Norfolk Virginian, April 25, 1889

Death of "Aunt Maria."

African-Americans -- Work - Business And professional Women -- Work - Outside the home

A Woman Who Made Three Million Cakes and Purchased Her Freedom.

Onancock, Va., April 24.

Maria Bivans, a well know and respected colored woman, aged 56 years, died several weeks ago of consumption at her home near here. "Aunt Maria," as she was familiarly known, had a widespread reputation among residents of this county, and was also well known to numerous salesmen, who visit this county, as a cake-maker.

The store that did not sell "Aunt Maria's" one cent cakes was exceptional, [illegible] invariably ask for one of her cakes, and take no other. "Aunt Maria" sold molasses and sugar cakes to almost every merchant for miles around for over thirty years. She has been buying two barrels of flour per month during all the time, and the average number of cakes made per barrel was 3600.

It is estimated that she made over 3,000,000 cakes, the entire number being consumed in this country. "Aunt Maria" redeemed herself from slavery with proceeds obtained from the sale of her cakes. Sometime ago she purchased a valuable farm. She never did any other work except the making of her cakes. She supported her husband and a large family of children, and left considerable property.