Edmund King

  General Notes:

"A History of Chickasaw County Mississippi", by The Chickasaw County Historical and Genealogical Society, 1985, page 417; under King, Thomas Peyton: "Halifax Co., VA records include the establishment of guardianship for Edmund in 1757, naming his mother, Mary A. King, as the executrix of her husband's, Robert King, estate, and indicating that Edmund was born about 1740."
(Note: Other sources have Edmund as the son of William King and Elizabeth Edwards. The above source also has Elizabeth King (m. Darby Henley) as the daughter of Edmund and Miss Beavers. Sources used by Elysse King have her born 5 Apr 1785. If Miss Beavers died before 1770 then she could not have been the mother of Elizabeth. Also we have 9 children listed for Elizabeth born between 1802 (at age 17) and 1823 (at age 38). If we accepted Miss Beavers as her mother she would have been born no later than 1770 which would have made her 53 yrs old when her last child was born. - T.E.King)
Mrs S. E. Godfrey, Jr. (a descendant of Edmund King's daughter Elizabeth King, m. Darby Henley, states in a letter dated 15 Mar 1967 to Elysse King: "We are now working on proof of the marriages of Edmund King of Halifax Co., VA and Franklin Co., GA., who supposedly married (1) Miss Beavers (2) Mary Thomas (3) Elizabeth Woodson Thomas. I have a marriage record from Pittsylvania Co. VA. of his second marriage in 1770 - there should be cemetary records in Halifax or Pittsylvania Cos. of his wives, as all of them died before he moved to GA. (At least we believe so.) However, I haven't been able to find them. I have been told that they(the wives) are buried near Danville, VA." From a letter from Mariam Corinne (King) Murphy to Elysse King in 1967: "Mrs Godfrey and I . . .have found proof that Elizabeth Thomas of Franklin Co., GA. was referred to as "the wife of Edmund King, Sr. deceased late of Halifax Co., VA."
Edmund moved to Franklin County, GA shortly before 1800. His son, Robert, and family (including a very small Thomas Peyton King) later followed.
Notes by Elysse King from "Our Kin", Manning and Manning: Edmund King Sr. was a man of much prominence in his native state; mentioned as commissioned to build a bridge over the Bannister River, appointed vestryman of Antrim Parish, Halifax County, 1762 and referred to as "Gentleman Justice", appointed Processioner in 1768.
The Virginia Assembly of 1661 enacted a law to be carried out every four years. " The Vestry of each Parish shall divide the Parish into so many presincts as they shall think necessary fot the neighbvotrs to joyne and all each others mark trees of every mans land be renewed." It was regarded that boundaries thru times processional were unalturably fixed. Halifax County was formed 1760 and Pittsylvania County was cut off in 1767. Cutting off new counties necessitated a change of courthouse buildings. The original was at Callands but was later moved to County line, then part of Halifax Co. (Bricks from this building are still plowed up from time to time) As this courthouse was so near the county line, the courthouse was moved in 1769 to Faulkners Crossing, about three miles NE of the present Halifax. Halifax County records show that onJan. 29, 1793 Edmund King and Wife deeded 2 acres of land for the courthouse and sold lots round about, some with priviliges of using Kings Spring. (Book 15 Pg. 513) This was near Winn's Creek Church. After the county seat was moved to the present location, he sold on Oct. 23, 1797 to his son-in-law, Adam Toot, his home place, which must be in the same locality.
He was a Captain in the Rev. War (Nat'l No. DAR Sup. Edna Anderson Manning 188,927) He furnished supplies as well as serving in the VA State Militia.
He left for GA having received two land grants of 500 acres each (Nov. 7,1791, Grant Book VVV) and one for 161 acres (Jul. 2, 1816, Grant Book K-5, Dept. of State, Atlanta, GA) These were on the waters of the Oconu, Hudson, and Brood (Broad?) Rivers in Franklin Co., GA., where he moved after his wife's death. He died in 1817. His son Edmund King, Jr. and his son-in-law William Bush were administrators of the estate. His personal property consisted of 17 slaves, 44 hogs, 40 sheep, 24 cows,etc. and amounted to $7,893.75 (appraiser's value).
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26 Feb 1768
EDMUND KING 150 acres on Straitstone Creek for 20,. Witnessed by ROBIN BOWMEN (BOWMER?) and FRANCIS LUCK. Recorded on 26 February, 1768. Description: Adjacent ISAAC ALLEN and ROBERT HANDCOK. Pittsylvania County, Virginia Deed Book 1, Page 87. Lucille C. Payne and Neil G. Payne, Pittsylvania County, Virginia Deed Books 1, 2 and 3, page 11.
Note: This is the same land bought by his father, ROBERT KING, in 1753! Apparently, MARY KING had married WILLIAM COLLINS.
23 May 1780
415 acres on Strait Stone Creek were surveyed for EDMUND KING by JOSHUA STONE, surveyor. Adjacent THOMAS DILLARD, WILLIAM CHICK, said KING former line and JAMES DILLARD. Pittsylvania County Deed Book 5, page 542. T.L.C. Genealogy, Pittsylvania County, Virginia Deeds , 1778-1780 (Deed Book 5 and part of Deed Book 6), page 45. See also Marian Dodson Chiarito, Old Survey Book 1, 1746-1782, Pittsylvania County, Virginia, Page342.
5 Jun 1780
EDMUND KING had a dispute with JOSEPH WEST for the sale of 550 acres on Straightstone Creek (Acreage and sales price in dispute). See naming of Arbitrators WILLIAM POLLARD, JOHN CRADDOCK and EDMUND BUTLER at Pittsylvania County, Virginia Deed Book 6, Page 366; Arbitrators award at Pittsylvania County, Virginia Deed Book 6, Page 364; and deed from EDMUND KING and his wife ELIZABETH KING to JOSEPH WEST for 150 acres at Pittsylvania County, Virginia Deed Book 6, Page 369. Land was adjacent ISAAC ALLEN old line, now WILLIAM CHEEK and HEN[RIC]KSON HASBERT? The deed was witnessed by JOHN VAUGHAN, WILLIAM CHEEK and JOHN PEMBERTON.
19 May
1785 MOSES TERRY sold to KEEBLE TERRY 100 acres on south side of Banister River and on little Polecat Creek for 150,. Witnessed by none. Recorded on 19 May, 1785. Description: Bounded by JOHN EPPS, CAPT. EDMUND KING and HENRY TERRY. Halifax County, Virginia Deed Book 13, Page 173. T.L.C. Genealogy, Halifax County, Virginia Deeds 1784-1790, Page 22.
31 Jan
1785 JOHN BORAM and his wife CATHARINE BORAM sold to EDMUND KING 400 acres on both sides of little Pole Cat Creek for 800,. Witnessed by DANIEL PARKER, MOSES HENDRICK, BEVERLY BORUM and WILLIAM ECHOLS. Recorded on 16 June, 1785. Description: Being the land and plantation whereon said JOHN BORAM formerly lived, bounded by WALL, BURK, BARROT and ECHOLS. Halifax County, Virginia Deed Book 13, Page 211. T.L.C. Genealogy, Halifax County, Virginia Deeds 1784-1790, Page 26.
2 Dec 1784
WILLIAM THOMAS of Pittsylvania County gave bond for title to EDMUND KING in the amount of 5,000, to warrant his conveyance of his claim to the slaves of GEORGE THOMAS, deceased, to wit, TOM, ARTHUR, BEN and JACOB. Witnessed by JAMES SANDERS and ASA THOMAS. Recorded on 18 August, 1785. Halifax County, Virginia Deed Book 13, Page 256. T.L.C. Genealogy, Halifax County, Virginia Deeds 1784-1790, Page 31.
Note: EDMUND KING married MARY THOMAS on 23 August,1770, in Pittsylvania County. MARY signed her own consent.
2 Dec 1784
EDMUND KING gave bond for title to WILLIAM THOMAS of Pittsylvania County in the amount of 5,000, to warrant his conveyance of his claim to the slaves of GEORGE THOMAS, deceased, to wit, AMEY, JAM, PATSEY, CRESEY and ISAM. Witnessed by JAMES SANDERS and ASA THOMAS. Recorded on 18 August, 1785. Halifax County, Virginia Deed Book 13, Page 300. T.L.C. Genealogy, Halifax County, Virginia Deeds 1784-1790, Page 35.
Note: EDMUND KING married MARY THOMAS on 23 August,1770, in Pittsylvania County. MARY signed her own consent.
19 May 1786
EDMUND KING posted a bond. Halifax County, Virginia Deed Book 13, Page 418. T.L.C. Genealogy, Halifax County, Virginia Deeds 1784-1790, Page 46.
15 Jun 1786
EDMUND KING posted a bond, subject to him completing building a bridge across the Banister River. Halifax County, Virginia Deed Book 13, Page 424. T.L.C. Genealogy, Halifax County, Virginia Deeds 1784-1790, Page 47.
19 May 1786
EDMUND KING posted four bonds. Halifax County, Virginia Deed Book 13, Pages 455, 456, 457 and 458. T.L.C. Genealogy, Halifax County, Virginia Deeds 1784-1790, Pages 53-54.
21 Sep 1786
HENRY DILLING and EDMUND KING of Halifax County and WILLIAM THOMAS of Pittsylvania County sold to JOSEPH ECHOLS 4 tracts containing 800 acres on Stanton River near Long Island Sluce for 820,. Witnessed by none. Recorded on 21 September, 1786. Description: Bounded by said JOSEPH ECHOLS, JOHN BARBER, JONADAB GEORGE, JONES, JOHN WORD, LUCK and HENRY DILLING. Halifax County, Virginia Deed Book 13, Page 485. T.L.C. Genealogy, Halifax County, Virginia Deeds 1784-1790, Page 58.
15 Jun 1786
EDMUND KING posted a bond, subject to him completing building a bridge across the Banister River. Halifax County, Virginia Deed Book 14, Page 83. T.L.C. Genealogy, Halifax County, Virginia Deeds 1784-1790, Page 74.
10 Mar 1788
EDMUND KING and others, as Vestryman of Antrim Parish conveyed the glebe land on Difficult Creek. Halifax County, Virginia Deed Book 14, Page 298. T.L.C. Genealogy, Halifax County, Virginia Deeds 1784-1790, Page 108.
14 Jul 1789
WILLIAM THOMPSON sold to EDMUND KING and others, as Vestryman of Antrim Parish 337 acres on Difficult Creek. Halifax County, Virginia Deed Book 14, Page 650. T.L.C. Genealogy, Halifax County, Virginia Deeds 1784-1790, Page 155.

