Can not text directly in message app one contact number after converting data from old phone to new

[AC Question]

The contact information is a single number but the text message app records the messages associated with the phone number as string of numbers from the old contact group. Deleted the contact and created new but messages still associates that number to that string.
My only way to send text to this number is to start new message and enter the number. It will send and I can get a response but can not respond in the message history screen.