Through her father she was a descendant of the Italian Jewish musician Peter Lupo, who had emigrated to England and was active at the court of Elizabeth I.
In 1876 the family left Georgia, arriving in Butler, Freestone County, Texas, early in 1877.
They remained there until sometime in the 1880s – they are listed as residents there in the 1880 census – but by 1886 had moved to Oakwood, Texas; there she died and was buried in the town cemetery.
Lancaster continued to send music home after her move, and would inquire in letters to family about "the singings" she had left behind.
[1] Bruce Springsteen sampled a 1959 Alan Lomax recording of "The Last Words of Copernicus" in his song "Death to My Hometown";[2] M.I.A.