Susan F. Pence1,2

F, b. August 19, 1831, d. March 11, 1884
     Susan F. Pence was buried at Waugh Cemetery, New Castle, Craig Co., Virginia; Buried in an unmarked fenced grave next to Stephen Andrew Hancock.2,1 She dgibby45 - Children of Susan Pence and Stephen Hancock: According to some family sources, Susan Pence had 2 children by a Mr. Brown, 5 children by a Mr. Franklin, and one child by Stephen Andrew Hancock. Stephen had 4 children by his first wife, Sarah Ballard Craft (my great grand aunt, who along with one of the children, died in childbirth).

It is believed by some of these famly sources that after Stephen and Susan married, Stephen adopted all of Susan's children; however, I find that highlly doubtful for the following reasons:

Charges in criminal court by the Commonwealth of Va. against Stephen and Susan regarding martial status and parentage of the children, which were dropped after Stephen and Susan married.

Financial status of the family ( they were at one time being audited by the Overseers of the Poor), so it is doubtful that he could have afforded to formally adopt the children.

A Chancery Court Record from 1952 in which the petitioner, Theodore R. Craft (son of Florence Belle Franklin Hancock Craft-my grandmother, and daughter of Susan) asks the court to adjudicate the dispersal of the estate of his aunt, Ocie Ann Franklin Hancock Van Horn.

Included in the petition, T.R. Craft lists all of Ocie Ann's heirs, both of the "full-blood" and of the "half-blood". These heirs are Ocie Ann's neices and nephews and their descedents. Those listed as "full-blood" are the descendents of Laura Katherine Brown Hancock Elmore and Madora Brown Hancock Fisher, as well as Robert Watt Franklin Hancock. Otis Dillard Franklin Hancock, Florence Belle Franklin Hancock Craft, and Panola Mae Franklin Hancock Simpson. Although William Hamilton (Tom) Hancock was a "full-blooded sibling, he had no biological children, and his step-children were not included in the petition.

The heirs of the "half-blood" are descendents of Stephen's children by his first wife, Sarah Craft Hancock.

It would, appear, therefore, that the two children listed by the surname Brown and the 5 children listed by the surname "Franklin" were, in fact, "full-blooded" siblings, meaning that Stephen Hancock was most likely the biological father of all the children, and not there adoptive father. Unless more information becomes available, then the only way to prove this is through extensive DNA testing of the descendents of Susan and Stephen.3 She was born on August 19, 1831 at Mount Jackson, Shenandoah Co., Virginia.2,4 She married Stephen Andrew Hancock, son of Barnett Hancock, on July 7, 1873 at New Castle, Craig Co., Virginia; Susan listed no parents when she married Stephen.5,2,4 As of July 7, 1873,her married name was Hancock. Susan F. Pence died on March 11, 1884 at New Castle, Craig Co., Virginia, at age 52.2,4

Census Records

1860Dwelling 286, Craigs Creek, Craig Co., Virginia6
1870Dwelling 18, New Castle, Craig Co., Virginia7
1880Dwelling 74, District 23, New Castle, Craig Co., Virginia8

Occupation

1870Domestic7

Family 1

Unknown Brown
Child

Family 2

Stephen Andrew Hancock b. 1827, d. August 10, 1900
Marriage*Susan F. Pence married Stephen Andrew Hancock, son of Barnett Hancock, on July 7, 1873 at New Castle, Craig Co., Virginia; Susan listed no parents when she married Stephen.5,2,4 
Children

Citations

  1. [S1225] Ruth G. Hale, Waugh Cemetery, Craig Co., VA.
  2. [S274] Robert & Juanita Elmore Conner, "Personal Papers of Robert & Juanita Elmore Conner."
  3. [S8514] CRAFT_LEACH Family Tree, online https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/7107952/person/-1162092737/facts, From a note left by Ancestry member dgibby45.
  4. [S1964] Charlene Elmore Blassingham, "Elmores of New Castle, VA."
  5. [S30] Ruth G. Hale, Craig County, Virginia Marriages 1851-1881.
  6. [S301] National Archives and Records Administration, 1860 United States Federal Census.
  7. [S166] National Archives and Records Administration, 1870 United States Federal Census.
  8. [S109] National Archives and Records Administration, 1880 United States Federal Census.
  9. [S25] Richmond, VA Library of Virginia, Craig Co., Virginia, Birth Records, 1853-1896.
  10. [S5149] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, Death Records, 1912-2014.
  11. [S28] Ruth G. Hale, Craig County, Virginia Marriages 1882-1910.
  12. [S23] Paul Howard, unknown record type, TYPE Book.
  13. [S1590] Entucky Department for Libraries and Archives, Kentucky Death Records, 1852-1964.
  14. [S6468] Unknown compiler, New York, County Marriages, 1847-1849; 1907-1936.

