Joanna King
John and Mary King
Seaman and Planter
Emigrant Ancestors
John King was born about the year 1610. He came to New England with Deputy Governor John Humphrey.
John Humphrey came from Dorchester, Dorset, England, six miles north of Weymouth, England. It is likely that John King came from the same locality.
On September 2, 1640, John and his wife Mary appeared in Boston before Thomas Lechford and employed him to compound their accounts. In his note book, Lechford calls them "heretofore servants to the [worshipful] John Humphrey, Esquire". He further noted that "They were bound to serve foure years only......to be freed when they came to New England," and that "since his departure" into New England, "John King hath served John Humfrey twelve weeks."
Winthrop tells us that Mr. Humfrey brought ordnance, muskets, powder and sixteen heifers which were given by Mr. Richard Andrews to the ministers of the plantations. John King in the service of the Deputy Governor undoubtedly assisted him in getting these to New England. Mr. Humphrey came before May 3, 1631, and land was granted to him at Saugus on March 6, 1632/33. He brought his property and his family to New England in July 1634. In view of these facts, it is probable that John King came here before May 3, 1631.
Mr. King also appeared before the General Court in Boston on December 4, 1638, to give evidence about the murderer which "they took from the island." This from the Records of the Court of Assistants.
John married Mary in Massachusetts on September 2, 1640. This from the note book of Mr. Lechford. Both had been servants of Governor Humphrey.
John was the master of the boat Thomas Applegate of Weymouth in October of 1640. It was said that the boat was overladen at Weymouth with salt. This from Lechford's note book page 392.
John was living in Thomas Jenner's house at Weymouth on December 28, 1649.
On June 23, 1657, John King of Weymouth deposed before Thomas Danforth in Middlesex County Court in the case of Joshua Tead versus Richard Collicut. He stated that he was "about 57 yeares" of age and "that he was with Mr. Richard Collicut in Kenebeak River " [Maine] in May 1656. This deposition sets his age as born about 1600.
John King was a resident of Weymouth, MA from 1639 to 1669. He early had lands granted to him, although the bounds only remain. He had one of the great lots granted on February 2, 1651/52 and John King, seaman, and John King, planter, each had lots in the First Division, and in the Second Division granted them December 14, 1663. This information is from the Weymouth Land Grant Records.
He witnessed a deed from Robin Hoode, of Newgasset, an Indian, to John Richards on April 22, 1649. John also made an oath to the same on August 11, 1654. This from the Suffolk Deeds.
His second wife was widow Dorothy Hunt, widow of Enoch Hunt, and Mr. Barker. Dorothie King, wife of John King of Weymouth, seaman, made her will on June 14, 1652, bequeathing to he daughter Sarah Hunt, her movables " which were mine before I married with my now husband John King;....the care of her I committ to Mr. Thomas Thatcher, Mr. Richard Collicut and John Kinglsey of Dorchester." To her daughter Ruth Barker, and to her daughter Ruth Barker and her daughter Susannah Heath, other things. Her husband John King to be saved harmless from debts. Her son Joseph Barker to be executor, and he to have her right to her servant Thomas Perriman. In case Ephraim Hunt sue her son Joseph as executor for disbursements to herself, the expense to be borne equally. Mr. Thomas Thatcher, Mr. Richard Collicut and her husband to be overseers. Witnesses were William Thompson and Jone Smyth. The will was witnessed on October 21, 1652, and proved on November 17, 1652. The inventory was taken on October 18, 1652. Dorothie died at Weymouth before October 1652.
John married as his third wife, Abigail [Hewes] Hatch, widow of William Hatch, Jr. of Scituate, MA. She was the daughter of John Hewes of Scituate, the "Welchman." He and his wife Abigail were living in Weymouth in 1669 when they gave a deed which is on record in Plymouth.
John King "senior" was chosen selectman of Weymouth in November of 1669. This comes from the Weymouth Town Records.
King's Cove and King's Grove in the northwestern part of Weymouth honor the name of this pioneer.
Thomas King
Thomas, the son of John King and Mary Bucks King, was born about 1645. He was a landowner in Weymouth for some time, and it is thought many of his children were born there, although only a few records remain.
He married Judith Whitman, the daughter of John and Ruth Whitman of Weymouth, MA, sometime before 1672.
The records of Thomas King have been in question. At times, they seem to be mixed with his brother Philip's records. The following information may belong to either Thomas or Philip. More research needs to be done.
Information in Question
On March 1, 1672/73, Philip King, yeoman, and Judith, his wife, sold land to Remember Briggs. This land was in Weymouth. They also sold land to Elizabeth Briggs, widow, and other land in Weymouth on the same day. These land transactions appear in the Suffolk Deeds, 8: 210,211. Four deeds were acknowledged by these grantors on July 21, 1673.
Phillip served as an Ensign in the Militia. He was chosen as a member of a committe at Weymouth on November 27, 1682 to consider the advisability of building a new meeting house. He soon removed to Taunton, MA.
Phillip died in Taunton, MA on December 26, 1710. His will was Probated on May 7, 1711 in Bristol County. His wife survived him.
