By BOB SMITH 

Special to The Press 

On April 17, 2002, I was blessed to have been invited to attend the 150th birthday celebration at Public Well Missionary Baptist Church. 

As the only black person present, I felt good from the warm Christian spirit and friendly smiles that the congregation displayed. In my lifetime, I've always wondered how the lifestyles of the slave owners were so misunderstood, especially after I began to learn that some slave owners were Christians who lived by the rules and principles of the "good book." 

In all of my articles I have always stated that there is no history without including both races. I firmly believe that there are two sides to every story. I am proud of the slave owners of Martin and Weakley County area. Some of the owners were good and kind to their slaves and when they were set free some of the slaves were reluctant to leave. 

One of our good friends, Ann Masco, told me that the Carlton family had such devoted slaves that some of them stayed and worked the farms and did other community chores. 

This is the only church in Tennessee that I know about that allowed blacks to become charter members. 

The history of Public Wells Missionary Baptist Church states that on Saturday before the first Sunday in April 1852 Elder David M. Fleming and Elder Staples Owen proceeded to organize a church. Those who signed, covenanted and agreed to live together in a church capacity based upon the principles of the Bible. 

Charter members were: 
Archabald Rowlett, John Owen, Mary A. Rowlett, Frances W. Guthry, Margaret Bradberry, Rhebann E. Bradberry, Andrew Cole, Nancy Hutchins, Andrew W Baldridge, Kathyrine Pleasant; EJizabeth Bradshaw, BenjaminS, Sadler, Saluda S. Owen, Margaret Sadler, Sarah S. Sadler, Mary J. Bradberry, Dicy Molin, Malfred Molin, Thomas Miles, Black Women Sarah, "DO DO" Mammy, Martha Guthrie, Elizabeth Henderson, Frances W. Martin, Chris Cany Guthrie, Elder D.M. Fleming, Carolyn Fleming, Elizabeth Stephens by letter, Mary A. Baldridge by letter, Thomas Sadler, Thomas Cook, Green Taylor, Sarah Jane Tailor, C. Hedgfreth, J. G. Hannings, Prescot H. Hall, Elizabeth J, Bell, Albert Scales, James Fleming, James Pleasant, Edward Pleasant, Jefferson Powler, Margaret Bradberry, N. C. Rhodes, Jinneta Molin, W.A. Cole, Sarah A. Cole, Simeon Adams, Susan Adams, N.W. Pleasant, Nancy Miles, Melinda Adams, Lafoyett Van, Elizabeth Pleasants, Issac (a second colored man), A. Rowlett, Sarah Underwood, J. R. Vaughn, David Nowlin, Caroline, Nowlin, Mary Vaughn, Winfrey Cook, Martha Wan, Nancy A. Mollin, Virginia Guthrie, and Ellzabeth Stevens by letter.

I listed every name of these folks because I want the world to know that love and mercy was shown in a Christian like manner. This same love and mercy can still wipe out all hate and animosity between our
brothers and sisters today. 

I'm sure many of these slave children immigrated to Martin and other towns and communities. Here are some of the names taken from the Carlton family Bible: Mary, born Nov. 8, 1850, Lanny and Channy, born Jan. 11, 1853, Jeremiah, born April 21, 1855, and Eldridge; born Feb.15, 1858. 

Some slaves had no family last name, so they would take the last name of their owners. 

The black lady Sarah could have gotten her last name from the Carltons. There was a very old lady who lived in Martin by the name of Sarah Carlton. She had two sons, George and Hiwatha, a daughter named Sarah also. 

Some of the free slaves were given small farms as a reward for devoted service and dedication. 

Junior Brock told me that he heard of a black woman that had such huge hands that she could hold entrails of a large hog in them.

Our black women were very skilled workers at hog killing time. They could block out a hog in a matter of minutes. 

By writing this article, I hope that it will enlighten the younger generation about some of the things that happened in the early s of slavery. Some things were done by folk who did not have God in their life. They were so ignorant and didn't share love with one another. There are still a few people around who think about the black man's ability to excel. 

The early Christians of Public Wells were what Martin Luther King, Jr. was talking about when he said that man is not judged by color of his skin, but by the content of his character. 

In closing, I say to the membership of Public Wells Missionary Baptist Church "thank you" for the wonderful church history. 

Thanks to Mrs. Ann Masco, Junior Brock, Mrs. Elizabeth Bell and Bill (Oren) Adams. 

Editor's note: Bob Smith is a longtime press contributor and is regularly featured each February during Black history Month. Smith is a resident of Martin, a veteran and an astute local historian. 

Submitted by Joe Stout