Thomas King (1613 - 1691)

Born 24 Feb 1613 in Cold Norton, Essex, England

Ancestors

Husband of Jane (Young) King — married 31 Mar 1653 in Scituate, Plymouth Colony

Husband of Anne (Sutcliffe) King — married 1654 in Scituate, Massachusetts

Descendants

Died 24 Sep 1691 at age 78 in Scituate, Plymouth, Massachusetts [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Puritan Great Migration Project WikiTree [send private message] and Brian McCullough [send private message]

Thomas King migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See The Great Migration (Series 2), by R. C. Anderson, vol. 4, p. 171) Join: Puritan Great Migration Project Discuss: pgm

Biography

Thomas King, son of George King and Joane Lorraine, was baptized 24 Feb 1613/4 at Cold Norton, Essex, England, ^{[1] [2]} and was named in the 14 Oct 1625 will of his father George King. ^[3]

Will of George Kinge of Woodham Mortimer, Essex (14 Oct 1625)

(paraphrased colloquially) ^{[4] [5]}

In the name of God, amen, the fourteenth day of October in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred twenty five, and in the year of the reign of our sovereign Lord Charles, by the grace of God, King of England Scotland France and Ireland and defender of the faith, I George King of Woodham Mortimer in the County of Essex; yeoman, being sick in body yet sound in mind and memory, for which I most humbly thank Almighty God, do make and declare this my last will and testament.

• First and most principally I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God; my Creator, in and through the mercies of Jesus Christ; my only Redeemer and Saviour, and my body I commit to Christian burial at the discretion of my Executor hereafter named. And as for my outward estate I will, devise and dispose thereof as follows.

• First for the provision of the livelihood of Joane, my well-beloved wife, I give to her, for so many years as she may live, the first year of my lease or term of years I have for my messuage or mansion house where I dwell, with the lands and grounds, under the covenants contained in the lease.
  • And after the death of my wife I bequeath the remainder of my said lease or term for years to come to my eldest son George King and to the lawful issue of his body,
  • And for default of such lawful issue then to my second son Thomas King and to the lawful issue of his body,
  • And for default of such lawful issue then to my third son Daniel King and to the lawful issue of his body,
  • And for default of such lawful issue then to my daughter Judith forever.

• Item: I bequeath to my wife Joane ten cows, one bull, twenty ewes, one ram, and my black gelding being kept and pastured on the aforesaid lands and grounds.
  • And I further give to my wife Joane all the corn, hay, swine, poultry and wood in or about my dwelling house or grounds at my death.

• Item: I bequeath to my wife Joane a half portion of all my houshold belongings, after all of my household belongings are set out into two equal portions by two men to be appointed by my master, Sir Arthur Harris, Knight, and they to set out to my wife Joane her half portion, and that she is to accept it and be content with it.
  • The other half of my household belongings I bequeath to my four children named George, Thomas, Daniel and Judith equally among them.

• Item: I bequeath to my wife Joane six of my best silver-gilt spoons and six of my best silver spoons; all the rest of my silver-gilt and silver spoons I bequeath to my aforesaid four children, to be divided equally among them.
  • And my intention is that after the division of my belongings between my wife and children is made and allotted by the designated parties aforesaid, that all portions for each child shall be inventoried in writing, and these portions are to remain in the safekeeping of my wife until the children have use for them, on the condition that if my wife should marry, then my wife is to surrender all portions of my children to my Executor for safekeeping; notwithstanding any provisions stated previously regarding this issue.

• Item: I possess a multi-year lease of a farm called West Cannon located in Cold Norton and Stow Maries in County Essex.
  • I am also seized in fee of a tenement and lands in Stow Maries, for which my wife Joane has dower rights.
  • My intention is that immediately after my death the said tenement and lands should descend wholly, as by course of law, to my son and heir George King, and that my wife should not have a claim or demand for any part of it, whether for dower or otherwise.
  • And for the recompense, satisfaction and debarring of my wife of her dower one-third and other estate therein, and on condition that neither my wife or anyone else on her behalf or in her name, shall have any part of the said tenement and lands, I grant to my wife Joane an annuity of yearly rent of the sum of £10, to be paid to her and to her assigns on, or within 24 days of, the feast days of the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Feast of St. Michael in equal portions; beginning with the first of these designated feast days that occurs after my death payable at or in the mansion where I dwell now in Woodham Mortimer.
  • And if the yearly annuity payments at the designated place should lapse in whole or in part within 24 days after the feast days of the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Feast of St. Michael, then I grant full power and authority to my wife and to her assigns to enter into and upon my said farm, and every part of it, thereof and to seize and hold whatever they may deem to be sufficient compensation until every part of the required payments are paid.

