James Riley Roberts
I-3-5d-1 James Riley "Rile" (Swiney) ROBERTS b 1838, Ky, (prob. Floyd Co per
mrg) d 1912 Panther Cr, McD. Co, WV. Parentage in question. Thought to be
illeg. s/o James ROBERTS, Jr. & Tabitha SWINEY. Was reared by Jesse ROBERTS
s/o Cornelius (I-3-1). Used the name of SWINEY in 1850, Dan'l ROBERTS of
Pike Co, grandson of James, Jr. said that his father, Dan'l, had told him
that Rile was a half brother to him. Riley gave parents, "James & Tabitha"
on mrg. license. The Riley ROBERTS descendants say they aren't really ROB
ERTS, but Riley was reared by a Roberts. Rile lived close to Owen Roberts
in Floyd Co, Ky prior to the civil war. Then after the civil war they lived
near each other in McDowell Co, WV. Riley is buried in "Rile" cemetery at
Panther Forest swimming pool.
Riley was thought, by some, to be a witch, would witch things he bor
rowed. Gracie's grandmother would hide scissors & use razor blade when Rile
came because he might borrow the scissors and witch them.
md 1) 18 Sep 1859, Floyd Co, Matilda "Tilda" CAUDILL, md 2) Nellie
RUNYON, md last Rittie ROBERTS, d/o of Gordon & Ritty BAILEY (1888 McDow),
widow of Harvey ROBERTS (I-3-1-12)
Matilda CAUDILL d/o Jessee CAUDILL and Eleanor "Nelly" EASTEP (or
Estep). Jesse s/o Stephen & Sarah YONTS CAUDILL, s/o Mathew & Sarah WEBB
CAUDILL (Not to be confused with Jesse who md Polly BACK who was s/o James
and 2nd wife, Sarah ADAMS CAUDILL, James s/o Stephen)
Eleanor EASTEP was d/o Joel EASTEP. Joel md 2nd Rebecca HALL, 18 June
1831, PCK. Joel s/o Shadrack Estep, Sr, b 10 Oct 1745, St. Margarets Parish,
MD, & Elizabeth LANE
Matilda CAUDILL b c1844 Floyd Co, Ky d 1888, McDow, WV.
Rile is on 1850 Wyo Co Va census in house of Jesse ROBERTS, s/o
Cornelius, s/o James, Sr. as Riley SWINEY (age 12). Riley gave his parents
as "James & Tabitha" on a marriage license. Older members of family in Pike
Co. Ky said that Riley was an illegitimate son of James ROBERTS, Jr, who had
many illegitimate children.
Children:
1. Eleander "Nelly" ROBERTS b c1860 Floyd, Ky md 16 Apr 1877 (1-106
McDow) to Ode ROBERTS b McDow 1856, known as "Big Headed Ode" s/o Joseph
ROBERTS (I-3-1-4) ch on 1880: Matilda b 1879
2. Daniel ROBERTS b c1862, FCK, md 1) Sarah ___ 2) 12 Mar 1901 Louisa
"Vicie" BLANKENSHIP. b 1880 d/o Henry & Nancy
3. Kennis F. ROBERTS b c1864 Kanawha, WV, md 3 Apr 1883 McDow. to Lettie
BAILEY (d/o Jackson & Mindy (Arminta JUSTICE d/o Joab) BAILEY, Halsey
Bailey's sister)
4. Ursula ROBERTS, b 1867, Floyd Co Ky md 19 May 1882, McDow. to James
H. BAILEY, b 1862 s/o Gordon & Pricey (Chas. & Agnes, by Jos. Adkins. this
must be an error when copying from recrods?)
