History is our way of stopping for a moment, recording our joint lives and deeds and then determining what we have done for each other and against each other during the course of human behavior. History, for a group of people joined together by a common cultural foundation, a continuing mix of three races, and a vital spark of pride and concern for a very old heritage, deals with certain absolutes – absolutes about ourselves which we must accept, whether we agree with them or not. Therefore, history can make cowards or brave men and women of us all.

It is easy to condemn those –especially the young and politicians alike, for living in an unreal world. But the world of child imaginings remains in all of us. We have all been victimized by fantasy and myth-making to impress others, perhaps to fill in our gaps of ignorance, or to defend our real selves, or to draw ourselves to our past larger than life. After all, self-deception is the easiest of all deceptions. The trouble is, however, that others are not so easily taken in as we are ourselves. Who has not wanted to escape from unpleasant realities? After all, unpleasant events and fruitless relationships cause us all pain.

Perhaps we can only face reality, whether we be men of power and influence or Columbus County folk like you and me, when we have made a determined effort to face our real selves---namely as descendants of the original Ben Spaulding and all of the other Mitchells, Grahams, Moores, Freemans, Blanks, Jacobs, Campbells, and Webbs, with whom his blood was mingled, when we decide to face our true past. Holding a reunion where the early symbols of our common past are held in respect and safe-keeping – is a fulfillment of a group of people having come of age. We stand at this moment in the early twenty-first century as a group of men and women whose heritage is almost as old as the nation in which we live. Just look at the tombstones that such dates as Ben Spaulding, born in 1773; Edith Jacobs Spaulding, born 1786; William Spaulding, born 1810, and so on. Three churches, Rehobeth AME Zion, St. James Baptist Church and Sandy Plains Baptist Church have continued to nurture the community religious spirit for well over a hundred years. The parade of dates is endless. Then look back at the collection of land deeds bought by Spauldings from Mitchells, or Campbells from Swindells, or Freemans from Burneys, or Blanks from Chaunceys. Then, consider that the area of Columbus County, some forty-five miles west of Wilmington, five miles wide and some ten miles long stretching out from old Uncle Al Spaulding’s property of the Green Swamp and spilling into Bladen County, is and has been, in the hands of the original buyers’ families for over one hundred and fifty years. These are not small statements when one is considering the growth and development of a group of people who have maintained their individuality and character for such a long while in a very fluid American society.

Therefore, a reunion is the celebration of that awareness which comes with having had such a heritage, with having taken the time to recognize that all of these events that have marched on before us came down to us because they were done for us by those who went before with purpose and direction –which often are vital elements in the drive for survival. This reunion was not an accident, nor do people whose very being it celebrates. It is in a very real sense a grand tribute to a spirit that could only have materialized a sense of self-respect, belief in a Higher Being who taught higher meaning and steadfast earnestness to provide for those who would follow.

Remember, the objection of a chronicle that has to deal with an ethnic group, a race of people, or family group such as we are, is not the enormous production of vast lists, family groups, clubs, organizations, lodge memberships, dates of birth and deaths, but a clear picture of the community’s self. It ought to be organized in such a way that the reader is presented, whenever possible, with a finely documented, coherent and accurate account of where the people lived and died, worked and loved and the historical events that influenced or were influenced by the events of the community.

In a sense, this reunion can be compared to that moment in the Prodigal Son parable when he began to redeem himself from near ruin. The Bible describes the moment as that time when he came to himself. The translation could so easily have read, “And when he had faced himself”, or for us, “now that we are facing ourselves and are proud of having done so”. We are not only making history with having come together in such a celebration; we are showing the vastness and wonder of it all.

Over several years that comprise the physical history of the descendants of Ben Spaulding and his various family mixes, there have grown up a number of myths and legends. It is to be expected, since up to date, the two hundred and thirty five year old heritage –going on its ninth generation – has no written chronicle and very few facts that have been uncovered. The study by Mr. John Andrew Spaulding and Dr. Louis D. Mitchell –indeed cousins alike—attempts to break new ground on this heretofore evasive past.