  Notes and Events:

• Residence. Franklin Co., GA; Warren Co., GA; Wilkes Co., GA; Halifax Co., VA

• Military: Roll of Capt. William Christian's Company of Militia from 6 April until 6 Sept. 1764. (2QQ52-55), Sep 1764, Virginia. Edmund King (in service 141 days)

• Note: Court Records: Mary & Edmund King vs William Thomas, 1771, Pittsylvania Co., VA. ³⁹ Sep 1771 - Mary & Edmund King brought suit against William Thomas over settlement of estate of George Thomas. This case is continued 25 Mar 1773, then there is no more action recorded until 17 Sep 1779.

Pittsylvania Co VA Deed Books p.145: DB 3, p.243
19 Oct 1772 James HARRISON and John HARRISON of Surry Co NC to William THOMAS, administrator and heir at Law to George THOMAS, Decd of Pitts in VA 105# 400 A ...at Collings corner ...Cross a branch ...crossing said Creek. Signed: James Harrison, John Harrison. Wit: Anthony Hampton, Jos. Spearpoint, Wade Hampton. Cert. 26 Nov 1773 [prob should have been 1772]; Rec. 27 May 1773

Pittsylvania Co VA Deed Books p.131: DB 3, p.148
8 Feb 1773 I Sarah HARRISON do hereby Release disclaim and Surrender all Claims, Titles, intries or Right, or entry to William THOMAS in and for a certain Tract of land in Pitts ...400 A on a Creek. Signed: Sarah Harrison. Wit: Isaac Read, Francis Barnes, Charles Swillevant, R Williams. (No recording date)

Aug 1782 Pittsy CR 4, p.420 Account Current of Estate of George Thomas dec'd returned & ordered recorded.

