As I reflected on the stories I’ve discovered, several words describing the character of my ancestors began to emerge. These one-word descriptors include: patriotic, hard-working, determined, innovative, and faithful. In this month’s Fortitude post, I want to focus on the word “faithful”.
When I think about a legacy of faith, my mind takes me back to the lives of my ancestors that came long before me. As I’ve gotten older, I find myself wanting to know more about their stories of faith. Here’s what I’ve discovered.
The Founder
Forefathers Burying Ground (1655)
Edward Spalding (my 9th great-grandfather) was the first to bring the family name to the Massachusetts Bay Colony from England in the early 1600s. Edward and his wife Rachel Spalding joined 20 other colonists to establish a new settlement named Chelmsford. The township was incorporated in 1655 by the courts after receiving a letter signed by Edward Spalding and two others that certified the number of settled inhabitants. During this period of history, one could not be made a freeman, participate in government, be chosen magistrate, or serve on a jury if not a member of a local church. And so Chelmsford needed a church. In 1655, my 9th great-grandfather, Edward Spalding carried a letter by horseback to the Reverend John Fiske, who lived about 25 miles away. This letter contained an invitation for Reverend Fiske to become the first pastor in Chelmsford. Fiske accepted and moved to Chelmsford to launch the First Parish Church in 1655. Edward Spalding was a founding member of the First Parish Church and his descendants continued to worship there for many generations.
The Deacon
Deacon Andrew Spaulding (1653-1713)
Edward Spalding’s son Andrew (my 8th great-grandfather), born in 1653, and his son Andrew II (my 7th great-grandfather), born in 1678, both served their community as deacons for the First Parish Church in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. This is a testimony of the legacy of faith passed down from their father. These three generations of Spauldings are buried in the Forefathers Burying Ground located behind the First Parish Church in Chelmsford.
“Remember the days of old; consider the years of past generations. Ask your father, and he will tell you, your elders, and they will teach you.” Deuteronomy 32:7 (CSB)
The Multiplier
Edward Spalding’s great-grandson, Andrew Spaulding III, (my 7th great-uncle) understood the principles of church multiplication. He realized that the best way to reach people with the gospel of Jesus Christ was to not just expand the local church (addition growth), but to start new churches that then start other new churches (multiplication growth).
In 1727, Deacon Andrew Spaulding III was one of 18 men who signed a covenant to plant the Second Church of Christ in Westford, Massachusetts. Nearly 300 years later, this church still stands today (2024) as the First Parish Church United on Westford Common.
The Protector
As I was researching and writing my book, Fortitude, I learned of the purpose and destiny of my 3rd great-grandfather, Addison Spaulding, who lost his leg in a farming accident in 1848. His faith was strong as he didn’t quit on life after losing his leg. He had faith that this was God’s plan for him as he designed and built an artificial leg for himself after his accident. He then patented that artificial leg and went on to manufacture them during and after the Civil War. Read Addison’s compelling story of determination HERE.
Further evidence of Addison’s faith is found with the Spaulding Family Bible. Addison treasured this family heirloom containing words written by his mother, Winifred Spaulding (my 4th great-grandmother). In his last will and testament, dated October 18, 1873, Addison wrote:
“I give and bequeath unto my daughter Helen N. Belcher the Family Bible and I charge her in the most solemn manner that none of the marks placed therein by my mother shall be obliterated or removed.”
–Addison Spaulding (1873)
The Preacher
Rev. Clarence Spaulding (1875-1901)
Born in 1875, Clarence Sidney Spaulding (my 2nd great-uncle), was a seminary graduate of Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. He went on to study theology at the Divinity School of the University of Chicago, graduating on June 19, 1900. Clarence was ordained by the First Baptist Church in Rock Island, just seven days later on June 26, 1900. Immediately following his ordination, he was called to pastor the Lorenzo Avenue Baptist Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Sadly, Clarence pastored that church for only seven months. In January 1901, the Reverend Clarence Sidney Spaulding died at age 25, way before his time. He died from pneumonia following an attack of typhoid fever. Even at such a young age, Reverend Spaulding was well-known as a fine pulpit orator. Although his ministry here on earth was short-lived, his legacy of faith will be remembered and revered.
The Planter
Dale and Nancy Spaulding (2016)
This is a story from my legacy of faith. After serving 22 years in the U.S. Navy, I worked as a software quality engineer at Boeing for 15 years. At the pinnacle of my career as an Associate Technical Fellow at Boeing, God called me into fulltime ministry to help plant churches. This was a calling from “success to significance”.
