The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-20
REUNITED In THEIR OLD AGE
Three Sisters Separated in Slavery Meet
Again After Thirty-SeVen Years.
Their Happy Reunion. After Believing
Each Other Dead. Is Brought About.

After quarter of century IA miles sepa-
rated upon the auction block every now and
and then brought together by accident persist
emit search Yesterday Journal reporter had
his attention called to incident of the kind,
where three sisters who had been strangers to
each other for thirty seven years were reunited
in their old age. The joyful reunion occurred
Saturday night in the neat little frame cottage
at No. 80 North Pine street, occupied by George
Ballard an intelligent and wellto-do colored
man. who has nearly reached his sixtieth year.
The three sisters are Mrs. Emily Ballard, wife
of the man named Mrs. Susan Bundy. of
fredericksburg. Va, and Mrs. Anna Hughes.
of Chicago. They were separated at Alpine.
Orange county, Virginia. and neither heard
from the other until four NOR tbs ago. They
were three children of family of eleven. which
belonged TO Edward Gibson, ono of the largest
Shareholders of his State. In 1850 Mr. Gibson
died, and his slaves were distributed among his
several sons who were wild and reckless. The
separation of the family began year afterward
by the sale of Robert Robinson, the father
OF the eleven children, to . planfa-
tion-owner in jackson county. Mississippi
The several sons of Mr. Gibson. as
the estate could be divided. moved to different
parts of the country, each taking with him some
members of the Robinson family, until the
separation was made complete. Mrs. Ballard
was carried away to Henry county, Kentucky.
where she remained slave, and was
some time before the mar
ried to Mr.. Ballard Several years
Gently lived North Liberty street Mrs
Ballard pever knew what had become OF her
brothers and sisters, but while still slave she
often asked permission to go back to Virginia and
look for them. This denied her. but after
she obtained her freedom she made a search for
some of her relatives, without success.
Mrs. Hughes. when the breaking-up came. was
taken by her master to Oldham county, Kentucky,
and, although in the same State with her sister,
did not know it, After the war closed. she also
made a fruitless effort find some members OF
her family. She finally married. and moved to
Chicago, where her husband has acquired con-
siderable money. Thos. Gibson, who became
the owner of Mrs. Bundy, took her to planta-
ton in of the southern counties OF Virginia,
where she remained until freed. She then mar
ried and moved to Fredericksburg whore she
has since resided. Like the other children, she
made frequent efforts to trace the whereabouts
of her brothers and sisters.
After twenty-five years unsuccessful search,
the three sisters had about decided they would
never see each other or any member OF the
family again until Mrs. Hughes accidentally
learned through person of this city visiting
Chicago that there was a Mrs Ballard here.
whose maiden name was Robinson. A letter
sent to Mrs. Ballard Immediately, and the
were sisters. Then the search for the third sis
ter was renewed. 1t was believed that she was
still in Virginia and letters of inquiry were
sent to postmasters all the State.
Finally letter came to Mrs. Hughes
from the postmaster at fredericksburg.
stating that there colored woman
bv the name of Bundy there who was
formerly named Robinson. and who had lost
two sisters. Mrs Hughes Immediately wrote
to Mrs. Bundy, and the subsequent correspond
ence led to her Identification as the third sister.
That was four months ago. and the reunion fol-
lowed described.
Yesterday afternoon, when a Journal reporter
called the women, they were still over
joyed at the coming together that it was with
difficulty they could relate their several stories.
They were only children when they were sepa-
rated. and neither had any distinct recol-
lection of the appearance of the others, but
it not long after they met
Saturday until the distinguishing marks of
childhood were recalled They resemble each
other very closely, and would be taken for sis
Iers by stranger. I'VE didn't go to bed Satur
day night" said Mrs. Ballard, because were
so busy talking over old times. Whatever be-
came of the rest of our family we do not know.
Mrs Bundy account for several brothers
who are buried in Virginia. and we think there
is in the regular army" Mrs. Bundy,
who is a remarkably intelligent woman.
said that but few people knew how many colored
people there are in the South who have never
been able to find relatives who were sold just
prior to the 'There are but few families,
said she, 1.-The whereabouts of all of whose men,
bers are known. The postmasters have assisted
a great deal in tracing lost relatives. They are
in constant receipt of letters making inquiry of
this kind, and they are very ready in rendering
all the services they can"