It was a difficult task and a controversial one, since so many myths and legends have expanded to almost unbelievable proportions. Some individuals have spoken openly about what they believe to have been the origin of the Spaulding name, from where Ben Spaulding came, and what were the circumstances of his settling in Columbus County. Statements like “I believe” or “as I was told”, or “the old folks told me” are fine beginnings for spinning yarns, or “telling lies” as our folks call it; but they are not substantial beginnings for those who wish to know history, tradition, and genuine folklore as it actually unfolded. Myths are traditional stories about demigods or about the origins of the world, or even about the origins of a people. They usually have no factual basis. A legend is a tale about a national or racial or tribal hero or event. It contains some basis in fact, but the events related are ordinarily exaggerated or falsely ascribed to the persons involved. It is difficult often to distinguish between historical and fictional elements in a legend. Both myth and legend—along with folk songs and folk riddles, fall under the general heading of folklore.

As of now, we have no historical basis about the geographical place from which Benjamin Spaulding originated, or how he got his name –--the “sprawling on the ground for having disobeyed his master” myth being the most ridiculous so far. Whether he had a master at all is questionable. Was he born free? And we have no trace of his parents. What we do know presently that is documented were the following meager facts: Benjamin Spaulding was born in 1773 and died in 1862. He was married to Edith D. Jacobs, who was born in 1786 and died in 1871. His name first appears in the 1820 census as Ben Spaulden (they list him as a “free man of color”.) He began to buy property in Columbus County from white owners and the state of North Carolina from about 1825 to 1835. Nine boys and one girl appear in the 1850 census. Finally, Ben Spaulding’s will exists and we know exactly how his vast quantity of land was divided. We also know, with a few exceptions, the names of his children’s wives. The ten children of Benjamin and Edith had 83 children. From this nucleus, the Spaulding family married into the already present Moores, Mitchells, Freemans, Blanks, Whites, Jacobs, Grahams, Campbells, Phifers, McDougalls, Shaws, Youngs, Newells, Webbs and Smiths. They not only left land-owning relatives behind, on the old Columbus County homestead, but the mixture moved on to various parts of the United States for better opportunities and finer education.

Bladen County was established in 1734 from New Hanover County. Fires destroyed the courthouses of Bladen County in 1800 and 1893. All court records and several land records were destroyed in each of the fires. Brunswick County was formed out of Bladen County in 1764. To date, it has the most complete records of any of the adjoining counties. Columbus County was formed from Bladen and Brunswick Counties in 1808. Its records, courts, land, transfers, and marriages are second only to those of the adjoining Brunswick County.

This genealogy must associate the Spaulding beginning with Bladen and Columbus counties. The parents of all Spaulding descendants owned land in Columbus and Bladen counties. The original Benjamin Spaulding and his wife, Edith Delphia Jacobs, were residents of Bladen County before Columbus County was formed. It is, therefore, important that the Spaulding family descendants view themselves as being descendants from Bladen and Columbus counties.

From information presented in the introduction of this genealogy and research on the extended family of the Spauldings, it is essential that we identify with Bladen and Columbus counties. Another important factor that has contributed to the success of the Spauldings and their descendants is that they were identified as mulattos. By being identified as mulattos, our ancestors were able to own property, operate businesses, and register to vote and associate with the white race prior to the civil war. Benjamin, his wife, and their children attended the white community church. Because of the continued increase in the number of Benjamin’s grandchildren, the white community church encouraged Benjamin and his family to organize their own church and school.

They organized and built a log church later named Rehobeth AME Zion Church in 1850. The church also served as a schoolhouse. It was located on two acres of land and donated by Henry Spaulding, a son of the original Benjamin Spaulding. The church is located on the same plot of land today. The log church was the site for the church service year round and served as a schoolhouse during the winter months. They employed a Mr. Jim Vauses for their pastor and schoolteacher. Mr. Vauses was an Englishman from England.