*5. James Wesley ROBERTS b c 1869, Floyd, Ky md 10 Nov 1887, McDow. to
Delila BAILEY b 1871 d 26 Feb 1906 d/o Jackson & "Widda" Arminda (Justice)
BAILEY
6. William M. "Bill" ROBERTS b c1871, FCK, d 1960, buried Black Chapel
Cem., moved to Webster Co, 1892, md Sytha (or Agatha) JUSTICE 1868--1937 d/o
James R. & Elizabeth
7. John "Rev. Johnnie" ROBERTS b June 1874 on Left Beaver, FCK, md Mary
BLANKENSHIP, Webster Co, WV. (in h/h of Ode 1880 McD.)
8. Preston ROBERTS, b c1875 WV md 19 Mar 1896 Buch. Co Va to Nancy
BLANKENSHIP (?Pricie) d/o Alfred (in h/h of Ode 1880 McD.)
9. Cornelius "Neil" Jackson ROBERTS, Jr. b 1879 WV always walked with
cane and called, "Crippled Neil", Baptist Preacher, b 14 July 1880 WV, d 13
June 1959 md 7 Apr 1898 to Nancy BAILEY, d/o Archibald & Rachel; sis to Adam
BAILEY. md by Wm. R. ESTEP, Archibald s/o Tazy BAILEY (& probably Owen ROB
ERTS I-3-1-3c-S1)
10. Noah ROBERTS b 1885 md 19 May 1902 Kate MEADOWS b 1883 d/o Lewis &
Rhoda Eva ____
11. Enos ROBERTS b 1883 md 11 Feb 1901 McD. Mary HELMADOLLOR d/o James
12. Alcy Elsie ROBERTS b 1881 d/o Riley & Ritty md 1) 13 Jun 1898 McD.
James W. ROBERTS b 1879 s/o Odey, m 2) 11 Mar 1907 Harvey BLANKENSHIP b 1884
s/o Alfred & Becky, ? 3) Estel Melbert BLANKENSHIP s/o Enos & Dorcas (Ken
nedy) BLANKENSHIP (see I-3-1-12-5-2 Harvey ROBERTS) Estel ran off with Lola
SHOEMAKE who had been wf of Oscar ROBERTS (poss s/o Alvis s/o Miles ROBERTS
I-3-1-3-8-8-12). When Elsie was little girl a bro. to Noah COLLINS murdered
her father after church one day. She tried to stop her father's hemmorage.
She didn't speak until she was 12 yrs old.
13. Marinda ROBERTS b 1889 d/o Riley m 18 Dec 1895 Noah HURLEY b 1867
s/o Jonathan & Alafair HURLEY
1850 Wyo Co Va
Jessie ROBERTS s/o Cornelius s/o James, Sr
Hannah (Stanley) d/o Joseph
Riley SWINEY Age 12 (b 1838)
1860 Floyd Co, Ky,
#457 Riley ROBERTS 24 Laborer
Matilda (CAUDILL)16 Seamstress d/o Jesse
#459 is Owen "Ode" ROBERTS
#456 is Jessee Caudill
1870 Floyd Co, Ky
Riley Robards 32
Matilda (Caudill) 26
Eleander 10
Daniel 8
Kenis F. 6 b Kanawha Co
Ursula 3
James W. 1
1880 McDow Co, WV, Sandy River
#87 Riley Roberts 42 Ky Unk Ky
Matilda (Caudill)39 " " "
Daniel 18 Ky Ky Ky
Keenis 15 WV
Usley 14 Ky
James W. 12
William 9
John 7
Preston 5 WV 1875
Neil, Jr 11/12 WV
P 104 Ref. Bk of Wyo Co History, Roster of Co. I, 7th WV 30 Dec 1864,
Roberts, Riley, Private, age 24
Black Chapel Cem, Camden on Gauley, Webster Co, WV Tombstones
ROBERTS Wm. M. Sytha
1871-1960 1868-1937
I-3-5d-1-1 Ellender "Nellie ROBERTS m Ode ROBERTS I-3-1-4
Ch: 1880 McD. Census
1. Matilda b 1879
I-3-5d-1-2 Daniel ROBERTS b 1862 Ky m 1) Sarah ___ 2) 12 Mar 1901 Louisa
BLANKENSHIP b 1880 d/o Henry & Nancy (Henry md 1) Lotty CLINE)
Children by Sarah:
1. Mary ROBERTS b 1882 md John B. LOCKHARD b 1873 s/o L. D. & Leety
2. Nellie ROBERTS b 1890 m Frank OYLER b 1887 Monroe Co s/o Charles &
Eliz.; Frank bro. to Etta (I-3-1-3c-14
3. Nancy ROBERTS b 1893 m 16 Aug 1910 James BAILEY, Jr. b 1891 s/o
Crockett & Jeanetty
I-3-5d-1-3 Kennis F. ROBERTS b 20 Jul 1864, Kanawha Co d 13 Aug 1933 m 3 Apr
1883, McD. to Lettie/Leeta BAILEY b 6 Oct 1864/7 d/o Jackson & Arminda/Mindy
(Justice)
Children:
1. Melvin ROBERTS b 1887 McD. m 5 Jun 1907 Victoria BAILEY b 1888 d/o
Eli & Nancy J.
