History of Hassell:
Hassell is the second youngest and one of only two Martin County towns to have been established in the 20th century. It was incorporated in February 17, 1903. Named in honor of Elder Sylvester Hassell, noted Primitive Baptist churchman, historian, author, editor, and educator of the late 19th and 20th centuries. The town is located in the northwestern part of the county, approximately half way between Oak City and Parmele on what is known as the Scotland Neck-Kinston branch of the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad Company.
Surrounded on all sides by a rich agricultural section, Hassell was established as a farm trading and marketing center and shipping point for a number of years before it was incorporated. There were also some sizable timber operations in the region during the past century, but most of the forests have been cut over now and production is largely limited to pulpwood and logs being harvested and trucked to mills in other sections.