18 Sep 1782 Pittsy CR 4, p.434 Court Case of King vs. William Thomas. Court decreed slaves & moveable estate be delivered to Edmund & Mary King but Thomas appealed.

19 Aug 1783 Pittsy CR 5, p.14 Court Case of King vs. William Thomas. Jury trial to be held May, 1784.

Pittsy DB 7, p.258
17 Apr 1784 William Thomas to Nath'l Thomas for love & affection [Did it say "son"?] 216 Acres ...begin at Byrd's corner white oak on Country Line. 320 Acres patented 22 Mar 1775 adj the first tract on branches of the Dan River begin at James Glasby's corner, adj Cargill, Glasby, Jno Owens. 112 Acres adj the other two, purchased from Samuel C. Harris on Cane Crk ...in Halifax records. Rec. 19 Apr 1784.
[Both the 216 Acre tract and the 112 Acre tract belonged to George Thomas. See the Deed from Wm Byrd on 16 May 1765 and the deed from Samuel Harris 19 Mar 1761. Haven't found the 320 acres, nor any tract patented 22 Mar 1775.]

Pittsy CR 5, p.83
17 May 1784 Court Case of King vs. William Thomas. Trial. Depositions by Francis Shackelford, James Sounders (Sanders?), Ann Gill, James Gill, William Ramey, Elenor Bingham. Found in favor of King but Thomas again appealed which was granted.

1785 Hx P 11, p.196 Suit of William Thomas vs. Edmund King dismissed
[Why was William suing Edmund King? Why dismissed? What was the final outcome of the above appeal? Did Mary die and both parties lost interest? See notes on Thomas - it seems most likely Mary died and Edmund King & William Thomas settled their differences, primarily regarding the slaves of George Thomas.]

George THOMAS and Mary ?WOODSON were married. Mary ?WOODSON died by Sep 1786. 21 Sep 1786 Halifax DB 13, p.485
Deed of Edmund King has dower release from wife Elizabeth.

• American Revolution Note, 1977, Virginia. King, Capt. Edmund, military records for 1 Drum and 2 Halberts for his Comp'y Militia. He furnished supplies as well as serving in the VA State Militia. (Capt. Miles King and Col. Henry King on same short paymaster's receipt sheet)
[Virginia Military Records, Appendix: State-Wide and Miscellaneous Records, Page 482]

• Deed, 5 Jun 1780. EDMUND KING had a dispute with JOSEPH WEST for the sale of 550 acres on Straightstone Creek (Acreage and sales price in dispute). See naming of Arbitrators WILLIAM POLLARD, JOHN CRADDOCK and EDMUND BUTLER at Pittsylvania County, Virginia Deed Book 6, Page 366; Arbitrators award at Pittsylvania County, Virginia Deed Book 6, Page 364; and deed from EDMUND KING and his wife ELIZABETH KING to JOSEPH WEST for 150 acres at Pittsylvania County, Virginia Deed Book 6, Page 369. Land was adjacent ISAAC ALLEN old line, now WILLIAM CHEEK and HEN[RIC]KSON HASBERT? The deed was witnessed by JOHN VAUGHAN, WILLIAM CHEEK and JOHN PEMBERTON.

