Roberts Switch
By Gracie Roberts, Updated Apr 2025
by Gracie Roberts
This Old House
This old house once knew my children
This old house once knew my wife
This old house was home and comfort
As we fought the storms of life
This old house once rang with laughter
This old house knew many shouts
Now it trembles in the darkness
When the lightning walks about
Ain't gonna need this house no longer
Ain't gonna need this house no more
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor
Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend the window pane
Ain't gonna need this house no longer
I'm getting ready to meet the saints
13 July 2007
It was Friday the 13th, July 2007 when Pa sprang through the kitchen door and broadcast to the grandkids: (Sarah, Molly, Jacob, & Ryan, were visiting Pa and Granny for a week) “I bought us another house…. Who wants to go see it?”. All four went running and climbed on the back of the mule (Kawasaki brand) and we headed out the driveway towards where, they knew not. When we got to Roberts Road Pa took a left, giving the grandkids a hint at the destination. We had just gone a short distance when Pa slows down and turns left into the driveway of Cousin Mike Herd and says: “It’s a fixer upper”, as he stops in front of the building pictured above. Now Sarah, being the oldest of our grandkids, and having Pa’s sense of humor, burst out laughing. And that was the beginning of ten years of our project to restore and preserve memories of a by-gone era. The attached photographs are a visual documentation of the ten years of the labor of love spent restoring what we call The Heritage House.
13 July 2007
Ryan & Jacob Roberts, Molly Stout, Tommy Roberts, & Sarah Grace Stout
Everyone needs something to get up for in the morning. Little did we know it would be a total of ten years of mornings. The old house is home to many memories of the history of our heritage, past present and future.
Harmon Young Lee
Harmon Young Lee built the house in the 1880s. This home saw many wives and children come and go. Harmon had 21 children by four different women: seven children by first wife, Hixie Malinda (Whitehead), five children by second wife, Demerius (Cole), three children by Ianna Frances (Whitehead). Ianna was a sister of first wife, Hixie, but she and Harmon never married. And six children by third wife, Nancy Jane (Stewart).
Harmon Young Lee is a grandson of Joseph Roberts, our Pioneer, who settled on Mine Like Creek with his wife Rachel (Carter). Harmon was the son of William Browder Lee and wife Marinda (Roberts). Marinda, called Mandy, was the daughter of Joseph and Rachel. Joseph’s father was William Roberts and William’s father was Henry Roberts.
The Old Cub Coleman House, as it was called when this photo was taken in 1975, is the oldest house in Roberts Switch.
Other families have called this building their home. John Issac Lindsey Jr. and wife Betha May (Clemons) moved into the old house shortly after their wedding on 17 April 1915. Madison Montgomery Davis “Uncle Gum” & wife Cory (Dorossett) “Aunt Cory”, Asa Herron family, Clavis Roberts & wife Frances moved in here when they got married in 1935. Their first three children: Avery, Geraldine, and Barbara were born here. Frances’ father, Jehue Phillips, lived with them until his death. He died in the front room of the old house on 17 January 1943.
John Issac Lindsey Jr and wife Bertha May (Clemons)
Madison Montgomery Davis “Uncle Gum” & wife Cory (Derossett) “Aunt Cory”
Asa Herron
Clavis & Frances Roberts with children Barbara, Geraldine, & Avery.
Jehue Phillips
Family of Lizzie & Cub Coleman
Above photo taken in front of the old house is the family and friends of Charles Harrison “Cub” Coleman, 1876-1965, and wife Rachel Elizabeth “Lizzie” (Carter), 1877-1965. Those in the photo are left to right: the little” unknown” girl is Barbara Clemons. She looks to be about 8 years old, which would make this photo taken @ 1945. Kneeling in the front are Alta Mae Coleman & Lillie Belle (Coleman) Roberts. Standing are James Samual Hickey, “Tip” Clemons. Cathern “Cat” Carter, Flora Clemons, Rachael Elizabeth “Lizzy” Coleman, Alger Clemons, Charles Harrison “Cub” or aka “Babe Ruth” Coleman, Alma Lillian Hickey, Desiree “Desi” Clemons, & Charles “Charlie” Clemons.
Lizzie & Cub Coleman
Cub and Lizzie had 8 children, six lived to an old age and are in the picture above. Sarah J. 1895-1896, Dezzie (Daisy) M. 1897-1972, Alta Mae 1899-1974, LF 1900-1901, Alma Lillian 1903-1979, Alger Katherin 1907-1971, Lillie Belle 1911-1982, and Flora Alice 1917-1996. Lillie Belle was the last human to live in the old house.
Heritage House
Today the old house is called The Heritage House. The name seemed to be a good fit for the current use. There have been many events hosted in the Heritage House since it was completed: birthday celebrations, school class get togethers, a memorial service, teaching lessons, Bible classes, church services, a marriage proposal, family dinners, family reunions, Christmas celebrations, our ladies craft events, plus many “drop ins”. We love it when we get unexpected company that come to say hi and visit for a spell. Precious memories of loved ones are recalled as we sit in rocking chairs on the front porch of the old home and make more memories. Y’all come….
I started this article with a song from my past, so I will close out with another one I remember well.
Y’All Come
by Arlie Duff 1953
When you live in the country
Everybody is your neighbor
On this one thing you can rely
They'll all come to see you
And never, ever leave you
Sayin' you all come to see us by and by
Y'all come! (Y'all come!)
Y'all come! (Y'all come!)
Well, you all come to see us now and then
Y'all come! (Y'all come!)
Y'all come! (Y'all come!)
Well, you all come to see us when you can.
