My Mystery Great, Great Aunt

I must admit the third child of William Charles and Mary Adaline Yates Bell has had me stumped, hoo-dooed, confused, baffled and/or well, mumbling to myself.  She first appears in the 1870 US Census of Benton County, TN as Q.F.F., age 9; however, she is nowhere to be found in the 1880 census.  Okay, by 1880 she was 19 years old, could have married and moved away from Benton County.  Then again, she could have died!
I wasn't willing to accept her death so I looked a little closer and the 1880 census revealed a clue, I think.  Marion A. Prince and family lived next to Charly Bell and family and next was John Jordan and family, the children of William Charles and Mary Adaline Yates Bell all living as neighbors, except Q.F.F.  I then examined who lived the other side of Marion A. Prince and discovered this.  It was Alfred Lashlee, Leander C Roberson, Nathan Roberson and John P Lashlee.  I did notice Leander C Roberson was age 19 and his wife, Valony M.A. was 15.  I really can't explain why maybe it was just being nosey, but I checked for marriage records and discovered L.C. Roberson married V.A. Bell, 23 February 1879 and the marriage was soldemnized by J.P. Lashlee a Justice of Peace.  So who was this Valony M.A. Bell?

I have been unable to learn who were the parents of Valony M.A. Bell Roberson; however, as a result of my curiosity I suppose, I traced, tracked and followed Leander C Roberson to Fulton County, KY.  At times his surname was Robinson, at other times it was Robertson, in fact, his death certificate gives his surname as Robertson and the informant was a son, L.M. (Landon Maxwell) Robertson.  Indeed my journey has been confusing, but interesting. Oh, I fail to mention Leander C. Robinson's wife in the 1900 US Census for Fulton County, KY was named Queen and tis census showed they had been married 22 years.  Leander's date of birth was given as June 1860 and Queen's was October 1863.  She had had 5 children, with 4 still living.  The childrn were : Birtie, a son, born April 1881 in Tennessee; Stella, a daughter, born February 1886 in Kentucky and Pearl, a daughter, born November 1887 in Kentucky.  A fourth child, Landon Maxwell was married at the time to Edith Benedick.  They were married in Obion County, Tennessee, 28 October 1899.

The 1910 US Census for Fulton County, KY shows Leander Roberson's wife as Queenie.  It also shows she had 4 children and all 4 are living.

Before going to the 1920 census it should be noted Commonwealth of Kentucky, Certificate of Death #6940, dated 2 March 1918 and signed by Registrar J.F. Royster is for Leander C. Robertson.  Notice a "t" is added to his surname, the informant is L.M. Robertson of Fulton, KY (probably his son, Landon Maxwell Roberson).  The certificate gives Leander's date of birth as 25 June 1860, his date of death as 1 March 1918 and has his age at time of death to be 57 years 8 months and 4 days.  His birthplace is given as Benton Co., TN, father Jim Robertson, birthplace South Carolina and occupation Special Agent for SC Railroad.  His mother's name is listed as unknown, but her place of birth is given as South Carolina.

The 1920 U.S. Census of Fulton Co., KY adds to the confusion surrounding Queen Bell Roberson.  First, her name is given as L.G. Roberson, age 54 years, with an estimated birth date of 1866.  It shows she is a widowed, white female, born in TN,  owns her home and indicates she can read and write, a contradiction to the 1900 census.  Of course she could have easily learned in 20 years.  Also in this household is Morton Williams, age 31, her son-in-law; Pearl Williams, age 32, her daughter and Evelyn Williams, age 7, her granddaughter.

The 1930 US Census for Fulton County, KY may indeed be the most confusing of all.  The name given for the head of household is Leander C Roberson, a female, age 62, who was born in Tennessee.  In this household is Morton Williams, age 42, son-in-law whos occupation is given as a conductor for the railroad.  His wife and daughter of the head of household, Ella P. Williams, age 42.  Both she and Morton were 24 when they were married.  They have a daughter, granddaughter of the head of household, Dorothy Williams, age 17 who was born in KY.

And finally, Queen's death certificate.

"Click on Death Certificate to Enlarge"

Please notice her parents!  Yes, this must be the third child of William Charles and Mary Adaline Yates Bell, but who was Valony M.A. Bell?  I fell totally incomplete with this, but I am at a loss as to where to turn next.  I should also mention, the marriage of L.C. Roberson and V.A. Bell is the only marriage I have been able to find for Leander C. Roberson in Tennessee or Kentucky.  If there is anyone who can shed light on this, please let me know.

T. Bell