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

Lester and Chestina had 9 children (4 boys / 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, 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.