Our family history focuses on the union of William W. Allen Sr. and Addie Eliza (Culmer) Allen and their offspring. They are the roots from which our branches of the Allen family grow.

With more than 800 living members, the Allen Family is one of the largest families of African descent in the United States and the Caribbean. The sheer numbers make it difficult to list all of the descendants, but an effort was made to do so in the Family Tree section of the 2002 Allen Family Reunion Memory Album.

Each of William and Addie’s children are also listed below, along with a short biography, in the hope that every Allen descendant will be able to identify their particular branch of the Allen Family Tree, and learn a little more about our ancestors.

We begin by visiting the three main areas the Allens settled in: the Bahamas, Miami, and Key West.

The Allens hail from the Tarpum Bay region of the Bahamian island of Eleuthera.

Eleuthera is one of the largest of the over 700 islands, keys and rocks which make up the Bahama Islands. It was settled by the Eleutheran Adventurers and became famous for the privateers who founded a colony there. Today, it is famous instead for its pineapple export, four-day pineapple festival, annual regatta, and Great Eleuthera Homecoming, among other festivities.

William Wilkerson Allen, Sr. and Addie Eliza (nee Culmer) Allen married and became the parents of the following: Mary Elizabeth, William Wilkerson, Alexander, George W., Samuel Joseph, James A., Charles Wesley, Gertrude, and Susan. When both parents died of consumption (or tuberculosis) at a young age, the older siblings were called upon to help rear the younger ones.

Several of the siblings left the Bahamas, with only William Jr. and Susan remaining. The others immigrated to the United States. Mary, George and James settled in Key West, while Alexander, Charles, Gertrude and Samuel made their homes in Miami.

William W. Allen, Jr. (1875-1968), also referred to as Willie Butcher, or W.W., was born in Tarpum Bay and lived his life in the Bahamas. He married three times. His first wife died only months after their marriage. He fathered eight children with his second wife Bay Anna, including: Bill, Fred, Eris, Alice, Addie, Bertha, Naomi, and Ruth. Many years after the death of Bay Anna, he married his third wife Bertha and they became the parents of two daughters: Jane and Mary. He also fathered a daughter named Margaret, presumably after his first wife died.

W.W. was a farmer, and in the 1950s he owned one of the largest tomato export businesses in the Bahamas. He also traded sisal, which is a strong fiber used to make straw products. He also owned a store on Cat Island, which sold groceries and other materials.

Family lore has it that he may also have fathered several children on the island because there are Allens on Cat Island who bear a striking resemblance to the descendants of the Eleuthera Allens. 

W.W. Allen was a member of the Methodist Church until the mid-1930s when they refused to admit his son Eris into Queen’s College because he was of African descent. As a result of the church’s refusal to admit him into their school, Eris was sent to Tuskegee University in Alabama where he studied electrical engineering. He was the first person to attend college from the island of Eleuthera, and one of the first Bahamians, if not the first, to attend Tuskegee. W.W. then joined the Brethren Church where he remained a member until his death.

W.W., who had become the patriarch of the Allen family in the Bahamas, passed away November 5, 1968, at the age of 93.

Susan Allen (birth and death dates unknown) also remained in the islands. She never married, but bore two sons, Newton and “Boy,” with the surname of Carey. Boy Carey is said to still be living on Eleuthera.

The Bahamas Allen descendants include among their number many professionals, including doctors, nurses, bankers, hoteliers, educators, business executives, mechanics, attorneys, ministers and accountants, just to name a few. Included among these is also a high-ranking politician. Perry Christie, a grandson of W.W. Allen, was recently selected Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. He represents the Progressive Liberal Party in Parliament.

Key West

Key West was a magnet for many Bahamians seeking to immigrate to the United States in the late 19th Century.

The Allen family, which would later become the island’s largest Black family, gained a foothold in Key West when three family members relocated to the area from the Tarpum Bay region of the Bahamian Island of Eleuthera. The immigrants included siblings Mary E. Allen, George W. Allen and James A. Allen.

At the time, there were approximately 25,000 residents of Key West, and about 8,000 of them were Black Bahamians. The Tarpum Bay immigrants largely settled in the area surrounding what is now the Key West City Cemetery. The sponging industry was their economic mainstay, although the Cuban-dominated cigar industry was the primary enterprise in Key West and provided the majority of jobs. Many Black Bahamians were also employed as laborers at the island’s Naval Base.

In the 1890s, Key West was a racially mixed enclave of Black and White Bahamians, Black and White Cubans, Mulattos, and Black and White Americans. Racial tensions were relatively low on the island, compared to the rest of Florida, as evidenced by the surprisingly high number of African-American officials appointed or elected to public office. Key West is said to have sported a thriving community of Black professionals, including doctors, dentists, ministers and merchants.

That is not to say that racism was absent from Key West. In fact, family lore has it that George W. Allen, a prominent white bank president, once offered our Rev. George W. Allen the sum of $2,000 to change his name. It seems that the white George didn’t like the idea of a black man sharing his name.

