1891: A legacy begins, a tradition continues

The McKeown/Keown-Hubbard-Tolbert-Brown-Bush (Mc)KHTB) Annual Family Reunion, as it is officially named, is a proud tradition which has brought us together as a Black/African American reunion with a 132-year history. The very first family reunion was held in Macon, Noxubee County, Mississippi, in 1891.

It began after the marriage of Laura, “Papa” Albert Hubbard’s oldest daughter, to one of those McKeown boys, Beverley, in January 1890; then another daughter, Parlee, to Andy Bush; then Hattie Hubbard to Jim Tolbert. Beverley and Laura, along with “Papa” Hubbard, sought to locate and bring together all their siblings separated during slavery.

The grips of slavery and the emancipation that followed separated our families as it did so many Black families across the south. Beverley and Laura, along with “Papa,” decided that it was time to find and bring as many of the disconnected family members back together on that second Saturday in August 1891.

Thus began a tradition in and around Macon and Brooksville, Mississippi, at least until 1939.

Where family takes you, love follows

On August 12, 1939, members of these same founding families met at the home of Albert Hubbard, Jr. in Marion, Arkansas. The following year on August 10, 1940, the reunion moved to St Louis, Missouri, hosted by Albert Keown. To ensure our legacy and prosperity, they began to maintain written records of the annual celebrations which have continued until today. It was at this reunion that the reunion name was adopted as The H.K.T.B.B. (Hubbard-Keown-Tolbert-Bush-Brown) Family Reunion. In August 1994, the reunion developed and adopted written operating guidelines as well as vision and values statements.

Census records and written accounts show that most of the McKeown’s/Keown’s had settled around Mississippi and Arkansas as others began moving north (the naming convention is explained later in this article). As is generally told and recorded by our historians, because most of the siblings and families lived and farmed in the areas around Mississippi and Arkansas, it was not a far distance to travel.

The second Saturday in August was established as the annual date continued on page 26

MASTERPLAN continued from page 25

Partial (Mc)KHTB Reunion Chronology

for the reunion. Why the second Saturday? Primarily because this was the end of the farming season and just before fall planting. It was the perfect time of year that those still farming could take time away from their crops and it coincided with the “Monday Meetings.” So, it was decided to adopt the second Saturday in August every year to come together to celebrate just being family! This date has only changed in recent years as voted on by the committee.

What’s in a reunion name?

The name and logo are recorded differently over time, though always retaining the original founding members.

The census did not begin recording the names of formerly enslaved Blacks/African Americans until 1890. Census records show that some of the McKeown siblings changed their surname from McKeown to Keown in several reports. As the families moved around the country and out of the south, the names are still recorded as both McKeown and Keown. There are several accounts, both written and passed down verbally, that the surname of McKeown was once Keown and vice versa. The male head of the household decided how it was recorded on the census report and, as is told, to break the bondage of slavery they should, “leave that slave name behind.” With ongoing research and new information at the 2019 reunion, a vote changed the

current reunion logo to read (Mc)KHTB Family Reunion.

Through the years we have lost contact with some members of our initial namesakes, but we still fully identify with our legacy because our prayer is that each year as we meet, word will spread far and wide and they will hear about us and rejoin. The current logo is a testament of that will and determination.

Naming the reunion has proven challenging as is noted in our records. For many years, it was voted on and known as the H.K.T.B.B., or KHTB (1964), though one thing is for certain, we will always retain our legacy and tradition. Through valiant efforts such as those undertaken by Beverley and Laura, the advancements in technology, DNA, and many Ancestral Research Sites we are making gains every year. One of our trusted historians created a Genealogical Research File, identifying generations of every single namesake until his death in 2019.

1939 — present day

Through God’s grace, we have held a family reunion every year; not two, three or five years! We have gathered in more than 19 states, the District of Columbia, and 33 cities across the United States. It is a very long-standing tradition which prevails despite many logistical challenges, wars, civil unrest in this country, and in some cases, as we mourned the deaths of our oldest and founding family members.

In 2020, the planning was complete and all was in place to celebrate in Jackson, Mississippi, when the Covid-19 pandemic was declared, and the country was placed on lock-down. We immediately began to plan for our first virtual reunion which was quite successful. Then, with the pandemic continuing through 2021, we decided to go virtual again.

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It is through determination and foresight, past and present, we ensure that family reunion bonds and relationships endure. That determination will fuel the 2023 (Mc)KHTB Annual Family Reunion as we meet, greet, and fellowship in Dallas, Texas, for our annual celebration of Family.

Every effort is being made to preserve the reunion for future generations. We must now rely on our new generation of Keowns,

Reunion thoughts

McKeowns, Tolberts, Browns and Bushs to remember this: the greatness of us and … “Our Family Always True.”

Thousands of photos and several videos, along with a chronological listing of all previous reunions and other documents, will soon be available on our website at https://myevent.com/khtb

Aging cousins decided a cousin reunion should be a priority this year. Time to love, share memories, and laugh! We grew up with the family matriarchs seeing to it that a reunion happened often. Sadly, our younger generation has neglected to embrace that tradition. And now we’re in our seventies and eighties and realize we’ve been so remiss in

Javernick Family Reunion

upholding that tradition. We’ll all be older, grayer and slower, but our hearts will be overflowing with joy. And in our minds, we’ll be young cousins reliving our memories and making new ones.”

Reunions are important to little people too. I am a children’s book author and kindergarten teacher. I wrote this to remind family members of the value of making memories for the children who attend family celebrations.

Family Reunion by Ellen Javernick

I get together with my relations, When we get together on summer vacations. Aunts here, and uncles there, Dozens of cousins everywhere. Tables piled high with picnic food.

Polka music to set the mood.

Women compare what groceries cost. And brag about the weight they’ve lost. College guys chat about cute chicks. Older men argue politics.

Teens show off their new hair-dos. Kids have lots of games to choose.

Grams greet babies with slippery kisses, And talk of folks everyone misses.

Some relatives can’t remember my name, But I know they love me just the same.

Poet Ellen Javernick lives in Loveland, Colorado.