From the information in the book--it says James R Todd was the only son of Corrie Vance and Jim Todd of Asheville, NC. When James Jr was 3 they moved to Philadelphia in 1923. Corrie is my direct Vance Line descendant. There isn't very much information about James Sr. I just met her 6 April and she and I as well as other family members are just starting to do a timeline, and associate names.
One thing I do think is a very strong possibility is Zebulan Vance was a popular politician in North Carolina for years. The sons of Adalade Vance-Elbert and James were said to be very light skin. The picture I have seen of Corrie Vance Todd, who is the daughter of James Vance Sr., shows she could have easily past for white. So either Zebulan or a family member may have been the father of some of Adalade, Corries grandma's, Children. TO BE CONTINUED.....