Ft. Myer's First African American
The Chaney Family Recollections
Interviewed by Dave Harner II on November 27, 1999
(From the Chaney Collection)
(From the Chaney Collection)
On Christmas Day in 1867 the Tillis Family arrived in Ft. Myers. They were one of the first settlers of Ft. Myers as well as the first black family to move into this area. Nelson Tillis was a black and Cherokee man who fell in love with Ellen Summerall, a Caucasian women from the Carolina's. They were married and soon moved to Hillsborough and then to Ft. Myers to live.
The Tillis's lived in Ft. Myers for a few years and eventually moved towards the river in North Ft. Myers. The Tillis family lived there until the turn of the century when they once again moved across the river into Ft. Myers. The area is which they moved to was called River Side Avenue (now McGregor Boulevard). The Tillis family lived next to Thomas Edison. The Tillis children were often seen on the grounds of the Edison Home learning how to fish with Mr. Edison.
During this period of time Ft. Myers was an integrated community. There were no racial barriers that separated the settlers of Ft. Myers. Nelson Tillis was a strong member of the community. He traded and bartered with the other towns people. Nelson Tillis was a strong family man. He did what needed to be done in order to take care of his family. Nelson Tillis was a fishing guide, a commercial fisherman, and a farmer. He also hauled buttonwood from Punta Rassa to sell to the settlers. According to Chaney family members, Nelson Tillis helped haul material on the river that was used for the construction of the first Ft. Myers Courthouse. He also hauled shale that was used for fill for the foundation of many buildings in Ft. Myers.
Nelson and Ellen had 11 children together. They had six boys and five girls. The Children were named Eli, Marion, Ida, Alice, Ike, Daisy, William, Doshie, Benjamin, Lafayette, and Emma. Daisy married and took the name Chaney. Daisy Chaney is the grandmother of Laverne, John, James and Patricia.
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