FOURTH GENERATION

4. Francis (I) King ⁽⁸⁾ died before 7 May 1753 in New Castle County, Delaware. He was baptized 8 Nov 1676 (="new style" 18 Nov167 in Saint Anna ter Muiden in Zeeland Province of the Netherlands. He was born in Netherlands. .
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The following biography was copied from pages 262--264, 268-269 & 274-275 of the book "History of the KING FAMILY in Flanders & America 1300's - 1980 ---- The Ancestry & Descendants of Pieter de Coninck II (aka Peter King II) & his wife Anna Calet, Immigrants to New Castle County, Delaware by 1680/81. (including connecting families of Hanson, Haughey, Lamb, Laurence, McClaren, EcEwen, Skeer, Sweesy, Vandegrift, Westfall and others)" by Robert E. King and Doris R. (Van Dusen)Jones.

QUOTE pages 262-264
CHAPTER 11
Francis King (1676-1753)
15 Francis King was a son of Peter King II and his wife Anna Calet, the immigrants to America. Francis was born in The Netherlands less than 3 years before the family came to the New World settling in northern Delaware by 1681. Baptismal records of the Reformed Dutch Church at the village of Sint Anna ter Muiden in Zeeland Province of The Netherlands give his baptism on 8 Nov 1676 as follows: Francois--the child of Pieter de Coning and Anna Colet." Witnesses present at the baptism were Joris Goverts and Elizabeth Verstraat (a copy of the original record is shown As ILLUSTRAT1ON #4 at the end of CHAPTER 1). Francis King's actual date of birth would have been a few days prior to this. Subsequently, Francis King died prior to 7 May 1753 when a copy of his will was recorded on that date in New Castle County, Delaware. His will was written 31 Aug 1745 and will be quoted in a later section in this chapter.

THE EARLY LIFE OF FRANCIS KING
Francis King apparently was named for his maternal Grandfather (Francois Calet) and/or his paternal Great-Grandfather (Francois de Coninck). While both had died before his birth, being their namesake Francis King probably was told about them. Also as, a younger child of Peter King II and Anna Calet, Francois King would have remembered little, if anything, about the ship voyage to America in 1679. Again his knowledge of this fateful move would have come later from his parents. Undoubtedly, as a small child less than 3 years of age, being confined for six to twelve weeks on a ship under the watchful eyes of his parents would have been frustrating. Equally, his later childhood spent in the religious colony of the Labadists at the Bohemia Manor in Cecil County, Maryland also must have seemed confining (see CHAPTER 2 for data on the beliefs and practices of Labadism). Perhaps it was a relief to him when the family abandoned the Labadist settlement when he was a teen-ager (or younger) in favor of living in nearby New Castle County, Delaware. Their settlement north of present-day Odessa, Delaware by the mid-1690's was the area where Francis King spent the rest of his life.
With the death of his father in 1695, and the remarriage of his Mother the following year to Marinus De Witt, Francis King came under the influence of a step-father. Yet this relationship apparently was an agreeable one for Francis as he subsequently honored his step-father by naming his first child for him ("Marinus King") using his real father's name for a younger son. Had relations with his step-father been less than cordial, it is unlikely that Francis would have done this. Indeed, it is likely that Marinus De Witt had been a family friend for several years and perhaps had also lived at the Labadist colony in Cecil County, Maryland (see CHAPTER 2 or more information on De Witt). Accordingly, when Francis King's mother married him in 1696, it was probably a welcomed event. (Note: During this period it was customary and expected that all but the oldest widowed people would remarry--being particularly true for women who might not have any economic means to live alone.)
Prior to 14 May 1705, there are no known records in America pertaining to Francis King. It is only on this latter date that Francis King (listed as "Francois Koning") is first mentioned in New Castle County, Delaware records. On that day, Francis witnessed 3 deeds from Alexander Adams "of Appoquinimink Creek" (near Odessa, Delaware) for land being sold to Francis' 3 brothers, Cornelius, Jacob, and Peter King III (noted in New Castle Co., Del. Deed Book B-l, pp. 309, 306, & 303, respectively). The deeds were for adjacent tracts of land on Appoquinimink Creek and Drawyer's creek (the latter being a small northern branch Of Appoquinimink Creek). This land was in the area north of present-day Odessa, Delaware with the land later called "Lackford Hal1" (see ILLUSTRATIONS #7 & #8).
Francis King's use of the older Dutch version of his name ("Francois Koning") on these deeds is interesting in light of his 3 brothers' use Of the English equivalents of their names on the same documents. This mixing of both English and Old World spellings of the same name is probably one result of the diverse cultural atmosphere of northern Delaware at this period. Both English and Dutch peoples were settling in large numbers in New Castle County, Delaware in the late 1600's and early 1700's, while earlier many Swedes, Finns, and other Europeans had settled in this region. This resulted in a constant mixture of their cultures. Yet as the English held legal control over the region after 1667, Dutch people and others were required to have they legal documents (deeds, wills, etc.) written in English--with English names frequently substituted for non-English ones. This was particularly true for those persons directly involved in a legal document (such as the buyer or seller of land), while witnesses to such transactions might retain the "Old World" spellings of their names. Thus, this theory would explain the 1705 deeds' listing of the 3 King brothers by the English versions of their names while their other brother Francis, as a witness, used his "real" Dutch name. (Similarly, this same line of reasoning would explain why their father Peter King II was called "Peter King" in a court record concerning his estate, while otherwise there is no record of him except those using his real Dutch name.) Subsequently, there are no other known records of Francis King using his "real" Dutch name.
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QUOTE pages 268 -269

