I am one of the African American Windleys. As far back as I can determine, we have lived in Coastal South Carolina. My Grandfather, Doc Ezekiel Windley, was born in 1899. He lived his entire life in South Carolina near Conway. He worked as a sharecropper for much of his young life but was able to own a home and raise 8 children with his wife Lucille Windley. He told my father at one point that we had indeed descended from freed slaves who took on the name from slave owners. I also believe that his sister had a slave quilt used to identify safe houses for the Underground Railroad. These are all 3rd person accounts but I thought others would be interested.

Hi sfcwindley,
Yes, I have heard that the adoption of family names by slaves was quite a common practise.
Any idea how the slave quilt was used to identify the safe houses?
Would be intersted to hear more about your Windley connections.
Nic