Jeff Frierson reuniting with his wife Mary Burt
The Tennessean (Nashville, TN)
September 25, 1903
AFTER FORTY-FOUR YEARS
Jeff Frierson and Mary Burt Are Reunited
in Marriage.
Special Dispatch to The American.
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 24--
A somewhat romantic marriage occur-
red in colored circles last night. The
facts about it are these: Before the
Civil War, and in slave times, Jeff
Frierson, a slave belonging to the Fri-
ersons of this county, and Mary Burt,
a slave belonging to Thomas Burt,
lived together as man and wife under
the old slave system of marriage. But
a few years before the Civil War Mr.
Burt sold Mary to an Arkansas man,
who took her to that State, and there
she has since resided, while Jeff still
remained here.
A few days ago, however, Mary re-
turned here on a visit to some of her
relatives. Soon after her arrival she
happened to meet Jeff, her one-time
husband, whom she thought was long
since dead.
At this meeting the old love was soon
revived, and the two were reunited
by legally constituted marriage bonds
last night, Dr. Stephens, of the Method-
ist Episcopal Church, officiating.
Both have hosts of friends among the
white people, who are glad to see them
reunited after a separation of forty-
four years.
Jeff Frierson and Mary Burt Are Reunited
in Marriage.
Special Dispatch to The American.
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 24--
A somewhat romantic marriage occur-
red in colored circles last night. The
facts about it are these: Before the
Civil War, and in slave times, Jeff
Frierson, a slave belonging to the Fri-
ersons of this county, and Mary Burt,
a slave belonging to Thomas Burt,
lived together as man and wife under
the old slave system of marriage. But
a few years before the Civil War Mr.
Burt sold Mary to an Arkansas man,
who took her to that State, and there
she has since resided, while Jeff still
remained here.
A few days ago, however, Mary re-
turned here on a visit to some of her
relatives. Soon after her arrival she
happened to meet Jeff, her one-time
husband, whom she thought was long
since dead.
At this meeting the old love was soon
revived, and the two were reunited
by legally constituted marriage bonds
last night, Dr. Stephens, of the Method-
ist Episcopal Church, officiating.
Both have hosts of friends among the
white people, who are glad to see them
reunited after a separation of forty-
four years.
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