• Item: I further bequeath to my wife Joane the sum of £10 of lawful money of England, to be paid to her within one month after my death, if my wife discharges and releases to my son George, by sufficient deed in writing, all her dower-thirds interests in my tenement and lands aforesaid.

• Item: I further grant to my son George King and to his heirs an annuity yearly rent payment of the sum of £6 of lawful money of England from the aforesaid farm of West Cannon, to be paid yearly during the entire lease of the aforesaid West Cannon, in equal payments within 40 days of the two feast days mentioned earlier with regard to my wife at my mansion house.
  • And in the event of non-payment I give the full power and authority to my son George and his heirs and assigns to enter into and on my farm to seize and hold sufficient compensation that I have granted to my wife.

• Item: I bequeath my multi-year lease of my farm West Cannon to my son Thomas King and to the lawful issue of his body.
  • And for default of such lawful issue to my son Daniel King and to the lawful issue of his body.
  • And for default of such lawful issue to my son George King and to the lawful issue of his body.
  • And for default of such lawful issue to my daughter Judith forever.

• Item: I bequeath my multi-year lease of my farm East Cannon located in Cold Norton and Purleigh in County Essex to my son Daniel King and to the lawful issue of his body.
  • And for default of such lawful issue to my son Thomas King and to the lawful issue of his body.
  • And for default of such lawful issue to my son George King and to the lawful issue of his body.
  • And for default of such lawful issue to my daughter Judith forever.

• Item: my will is that the rents and profits of my farm West Cannon shall be used for the better performance of my last will and testament until my son Thomas reaches age 21.
  • However, my intent in this regard is not that my Executor shall have the power or authority to sell any of the aforesaid farms or leases; rather, that he may take their profits for the allowed purpose only.

• Item: I bequeath to my son George King the sum of £80 of good and lawful money of England to be paid to him within 18 months after my death.
  • And I give to my son George my wearing apparel, excepting those parts I give otherwise in my will.

• Item: I bequeath to my daughter Judith King the sum of £100 of good and lawful money of England to be paid to her at the age of one 21 years.
  • However, if she marries with the approval of her mother and of my Executor before age 21, then I will that her portion of £100 shall be due within 6 months of her marriage.

• Item: I give to my daughter Anne Vassall my sealing ring of gold.

• Item: I give to my cousin William Peachy my suit of silver buttons.

• Item: I bequeath, to my kinsmen and kinswomen, Edward Peachy, John Peachy, Anne Peachy and Joane Peachy, the sum of 10 shillings of lawful money of England to each of them.

• Item: I give to my kinswoman Susan Purcas the sum of 40 shillings of lawful money of England to be paid to her within 3 months after my death.

• Item: I bequeath to my 3 grandchildren John, Judith and Frances Vassall the sum of 20 shillings of lawful money of England to each of them.

• Item: regarding a certain account reckoning between me and Susan, the daughter of my late brother Christopher King, deceased, I bequeath, and instruct my Executor to pay, to the said Susan, in full satisfaction and discharge of all accounts, reckonings and demands, the sum of £12 of lawful money of England, to be paid to her within one year after my decease, if the said Susan provides my Executor with a release of all debts, reckonings and demands upon payment.

• Item: I bequeath to James King, the son of my said brother, a yearly payment of the sum of 20 shillings of lawful money of England, to be paid to him yearly by my Executor from my estate during the course of 12 years after my death, if the said James lives this long.

• Item: I bequeath to my son-in-law William Vassall all my instruments and tools for the measuring and plotting of lands, and my suit of silver buttons that he has, and my gown.

• Item: I give to my servant John Harding 20 shillings of lawful money of England over and above his wages.

• Item: I give to Thomas Totman of Norton my cloak with the velvet cape which is lined through with baies.

• Item: I give to John Lorraine; kinsman of my wife, my livery cloak which is partially lined with ash colored baies.

• Item: I give to Thomas Crislow of Woodham Mortimer my old riding coat.

• Item: I give to the widow Marion of Norton the sum of 5 shillings of lawful money of England.

• Item: I give to old Tabor of Stow Maries the like sum of 5 shillings of like money.

• Item: I forgive the widow Strach of Purleigh the debt of 3 shillings and 6 pence that she owes me.

• Item: I give and distribute to the poor people of the parish of Woodham Mortimer the sum of 30 shillings of lawful money of England.

• Item: I make and appoint the aforesaid William Vassall; my son-in-law, the sole Executor of my last will and testament.

• Item: I commit the guardianship, nurture and charge of the education of my aforesaid four children to my Executor; they to be virtuously educated and brought up by him.

• Item: as I possess two leases: one of lands called Bakers and other of certain lands called small Crofts, I give both of these leases to my Executor to dispose of at his will and pleasure, excepting only where there is fallow and corn sown on the lands called Bakers.
  • My intent is that after my death, my Executor should make an allowance to my estate in accordance with the price of the fallow and seed.

• Item: whatever residue or surplus remains of my estate; my debts being paid and the charges of my will and funeral paid and deducted, and the education of my children and the gifts and legacies of my last will and testament being paid and deducted, I give equally to my two sons Thomas and Daniel, or to their survivor, at their respective ages of 21.
  • And if both of my said sons die before age 21 without issue of their bodies or body, then the entire remainder of my estate I give to my other children George King and Judith King, or to their survivor.
  • However, if both or either of my sons Thomas and Daniel have any issue, then I give the remainder of my estate to such issue at the age of 21 years.
  • Provided further that if both or either of my children George or Judith die before the time limits for the payment of their respective gifts or legacies of money, then the sums bequeathed to them shall be paid to my two sons Thomas and Daniel, or to their survivor, at their respective ages of 21 years.
  • And if only one of my children George and Judith should die, then the portion of money for him or her that die I appoint to be divided among the survivors of my four children named George, Thomas, Daniel and Judith equally at their respective ages ages of 21 years.
  • I do not, however, intend that my Executor shall take benefit by the death of any of my said four children George, Thomas, Daniel, and Judith contrary to the aforesaid allowed purposes.

• In witness, I have hereunto put my hand and sealed; dated the day and year above. George King.

• Signed sealed and published by the said George King to be his last will and testament in the presence of us whose names are underwritten: Roger Gettings Peter Butler William Dodd

The above-written will was proved at London before the venerable master Henry Martin, Knight, Doctor of laws, Master, Guardian or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury; lawfully appointed, on the 7th day of the month of December in the year of the Lord 1625, by the oath of William Vassall, the Executor named in this will. To whom there was committed the sworn administration, on the Holy Gospels, before Israel Hewitt by force of a commission otherwise issued in this matter.

As an early settler of Scituate, Massachusetts, he probably came from one of these areas in England:

• County of Kent
• Hingham
• Dorchester
• Watertown
• Weymouth
• Nantasket
• London
• Dorsetshire

Thomas King sailed from London 17 Jun 1635 in the ship Blessing at the age of 21 in the company of Mr. William Vassall and family. Vassall's wife was Anna King, Thomas' sister.

He built his house on the top of the hill at Bell house neck, a few rods south of Mr. Vassall's.

He was admitted to the Church 25 February 1638.

Thomas married Sarah Tinker before 1639. Sarah died in 1652. The following March Thomas married second wife Jane Young Hatch, the widow of Elder William Hatch. Unfortunately she died shortly after they married. Thomas married third wife Anne Suffcliffe in 1654.

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JWZJ-FWL
2. ↑ https://www.essexarchivesonline.co.uk/Result_Details.aspx?ID=24594 page 38, image 20
3. ↑ The National Archives, Will of George Kinge of Woodham Mortimer, Essex, PROB 11/147/479
4. ↑ The National Archives, Will of George Kinge of Woodham Mortimer, Essex, PROB 11/147/479
5. ↑ Professional transcription and translation by Simon Neal: http://www.nealresearch.co.uk/

Facts Determined by the History of Scituate, Massachusetts

Listed below are the genealogical facts gleaned from the source outliined in the Research Notes section of this profile.

