, 1888. It reads: "Wife of James Lassiter." Smaller grave stones carry the names Virginia, Anniel and Jas. Two others are initialed J.L. and A.E.L. On April 21, 1861, James Lassiter went to Hargroves Tavern in Nansemond County to enlist in the Confederate cause. He served as a private in "F" Company, 3rd Virginia Infantry Regiment. He was wounded June 26, 1862, in Mechanicsville and never rejoined his company. The burial site is in the 4700 block of Portsmouth Blvd., about 100 yards off the road. Developers are paving new access roads in the area for small retail shops. The Lassiters' tombstones stand about two feet high and a couple feet away from the paved road. If their children were buried in typical fashion at the feet of their parents, they would be under the paved road, Quick said. It is unclear whether the Lassiters are the only family buried there. From all indications, they appear to be a typical rural family from the 19th century. "It doesn't matter who's laying here," Quick said. "They don't deserve this. In 100 years from now, what are we going to have over us?" According to the Department of Historic Resources, a court order is required to remove or relocate a grave in order to use the land for other purposes. There also are state laws that protect graves from being disturbed. CB Richard Ellis, the real estate brokerage firm handling the new development, did not respond to questions about the burial site. Chesapeake city officials said such issues would not be under their control. John Hopkins, (757) 222-5221, _john.hopkins@pilotonline.com_ (http://us.f302.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=john.hopkins@pilotonline.com) ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour