William Cutfield King (1828 - 1861)

Born 29 Feb 1828 in Holsworthy, Devon, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Eliza Mary (Richardson) King — married 1855 in New Zealand

Descendants

Died 8 Feb 1861 at age 32 in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand

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Biography

William King is Notable.

William, son of Henry King & Mary Ann, was baptised on 29 February 1828 in Holsworthy, Devon, England.^[1]

He arrived in New Zealand on the Amelia Thompson in 1841 with his parents.

William Cutfield King and Thomas King (no relation) contested the Grey and Bell electorate in the 1860 election. On nomination day, the contestants addressed the electors and at the end of the meeting, the returning officer requested a show of hands, which was declared to be in favour of Thomas King. Consequently, W. C. King requested an election, which was held on Tuesday, 27 November 1860. W. C. King and T. King received 93 and 34 votes, respectively, and William Cutfield King was thus duly elected to represent the electorate in the 3rd New Zealand Parliament. He was killed before the first session of parliament.

On 8 February 1861, he was shot by Ngāti Ruanui after reaching his farm on the outskirts of New Plymouth. He tried to flee, but his horse had also been wounded. He could not escape in time and was killed by further shots fired at close range.

King was 32 years old when he died, and was survived by his wife, Mrs E. M. King, and two daughters.

William was mentioned in a Wikipedia entry.^[2]

Research Notes

His wife was an author and feminist activist in her own right^[3].

Sources

1. ↑ Baptism: "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975"
   citing Digital film/folder number: 007906962; FHL microfilm: 917146
   FamilySearch Record: N59P-V3T (accessed 21 February 2024)
   William Catfield King baptism on 29 Feb 1828, son of Henry King & Mary Ann, in Holsworthy, Devon, England, United Kingdom.
2. ↑ Wikipedia entry: Wikipedia contributors, "William Cutfield King"
   Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (accessed 21 February 2024)
3. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._M._King

• New Zealand Births, Deaths & Marriages Online (Digital Database), Department of Internal Affairs Birth Marriage Death Registration.
  • NZBDM MARRIAGE:1855/1348 Eliza Mary Richardson to William Cutfield King
  • NZBDM DEATH:1861/2577 King William Cutfield 32Y