2. Martha ROBERTS b b 5 Jun 1891 d 24 Mar 1959 McD. m 5 Jun 1907 Harmon
LOCKHART b 1887 s/o Michael & Alcy s/o Wm. & Lucy LOCKHART
3. Lydia ROBERTS b 16 Oct 188 d 13 Apr 1930 1890 McD. m 7 Nov 1907
James R. STACY b 15 Oct 1771 d 21 Hyb 1836 s/o Harrison & Nancy
4. Margaret ROBERTS b 1884 m 19 Nov 1900 Eli BAILEY b 1877 s/o Simon P.m
& Tazzy
5. Wilson ROBERTS b 1894 m 5 Jan 1914 Louisa BAILEY b 1897 d/o W.M. &
Tazy. Had store at mouth of Trap Fk, Panther Cr.
(Corre: Lonnie VANCE, Lonnie 1205, lives Ft. Worth, TX)
unknown cem.: Bud ROBERTS b 9 Feb 1911 d 25 Jul 1932
Agnus/Agnes ROBERTS no dates
George W. ROBERTS b 22 Feb 1921 d 18 Mar 1950 WV Pvt 88 Med Disp Avn WW@
Spicey ROBERTS b 19 Feb 1885 d 28 Sep 1961 m Alvis BLANKENSHIP b 15 Feb
1876
Cosby STACY b 10 Sep 1878 d 7 Feb 1971 m Francis B. STACY b 15 Jun 1890
d 30 Mar 1959; Cosby d/o A. J. STACY & Sarah
Edward STACY b 22 Sep 1880 d 7 Jul 1955
Eva STACY b 1892 d 1988
I-3-5d-1-3-1 Melvin ROBERTS & Victoria BAILEY d/o Eli & Nancy J.
Only known child:
1. Octavia ROBERTS b 1909 Panther d 1 Oct 1980 Annapolis MD, auto acci
dent. md Muncy DUTY
Children of Octavia:
1-1. Muncy DUTY, Jr. of Joppa, MD
1-2. Franklin DUTY of Joppa, MD
1-3. Helen DUTY md Estel PETERS of Iaeger
1-4. Shirly DUTY md Robert GILLEY of Churchville, MD
1-5. Beulah DUTY md Claude RASH of Greenville, SC
1-6. Lois DUTY md James STORM of Monroe, TN
1-7. Virgie DUTY md Ronald LAYTON of OK
1-8. Brenda DUTY md David KRUINS of Waterloo, IA
I-3-5d-1-5 James Wesley ROBERTS b c1869, FCK, s/o James Riley md 26 Nov 1887
McDow Co, WV to Delilah "Lila" BAILEY b 1871, Panther Cr, McDow, d/o Jackson
& Arminda (Justice) Bailey, md 2nd Claude BLANKENSHIP, d 26 Feb 1906.
