Sorting the Son of Elisha From the Husband of Crissie 

Lately, as I have been working on writing my grandmother Liza's story and looking over documents of her family I have noticed many discrepancies all across the internet, confusing her husband Basil Lester with a different man of the same name who lived in a similar area.  Considering that it is quite difficult to find many documents from the 1800s that would give enough details on each man's life to make the difference in identities obvious, I understand the confusion.  This post should help clarify the confusion for those who are relatives actively searching for information on these two men.

Basil H. Lester

Basil Lester's Death Certificate

This Basil was first married to Evaline Hackney and had the following children: Hettie Lester, Nelson Lester, Paris Lester, Matt Lester, Nettie Lester, and Clell Lester.

He later married Eliza Bell Robinette-Hopson, widow of John C. Hopson. With Eliza he had the following children: Zelia Lester, Sie Lester, Isaac Lester, Bassie Lester, and Basil Lester Jr.

 
His death certificate notes him as "divorced"-that is because Eliza divorced him when he murdered her brother, Pharoah Robinette in 1930.

The Advocate-Messenger, Danville, Kentucky; 11 Aug 1930, Mon. Pg 1

The 1940 Census also notes him as divorced, as well documents that his daughters Hettie and Nettie live with him at the time.

1940 Census, Pike County, Kentucky

Vance Basil Lester

Basil and Crissie Lester: Photo Courtesy of Scott Lester on Ancestry.com

Vance Basil Lester was born on May 20, 1878 in Knox, Buchanan County, Virginia.  His parents were Miles Jack Lester and Mary "Polly" Lee.  Vance Basil married Crissie Helton and had the following children:  Stella Lester, Ira Lester, Laura Bell Lester, Earl Lester, Edgar Lester, Steward Lester, and Helen Lester.  

1880 Census, Grundy, Buchanan County, Virginia

 

The 1930 Census for Buchanan County, Virginia lists this Basil as "head of Household", living with wife Crissie, and children: Ira Lester, Laura Lester, Earl Lester, Edgar Lester, Steward Lester, and Helen Lester.

Vance Basil Lester died in the hospital at Grundy, Virginia on December 31, 1961 at 83-years-old.

Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Dec 31,1961, Page 2

Who's Who?

Basil Lester who was born in 1877, died in 1948, and buried at Lester Cemetery Big Rock is not the husband of Crissie Helton nor the father of Laura Belle Lester-Marcum.  He is the one who killed Pharoah Robinette.

Vance Basil Lester who was born 1878, died in 1961, whose burial place is currently unknown to me, is the husband of Crissie Helton and father of Laura Belle Lester-Marcum.  He is not the son of Elisha and Melvina.  

Sources

Scott Lester, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/collection/1030/tree/25393927/person/172303899436/media/5f317898-2c80-4a29-8404-6567d05b98c3?_phsrc=fNK17140&usePUBJs=true: 18 Apr 2011), photo of Vance Basil Lester and Crissie Helton labeled Sunday Lunch.

Basil Lester Obituary: Bluefield Daily Telegraph , Dec 31, 1961, Page 2