• Estimated birth year: 1615 or earlier
• Elder Thomas King was one of the first settlers of Scituate, Massachusetts
• Elder Thomas King's house was southwest of JV & William Vassal's "belle house" located on the neck (Gushing place)
• King's house was built and the family settled there by 1636
• Elder Thomas King passed away in 1691
• First wife: Sarah died in 1652
• Second wife: Jane Hatch, widow of Elder William Hatch, no maiden name given
• Third wife: Anne
• Son Deacon Thomas King was born in 1645, his mother was Sarah
• Son Deacon Thomas King's first wife: Elizabeth Clapp, daughter of Deacon Thomas Clapp
• Deacon Thomas King purchased Nathaniel Rawlins' farm, at Stoney cove brook, before 1680
• Son Daniel King born in 1675
• Elizabeth Clapp King died in 1698
• Deacon Thomas King's second wife: Deborah Briggs in 1699
• Deborah Briggs King and Deacon Thomas King both died in 1711
• Daniel King, born 1675, had four children: Elizabeth, Daniel, Robert and Mehitabel born between 1702 and 1709
• Son Daniel King Jr. was born in 1704
• Some of the children moved to Marshfield, but we already know Daniel King Jr. wasn't one of them, at least he didn't move there permanently
• Daniel King Jr. married Marcy Hathaway in Dighton, Bristol, Massachusetts Bay
• Daniel and March King had seven children, all born in Dighton, Massachusetts
• Daniel King Jr. inherited his great grandfather Elder Thomas King's farm in 1711

Thomas King sailed from London 17 Jun 1635 in the ship Blessing at the age of 21 in the company of Mr. William Vassall and family, whose wife was Anna King Vassall, Thomas's sister.

He built his house on the top of the hill at Bell house neck, a few rods south of Mr. Vassall's.

He was admitted to the church 25 Feb 1638.

Great Migration 1634-1635, Vol. IV I-L

Name: Elder Thomas King

Birth Date and Place: 1614 • Cold Norton, Essex

First Marriage: Bef. 1639

Second Marriage: 31 Mar 1653 • Scituate, Plymouth, Massachusetts

<Death: 24 Sep 1691 • Scituate, Massachusetts

Pioneers of Massachusetts (1620-1650)

Thomas King's death date: 24 Sep 1691 • Scituate, Massachusetts

Research Notes

History of Scituate, Massachusetts

https://archive.org/stream/historyscituate01deangoog/historyscituate01deangoog_djvu.txt

This book is in the public domain and was available to view via the above-referenced link at Archive.org.

The details in this book make it clear that Thomas King was one of the original settlers of Scituate, Massachusetts. The first mention of him is in the descriptions of the village lots and who owned them.

"We can form from the above statements a pretty distinct image of the village, as it appeared in 1633 and 34. Their houses were generally log ouses, and covered with thatch cut from the sedges of the salt marges. We now remark that, to complete this map of the setdement, we are to conceive of Isaac Stedman's house (notwithstanding he had a house lot on Kent street standing twenty rods South-easterly of the Stockbridee mill dam, JV& William Vassall's " belle house" on the neck (Gushing place), Mr Thomas King's house near it on the South-west, and Resolved White's near it on the East. Then turning to the harbour, we are to conceive of a few " squatters " and principally fishermen. We find in Winthrop's History, "February 22, 1633, Ship William, Mr Travere, master, arrived at Plymouth with passengers and goods for the Bay. This ship came to set up a fishing stage at Scituate, and to trade." Then turning to the cUfis, we are to imagine them covered with corn, and William Crillson's windmill waving its arms upon the third cliff; and our image of the settlement is pretty complete, as it existed in the autumn of 1636."

This means that by 1636, Thomas King was at least 21 years old, considered a freeman, and was one of the founders of Scituate. This means the latest he could have been born was 1615 (the year 1615 + 21 years of age = the year 1636.)

In this next excerpt, it reveals the year that Thomas King passed away.

"At the establishment of the second Church, Thomas Kingand William Hatch were chosen ruling elders. Elder Hatch deceased in 1651, and no successor was chosen.Elder King lived to 1691. The first deacons in the second Church were Thomas Robinson and James Torrey. "

This next passage confirms Thomas King was one of the first settlers of Scituate and one of the people who established the settlements early governing processes and procedures.

"Amongst the first settlers of Scituate, (not to mention here their learned pastors), we may name Mr Vassall, Mr Cudworth, Mr Hatnerly, Mr Gilson, Samuel Hinckley, (father of the Governor), Isaac Robinson, (son of Rev. John [Robinson], of Leyden), Anthony Annable, Thomas King, Thomas Clap, and odiers, as men eminently qualified for transacting not only the municipal concerns of the settlement, but for taldng part in the government of the Colony."

Thomas King married with widow of Elder William Hatch, Jane Hatch. It's not clear if that was his first marriage, or if he was also a widower. Since son Daniel was born in 1675, unless Jane Hatch was a very young widow, she may not be Daniel's biological mother. She may be his grandmother, and there is a missing generation with a son Thomas King who was born before 1655 being the father the Daniel King.

"Jane, the widow of Elder Hatch, married Elder Thomas King, 1653."