Arminda Justice d/o Joab Justice md 1) Mary WOLFORD, 2) 1846 PCK Sarah
CLINE, she 1st md to David CHARLES in 1823
Children:
1. Leety Jane ROBERTS b 12 Dec 1888, Panther Cr, McDow, WV d 11 Dec
1975, md 7 Apr 1915 to James Harvey LEE
2. Judy ROBERTS
Children by 2nd husband of Delilah, Claude BLANKENSHIP:
A. Wayne Monroe BLANKENSHIP
B. Thomas Chatman BLANKENSHIP
I-3-5d-1-5-1 Leety Jane ROBERTS b 12 Dec 1888, Panther Cr, Trap Fk, WV, d
11 Dec 1975, Baisden, McDow. WV Man Hosp., brd Hollywood Cem. Gilbert WV,
d/o James Wesley; md 7 Apr 1915 James Harvey "Bud" "J.H." "Lihue" LEE b 14
Oct 1899 Peter Cr, Phelps, Ky PCK, d 2 Nov 1931, Mohawk, McDow, WV s/o
Matilda LEE
Children:
1. George Troy LEE b 27 Mar 1908, Mohawk WV d 30 Jan 1960 md Hallie Ger
trude COOK
2. Thomas Chatman LEE b 30 Aug 1913, Mohawk, d 30 Jun 1977 md 3 Jan 1931
Hester Barbara ESTEP
3. Gracie Bell LEE b 23 Nov 1914, Mohawk, d 28 Jan 1984 md 20 Dec 1930
Cecil MURPHY
4. Bertha Marie LEE b 22 Mar 1916, Mohawk, d md 6 June 1936 Frank
GIBSON
5. James Homer LEE b 5 Jul 1917, Mohawk, d 2 Sep 1965 md 28 Mar 1931 to
Lake E. MORGAN
6. Pearl LEE b 18 Dec 1918, Mohawk, d 23 Feb 1919, 2 months old
7. Wayne Monroe LEE b 7 Jan 1920, Mohawk, d 5 Nov 1979 md 18 Feb 1941
Polly Mae HENSLEY
8. Virginia Alma LEE b 11 Feb 1922, Mohawk, md 22 May 1937 Cassie WARD
9. Gladys Gertrude LEE b 14 Aug 1924, Mohawk, d 6 Jan 1926, 2yrs, 4 mos.
10. Bessie Beatrice LEE b 17 Jan 1926, Mohawk, d 7 Dec 1976, md 1) Bob
CHILDERS, 2) Howard LAWSON, 3) Melvin McNEW
11. Mable Gertrude "Ethel" LEE b 25 Nov 1927, Mohawk, d 7 Dec 1976, md
1) Steven AVILLA 2) Hayes COE 10 May 1948
I-3-5d-1-5-1-2 Thomas Chatman LEE, Sr. b 30 Aug 1915, Mohawk, WV, d 30 Jun
1977 Taylorsville, Mingo, Co, WV, brd 4 Jul 1977 Hollywood Cem, Gilbert, WV;
md 3 Jan 1931, Panther WV to Hester Barbara ESTEP b 5 Aug 1915, Ira, Buch,
Co, V. d 26 Mar 1983 Columbus, Oh, brd 29 Mar 1983, Gilbert WV, d/o James
Anderson Garfield ESTEP and Melisa Belle ALLEN
Children:
1. Thomas Chatman "Tommy" LEE Jr b 18 Oct 1931, Rossmore WV md Lucille
MATNEY
2. Donald Ray LEE b 21 May 1933, Mohawk, WV md Jeanette SHORT
3. Leo Delano LEE, b 5 Feb 1937, Kaollitz WV md 1) Christine ATWOOD, 2)
Sandy Lee, 3) Trudie Greybeal
4. Larry Gene LEE b 7 Nov 1938, Emmett, Logan Co WV d 1 Feb 1939 infant
5. Jackie Dean LEE b 5 Nov 1939, Kaollitz, WV md 1) Polly GARRISH 2)
Anita Eileen MILLS
6. Clinton "Clint" Beriah LEE b 27 Dec 1941, Mohawk WV md 20 Jan 1962,
Lou. Ky to Janet Lynn BOTTORFF, RR #3, Bx 153 Paoli, Ind 47454-9684
7. Nellie Jo LEE b 25 Sep 1943, Isaban, WV md 1) Bob DAMERON, 2) Jerry
GREENWOOD
8. Carol Jean LEE b 25 Jul 1945, Bud, Wyo Co, WV md 1) Mike NEWILL 2)
George DAVIS
9. Helen Joyce LEE b 31 Dec 1947, Mohawk, WV, d. young
10. Thelma Lane LEE b 11 Feb 1949, Isaban, WV, md Ralph CRAIGO
11. Marylou LEE b 16 Nov 1951 Letwar, WV, md Wayne WARF
12. Ester Michell "Shelly" LEE b 2 Oct 1968, Goody, Pike Co, Ky (adop
ted-she is Thelma's Illeg. dgtr.)
