February 23, 1857 and August 11, 1859: "You may send whatever sum you can afford"
The amount of $500 to secure Mary’s freedom was no small sum. In 1859, Cecelia’s husband Benjamin Holmes was earning only $200 per year. Even if Cecelia was bringing in more earnings, it would have taken years to save the money the Ballards demanded. In a letter from February 1857, Fanny wrote:
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“I received your letter a few days ago Cecelia in which you inquired how the money for your Mother’s freedom could be sent to Mr. Ballard. [...] If you cannot raise the entire sum necessary to secure Mary’s freedom now you may send whatever sum you can afford, and we will credit Mary with it by hastening the time of her freedom. [...] Mary is very anxious to see you and of course anxious to be free, and I am willing to do all I can to gratify her.”
Two years after this letter was written, Cecelia was still struggling to come up with the money. In her last preserved letter to Cecelia, from August 1859, Fanny writes again about being willing to receive the money if Cecelia can come up with it.
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“You inquired in your letter if your Mother still lives with us. She does and is very well. You spoke of 'raising money to get her,' let me know in your next how much you think you can raise."
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“Your mother sends you much love.”
That is the last definite information we have of Mary's fate. The term of service set by Ballard would have expired in 1861, but the onset of the Civil War caused uncertainty throughout the state that may have induced the Ballards to postpone their agreement. Mary could have self-liberated during the war years, attained freedom through the 13th Amendment, or died during enslavement.
We don’t know if mother and daughter ever saw each other again.
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Letter from Fanny Thruston Ballard to Cecelia Larrison (née Holmes), 23 February 1857
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Letter from Fanny Thruston Ballard to Cecelia Larrison (née Holmes), 11 August 1859
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