the buck twins, sarah & elizabeth jane buck

The sisters were born to Washington and Harriett Buck in Calvert County, Maryland on June 20, 

1882.

Ernestine, the granddaughter of Sarah Buck, lived with her grandmother from birth to 19 years of age. During Kwanzaa in order to keep alive the memories of the twin sisters, she shares her many experiences with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

As teenagers, Sarah and Elizabeth (affectionately known as “Eliza”) wanted to explore other territories and make a home for themselves away from Calvert County, Maryland. They settled in Baltimore where they would not be too far from their relatives. Sarah married Mr. Harris and Eliza married Thomas Savage.

Sarah’s only son, Washington Harris, revealed that when the twins had their children, often they would breastfeed one another’s children when necessary. Also, to keep the family’s given names alive Washington and his wife, Lula, name three of their eight children after Eliza’s children, Joseph, Thomas and Charles. And, named his youngest daughter Sarah after his mother.

The twins were special to everyone they met. They were considered to be the two best missionaries in their churches. Also, they were both ushers in their own churches. For the sick people in their community, they would make homemade soup. They were not afraid to walk throughout Baltimore any time day or night to visit with the sick and shut-in. They would take their grandchildren, Ernestine, Delores and Ronald with them. When someone died, they made sure that they attended their funeral. They had the same style. They wore identical eyeglasses, hats, dresses, and shoes. In the winter, they wore their I.J. Fox fur cape to keep warm.

Sarah Buck-Harris died at the age of 88. She was a member of John Wesley United Methodist Church in Baltimore, Maryland. Her favorite bible passage was Psalms 23. Each morning she could be found in the kitchen in prayer calling each of her family’s names before she went to work. She made the best dinner rolls. She was known as a sweet person that never said anything unkind about anybody.

Eliza Jane Buck-Savage died at the age of 89 years old six months after her sister. The twins always lived near one another. Sarah lived on Barry Street. On her way to Leadenhall Baptist Church, Eliza would walk pass her sister’s house to stop and talk with her. In addition, she saw her sister at least three times a week. She was very “spunky” and known to be very outspoken. She made the best fruitcake and homemade Root Beer for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

Everyone in the family and community knew the love between the two sisters. They were a beautiful sight to behold.