I-3-5d-1-6 William M. "Bill" ROBERTS b 30 Oct 1871, FCK, d 18 May 1960 Web
ster Co, WV m 1888 Sytha JUSTICE b Aug 1867 d 1937 Webster Co d/o James R. &
Elizabeth
"Wm. Roberts and family left Floyd (sic McDow.) Apr 15, 1892. The party
moving consisted of Hiley COLLINS and his family. Wyatt JUSTICE and a boy
by the name of John HARDEN whose deeds in later years caused a song to be
written. Mr. Roberts had with him his mother-in-law, Mrs. Elizabeth JUSTUS.
They migrated with 6 head of horses, 3 mules and 2 yoke of oxen. They were
19 days on the road. Mr. Roberts bought a farm from Mr. John E. JONES on
the waters of Big Beaver Creek Webster Co, WV." from Precious Memories by
Rev. Ernest HAYHURST
Children:
1. Betty J. ROBERTS b Sep 1888 Va d bef 1985 md ___RIDDLE
2. Arminta R. "Mintie" ROBERTS b 25 Jan 1890 Grundy, Va d 2 Apr 1985
Tioga NCWV md James Oscar BARNETTE b __d 1971
3. Polly ROBERTS b Sep 1891 Va living 1985 in Anderson, Ind md ___CURRY
4. Kizzy Victoria ROBERTS b Jan 1893 WV d Feb 1985 md ___ROSE
5. Pattie ROBERTS b 2 Feb 1896 Webster Co, d 1 Dec 1965 m 7 Jul 1912
Rev. Ernest Ray HAYHURST b oct 1892 d 16 Dec 1963
6. Lillie B. ROBERTS b 15 Aug 1897 Webster, living 1985 Atwater, Oh, md
Geo. ROBINSON
7. Wm. Mathew ROBERTS b 26 Jan 1900 Webster Co, d bef 1985
8. Henry S. ROBERTS
9. Austin R. ROBERTS
10. Anna ROBERTS m ___CURRY
I-3-5d-1-7 John "Reverand Johnnie" ROBERTS b c1873 Floyd Co, Ky s/o Riley &
Matilda md Mary BLANKENSHIP
Children:
