Decipher occupation

[~Rachel~]

On the 1861 he has nothing listed in the 'Occupation' column.

He is living with:

William King - Head - 61 - Farmer of 472 acres 19 lab 7? boys
Sarah King - Wife - 23
Alexander King - Son- Unm - 32
Jemima King - Dau - Unm - 28
Eliza King - Dau -Unm - 1

I believe Alexander was the eldest of approx 18 children across two marriages, however I am in a tangle with his parentage (with his mother anyway) and I believe his father lived until 1890.

[~Rachel~]

Sorry just to clarify, he is Alexander King the son

[Gadget]

When did his father die and have you checked for a will for his father?

[Gadget]

Sorry - just seen that his father died in 1890. The 1891 would fit, if he had an inheritance. I misread the 1881 for 1891!

[avm228]

I see, you have the parents William King 40 (oilman) and Ann 35 in Seymour St, St Pancras in 1841.  Children William 14, Jemima 9 Henry 5.  No Alexander.

Then in 1851 they are still in Seymour St.  William King 51 and Ann looks like 69 but perhaps should be 49?  Son William has disappeared but Alexander 22 b Pancras has appeared.

Then by 1861 Ann has presumably died and William snr has much younger wife Sarah and they are a large household on the farm in Berkshire - at Chilton Foliatt, William’s birthplace - perhaps William has inherited the family farm so stopped working as an oilman & grocer.

[avm228]

Alexander King and William King were baptised together at St Pancras on 12 November 1828, sons of William (tallow chandler) and Ann, of Seymour St.

Birthdates:

William 16 Feb 1827
Alexander 12 Oct 1828

So Alexander was not the eldest child of the family.

[~Rachel~]

Even in 1881 his father William (aged 81 at that stage) is still listed as farmer 472 acres, 12 men 5 boys.

I wonder if he received something from his mother, his father remarried 1859 so she was off the scene prior to that. However, I do not know for sure who she was so I have not searched for any wills.

His grandfather died in 1851 and Alexander is the eldest son of the eldest son so maybe was left something there... his siblings seem to have continued working.

[avm228]

Alexander isn’t the eldest son - see previous posts.  But he might be the eldest surviving son - has William been traced after 1841?

[avm228]

There is a William King, 33 “oil & color man” in Kensington in 1861.  Perhaps he has picked up the former family trade?