Interesting Richard/Paula,

Since one of her sons was named Frederick - perhaps it was for her brother (if this is Marie/Mary).

She may be listed in later census periods as mulatto since she is married to a black man - and census taker just figured she was light-skinned - or she may have had to pass for colored to get married - not sure what laws were in Missouri 1n 1884-86 which is probably the time they married because of birthdate for first child. I'm assuming - not good to assume she met him in MO - would be doubtful she wound up in VA.

Checked marriage records for Kansas city MO but don't see her. They may have had to go out of state to marry - if they married. My grandmother had to leave KS to marry my grandfather in 1913 - they got married in Milwaulkee WI where interraccial marriages were legal.

My grandmother was also listed as "black" on one census record while married to my grandfather - though she wasn't, and a census taker would have to be blind - but racism reared its head.

Am still trying to track David Peters in 1880. There are several candidates.

Denise