They are non-residents.
by Lisa Y. Henderson
State of North Carolina,
EDGECOMBE COUNTY.
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions,
AUGUST TERM, 1853.
Obedience Lassiter vs. Silas Lassiter
Morrison Artis and wife Sally
and others,
Petition for Dower.
IT appearing to the satisfaction of the Court, that Morrison Artis and his wife Sally are non-residents of this State: It is ordered by the Court that publication be made in The Southerner, for six weeks, notifying them to appear at the Court House in Tarboro’, on the fourth Monday of November next, then and there to answer said petition, or the same will be taken pro confesso and heard ex parte as to them.
Witness, W.S. Pitt, Clerk of said Court, at office, the fourth Monday of August, A.D. 1853. W.S. PITT, Clk.
The Southerner (Tarboro), 5 November 1853.
——
The Lassiters and Artises were heirs of Hardy Lassiter.
Fourth Generation Inclusive 
Silas Lassiter was my 3rd great-grandfather. How was the case settled? Do you know when he died?
Silas Lassiter was one of Hardy and Obedience “Bedie” Lassister’s children. This was not a lawsuit per se, rather the part of the settlement of Hardy’s estate that determined what his widow would receive. The estate file is here: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-26247-1206-33?cc=1911121&wc=93GV-N78:183210001,183334401,193007101
As for Silas, I know only that he died 1880-1900.
Thanks for the info Lisa.