On U. S. Census Records we find W. W. Eley beside P. M. Gaddis, so chances are good that they lived beside each other. In the Eley home there was listed "Helen Eley, age 32" probably his sister. What could have been more natural, Peace with 4 young children to be cared for and evidently by their standards, an old-maid living next door. Soon Peace and Helen Eley married.
Helen died of pneumonia.
Helen (Ely) Gaddis, she died 31 Oct 1859 as evidence by The Mississippi Baptist newspaper, stating in the 2 Aug 1860 edition "Died in Leake County, MS on Monday 31st of Oct 1859, Sister Helen Gaddas, wife of Elder P M Gaddas of pneumonia. She was born March 10th 1818 in Franklin County North Carolina and moved to this state in 1833. She married Brother P M Gaddis January 1st 1856 Sister Gaddas was the daughter of Josiah J and Elizabeth Eley. Place of burial unknown.
The following account was written by Helen:
The State of Mississippi
County of Leake, I Helen J. Gaddis late Helen J. Ely being desirous to avail my self of the Provisions of an Act of the Legislature of the State of Mississippi known as the Married Womans Law hereby make out and file for Record the following as a Schedule of my individual property held in my own right independant of my husband or any other person. Six Negroes, names as follows. One Woman now in Arkansas by the name of Chany. One Woman by the name of Sharlott one Girl by the name of Caroline and Small Girl by the name of Gilly Ann. One Boy by the name of Tom Thum One Small Child by the name of Sam also One Cow and 2 Calves and One Yearling One feather bead (sp) One Matrass (sp) and bed Clothing-. Helen J. Gaddis Seal

I, P. M. Gaddis hereby give my assent to the Record of the above Schedule. P. M. Gaddis The State of Mississippi This day personally appeared before the Leake County undersigned Authority, Helen J. Gaddis and her husband P. M. Gaddis who in my presence signed the foregoing Instrument of writing and then acknowledged that they did it for the purposes therein Stated.
Witness my hand and seal at my office in Good Hope on the 17th day of May 1856. J. L. Bridges J. P.
Recorded for Record May 19th A. D. 1856 James W. Wilder Clerk
Legal document by Helen J.(Ely) Gaddis availing herself the Provisions of an Act of the Legislature, State of Miss, known as Married Woman's Law," 17 May 1856, Carthage, Leake Co. Miss. Courthouse.