From 2013 to 2021, I served as Director of Passion for Planting, a national church planting organization. I was blessed to have helped start 60 churches and provide resources to thousands more worldwide. I had the opportunity to coauthor two books on church planting along the way, the later titled, Launch Strong(er): When Disciple Making Fuels Church Planting, published in 2021. You can learn more about that book HERE.
Never attending seminary or Bible college, I am living proof that God doesn’t call the equipped, he equips the called!
The Heart of a Mother
Sarah Spaulding (1739-1796)
The last legacy of faith account I want to share is the story of my 5th great-grandmother, Sarah Spaulding. Sarah was the wife of my American Revolution patriot, Captain Benjamin Spaulding. This story has special meaning to me personally, as I have the reflections of her heart written so many years ago.
Below are the words that Sarah Spaulding wrote on the flyleaf of the family Bible in September 1796 to her youngest son William Spaulding who was 15 at the time. As you read these words penned by my 5th great-grandmother Sarah, you gain a glimpse into her deep faith.
“William my child, I feel myself on the borders of the grave and of eternity. When I look back on life, I lament; when I look forward on eternity, I tremble. My principle concern in this world is for my children. I trust I have given up myself and them for God, and God’s will for Christ’s sake forgive me and accept of you. I thought to have written and left my advice on many points, that when I am dead, I may yet speak and advise you. I thought again that all I could advise was in the Bible. I have therefore desired Mr. Ainsworth to take some money that is my own and present you with God’s word with my charge for you to read it daily and strive to understand it. Remember when you read this that I cannot speak to you from the grave or from the eternal world, but if I could, I should charge you to give up yourself to God in his holy covenant, live daily in faith, in repentance and obedience. Give up your children to God; bring them up in the fear of God; teach them they must die and appear before God; and that there is salvation in Christ and no other. It is my dying prayer for you that God would keep you from the many errors and evils that are in the world, and that I may meet you and yours in Heaven.”
Sarah Spaulding (1796)
Less than a month after she penned these words, Sarah Spaulding passed away on October 3, 1796, at age 57. I am so thankful that I can read her words 228 years later. Her words are such a blessing to me. I can’t wait to meet her in heaven.
When I think about my 5th great-grandmother, Sarah Spaulding, I think about her legacy of faith and how important it is for me to pass on that legacy of faith to my children and grandchildren. Moses speaks to this legacy in Deuteronomy chapter 4 of the Old Testament, when he writes:
“Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you don’t forget the things your eyes have seen and so that they don’t slip from your mindas long as you live. Teach them to your children and your grandchildren.” Deuteronomy 4:9 (CSB)
Imagine for a moment a descendant of yours reading your faith story 250 years from now. I don’t know if my 5th great grandmother Sarah was thinking that far in the future when she wrote those words to her son on the flyleaf of the family Bible, but I am so thankful she did. Her words will be forever treasured by me, my children, my grandchildren, and many generations to come.
Final Thoughts
By far, the most important legacy of faith to me, personally, is knowing that my sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren all have faith in God.
So how do you pass on a legacy of faith? Good question, right? Passing on a legacy of faith happens as we go about our daily routines.
When your children see you reading the Bible, they learn that God’s Word is important to you. When your family sees you serving someone in need, they learn how to love others. When your children see you sharing your faith by starting a spiritual conversation with someone, they see how important your faith is to you. When you teach your children how to give tithes and offerings to your church, they see the importance of having a grateful, generous, and obedient heart. When your children see you ask your waitress how can you pray for her, and then praying for her before your meal, they see the importance and power of prayer.
Take a moment and imagine your descendants learning about your faith 200 years from now. And perhaps take some time to write a note to your children on the importance of your faith as Sarah Spaulding did, so long ago in 1796.
“I will declare wise sayings; I will speak mysteries from the past—things we have heard and known and that our ancestors have passed down to us. We will not hide them from their children, but will tell a future generation the praiseworthy acts of the Lord, his might, and the wondrous works he has performed.” Psalm 78:2-4 (CSB)
Fortitude 
Thanks for your legacy of faith, Dale! This article was inspiring and challenging to me. Thanks for sharing.
Mark
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Dale
Very nice on your Faith legacy
David G Spaulding
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Thanks for the encouragement and reminder about the importance of our most important legacy, our faith.
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