King Family Papers
Call Number
Date
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
The collection consists of correspondence, printed matter, and genealogical material, etc. of the descendents of Richard King (1718 - 1775) and Rufus King (1755 - 1827). The collection concerns the King family, other families directly descended from them, and some collateral branches. The following individuals are comparatively well documented: Rufus King (1755 - 1853), John Alsop King (1788 - 1867), Charles Ray King (1813 - 1901), Nancy Wharton (Fisher) King (1826 - 1905),and Charles F. Lennig (1836 - d.)
Historical note
This collection records the history of the King family from mid-eighteenth century to the early twentieth century. The papers concern the King family; other families descended directly from Richard King and Rufus King, and some collateral branches and connecting families are included.
Many of their descendents and relatives were prominent in politics, diplomacy, military service, law, business, banking and letters; particularly in Maine, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Great Britain. They were well-to-do, and connected by marriage with other distinguished and prominent New York families.
Rufus King (1755 – 1827) was an American lawyer, politician, and diplomat. He was born in Scarborough, Maine, then a section of Massachusetts, the eldest son of farmer-merchant Richard and Isabella King. He attended Harvard and briefly served in the military during the Revolutionary War. He was a delegate for Massachusetts to the Continental Congress. He also attended the Constitutional Convention and was one of the signers of the United States Constitution. He represented New York in the United States Senate, served as Minister to Britain, and was the Federalist candidate for Vice President two times and later Federalist candidate for President of the United States.
The lives of Rufus King's children and grandchildren are comparatively well documented in this collection. James Gore King (1791-1853), son of Rufus King, attended school in England and France while his father was ambassador to London. After graduating from Harvard and studying law, he became a banker, and in 1818 with his brother-in-law, Archibald Gracie, Jr. established in Liverpool the firm of King and Gracie.
John Alsop King (1788 – 1867), son of Rufus King, practiced law in New York City. John King's law career was interrupted by a stint as a cavalry lieutenant in the War of 1812. After the war, he ventured into politics. King was a member of the New York State Assembly and later the New York State Senate. King was elected as a Whig to the 31st United States Congress. He also served a short term as Governor of New York from 1837-1838.
Charles King (1789 – 1867), son of Rufus King, was a captain of a volunteer regiment in the early part of the War of 1812, and served in the 1814 New York Assembly. He was married to Eliza Gracie, the daughter of shipping magnate Archibald Gracie. He served as the ninth president of Columbia College (now Columbia University), holding the role from 1849 to 1864.
The King Family Papers also include those of John Alsop (1724 - 1794), Charles Ray King (1813 - 1901), Nancy Wharton King (1826 - 1905), Charles F. Lenning (1836 - d.) as well as additional family correspondence.
Genealogical information of the King family are located in Series II.
Arragement
Missing Title
- Series I: Correspondence
- Series II: General Family Materials
The King Family Papers are divided into two series. Series I is divided into twelve subseries based on members of the King Family. Series II is organized by subject.
Scope and Contents note
The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence (mostly among family members), and various legal and financial documents. The papers delineate personal and social lives; they deal to a much lesser extent with public, political and business affairs. They document many aspects of the lives of women and men: birth, marriage and death, daily activities and events, visits and travels, and interpersonal relations among families and friends.
There is genealogical material, mostly in the form of hand-drawn family trees. There are also inventories of personal property, memorabilia, such as visiting cards, drawings, newspapers, clippings, and photographs.
Unless specified in the inventory as copies (transcriptions), documents are assumed to be original.
Subjects
Genres
People
Topics
Access Restrictions
Open to qualified researchers.
Use Restrictions
Permission to quote from this collection in a publication must be requested and granted in writing. Send permission requests, citing the name of the collection from which you wish to quote to: Manuscript Curator, The New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024
Preferred Citation note
This collection should be cited as the King Family Papers, MS 350, The New-York Historical Society.