McLamb Family
 

Once upon a time in a land across the Atlantic Ocean, our story begins. Many offspring's were born in Africa only to be captured and/or traded into slavery. Out of Africa, perhaps the Congo region, vessels brought our ancestors to a life of slavery. From there our ancestors travel to America to be sold into slavery. The story we have to tell is that 12 generations of blacks survived and live in America as enslaved people-direct descendants.

The story we have to tell starts with the 1810 Census for where the first McLam(b) was found living in Sampson County. The origin of the name McLamb is Scottish. Our story tells us that our last name had many spellings: Lamb, Lambe, Lam McLam, McClam, McClamb, McLammy and McLamb.

Even though our history is only a footnote in time, we find that our ancestors left the old slave houses of history's shame, from slavery to freedom. The story we have to tell begins with Dublin McLamb and his family in the 1870 Census. Our story tells us that Dublin and Eliza Jane were born into slavery. Perhaps Dublin and/or Eliza Jane was a slave of Isham McLamb; he had a male and female slave that matched their ages in 1860.

Family is what makes life good

Our Annual Family Reunion is one of the oldest "family gatherings" of black family members in Sampson County. Edgar, Henry, and Isaac McLamb all grandchildren of Dublin McLamb organized the first family reunion in the early 1950's. A Frank McLamb stated that the reunion started much earlier. He was told the family had informal family gatherings as far back as 1927. They weren't necessary called "family reunions," but different ones would a pack lunch to take to another family's house so they could eat together. This was the original concept of the family reunion...families brought a picnic basket to share with others. Frank is the grandson of Alexander McLamb.

The first official family reunion was held at the home of Edgar McLamb in 1953. The family reunion was held the first Sunday in September until 1987.  The family reunion is now held annually during the Labor Day Weekend to help with family travel because the first Sunday in September is not always on a Labor Day Weekend.

If you would like to share any family history that you know about the family, please send to Linda McLamb Owens at 
lmowens@nc.rr.com

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