Susan Faye Bell1,2,3,4

F, b. September 29, 1950, d. June 8, 2018
FatherRoy Gerald Bell5,2,3,6,7 b. May 23, 1924, d. March 24, 1982
MotherGeneva Ardell Conner5,2,3,6,7 b. October 7, 1928, d. August 21, 2019
     Susan Faye Bell was born on September 29, 1950 at Roanoke, Virginia.1,2,4 As of March 2, 1968,her married name was Kegley.4 She married Lewis Early Kegley on March 2, 1968 at Eden, Rockingham Co., North Carolina.1,4 Susan Faye Bell and Lewis Early Kegley were divorced on February 9, 1971 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.4 As of January 28, 1972,her married name was Leonard.2 Susan Faye Bell married Tony Ray Leonard on January 28, 1972 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.5,2,7 Susan Faye Bell and Tony Ray Leonard were divorced on July 29, 1982 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.4 As of October 14, 1989,her married name was Childress.2 Susan Faye Bell married Ray Godfrey Childress on October 14, 1989 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.3,2 Susan Faye Bell died on June 8, 2018 at Virginia at age 67.3 She Susan Bell Childress of Roanoke County, Va., went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, June 8, 2018, after a long battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her father, Roy Bell; and her brother, Gerald Bell. Susan was employed by the Veterans' Administration for 38 years. Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Ray Childress; her mother, Geneva Bell White and stepfather, Paul White; her daughter, Julie Leonard (Simon Johnson); her granddaughters, Hailey Johnson and Genevieve Johnson; her niece, Jody Bell; and two great-nieces, Samantha Taylor and Kristen Bell, who were like her children. Susan wanted to thank Becky Kinser, Karen Gingras, Lisa Craighead, Lisa Robertson, Ola Rierson, Ildiko Pratt, cousins, Robin, Cindy, Doug, and Aunt Pearl, Charlotte and Shirley for everything they did during her illness. Special thanks to Dr. Mark Kochenderfer, PA Jolee Preston and the staff at Blue Ridge Cancer Center for all the compassion they showed Susan and for making this difficult time as pleasant as possible. Also, to Jennifer Carter with Carilion Home Health, who has been like family for the last two years. on June 10, 2018.3

Family 1

Lewis Early Kegley b. October 27, 1949, d. September 27, 1984
Marriage*She married Lewis Early Kegley on March 2, 1968 at Eden, Rockingham Co., North Carolina.1,4 
Divorce* Susan Faye Bell and Lewis Early Kegley were divorced on February 9, 1971 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.4 

Family 2

Tony Ray Leonard
Marriage*Susan Faye Bell married Tony Ray Leonard on January 28, 1972 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.5,2,7 
Divorce* Susan Faye Bell and Tony Ray Leonard were divorced on July 29, 1982 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.4 
Child
  • Julie Renee Leonard5,1,3

Family 3

Ray Godfrey Childress
Marriage*Susan Faye Bell married Ray Godfrey Childress on October 14, 1989 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.3,2 

Citations

  1. [S1164] Geneva Conner Bell White, "In Memory of the Family of Jacob Valentine Conner and Mary Elizabeth Hill Conner."
  2. [S5130] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014.
  3. [S102] Roanoke Times, From the Susan Bell Childress obituary in the Jun 10, 2018 edition.
  4. [S5151] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, Divorce Records, 1918-2014.
  5. [S137] Unidentified Newspaper Article or Funeral Home Information, From an unidentified funeral home pamphlet for Roy Gerald Bell.
  6. [S102] Roanoke Times, From the Geneva Conner Bell White obituary in the Aug 23, 2019 edition.
  7. [S102] Roanoke Times, From the Roy Gerald Bell obituary in the Mar 24, 1982 edition.

Lemuel Dillen Conner1,2,3,4

M, b. September 22, 1884, d. April 20, 1960
FatherShelton Leek/Leak Conner5,6,7,2,8 b. March 4, 1858, d. April 3, 1937
MotherSarah Byar "Sallie" Hall5,6,7,2,9,8 b. February 24, 1859, d. March 4, 1956
     Lemuel Dillen Conner was buried at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park, 5070 Cove Road N. W., Roanoke, Virginia.10,1,2,11 He was born on September 22, 1884 at Floyd Co., Virginia; His tombstone has a birth date of Jul 3, 1884 and his death certificate has Jul 5, 1884.5,4,1,2,3 He married Arlene Susan Viola "Susie" Thomas on October 14, 1903 at Franklin Co., Virginia.12,1,2,8 Lemuel Dillen Conner died on April 20, 1960 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 75.1,2

Census Records

1890Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia6
1900Dwelling 218, District 20, Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia7
1900Farm laborer7
1910Dwelling 267, District 54, Amsterdam, Botetourt Co., Virginia13
1920Dwelling 212, District 56, Amsterdam, Botetourt Co., Virginia14
1930Dwelling 219, District 4, Amsterdam, Botetourt Co., Virginia15
1940Dwelling 62, District 12-5, Amsterdam, Botetourt Co., Virginia16
1950Dwelling 178, District 12-9, Amsterdam, Botetourt Co., Virginia9

Occupation

1910Farmer13
1920Farmer14
1930Farmer15
1940Farmer16
1950Farm manager9

Family

Arlene Susan Viola "Susie" Thomas b. March 16, 1881, d. January 17, 1963
Marriage*Lemuel Dillen Conner married Arlene Susan Viola "Susie" Thomas on October 14, 1903 at Franklin Co., Virginia.12,1,2,8 
Children

Citations

  1. [S2722] Roanoke City VA Archives - Cedar Lawn Memorial Park, online http://files.usgwarchives.org/va/roanokecity/cemeteries/
  2. [S5149] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, Death Records, 1912-2014.
  3. [S1253] Selective Service System United States, U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942.
  4. [S533] National Archives and Records Administration, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-18.
  5. [S274] Robert & Juanita Elmore Conner, "Personal Papers of Robert & Juanita Elmore Conner."
  6. [S131] Virginia Court House abbreviated copy on file at Floyd Co., 1890 United States Federal Census.
  7. [S132] National Archives and Records Administration, 1900 United States Federal Census.
  8. [S11575] Unknown compiler, Virginia, U.S., Marriage Registers, 1853-1935.
  9. [S11679] Unknown author, 1950 United States Federal Census.
  10. [S1521] The Fair View Group, online http://www.thefairviewgroup.org/index.shtml
  11. [S2274] Cedar Lawn Memorial Park, Roanoke, VA, online http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&GRid=49961910&CRid=49750&
  12. [S8] Floyd Co., Virginia Court House, Book 4, Floyd Co., Virginia Marriage Records.
  13. [S205] National Archives and Records Administration, 1910 United States Federal Census.
  14. [S119] National Archives and Records Administration, 1920 United States Federal Census.
  15. [S118] National Archives and Records Administration, 1930 United States Federal Census.
  16. [S3353] National Archives and Records Administration, 1940 United States Federal Census.
  17. [S102] Roanoke Times, From the Lula E. Conner Anderson obituary in the Feb 21, 1996 edition.
  18. [S102] Roanoke Times, From the Calvin Amos Conner obituary in the Jun 13, 2007 edition.
  19. [S55] Montgomery Co., Virginia Court House, Register 2, Montgomery Co., Virginia Marriage Records.
  20. [S5130] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014.
  21. [S5152] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, U.S., Birth Records, 1912-2015, Delayed Birth Records, 1721-1920.
  22. [S5223] Social Security Administration, U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007.
  23. [S5158] North Carolina State Archives, North Carolina, Marriage Records, 1741-2011.

Mary Stall1

F, b. February 12, 1874, d. June 23, 1937
     Mary Stall married Unknown McAlister.2 Mary Stall was born on February 12, 1874 at McConnelsville, Ohio.1 She married Frank Cramer Chatham, son of William Gast Chatham and Margaret Jane Trask, on April 14, 1921 at Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania.2,1 As of April 14, 1921,her married name was Chatham.2 Mary Stall died on June 23, 1937 at Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania, at age 63.1,3

Census Records

1920Dwelling 19, District 644, Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania4
1930Dwelling 284, District 330, Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania5

Family 1

Unknown McAlister
Marriage*Mary Stall married Unknown McAlister.2 

Family 2

Frank Cramer Chatham b. January 29, 1877, d. January 18, 1949
Marriage*Mary Stall married Frank Cramer Chatham, son of William Gast Chatham and Margaret Jane Trask, on April 14, 1921 at Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania.2,1 

Citations

  1. [S4652] Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1964, From the Mary Chatham death certificate.
  2. [S274] Robert & Juanita Elmore Conner, "Personal Papers of Robert & Juanita Elmore Conner."
  3. [S6710] Presbyterian Historical Society, U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970.
  4. [S119] National Archives and Records Administration, 1920 United States Federal Census.
  5. [S118] National Archives and Records Administration, 1930 United States Federal Census.

