We have found a historical deed record which includes an entry regarding a slave named  "Ellen", who  was willed to Elizabeth Ann Middleton - a minor child.  At this time, we have not confirmed if this is "our" Ellen matriarch.  Elizabeth would later become the wife of James Edward O'Kelley (also spelled O'Kelly) who is listed as a planter and slaveowner in the 1860 Wilkinson County, MS Slave Schedules.  Slave schedules did not list the actual names of those counted, but the census enumerations for this particular schedule does show one 17 year old female in the O'Kelley plantation. Ellen would have been 17 years old in 1860. 

Ellen bore three (3) O'Kelley sons; Daniel Smith (May 1862 - Dec. 25, 1930), Will Dock (Nov. 1867 - Mar. 4, 1927), and Charles Edward (Jun. 1871 - Apr. 1943).  There was speculation that a relationship was continued between Ellen and her O'Kelley slaveowner after the abolition of slavery and that there were two brothers involved. According to the death certificate for Charles E. O'Kelley, his father's name is John B. O'Kelley.   John B. is the brother to James E. O'Kelley.  James E. died in 1867 so he could not have fathered the last O'Kelly son.  This latest finding confirms the stories of Ellen's involvement with the two Irish brothers.

Ellen gave birth to a total of eight children known at this time including; Amos Mathews (b.1874), John Archie Hilliard/Hillery (b.1872), Theresa (Saresta) Fisher-O'Neal (b.1880), and Cordelia Fisher. Cordelia is said to have died as a teen-ager and was likely born after 1880. Census records of 1880 show Ellen Fisher, 37, resided in Wilkinson County, Mississippi, in the city of Woodville, with her husband William Fisher and children.  Ellen's three O'Kelley sons raised their families in Woodville, MS  near Natchez (Adams County), and near the city of Greenville - in the now defunct town of  Magenta, MS (Washington County).  They were self-contained and educated business men with farms and a barber shop.   Daniel ran a school house and sent several of his children to college back in the 1920s.

Our first O'Kelley family reunion was held in St. Louis in the early 1930s which was spurred following the death of the eldest black O’Kelly son, Daniel Smith.   Daniel died on Christmas day, December 25, 1930.  His eldest daughter, Evelyn/Evelina Cordelia O'Kelley suggested the family start holding family reuions. Reunions were held each of the next two years but were discontinued in 1940, due to a large number of family members serving overseas during World War II.  Our family served as military police, nurses, WACs and aerial photographers during the war.  The reunions resumed in 1943 and were held yearly until 1968, when due to the large turnouts, the decision was made to hold them at hotels every two years rather than in homes of various family members  The tradition continues on today. The O'Kelley family combined the year 2000 reunion with the Darris family originally of Louisiana--our cousins.

The Black O'Kelleys have created this website to help close all gaps in our family tree.  We want this website to reach all those who are involved in genealogy searches for their families as well.   Hopefully this website will answer questions for others in their search and visitors will help us answer questions we have as well.  Please feel free to send comments, questions and suggestions. 

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