Hey Wayne,

It is so-o-o-o refreshing to read that others are giving consideration to this conundrum. We can state the facts of what we know from documentation (unfortunately not as much as we would like) and then we can make conjecture based on the facts.

What I know from documentation:
1) William M. Polson and Ainsley Polson (my g-g-grandfather) were half brothers, having the same mother named Elizabeth but different fathers (unknown)
2) William M. Polson never married but did live with two women, Jenny Crowley and Ann Grooms.
3) A. J. Crowley was the son of Moses Coker and Jenny Crowley.
4) William M. Polson raised Andrew Jackson (AJ) Crowley as
his son.
5) William M. Polson lived with Jenny until her death.
6) Jenny had several children but all of them died except A.J. Crowley.
7) William M. Polson died June 1865.
8) A. J. Crowley applies for letters of administration on William M. Polson's estate March 12, 1866.
9) Ann Grooms lived with William M. Polson. She had 6 children.
10) Two of Ann Groom's known children were Emmanuel Grooms and Carolina Grooms

My Comments
I believe Jenny married Moses Coker and had a son by him named Jackson Coker, a.k.a. Jackson Crowley, a.k.a A. J. Crowley. Court testimony states that Moses left Jenny before the birth of A. J. Crowley so that would have to be around 1832. About a year after the birth of A. J. Crowley, his mom Jenny goes to live with William M. Polson and William raises A. J. as his son but never marries Jenny. Court witnesses stated several times that they heard William M. Polson say he would "never marry womankind"

It appears by the 1850 census that Jenny has died, A. J. is 18 years old and Ann Grooms has moved in with William. I believe, but can not prove Ann Grooms comes to live with William M. Polson about 1840 but already has three children from a previous relationship. I believe these three children are Linda Grooms, Calvin Grooms and Peter Grooms.

I believe Ann Grooms died before 1860. William M. Polson's estate papers state that Ann Grooms had six children. However, the court only names two, Emmanuel and Caroline. I believe but cannot prove that the six children of which the court refers are the same six children named on the 1860 census living with William M. Polson. They are Emmanuel, Caroline, Mary, Ainsley, Susan and Elizabeth. I believe that Ann Grooms had more than six children but not by William M. Polson. I iterate that this is speculation on my part.

Now to address your wondering. May I ask who is "Moses Calvin Grooms" and where do I look for evidence of him? Also, your statement, "We have Moses Calvin Grooms married to Ann Polson". Would you please tell me where I can find evidence of this?
I think what is very challenging in our research is the fact that people of illigitimate birth are often known by different aliases throughout their lives. For instance, A. J. Crowley is referred to as "Jackson Coker" on the 1850 census but I'm convinced these are one and the same person. But I can only state my convincing is from "gut feeling" and "extrapolation". Now whether or not, A. J. Crowley's "real" dad was a Grooms, Coker or Crowley, we could speculate until the cows came home and I can see why your head was spinning; I'm making my own head spin.
I can't say that William M. Polson's estate papers give another name for Moses Coker other than Moses Coker, but it does seem to indicate in one area of the handwritten document that a man named Grooms is also referred to as Croley. I need more documentation to unravel this.

Again, thanks for showing interest,
Much, much success in your research,
Norma Polson Baugh