A Family Sketch of the Thomas King's family is discussed on page 596. I've bolded the names of the family line that goes down to Thankfull King.

"Elder THOMAS KING came into Scituate with Mr William Vassall, 1634 or 5, and built his house a few rods south of Mr Vassall's, on the top of the hill at Belle house neck. He also had lands on the north side of Rotten marsh, where Dea. Thomas his son had a house 1666. His children were Rhoda bom 1639, George 1642, Thomas 1645, Daniel 1647, Sarah 1650, and John 1652.

His wife Sarah died 1652, and he married Jane, the widow of Elder William Hatch, and was chosen to succeed Elder Hatch in the second Church. His second wife deceased the same year. The name of his third wife was Anne. Of these children John died early, Daniel settled in Marshfield, Rhoda married John Rogers, Sarah married Elisha Bisby, jr. George died early or removed.

Dea. Thomas continued the name in Scituate [Deacon Thomas King is the son of Elder Thomas King.] He married Elizabeth, daughter of Dea. Thomas Clap, 1669. -She deceased 1698, and he married Deborah Briggs 1699: she deceased 1711, and Dea. Thomas the same year. He purchased Nathaniel Rawlins' farm, at Stoney cove brook, before 1680.

His children, Sarah born 1669, Thomas 1671, Jane 1673, Daniel 1675, John 1677, Mercy 1678, Ichabod 1680, George 1682, Anna 1684. Of these, Thomas died early, Ichabod had a son Thomas born 1703, and removed soon after. John married Sarah Whiten of Hingham, 1706, and lived, we believe, in Marshfield, as did Daniel and Ichabod. Daniel had two sons and two daughters, Elizabeth, Daniel, Robert, Mehitabel, bom from 1702, to 1709. This family removed. Dea. George inherited the farm south of Stoney cove brook, which had been originally Anthony Annable's land, then the farm of Rawlins, then Dea. Thomas King's. Dea. George King married Deborah Briggs 1710. Deborah, Rhoda, (wife of John James), Lydia, (wife of Joseph Cushing), and Sarah, were his children. He died in Scituate. Some descendants of Elder King are in Abington.

Elder King's will, dated 1691, gives "to wife Anne — to daughter Sarah Besby land at Gravelly beach — To grandsons John and Thomas Rogers 10£ each. Item : it is my will that Robin, my negro, be set free, and receive of my estate a bed and 5£ in money — Item : to son Thomas all my property not otherwise disposed of in New and Old England."

Elder Thomas King's son was known as Deacon Thomas King. Deacon Thomas King was the father of Daniel King, born 1675. Deacon Thomas King's will gave his son Daniel the homestead of his grandfather.

"Dea. Thomas King's will, dated 1711, gives *To son Daniel the homestead; (of Elder Thomas King, late deceased) on the neck) ; he allowed daughter Anne to live in the house. To son John a farm in Marshfield. To son (xeorge the farm where I now dwell, also a lot adjoining my brother Samuel Clap's land. To daughter Mercy Winslow 30£. To daughter Anne King S0£. To son Ichabod, &c."

His will, dated 1691 [30 Jun and proved 16 mar 1692], gives:

"To wife Anne and to daughter Sarah Besby, land at Gravelly Beach.

To grandsons John and Thomas Rogers, 10 £ each.

Item: it is my will that Robin, my negro, be set free, and receive of my estate a bed and 5 £ in money.

Item: to son Thomas all my property not otherwise disposed of in New and Old England.

He married first Sarah UNKNOWN.

Richardson suggests she was Sarah Tinker

• • Douglas Richardson, "The English Ancestry of the Merwin and Tinker Families of New England, Part Two: John Tinker of Boston and Lancaster, Massachusetts and Windsor and New London, Connecticut," in NEHGR 149( ):403

• Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Vital and Town Records. Provo, UT: Holbrook Research Institute (Jay and Delene Holbrook).

• Massachusetts Vital and Town Records, Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Vital and Town Records. Provo, UT: Holbrook Research Institute (Jay and Delene Holbrook). See: https://goo.gl/QrFxLc.

• Massachusetts Vital and Town Records, Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Vital and Town Records. Provo, UT: Holbrook Research Institute (Jay and Delene Holbrook). See: https://goo.gl/5RC9vr.

• Robert Charles Anderson, Great Migration 1634-1635,Vol. IV I-L, Call Number: R974; Repository Information: Danville library.

• Charles Henry Pope, Pioneers of Massachusetts (1620-1650), Published 1900, reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1965; Repository name: Ancestry.com.