FROM THE NEWBERRY ROOTS NEWSLETTER (Aug. 2009) by Gloria Leaks Gaymon–Reverend Daniel Spearman of Silver Street, S.C.:

“For this newsletter, I’d like to spotlight Daniel Meing Spearman.
I located a four page article written about him in a book called the History of the Negro, South Carolina edition printed in 1918. The book is over 700 pages long. This is taken directly from the book” –

The world owes much to the men of simple faith, the men who pray and work while they pray, the men who, when always triumphant in the end, even though they may not be successful as the world measures success. Rev. Daniel Spearman of Silver Street, S.C., however, is both. He was born in obscurity on Christmas day either in 1864 or 1865. His parents died when he was only seven years of age and he was brought up in poverty and under the most discouraging conditions and sometimes cruelty. His parents were Levi and Hannah Spearman. His grandparents were Willis and Lucinda Spearman.
After the death of his parents, the boy was taken by an older sister whose husband beat the boy unmercifully and thereby received a good flogging from the boy’s older brother. For a long time the boy did not have sufficient clothes to go to church and an education under such conditions was out of the question. God seems to have kept His hand on the boy and preserved him for His work. A new home with his brother William was secured and hope brightened. He remembers with peculiar gratitude the assistance received from Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Spearman and from Mr. W. A. Hill of Newberry. Rev. Spearman says that he has frequently sought help from the white people and has never been denied. He speaks also of assistance received from Rev. P. L. Spearman, Rev. A. G. Spearman and Rev. S. R. Floyd.

He first attended the rural schools and later Benedict College for a part of three years. Here he was nobly assisted by his home church and by the Union of the New Enoree Baptist Association. How well he has repaid that service may be judged by the fact that for eight years he has been the Moderator of that Association.

He was converted and joined Silver Street Baptist Church in 1881. Later, feeling called to preach the Gospel, he yielded himself to the Divine leadership and was licensed by his home church in 1887, and in 1892 was ordained to the full work of the ministry. Prior to this he had taught the home school for two years. In the same year, he was called to Mt. Moriah, now in Saluda County. He served that church eleven years and erected a new house of worship.

From the beginning his ministry was richly blest. His work has been marked by growth and harmony. He pastored Bush River, Newberry county, five years, from 1897 – 1902, raised money, bought lot and began a new church. Other churches that he associated with mentioned in the article are: Antioch in Edgefield, Young Mt Zion, Vaughnsville, Pine Pleasant, Silver Street Baptist church, Willow Spring, Scurry Spring, Marshall Chapel near Ninety-Six, Boozer Chapel, Bethlehem, and Old Beaver Dam Church.
He attributed his success, not only as a preacher, but in every department of life, to prayer.
He has not only the confidence and affection of his own people, but is highly regarded by his white neighbors as well. He is a capable business man and owns considerable farm property and some lots at Newberry.

Rev. Spearman has been married twice. His first marriage was in 1886 to Miss Anna Boyce, a daughter of Henry and Charlotte Boyce. After her death he was married to Miss Mary Jane Pinkney, a daughter of Daniel and Malinda Pinkney. Of the seven children, born to him, three survive: Marcus L., Joel D., and Henry Spearman.
Next after the Bible, Rev. Spearman liked United States History. He is a trustee of Morris College and a member of the Executive Board of the State Convention.

Rev. Spearman is a man who preaches and practices simple, clean living, honest dealing and uprightness.

Respectfully Submitted by Gloria Leaks Gaymon of the Philadelphia, PA Chapter