THE 2 WIVES OF FRANCIS KING
Francis King was married twice and had 9 children to live to adulthood, His first marriage occurred perhaps two or more years prior to 24 Jan 1716 as on that date he was listed by Charles Ford in his will which follows:
"I Charles Ford of St. Georges in the County of New Castle Labourer at this time in Good and perfect memory Thro ye mercy of God do make this my Last will and testament in manner following that is to say
Aleky Eyky ye Daughter of Adam Eyky of Swanwick near New Castle in the County afores Six pounds Current money of Pensilvania also a Chest to ye Same
To Hannah King Daughter of Francis King of the place afores my biggest mare
To Marinus King son to Francis King afores my other mare
To Grace Whittaker servt to Francis King afores three pounds
.
To Francis King afores ye Remainder of my Efects Goods Bonds money ye after my funeral Charges Sickness Charges & Small Debts I have be discharged I do appoint my Good Friend Francis King afores to be my whole & sole Executor of this my Last Will and testament
Signed Sealed & his
Declared January ye 24th 1716 Charles X Ford
mark
Witness
Floren Soreney
Wm Graves
Cliff Stanly"
.
This will was subsequently presented for probate on 20 Feb 1716 to the New Castle County, Delaware Court (a copy of it is in the New Castle County Courthouse). While it may be tempting to read into this will that Charles Ford was "related" to Marinus King's lst wife, this is a speculation. If Ford had been the father-in-law or even brother-in-law of Francis King, it is odd (indeed, unfortuante) that this fact was not mentioned in his will. Other Delaware wills of this period frequently mention "sons-in-law". and "brothers-in-law" so that there was no particular cultural reason why Ford might have left out his re1ationship (if any) to Francis King and his family. Thus the speculation that Francis King "married a Miss Ford" who was a daughter or sister of Charles Ford must remain a theory. And indeed, there is an alternate theory for the 1st wife of Francis King.
This alternate theory is based on a deed written in Bucks County, Pennsylvania on 7 Dec 1743 (in Bucks Co., Pa. Deed Book, pp. 80-82). It involved the sale of a tract of land formerly owned by Leonard Vandegrift who had died about 1725 leaving no will (see the VANDEGRIFT APPENDIX for data on him and his wife Christina Elsworth). Included in the deed were the names of 17 "heirs" of Leonard Vandegrift with these 17 identified only as "Children & Grandchildren" along with their spouses. Unfortunately, the deed does not specifically tell how each person was related to Leonard. These people were listed in the deed as follows:

"NOW KNOW YE That they the sd. Jacob Vandegrift Cornelius King
Katherine King William Williams & Christian his Wife Francis King &
Christian his Wife Francis Crewson and Elizabeth his Wife Albert
Vansant Leonard Vandegrift & Mary his Wife Jacob Vandegrift & Mary
his Wife John Lea & Hannah his Wife Sarah Vandegrift and Jacob
Haughhead & Hannah his Wife (They being the Children & Grandchildren
of the afores. Leonard Vandegrift deceased)....