It was into this complex and often contradictory island society that siblings Mary, George and James settled.

In 1892, Mary Elizabeth Allen Carey (1873-1962) immigrated to Key West and met and married George A. Carey. Their union produced eight living children, including Daisy, George, Miriam, Jeanette, Annie, Eugene, Ruth and Angelina.

Mary became a naturalized citizen in 1904 and made a home for her family at 813 Elizabeth Street, then later in a house on Monroe County Lane (also known as Poorhouse Lane).

She continued to care for her family until her death in April of 1962. She was a member of Trinity Wesleyan Methodist Church, and her brother, Rev. George W. Allen, presided at her funeral. She was 89 years old, and was survived by 15 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren.

Rev. George W. Allen (1880-1969) arrived in the U.S. in 1897. Here he met and married Susan Elizabeth Carey, and both became naturalized citizens of the United States in 1919. Born to their union were ten living children, including George B., William Wilkerson, Joseph Harry, Robert Paul, Helen E., Samuel W., Violet Mildred, Leroy Charles, Philip, and Emerson.

In 1932, he established Trinity Wesleyan Methodist Church and became its founding minister. Of the 50 years he spent in the ministry, he served as the active pastor of Trinity for 33 years. Through his work in the church he became an influential member of the community, and was a member of Union Lodge No. 47 of the Free and Accepted Masons.

At the time of his death in late October of 1969, he had 31 grandchildren, 72 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren.

James A. Allen (1878-1950) came to the United States in 1903. He held several positions, including laborer at the Naval Station, a position in a pineapple factory, and later a job at a local printer.

He married Lillah Barnett, and their union produced twelve children, including William, Olive, James, Leola, Annie, Curline, Joseph, John, Alfred, Leila, Ella Mae, and Ruth.

Lillah, who specialized in making homemade candy, was a favorite of local children, as was her glass candy, coconut candy, and benne candy, which is made with sesame seeds.

James passed away July 25, 1950, at the age of 72. 

The descendants of the Allens who immigrated to Key West from Tarpum Bay became integral members of the community. Several became business owners and entrepreneurs, including John W. Allen, who owned and operated a general store on Emma Street, as well as a series of apartment complexes until his death in 1995. Robert Paul Allen and his wife Madeline owned and operated several businesses, including a neighborhood grocery on the corner of Thomas and Virginia Streets until he passed away in 1995. Alfred Allen, with wife Patricia owns and manages rental property. Olive (Allen) Sands owned both a bakery and a store before her death and was, by all accounts, an accomplished cook.

Other Allens became expert tradesmen. Still others became professionals, including educators, nurses, and attorneys, as well as other administrators. Attorney Calvin Allen, grandson of James A. Allen, became well-known for his successful campaign to posthumously restore Judge James Dean to the bench. Carmen Turner, great-granddaughter of Rev. George W. Allen, became the first African-American woman to be elected to the Key West City Commission.

Several members of the family excelled musically. William W. Allen (son of Rev. George W. Allen) was a member of the famous Welters Coronet Band, which was well known throughout the country, particularly for its funeral march processions. Several Allens also keep the musical tradition of their homeland alive, founding and performing in Junkanoo bands. One such band, the Island Junkanoos, still exists and performs its Caribbean-style music at local restaurants and events. It is comprised entirely of Allen descendants.

Many were and continue to be involved with local lodges and social clubs, including the Coral City Elks Club, the Key of the Gulf Order of the Eastern Star, Union Lodge No. 47 Free and Accepted Masons, and the Silverettes Social Club, to name a few.

Frederick Douglas School, Key West’s historically black high school, educated the majority of Allen descendants until 1965, when the school was desegregated by law. Many were participants in the school’s famous marching band and learned to be great orators from teachers and role models there.

In terms of spirituality, the Allen immigrants were initially members of the English Wesleyan Methodist Church located at 717 Simonton Street. However, many left the church when it converted to the Presbyterian denomination, and instead joined the newly formed Trinity Wesleyan Methodist Church founded in 1932 by Rev. George W. Allen. Many Allens and their descendants continue to be members of and active in Trinity, although some family members did remain with the new Presbyterian church, and others joined a variety of local churches.

Miami

Four of the nine offspring of William & Addie Allen who immigrated to the United States in the early 20th Century settled in the Miami area. Alexander Allen, Samuel Allen, Gertrude Allen and Charles Allen all made the Miami area their home.

Miami was newly populated and accessible due to the railroad built by Henry Flagler in 1896. Many Bahamian immigrants settled in the area, most notably in Coconut Grove which still hosts a large Goombay (Bahamian celebration featuring island food and music) each year.

Rev. Alexander Allen (1884-1969) met and married Gennieve Knowles, and together they traveled to the United States in 1909. They settled in the area of Miami now known as Overtown, and later became naturalized citizens.

Though times were difficult, they raised a family of eight children, including Ivis, Cleomie, Clarice, Patricia, Delores, Gennieve, Alexander, Jr. and Monica. All of the children were college-educated and later became professionals in various fields.