• Census: State Census, 1782, Halifax County, VA. Age ranges in household: 07-10

• Note: More Court Records: Mary & Edmund King vs William Thomas, 1784, Pittsylvania Co., VA. ³⁹ William had a brother George whose widow Mary [traditionally Mary Woodson] married Edmund King. Here is a summary from May term, 1784 of the Pittsylvania Co Court:
George Thomas supposedly wrote a will 2 Apr 1770 - William may even have written it for him.
Mary & Edmund King first brought their petition in Sep of 1771 claiming that after the death of George, William Thomas, unknown to Mary, had applied to the court for administration declaring that George died intestate. So in the space of less than 18 months, George died, Mary remarried, William was appointed by the court to be the administrator of his brother George. One of the witnesses will later testify that Mary had been to court to give up the admin of her husbands estate to William - directly in opposition to Mary's original petition that she didn't know when William asked for the administration. [Perhaps there's more about this in probate records - would be in 1770/1771.]
Throughout 1772, the case is continued because William Thomas fails to show up in court with answer against the complaint. [Typical legal maneuvering even today - stalling tactic. Maybe Mary & Ed will give up or die off.] There's a gap in dates from 25 Mar 1773 to 17 Sept 1779. This would be partially during the Revolution and the Court simply may not have met for some of this time or some of the records are missing, maybe part of both. Maybe William and Ed both off with the militia.
In 1779, William did concede that George did die at the time proposed and his brother's widow remarried but there was no Will that would be agreeable to law. [Something about the will is not consistent with the Law - there weren't the proper witnesses, etc.]
On 18 Sep 1782, the court decreed that the Negroes and moveable estate be delivered to Edmund & Mary. William immediately appealed which would have halted any such delivery.
THEN, the next entry says 19 Aug 1773 ...this is so far out of date sequence that I'm assuming it's either a typo or even an error by the Court Clerk. At any rate, this appeal produced the right to a jury trial in May of 1784 which seems consistent with a date of 1783.
17 May 1784 - The Trial. Among the depositions is one by James Sounders, I think this may be James Saunders/Sanders as I've seen his name before in connection with the family.
Other depositions in writing by Frances Shackelford, Ann Gill, James Gill, & William Ramey. Elenor Bingham gave her testimony that the widow of George Thomas had been to court to give up administration of her husband's estate to William Thomas and on returning home...declared she was well satisfied with what she had of her husband's estate ...believed the will of George Thomas was of no account.
The jury did decide that the Will was legal BUT the court was of the opinion that the legality of the evidence was insufficient and William was granted an appeal. I'm guessing something to do with the depositions from residents of North Carolina rather than in VA.

There has been confusion over whether or not there was a George Thomas Sr, father to William and George. This probably comes from a July 1770 Court Order in Pittsylvania that says "Ordered that William Thomas, Son and Heir at Law of George Thomas deceased and the widow of the said George be summoned to appear here at the next Court to take upon them the Administration of the Estate of the said George, if to them or either of them it shall seem expedient." The word "Son" is obviously an error on the part of the court scribe or a lawyer - but has created conflict nevertheless.

• Census, 1790, Franklin Co., GA.

• Note, 1793, Halifax County, VA. John Boram sold 400 acres to Edmund King on January 31, 1785, for 800 pounds, "it being the land and manor plantation whereon the said John Boram formerly lived." It was from Edmund King and his wife Elizabeth that the county, on January 20, 1793, purchased, for the sum of four pounds, "two, acres, the same more or less, with all and singular the premises thereunto belonging ... with all the appurtenances for the use of Halifax County, being the land whereon the public county buildings do now stand."

• Moved: From Halifax County, VA, 1798, Franklin Co., GA.

• Deed: Georgia Pioneers vol.7, 21 Oct 1799. p. 259 - Oct 21, 1799 - Edmund King and wife Elizabeth, of Franklin Co., to John Ramsey, of Wilkes Co., land on Cedar Creek, Jackson Co. Test: William Fling, William W. Walker, J. P.

• Deed: Records Halifax Co. Va indicate they sold home place 1804 and moved elsewhere., 1804, Halifax County, VA. Apparently Edmund returned from his new home in Georgia to Halifax County in Virginia to sell the old homestead.

Edmund married Ann Beavers in 1764-1765 in Halifax County, VA. (Ann Beavers died before 1770 in Halifax County, VA.)

  Marriage Notes and Events:

• Marriage Note. Evidence of this marriage is given in a note for grandson Thomas Peyton King, the son of Robert King and Sarah Lacy.

Edmund next married Mary Woodson.

  Marriage Notes and Events:

• Source Note. per Marriages of Virginia Residents Vol II, Part I, Surnames K-L, Page 98

Edmund next married Elizabeth Woodson about 1773 in Halifax County, VA. (Elizabeth Woodson was born in 1750 in Halifax County, VA and died about 1800 in Franklin Co., GA.)

Edmund next married Elizabeth (widow Williamson) Thomas in 1800-1808 in Franklin Co., GA. (Elizabeth (widow Williamson) Thomas died before 10 Dec 1818 in Franklin Co., GA.)