In the above, Francis King and his 2nd wife Christian are named along with his brother Cornelius King's children by his 1st wife (see CHAPTER 7). This deed has been interpreted by some that Francis King's wife Christian was a daughter of Leonard Vandegrift (thus being a sister to Anna Vandegrift who married Cornelius King in 1715). Almost certainly this was the case as subsequent probate records of Christian King's will in 1778 (noted later in this chapter) include the notation that she was an "aunt" to Leonard Vandegrift (he is listed in the VANDEGRIFT APPENDIX under entry number #V411 -- he was a grandson of Leonard Vandegrift who died ca. 1725.)

A closer examination of this same deed dated 7 Dec 1743 also provides possible evidence for the identity of the 1st wife of Francis King. She also may have been a daughter of Leonard Vandegrift and his wife Christina Elsworth. The basis for this "second theory' centers on the following interpretation of two other people mentioned in the deed, namely "Jacob Haughhead & Hannah his Wife." For reasons given more fully in CHAPTER 45, Francis King's oldest daughter Hannah (or Johannah) is thought to have married a Mr. Haughey. This rather unusual surname (probably Irish) is found with several spellings including "Haughawout," which like "Haughey" can be pronounced to rhyme with the name "Joey." Similarly, the name "Haughhead" can be pronounced to rhyme with "Joey" if a quasi-French pronunciation is used (thus not sounding the final "d"). "Haughhead" thus becomes one more alternate spelling of the name Haughey. Conceivably, "Hannah Haughhead" could be Hannah (King) Haughey, the daughter of Francis King and his 1st wife. This "1st wife" then, by implication, would have been another daughter of Leonard Vandegrift and his wife Christina Elsworth. In light of the frequent custom during this period of marrying a sister of a deceased wife (or brother or a deceased husband), the theory that both of Francis King's wives were Vandegrifts seems quite possible. Perhaps proof will emerge in the future to settle this question.
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QUOTE pages 274-275
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From the above given deed and prior-noted data, it is apparent that the 9 children of Francis King were by 2 wives with the oldest 2 children, Marinus and Hannah (Johannah) King, by his 1st wife. Francis King's 2nd wife Christian (Vandegrift) King is presumed to be the mother of the 7 younger children. These 9 children follow:

151 Marinus King b: prior to 24 Jan 1716, d. prior to 18 NOV 1747. He married a Miss Williams and had 3 children. Further information on him and his descendants is found in CHAPTER 12.
152 Johannah King ("Hannah") b. prior to 24 Jan 1716, d. after 27 Apr 1776. She apparently married either Robert or Jacob Haughey and had at least 3 children. Further information on them, and their descendants is found in CHAPTER 45.
153 Francis King II b.' ca. 1720's, d. prior to 9 Dec 1794 apparently in New Castle, Co., Del. He married Ann --- and had 4 children. Further information on them and their descendents is found in CHAPTER 46.
154 Leonard King b. ca. 1720'5, d. prior to 13 Nov 1786 when administration proceedings were started on his estate in New Castle Co., Del. (New Castle Co., Del. Will Book M-1, p. 266). His cousin (#123,3) William Williams was granted the letters of administration to his estate after Leonard's widow Catherine declined the task. Her maiden surname is unknown and it is also unknown if they had children.
On 28 Aug 1784, a New Castle Co., Del. deed (Deed Book H-2, p. 199) gives the following information. It records that Leonard King & his wife Catherine of St. Georges Hundred were owners of a tract of land formerly owned by his father Francis King who had gotten it by deed, on 15 Nov 1720 from Christopher Wilson, John Wilson, Edward Jones & his wife, Mary. The land consisted of 33 acres located in St. Georges Hundred in New Castle Co., Del. Further, the 28 Aug 1784 document went on to record that Leonard & Catherine King released their claim to his brother Francis King II of any right they have to land bought from Robert Haughey on the north side of Second Drawyer's creek on 5 May 1772. On 17 Aug 1778, Leonard King signed an oath of allegiance to the American Revolutionary War Cause--quoted in CHAPTER 47.
155 Peter King b. ca. 1720's, d. prior to 21 May 1805) when his will was probated in New Castle Co., Del. He married Elizabeth Scott and had4 children. Further information on them and their descendants is found in CHAPTER 49.
156 Christian King b. ca. 1720's, d. prior to 27 April 1776 when she was listed as a deceased daughter of Francis King in the deed (quoted earlier) of that date. Christian married 7 March 1748 in New castle Co., Del. (marriage record is in the Hall of Records in Dover, Del.) to Evan Evans. He later died prior to l9 Jan 1768 when administration was begun on his estate in New Castle Co., Del. by Leonard King and Benjamin Evans (perhaps a brother to Evan) who valued his estate at 173 pounds, 11 shillings, & 1/2 pence (New Castle Co. Del. Orphan Court Record Book D-l, p. 193). Later on 17 Aug 1769, Benjamin Evans had died and Leonard King reported that 51 pounds, 19 shillings, & 8 3/4 pence was in Evan Evans' estate to be distributed according to law. (New Castle Co., Del. Orphan Court Record Book D-l, p. 241).
Christian King and Evan Evans had 3 children as noted on the 27 April 1776 deed. These included a daughter and a son whose names were not specifically given on the deed, with the daughter reported to have died without children. The 3rd child was Benjamin Evans who was under the age of 14 years on 16 Apr 1771 when, on that date Leonard King was appointed to be his guardian (New Castle Co., Del. Orphan Court Record Book D-l, pp; 298 & 308). Subsequently, Benjamin died prior to 4 Nov 1786 in Cumberland Co., Pa. with copies of his will written on 2 Dec 1785 filed both in New Castle Co., Del. and in Centre Co., Pa. (Centre Co. was created in 1800 partly from Cumberland Co., Pa.) Benjamin Evans in his will left property to (#151,34) Benjamin King, son of his 1st cousin (#151,3) William King (see CHAPTER 13). Also mentioned in Benjamin's will was a cousin Caleb Evans with William King named as his executor. Apparently Benjamin Evans never married, and since he did not mention his (unknown) brother, it is assumed that he also died without a family. Thus Christian (King) Evans apparently had no grandchildren.
157 Catherine King b. ca. 1730's, d. prior to 22 May 1799 when her will was probated in New Castle Co., Del. She married John Hyatt and had 6 children. Further information on them and their descendants is found in CHAPTER 52.
158 Rebecca King b. ca. 1738, d. 17 Aug 1803 in New Castle Co., De1. She married her cousin Christopher Vandegrift and had 4 children. Further information on them and their descendants is found in CHAPTER 53.
159 Ann King b. ca. 1742, d. 20 May 1793 in New Castle Co., Del. She married her cousin Lewis Vandegrift (a brother to Rebecca's husband) and had 3 children. Further information on them and their descendants is found in CHAPTER 58.
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He was married to Christian Vandegrift. Francis (I) King and Christian Vandegrift had the following children:

+5 i. Francis (II) King.
6 ii. Leonard King was born about 1720. He died prior 13 Nov 1786 in New Castle County, Delaware.
7 iii. Peter King was born about 1720. He died before 21 May 1805 in New Castle County, Delaware (prob).
8 iv. Christian King was born about 1720. She died befoer 27 April 1776 in New Castle County, Delaware (prob).
9 v. Catherine King was born about 1730. She died before 22 May 1799 in New Castle County, Delaware.
10 vi. Rebeca King was born about 1738. She died on 17 Aug 1803 in New Castle County, Delaware.
11 vii. Ann King was born about 1742. She died on 20 May 1793 in New Castle County, Delaware.

He was married to (Wife #1) Ford or Vandegrift before 1716. Francis (I) King and (Wife #1) Ford or Vandegrift had the following children:

12 i. Marinus King was born before 24 Jan 1716. He died before 18 Nov 1747 in New Castle County, Delaware (prob).
13 ii. Johannah (Hannah) King was born before 24 Jan 1716. She died after 27 Apr 1776.