Alexander was co-founder of Trinity Wesleyan Methodist Church (same name as the church founded by his brother George in Key West) in Miami, and served as pastor for many years. After the demise of Trinity and the death of his wife, he served as assistant pastor at various churches, culminating in a move to the Liberty City area. There, he and some of his family became members of Mount Tabor Baptist Church where he assisted the pastor and was instrumental in the successful renovation of the church.

Alexander, who was a member of the Masons, died August 3, 1969, at the age of 85 and was funeralized from Mount Tabor Baptist Church.

Samuel J. Allen (1885-1935) came to the United States from the Bahamas in 1912 at the age of 26.

He met and married Nellie Clarke and they settled in Miami, expanding their family to include four children: Mildred, Carlysle, Vera and Elizabeth. Mildred still lives in the Miami area.

Samuel lived in Miami for many years, where he was employed at Captain Tom’s Fishery. He then separated from his wife and returned to the Bahamas where he died June 20, 1935 at the age of 50.

Charles W. Allen (1886-1979) and his wife Mary came to this country from the Bahamas in 1909 and settled in the area of Miami known as Overtown. They worked hard and were able to purchase their home, which they shared with their only child, Charles Jr.

Charles, who was known as “Yank,” was employed by the Florida East Coast Railway and the Florida Power and Light Company. He also owned and managed rental property.

Both Charles and his wife were members of Trinity Wesleyan Methodist Church, which was co-founded by his brother, Rev. Alexander Allen. He passed away November 14, 1979.

Little is known about Gertrude Allen (birth and death dates unknown) at this time, except that she came to the United States and settled in Miami. Known as “Trudy,” she is said to have had one son, Leo, who was lost in a mid-1920s hurricane that struck the Bahamas. Family members have estimated that she passed away circa 1935, and she is buried in the Miami City Cemetery.

The Allen siblings who settled in Miami left a legacy their descendants could be proud of.

The majority of Rev. Alexander Allen’s children were employed by the Dade County Public School System. One worked in the Duval County Public School System, and another worked in the Volusia County Public School System. Alexander Allen Jr. became a skilled painter by trade and worked for the Dade County Housing Authority as a maintenance supervisor for 45 years.

In terms of entrepreneurship, Clarice (Allen) Hughes, daughter of Rev. Alexander Allen, owned and operated Hughes Gospel Music Shop along with her husband, Rev. Arthur J. Hughes. They later sold the business and moved to Jacksonville, Florida.

Today, the descendants of the Allens who immigrated to Miami are members of various local churches, lodges and clubs such as the Masons and the Household of Ruth.

Little is known of the descendants of Charles and Samuel at this time, and Gertrude’s only son passed away at a young age.

Today

Today, the Allens are scattered far and wide, though they continue to reside in South Florida and the Bahamas in large numbers.

Estimates place the number of Allen descendants at more than 800 living, which makes it one of the largest families in the United States and Caribbean.

Faye Carey Smith, granddaughter of W.W. (Willie Butcher) Allen of the Bahamas, was determined to bring this large family together. She began by hosting the first Allen Family Reunion in Nassau, Bahamas, in 1985. They continued until about 1996 when several American Allens attended the Nassau reunion and offered to host the next one in the U.S.

The 1997 Allen Family Heritage Reunion (held in Key West, Florida) marked the first time all of the descendants of William & Addie Allen had the opportunity to meet in the United States. A total of 518 of them did just that.

In 1999, the reunion was held in Miami, and in 2000 the Allens gathered in Nassau once again for four days of family fun in the sun.

The 2002 Allen Family Reunion represented the first time the majority of the Allen descendants had been documented in writing. Once again held in Key West, the reunion featured the planting of the Allen Family Tree at a local park, a 1970s themed fashion and talent show, and the highlight of the event - a keynote address at our banquet by Bahamian Prime Minister Perry Christie, grandson of W.W. (Willie Butcher) Allen. More than 500 Allens attended.

Now that these ties have been discovered and documented, the future holds many opportunities for more family gatherings. Reunions present the perfect chance to gain a sense of who we are, to develop a sense of family unity, and to pass those ties on to future generations.

Written in 1997 (and updated in 2002 and 2003)

by Carmen Turner, great-granddaughter of Rev. George W. Allen. 

The invaluable assistance from the sources listed below is greatly appreciated. 

Corrections and updates are welcome.

Sources:

The Key West Citizen, Nov 2 and Nov 6, 1969

Tequesta, the Journal of the Historical Association of Southern Florida

1920 U.S. Census Records

Calvin Allen of Key West

Key West Citizen, April 26, 1962

New York Age Newspaper, November 3, 1888

Mrs. Cleomie (Allen) Smith of Miami, Florida

Mrs. Faye (Carey) Smith of Nassau, Bahamas

Mrs. Addie Dell (Allen) McCartney 

Ms. Amanda Moncur of Nassau, Bahamas