Chestina (Wilcox) Leadbetter (1795 - 1861)

Born 27 Apr 1795 in Alford, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Lester Leadbetter — married 28 Dec 1814 in Canaan, Columbia County, New York

Descendants

Died 29 Mar 1861 at age 65 in Maine, Broome, New York, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Ken Whittemore [send private message]

Biography

Chestina was born in 1795. She passed away in 1861. ^[1]

Biography on her memorial page:

"'Chestina' was the 7th of at least 10 children of Rufus Wilcox and Sarah "Sally" Adams. She married Lester Leadbetter on 28 December 1814 in Canaan, New York and they later moved to Broome County to start their family."

Lester and 'Chestina' had 9 children, 4 boys and 5 girls

- William Lester Leadbetter - Chestina (Christina) Rosella Leadbetter - Thomas Leadbetter - Sylvester Leadbetter - Charlotte M. Leadbetter - Mortimer Leadbetter - Jane Leadbetter - Thelma E. Leadbetter - Pluma Leadbetter

"The life of 'Chestina' and Lester is both one of mystery and scandal. They were not living together at the end of their lives. According to census records, Lester was living with a woman listed as a "concubine" who was about 26 years younger than his wife Chestina. Chestina was living in the homestead with her son Mortimer and Mortimer's wife, when Lester was living with another woman. Lester's concubine was named Parmelia (also spelled Pamelia and Parmella) who apparently bore him two daughters (Matilda and Aurilla Leadbetter). It is possible that Parmelia was the estranged wife of Harry Lyon whom she had married a few years earlier, but this is not proven. Research is ongoing. [I will go out on a limb here and suggest that Lester's relationship with Parmela/Pamelia might have had something to do the split-up between Chestina and her husband]."

"In the last 3 census' (1850/1855/1860) before Chestina's death, she was living alone in 1850 with three of her daughters and by 1855, she was living with her son Mortimer and his family, as well as two of her daughters, Jane and Pluma. Mortimer is buried in close proximity to his mother Chestina, as are Jane and Pluma. It is possible that 'Chestina' had taken over the family home and Lester had left with his young significant other, and Mortimer and family moved into Chestina's home."

"Interestingly, Lester was not buried with his second wife Pamelia, and he and Chestina are buried side by side and have a shared headstone."

Children of Chestina Wilcox and Lester Leadbetter:

William Lester Leadbetter 1815–1902

Christina Rosella Leadbetter Benton 1817–1903

Thomas Leadbetter 1819–1820

Sylvester Leadbetter 1821–1822

Mortmer M. Leadbtter 1823–1915

Charlotte Leadbetter Chauncey 1826–1910 ​​

Jane Leadbetter 1832–1894Z​

Thelma E Leadbetter 1836–Deceased

Pluma Leadbetter 1836–1887

Sources

1. ↑ Unsourced family tree handed down to Ken Whittemore Jr.

Alford VR pg. 18

Find A Grave: Memorial #136764004 Chestina Leadbetter

SECONDARY SOURCE: Family Tree https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LHV5-7GX