Michael King arrived in America from Norwich, England and served his indenture with John Wright. The first mention of Michael was in 1667 when he patented land in the Upper Parish of Nansemond County, Colony of Virginia. He patented additional land in 1671 and 1675. This land was described as being at the head of Somerton Creek and on the southern branch of Nansemond River. Using descriptions found in these patents, patents to his neighbors and to his sons, the general area of Michael's land has been located west of Suffolk and between the towns of Buckhorn and Holland. Until recently there were King descendants living on this same land. There were likely other purchases and sales of land by Michael, however this cannot be ascertained because loss of Nansemond County records. The Bible record of Solomon King, a descendant, states that he bought additional land in 1686 and built a brick house on it. Because the Bible record of Solomon King is so important in establishing connections to his descendants the part relating to Michael King is probably best introduced now. It states-

"Michael King was born in old England and came out of the city of Norwich to Virginia and there served his time with John Wright in Nansemond County after that he married with Elizabeth (the last name is indistinct and is most likely Hare, although it could be Hiry or Cary or even something else) and lived in Nansemond County on the southern branch of Nansemond River and he had by his wife six children viz Nathan William Michael Henry John Elizabeth and there he bought a plantation in the year 1686 and built a large dwelling house with brick and bought several negro slaves and also a large copper still. Written by me Solomon King son of Charles King the said Charles was the son of William which was the son of Michael the older". This record I have came from "The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography", published quarterly by the Virginia Historical Society for the year ending December 31, 1928 and is Volume XXXVI. At the end of the article is the statement "The Bible from which the above has been copied was printed in Edinburgh by Alexander Kincaid, HIS MAJESTIES PRINTER. MDCCLXIX.The bible also contained dates pertaining to the birth and death of some third, fourth and later generation Kings.

General Court, August 7th 1697 John Lilly plaintiff versus Stephen Manwaring in a plea of slander, etc. ---"the said Lilly came from Rapahaenock to James River with a ring on his finger and a watch in his pocket and a saddle on his back and at the[Powson] house tooke a mare of Mr. Fulsam and brought her to Mr. Michael Kings and there the mare was stabled and there the said Michael King apprehended the said Lilly" etc. The verdict was for the plaintiff in the sum of twenty pounds.

What the above shows is that Mr. Michael King was between the James River and the Colony of North Carolina when this action occured, probably earlier in 1697.

The will of Michael was probated in Albemarle County in the Province of North Carolina in 1700. The Colonial Records of North Carolina contains these entries- "A will of Mr. Michael King Senior of the County of Nansemond in the Colony of Virginia was proved by a subscription of William Early and the oath of John Early". "On petition of William Early and John Early ordered that Mr. John King pay to William Early and John Early for their travel and attendance for two days with costs and executions". Since the will was probated in North Carolina and not Virginia it is probable that he was at the residence of his son John King. The Bible record indicated that he did indeed have a son named John King. It will later be shown that there were several patents in North Carolina to John King. Although probated, the will itself has not survived and its contents are unknown. Based on a date of death of 1700 and assuming a life span of 70 years Michael probably was born about 1630. There were patents to John Wright in 1638 and 1643. Neither mentioned Michael King as an importee. He was likely in Virginia by 1650. Indications from the will of Solomon King are that he married after he arrived here. HLK