1. Mander ROBERTS b 6 May 1893, Panther, md 1) Rachel ROBERTS, 2) Ida
LESTER
2. Kennis ROBERTS, Jr. b 1892 Webster Co, md 14 Jan 1911 Rebecca CLINE
b 1893 d/o H.W. & Cyntha CLINE
John md 2nd Cintha WHITT nee BLANKENSHIP b 1876 d/o A. & Rebecca BLAN
KENSHIP had son
3. Jack Whitt of Detroit, Mi.
(Elsie ROBERTS d/o Kennis ROBERTS & Rebecca CLINE, m Estel BLANKENSHIP)
I-3-5d-1-7-1 Mander ROBERTS b 6 May 1893 Panther, McD. d 1975 Retired
R.R. employee, md 1) Rachel Ann ROBERTS d 1953 WV d/o Crippled Neil & Nancy
Bailey ROBERTS md 2) Ida Lester ROBERTS
Children all by 1st wife:
1. Bethel ROBERTS lives Bedford, Oh md ___ROBINSON
2. Barbara ROBERTS lives Chesepsake, Oh m ___BELCHER
3. Bernice ROBERTS md ___CROWSER, lives San Diego, Ca
4. Gloria ROBERTS m ___LANTZER lives Macedonia, Oh.
5. George ROBERTS lives Buffalo, W.V.
6. Edgar ROBERTS lives Cleveland, Oh.
7. Jesse ROBERTS lives East Orwell, WV
I-3-5d-1-8 Preston Roberts 21, b McDow Co, s/o Riley & Matilda ROBERTS md 19
Mar 1896 Nancy BLANKENSHIP 13, b Buc. Co, d/o Alfred & Rebecca; Alfred s/o
Daniel & Sophia (Lester); Daniel ggrandfather of June Green.
Note: there is on 1900 Buchanan Census a Preston ROBERTS b 1875 with wife
Emily F. b 1881. Don't think that this is same one.
I-3-5d-1-9 Cornelius "Neil" Jackson ROBERTS "Crippled Neil" b 14 July 1879
WV d 15 July 1959 Wv md 7 Apr 1898 Nancy BAILEY b 17 Nov 1883 d 14 Dec 1953
d/o Arch. & Rachel (Lester)
Children:
1. Bertha May ROBERTS b 7 Jan 1900 d 23 May 1916 md Carlos Suter BLAN
KENSHIP (1 child)
2. Rachel Ann ROBERTS b 27 Jun 1901 d 5 Feb 1953 m Mander ROBERTS s/o
Johnnie (I-3-5d-1-7-1)
3. George M. ROBERTS b 18 Sep 1903 d 5 Jan 1983 m Cornis BARTRUM
4. Matilda Francis ROBERTS b 17 Oct 1903 md Lon FARNES
5. Nettie ROBERTS b 10 Feb 1908 (tripletts) d 30 Mar 1972
6. Nellie ROBERTS b 10 Feb 1908 md __THOMAS
7. Enos ROBERTS b 10 Feb 1908 d 1908 3 months old
8. Cynthia ROBERTS b 23 Apr 1910 md Orville STREET
9. Everette ROBERTS b 1 Oct 1912 d 28 Dec 1936 m Della HONAKER (no chil
dren)
10. John Henry ROBERTS b 23 May 1915 d Mar 1916
11. Garland ROBERTS, Sr b 30 Apr 1918 m 12 Oct 1940 June Elizabeth
McPHERSON b 6 Jun 1922
12. William Jennings ROBERTS b 24 May 1920 d 5 Jan 1945 (1 child)
13. Eva Maxine ROBERTS b 30 Jan 1924 md Everette WYATT (4 children)
14. Garnet ROBERTS b 19 Dec 1926 md Faye COOPER
15. Archie ROBERTS b 4 June 1928 md Janice JACKSON
I-3-5d-1-9-11 Garland ROBERTS, Sr md June Eliz. McPHERSON
Children:
1. Patricia Elizabeth ROBERTS b 14 May 1942 md Earl PAYNE (4 child.)
2. Rose Marie ROBERTS b 15 oct 1943 md Donald Edwards GRIFFIN (2 child)
3. Garland ROBERTS, Jr b 1 July 1945 md Cynthia CREASEY (4 CHILD.)
4. Nancy Kay ROBERTS b 13 Jan 1947 md Joseph BALIR (1 child)
5. Robert Daryl ROBERTS b 6 June 1956 md Cindi LUNSTRUM
Query: Chris ROBERTS for William Howard ROBERTS b c1915 McD. md Virginia
WHITE in late 1930's or early 40's had 5 ch: Richard, William, Charlotte,
Nedra, Garnet, Virginia md 2nd ANDREWS