HOW THE FARMER’S UNION COMMUNITY GOT ITS NAME…

Mr. Jim Vauses organized the community, patterned after the Farmer’s Union of England. Therefore, this is how the community of Farmer’s Union got its name. In addition, the school was named “Farmer’s Union Community School”. The Farmer’s Union community graveyard got its name from William Mitchell. The donor for the land from the graveyard was Iver Spaulding. They named it “Mitchell Field”. Through the first and second generations of Spauldings, all had last names of Spaulding with the exception of Ann Eliza who married a Moore. For a number of years, the population of Farmer’s Union community consisted of Spauldings and Moores.

THE THIRD GENERATION…

The ten children of Benjamin and Edith had 83 children. The last names of those married were Mitchell, Freeman, Jacobs, Webb, Blank, Campbell, Shaw, Mewell, Young, Moore, White, and Smith. Gradually the Spauldings and Moores migrated out of the community, furthering their education. In doing so, the community gradually became black. Today, there is a strong nucleus of relatives identifies as Indians found primarily in the St. James community of Columbus County.

CONTINUING GENERATIONS…

The fourth generation grew tremendously and spread from coast to coast. Their occupational opportunities were varied and their occupations diverse. The fifth and following generations have continued this trend and have been engaged in occupations as varied as any other group.

The family history was reprinted from the 1998 family reunion souvenir booklet and was compiled and written by the late Louis Mitchell, PhD, and John A. Spaulding.

BEGINNING OF THE SPAULDING FAMILY
OF BLADEN AND COLUMBUS COUNTIES
Because of the magnitude of the Spaulding family,
we are unable to includethe names of all descendants.

FOUNDERS OF NORTH CAROLINA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

JOHN MERRICK

John Merrick, co-founder of the North Carolina Life Mutual Insurance Company, was born in slavery on Sept. 7, 1859, came to Durham as a barber in 1880, became pioneer business leader and financier. Honesty, hard work, thrift, and shrewd judgement marked his rise from barber to business man.

He early established friendship with the Dukes, Carrs, and other monied people of Durham, from whom he learned much. From small beginnings in real estate, he gradually spread his interests until at the time of his death on August 6, 1919. He was generally recognized as the outstanding Negro business leader of the South.

DR. AARON MOORE

Dr. Aaron M. Moore, co-founder of the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, was pre-eminent among the Negro leaders of Durham, deeply imbued with the spirit of public service. Born during the Civil War, September 6, 1863, he came to Durham in 1888, saved his money ($1 per visit, when and if collected), and won the respect and confidence of all people.

Dr. Moore¹s efforts were seen in every move for the betterment of his race, many of which he initiated. He founded Lincoln Hospital in 1901, through the generosity of the Duke family. In 1913 he founded Sunday School Library at White Rock Baptist Church, in 1916 developed it into the S.L.Warren Public Library. In addition to NC Mutual, he was also one of the founders of the Mechanics & Farmers Bank, Bull City Drug Store and other interests. An idealist who never strived after wealth, he was successful in a material way. He never abandoned the practice of medicine, and his life was devoted to the service of his people and to the city. He died April 29, 1923.

CHARLES CLINTON SPAULDING

Charles Clinton Spaulding (a.k.a. "C.C. Spaulding"), served as president of North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company and prominent as a civic and business leader, was born near Clarkton, NC, August 1, 1874, the son of Benjamin M. and Margaret Moore Spaulding.

From childhood, he was fired with an ambition that unfitted him for farm life, so while still a youth, he journeyed to Durham, NC, where he worked at odd jobs in order that his desire for a better education might be realized. On being graduated from Whitted High School in 1898, he felt that at least the first step on the road to a more useful life had been taken.

Soon after his graduation, John Merrick and Dr. Aaron Moore brought him into the fledging firm that later developed into the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company. He served the company in various capacities- agent, clerk, janitor and general manager. Largely as the result of his initiative and unswerving spirit of honesty and fair dealing, that from the beginning, had characterized the activities of the promoters. The company has achieved a foremost position among life insurance companies of America that are owned and operated by African Americans.

Contributed by Andre Vann, Durham Historian