Michael King (1630-1700)

Michael King was born in Southern England. At the age of 16 his mother sent him to the market for some purchases. While on the way he ran into the Army marching down the road in front of their home. He was so taken with the fife and drums martial music he walked along with them forgetting about the errand he had been doing for his mother. He threw the reins of his pony over the gate post and off he went. This "adventure" led him into Ireland and then across the seas to America. He finally ended up in the James River Valley in Virginia where he made his home. There he married Elizabeth Hirey/HairyAiry and fathered five sons and a daughter. Michael received three land grants in 1667, 1671, and 1675 for his service to the crown totaling 1800 acres in Nanesmond County, Virginia. There he built the first brick homein the county, bought several negro slaves and a large Copper Still. The plantation was located on Somerset Creek. The house still stands today.[New FTW Family File.GED.FTW] "Michael King was born in Old England and came from the city of Norvigg to Virginia and there served his bond time under John Wright in Nansemond County. He and Elizabeth lived in the Upper parish of Nansemond County, on the Southern Branch of Nansemond River. Here he bought a plantation with land in the year 1686 and built a large dwelling house with brick then bought several negro slaves, also a large copper still." ~This data was taken from Solomon Kings family Bible.

Additional information: Genealogies of Virginia Families From the William and Mary College Quarterly, Genealogical Publishing Co. (reprint 1982), Vol. III, pp. 283-290 and 683; The Lees and Kings of Virginia and North Carolina 1636 - 1976, by Reba Shropshire Wilson and Betty Shropshire Glover, Wilson and Glover Publishing Co. (1975); KENNARD KING KNIGHT HARDIN GOODING Their Ancestors & Descendants, by Alta Kennard Patterson (1988).