William James King (1823 - 1863)

Born 18 Dec 1823 in Belton, Anderson, South Carolina, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Jane Caroline (Newell) King — married 1850 in Abbeville, Abbeville, South Carolina, United States

Descendants

Died 23 Aug 1863 at age 39 in Richmond, Virginia, United States

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Biography

William James King was born 18 Dec. 1823 in Anderson, S.C. He was 5'9 " tall, had a dark complexion, gray eyes, black hair and by occupation, a farmer. His wife was Jane Caroline Newell whom he married in 1850. William and Jane were the parents of four children: Anna Elizabeth King-25637, James David King-15581, Mary Martha Emma King-15587 and William Thompson King-15589. Her parents were William Thompson and Mary Strawhorn Newell. The William Kings lived in Belton, Anderson County, on a large farm with their four children.

The following is a portion of an essay written by Mary Helen King while she was in school about her great-grandparents:

...Later he married Jane Caroline Newell, also of Abbeville County. From this it shows that transportation at that time was not any too good. Mr. and Mrs. W.J. King entertained a great deal. The ladies' evening dresses (if you would call them that!) were usually very high-necked, and they touched the floor in length.It was very improper to show one's ankle in those days. The style of hair was such that it was parted in the middle, slicked back on the sides with a ball in the back. Since everyone wore their hair in this fashion, it was just too bad for those the style didn’t suit. Usually these dances were well chaperoned by older people, so it was impossible for lovers to be alone. I guess our great-grandparents would be shocked at us today!

On the plantation, my aunt, who was my chief source of information, said she, as a little girl, remembered some of the tenant houses. At this time, only the old negro slaves lived in them. As well as she could remember, there was no conflict between master and slave. Their master was especially good to them, and there seemed to be harmony between the two.

William J. King volunteered for the confederate service in 1861, soon after the beginning of the Civil War, for a period of three years. He enlisted on 20 July 1861 at Camp Pickens, Sandy Springs, S.C. He was in Company "K", Orr's 1st Rifles, Capt. George Cox's Company, 11th Regiment. The unit was organized at Sandy Springs, Anderson County, S.C, July 1861 with recruits from the counties of Anderson, Abbeville, Pickens and Marion.

Col. Orr, after having formed the regiment, and bestowing upon it his name, was induced to retire from the army to serve in the Confederate Congress. Col. Orr was a far-seeing man and a shrewd politician. He was opposed to secession, fought it with all his strength until it was an accomplished fact, then he is said to have remarked to a group of his hot-headed friends:"Well, boys, you are headed for hell, but if you are determined to go, I'll go with you."

The unit was first stationed at Sullivan's Island. It was called "The Pound Cake Regiment" because of its light duty. In April of 1862 the regiment was assigned to the Generals Gregg and McGowan's Brigade. The regiment fought in "Seven Days" battles to "Cold Harbor;" endured the hardships of trenches in Petersburg, VA and the Appomattox operation. Of 537 men engaged at "Gaines Mill," 59 were killed, wounded, or missing. The unit suffered 116 casualties at 2nd Manassas, 170 at Fredericksburg. Out of 223 men at Chancellarsville, 59 were lost. Of 366 men at Gettysburg, PA, 3 were lost. They fought at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Deep Bottom, and Poplar Springs Church. The unit surrendered 9 officers and 148 men at the war's end.

William was wounded and died at the General Hospital at Howard's Grove, Richmond, VA. He was buried at the Oakwood National Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.

NOTE: Prior to 1990, William James King's grave site was unknown to the family because of numerous William Kings having fought in the war. The note discovered in the daguerreotype provided the vital key- stating that he had been in Capt. George Cox's company. Research by Frank King and J. William Rogers II indicated that he was buried in the Oakwood National Cemetery, 3101 Nine Mile Rd. (Rt.33), Richmond, VA. in a section reserved for South Carolina Confederate casualties. The Seneca office of the United Daughters of the Confederacy was helpful in finding his grave. A ledger in the cemetery’s administration office has a listing of soldiers by name, unit assignment, state, grave number, row number, and division. A visit to the cemetery was very disappointing as no headstone marker was over his grave, only a granite square stone. A ledger in the administration building listed the grave location. A bronze marker was acquired from the Veterans Administration, Washington, D.C. and was placed over Pvt. William J. King, Confederate States Army, in the Richmond, VA cemetery. In Abbeville, at the Long Cane Cemetery, a new headstone was placed next to Jane’s grave. It reads: "In memory of Pvt. William J. King, husband of Jane C. King, died at age 40 on August 23, 1863 in the service of C.S.A., Capt. George Cox’s Company, Orr’s Rifle Regiment. 'To Wm. King- When these you see remember me, tho many a mile apart we be. J.C.K.' “Jane’s words are literally cast in stone, and thus a bit of history preserved.

Private William King served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: July 20, 1861
Mustered out: August 23, 1863
Side: CSA
Regiment(s): 11th Regiment; Orr's 1st Rifle Regiment "K"

Birth

Birth:

User ID: 5470AAAFC3C93E845B4B52FD9475D26B

Record ID Number: MH:IF251

Date: ABT 1828

Place:  ?, Anderson, SC

Record ID Number

Record ID Number: MH:I163

User ID

User ID: 5470AAAFC3CBAE847B4B52FD9475D26B

Occupation

Occupation: Farmer

User ID: 5470AAAFC3CA8E846B4B52FD9475D26B

Record ID Number: MH:IF252

Sources

• 1860 United States Federal Census; Birth date: abt 1828 Birth place: Residence date: 1860 Residence place: Regiment 4, Anderson, South Carolina, United States; Detail: Year: 1860; Census Place: Regiment 4, Anderson, South Carolina; Roll: ; Page: 186; Image: 376.; Source Information: Title: 1860 United States Federal Census; Author: Ancestry.com; Publisher: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.Original data - 1860 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M653, 1,438 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records; Repository Information: Ancestry.com; Address: http://www.Ancestry.com.
• South Carolina Marriages, 1641-1965; Marriage date: 1774-1890 Marriage place: Abbeville, South Carolina; Source Information: South Carolina Marriages, 1641-1965; Author: Hunting For Bears, comp.; Publisher: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.Original data - South Carolina marriage information taken from various sources. Repository Information: Ancestry.com; http://www.Ancestry.com
• U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865; Author: National Park Service; Publisher: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007.Original data - National Park Service, Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, online <https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/>, acquired 2007.Original data: National Park Service, Civil War; Repository Information: Name: Ancestry.com; Address: http://www.Ancestry.com