Mary Delaware "Della" King1,2,3

F, b. July 23, 1853, d. November 14, 1913
FatherRobert Woods King4,1,3,5 b. October 2, 1830, d. November 17, 1872
MotherMargaret Jane "Peggy" King4,1,3,5 b. December 21, 1834, d. February 3, 1917
     Mary Delaware "Della" King was buried at Riner-Willis Cemetery, Floyd Co., Virginia.6 She was born on July 23, 1853 at Floyd Co., Virginia.4,1,2,3,5,6 She married Gordon M. Hall, son of David A. Hall and Abigail Iddings, on August 5, 1869 at Floyd Co., Virginia.3,1,2 As of August 5, 1869,her married name was Hall. Mary Delaware "Della" King died on November 14, 1913 at Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 60.2,5

Census Records

1890Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia7

Family

Gordon M. Hall b. May 29, 1840, d. June, 1909
Marriage*Mary Delaware "Della" King married Gordon M. Hall, son of David A. Hall and Abigail Iddings, on August 5, 1869 at Floyd Co., Virginia.3,1,2 
Children

Citations

  1. [S11] Effie King Brown, Descendants of John King 1759-1843.
  2. [S349] Erma C. Sowers, A Report on the Descendants of Henry Iddings and Abigail Richardson.
  3. [S16] Floyd Co., Virginia Court House, Book 3, Floyd Co., Virginia Marriage Records.
  4. [S33] Surnames of Families of Floyd Co., Virginia, online http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~barbr/zz_main_contents.htm
  5. [S1033] Unknown name of person, Virginia Department of Health Death Certificate, From the Mary D. Hall death certificate.
  6. [S5500] Riner-Willis Cemetery, Floyd Co., VA, online www.findagrave.com.
  7. [S131] Virginia Court House abbreviated copy on file at Floyd Co., 1890 United States Federal Census.
  8. [S5149] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, Death Records, 1912-2014.
  9. [S8] Floyd Co., Virginia Court House, Book 4, Floyd Co., Virginia Marriage Records.
  10. [S1698] Unknown compiler, Records of Death - Book 19, Grant Bryant Funeral Home Records Dec 5, 1936 - Oct 21, 1944.
  11. [S1700] W. W. Likens, Records of Death - Book 21, Grant Bryant Funeral Home Records Nov 17, 1944 - Oct 2, 1948.

Octavia Amanda Lee "Mandy" Beckner1,2,3

F, b. circa 1883, d. October 21, 1949
     Her married name was Argabright.3 Octavia Amanda Lee "Mandy" Beckner was buried at Siner Cemetery, off Rt. 645, Copper Hill, Floyd Co., Virginia.3 She was born circa 1883 at Virginia.4 As of circa 1915,her married name was Conner.5 She married Jordan Walter Conner, son of William Riley "Rilo" Conner and Mary Eleanor Martin, circa 1915.1,2,5 Octavia Amanda Lee "Mandy" Beckner married Adam Boone Argabright, son of William Peyton Argabright and Elvira Mills, in 1935 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.3,6 Octavia Amanda Lee "Mandy" Beckner died on October 21, 1949.3

Census Records

1920Dwelling 6, District 123, Cave Spring, Roanoke Co., Virginia4
1930Dwelling 56, District 7, Cave Spring, Roanoke Co., Virginia4

Occupation

1930Farmer4

Family 1

Jordan Walter Conner b. July 7, 1871, d. before April 5, 1930
Marriage*Octavia Amanda Lee "Mandy" Beckner married Jordan Walter Conner, son of William Riley "Rilo" Conner and Mary Eleanor Martin, circa 1915.1,2,5 
Children

Family 2

Adam Boone Argabright b. March 15, 1875, d. July 3, 1963
Marriage*Octavia Amanda Lee "Mandy" Beckner married Adam Boone Argabright, son of William Peyton Argabright and Elvira Mills, in 1935 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.3,6 

Citations

  1. [S102] Roanoke Times, From the Ruth Conner Nichols obituary in the Mar 29, 2003 edition.
  2. [S581] Sylvia Gearheart Albert, Jacob Shilling, Jr. Family of Franklin Co., VA.
  3. [S342] Researcher and Compiler William Harvey Green Sylvia Gearheart Albert, Argabright Family of Floyd, Franklin, and Montgomery Counties, Virginia.
  4. [S118] National Archives and Records Administration, 1930 United States Federal Census.
  5. [S119] National Archives and Records Administration, 1920 United States Federal Census.
  6. [S582] John Winfield Spangler, John Winfield Spangler Research Papers.
  7. [S5130] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014.
  8. [S5152] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, U.S., Birth Records, 1912-2015, Delayed Birth Records, 1721-1920.
  9. [S5223] Social Security Administration, U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007.
  10. [S11575] Unknown compiler, Virginia, U.S., Marriage Registers, 1853-1935.
  11. [S5149] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, Death Records, 1912-2014.