Founder
William H. Slaughter
William H. Slaughter was born May 1, 1838 in Hertford County. He was the son of William Slaughter (1785 - 1853) and Celia Meglawhorn Slaughter (1800 - 1866) of Sheffield, England.
In 1860, Mr. Slaughter was married to Alpheus Lawrence of Colerain, Bertie County. They lived in a large plantation at Gum Kneck, North Carolina. Mr. Slaughter was also a Free Will Baptist preacher and organized churches in Hickory, Ahoskie, Verona and Columbia.
After the Civil War, the Slaughters moved to Carteret County. They lived at Gales Creek. He wore a long white beard and wore suits with cut-away tails. The churches he organized in this county are Sound View, Russels Creek, Davis and Beaufort Free Will Baptist Church.
Many of the descendants of this great man still live in the Newport area. He went to be with the Lord in 1898. While we here today only know him by name, we thank God for the joy of walking in the long shadow he left behind. A most fitting tribute to his life has been carved on his tombstone:
HIS DEEDS WERE KINDNESS
HIS WORDS WERE LOVE
HIS SPIRIT HUMBLE
HE RESTS ABOVE
Written by: Jeanne Eubanks
