Canty Family

The Canty Family originates from Marietta, Georgia. The husband, James Monroe, and wife, Adella Hawthorne Daniels were born into slavery; Adella was from South Carolina and James from North Carolina. After they were freed, they relocated to Georgia, married, and raised a large family. They had 10 children: Prince, James, Jr., Carrie, George, Richard, Byrd, Ella Louise, Charlotte, Hattie Lee, and Willie. The family placed a high value on education, and upon discovering that higher education opportunities for the girls were limited, they decided to move to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where everyone could attend school. 

One son, Prince, sought work in the mines and lost touch with his family, unaware of their move. James, Jr. went to Institute, West Virginia to work and become an instructor. In 1907, Adella and several siblings moved to Oklahoma: Carrie (Kate), Charlotte, Willie, George, Ella, and Hattie Lee.

Prince arrived in Oklahoma during territorial days, preceding the family’s arrival. He worked as a vegetable peddler, unbeknownst to his family who did not recognize him at first. After years, a mutual acquaintance revealed Prince’s identity, leading to a heartfelt reunion with his mother, Adella, and siblings. The photograph shown in the background accompanying this text captures the touching moment of their reunion.

Eventually, family members moved north seeking better educational and employment opportunities. Ella Lee remained in Oklahoma while the Holmes family lived there. Hattie Lee, Charlotte, and other Sheats and Dillard family members moved respectively to Chicago and Detroit, pursuing education and employment in various industries. Despite living apart, the Canty family maintained strong connections through regular visits and biennial family reunions to strengthen familial bonds and ensure frequent interaction among relatives.