Lewis Edward Massoletti

Lewis Edward Massoletti and Harriet St. Clair (Sinclair) 

Lewis Edward Massoletti was born 1 December 1824, son of Vincent and Sarah Massoletti. Some records say he was born in Baltimore and some say he was born in Washington, DC. He announced 30 December 1846 that he was opening a new Drug Store in Washington DC on Pennsylvania Avenue between 41/2 and 6th Streets. He is the sole agent for Thompson’s Life-Preserver. 

Lewis Edward and Harriet St. Clair married 14 September 1848. Harriet St. Clair was from Baltimore and the daughter of Archibald St. Clair (Sinclair) and Eleanor “Nelly” Ballinger. The wedding took place in Baltimore. Harriet had opened a Millinery Shop in May 1847. 

Lewis Edward sold off the entire stock of his drug store at auction 2 March 1849 and deed records show that he bought land in Fauquier County in 1850. He and Harriet move to Fauquier County where Lewis Edward is listed as a retail trader and farmer. There are records and financial communication from 1855 that show that Edward was a partner in the business Massoletti & DeShields in Warrenton, Virginia. Later census records list him as a farmer in Bristersburg, Virginia. Lewis Edward was also appointed Postmaster of Bristersburg 5 June 1860. Lewis Edward was compensated for goods by the Confederate States in 1861. There are many land transactions records through the years for Lewis Edward in Fauquier and he was very prosperous and successful according to inventory valuations.

Lewis Edward and Harriet had 5 sons and 1 daughter: Vincent Archibald, William Walter, Harriet, Lewis Edward, Henry Everett and Eugene St. Clair. Lewis Edward passed away 25 June 1882. The Massoletti Family Bible says “Died June 25 1882 (Sunday evening at 9 o’clock pm) Lewis E. Massoletti Fauquier County, Va in the 58 year of his age”

Harriet Massoletti is listed in the Washington, DC City Directories in 1885, 1887 and 1888 as the widow of Lewis Edward Massoletti and living at 1320 5th Street NW. The Massoletti Family Bible says “Died on Wednesday evening January 18, 1905 Mrs. Harriet Massoletti”