Mary Ann Freeman searching for her mother Leath, stepfather Abram Fruit, and siblings
Southwestern Christian Advocate (New Orleans, LA) June 17, 1880

DEAR EDITOR—I wish to inquire for my people. I left my mother when I was in Randolph county, North Carolina. I was nine years old, and belonged to William Mc-Masters [McMasters].

He sold me to Hiram York, three miles from his place, and Hiram York sold me and my aunt Rena to Bill Monday, and he brought me to Richmond, Virginia, and I was brought to Texas. My mother's name was Leath ; my step father's name was Abram Fruit.

My mother had seven chil-dren [children]; I was the oldest girl; my oldest brother's name was Jacob. Mother had twins.


The boy was named Alfred and the girl Cathe-rine [Catherine]. My oldest sister was named Nancy Lonzine; my mother's baby's name when I left was John Mon-roe [Monroe]. My mistress' name was Hul-da [Hulda] McMasters ; her daughter's name was Mary Minervy.

She married a doctor by the name of Hayworth. Her oldest son's name was Louis Franklin McMasters.

I am now living in Galveston, Texas. Please address your letters to Gal-veston [Galveston], Texas, St. Paul. M. E. Church.
MARY ANN FREEMAN

Source: Last Seen: Finding Family After Slavery - Formerly enslaved people placed ads looking for loved ones from all over the United States and sometimes from as far away as Africa.