Starting Sept. 30, 2014, Genealogy.com will be making a big change. GenForum message boards, Family Tree Maker homepages, and the most popular articles will be preserved in a read-only format, while several other features will no longer be available, including member subscriptions and the Shop.
 
Learn more


Home Page |Surname List |Index of Individuals |InterneTree |Sources


View Tree for Robert KingRobert King (b. March 30, 1838, d. January 16, 1911)

Robert King (son of Robert King and Catharine Lawrie)111, 112, 113 was born March 30, 1838 in Gorgie Mills, Edinburgh, Scotland114, and died January 16, 1911 in Columbia, SC. He married Charlotte Ella Shields on June 29, 1870 in Columbia, SC115, daughter of George Alexander Shields and Sarah Ann McGuire.

 Includes NotesNotes for Robert King:
Robert King of Gorgie Mills left the following autobiography:

The following is written for the information or benefit of those who may come after me.

I, Robert King, was born on the 30th day of March, 1838, at the village of Gorgie Mills, about two miles west of Edinburgh, Scotland.

My father's name was Robert King, born at the village of Water of Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland. He was by trade a miller. He died at Gorgie Mills in August, 1856, at the age of about 69 years. My mother's maiden name was Catharine Lawrie, born in Kirknewton Parish, County of Midlothian, Scotland. She died at Gorgie Mills in 1862, at the age of 62 years. They are both interred in the Dalry Cemetery, Edinburgh. Over their graves is erected a stone to their memory by their five surviving children (David and William since dead).

The first recollection of my school days is going to the school in the village taught by a Mr. Gordon. Then I went to a school in St. Anthony Place, Edinburgh, taught by a Mr. Thompson. Then to the Links School taught by a Mr. Henderson, and to Queensferry St. School taught by a Mr. McCrow. By these teachers I received a common school education. I went to work at the Glue Factory in Gorgie Mills, owned by a Mr. Cox, at the early age of 12 years. Then I used to go to night school in Edinburgh after working all day. I worked about a year at the factory and then went to school at Stateford. After attending school a short time, I went to work at the Glue Factory again and stayed until I was about 15 years old, and having a strong desire to learn a trade, I bound myself to D. & J. Greig, Machine Makers, then in the Lothan Road, Edinburgh. I was bound by indenture for the period of six years, which I served to the entire satisfaction of my employers.

After my apprenticeship was served, and I being 21 years of age, I had a strong desire to travel and make myself more proficient in my trade. My brother, James King, being home from America on a visit, I concluded to go to America with him. We left home on September 27th, 1859, and sailed from Greenoch on the 28th, on the Steamship "Edinburgh", and arrived in New York on October 13th, 1859. We arrived in Columbia, S.C. October 20th, 1859. I went to work with Alexander & McDougall and stayed until January, 1860. Then I worked for the C. & S. C. Railroad Company till 1862. South Carolina seceded, war commenced and I went to North Carolina and worked for the N.C.C.Railroad Company at Company Shops, September 22nd, 1862. Went to Richmond, Va. and worked for Archer & Daly building printing presses. Then worked for Mr. G. B. Sloat of the Union Manufacturing Company.

While living in Richmond, Va., I was lead to a knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, and was immersed by Mr. James Pettigrew and joined the Church of the Disciples worshiping in Sycamore Church on 11th Street. I was baptised by immersion on November 8th, 1863.

I left Richmond and came to Columbia March 12th, 1864 to take charge of General Jones' Cotton Card Factory, belonging to the State of South Carolina, where I stayed until December 31st, 1864. Then I returned to Richmond January 10th, 1865 and took charge of the Telegraph Instrument Department in the Union Manufacturing Company's shop, under Mr. G. B. Sloat, where I stayed until the city was evacuated by the Confederate Government and occupied by the United States forces. A large portion of the city being on fire, it was with some exertion I saved what little property I owned, although I lost all my money like thousands of others. After the fire and evacuation, business was very dull. I remained in the city four weeks and could get no employment, then I went as Fireman on a steamer running on the James River, where I remained one month, being glad to get any employment that was honorable. Considering myself to good a mechanic to remain in the position I then occupied, I secured the position of Engineer of another steamer on the same river, where I have a good place, but the vessel was discharged from the Government so my services were no longer needed.

I commenced work again for Mr. Sloat, business in the City being brisk, and worked for him until May 16th, 1866, when I came to North Carolina to Company Shops and worked for the N. C. C. Railroad, my brother James having secured me a situation. We stayed there until February 16th, 1867. Then we went south in search of employment. I visited Columbia (could have gotten employment but looked for better pay) Augusta, Atlanta, Macon and Savannah, Georgia, but could not get employment at my trade so came back to Columbia, S.C. and took the situation offered at the C. & S. C. Railroad, where I stayed until May 1868. (March 7th 1867) Then visited Scotland until November 1868. Then I took charge of Mr. Wing's planning mill to keep his machinery in repair. I stayed with Mr. Wing until September 1st, 1870, when I was offered the position of Master Mechanic of the C. C. & A. Railroad which I accepted.

During my stay with Mr. Wing I was married to Charlotte Ella Shields, daughter of George A. Shields, who is now my faithful, loving wife.

I was Master Mechanic of the C. C. & A. Railroad for 6-1/2 years, then I left and went to Montgomery, Alabama and took charge of the shops of the W. Railroad of Alabama as Master Mechanic, June 1st, 1877. I was Master Mechanic of the W. Railroad. of Alabama for 5-1/2 years, till October 1882; then came back to Columbia, S.C. and went to work with George A. Shields December 7th 1882, where I now am.

I have no blood relations in America, of the name of King, except my brother, James, and my own family. I have a sister in Scotland, Mrs. Janet Maxwell. Before I came to America I had a first cousin, James Lawrie, a candle-maker, who worked for Proctor & Gamble of Cincinnati, Ohio. I never heard from him.

Robert King January 1909




More About Robert King and Charlotte Ella Shields:
Single: June 29, 1870, Columbia, SC.115

Children of Robert King and Charlotte Ella Shields are:
  1. +William King, b. September 05, 1884, d. August 20, 1956, Buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Columbia, SC.
  2. +Robert King, Sr, b. September 22, 1890, Columbia, SC, d. November 13, 1977, Veterans Hospital, Columbia, SC.
  3. Jessie King, b. March 05, 1873, d. March 22, 1956, Buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Columbia, SC.
  4. Annie Laurie King, b. April 24, 1875, d. March 12, 1960, Buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Columbia, SC.
Created with Family Tree Maker


Home | Help | About Us | Biography.com | HistoryChannel.com | Site Index | Terms of Service | PRIVACY
© 2009 Ancestry.com