He lived next door to his son-in-law and daughter in Allenton, Wilcox Alabama, he is buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery where his wife and daughter and son-in-law and grandchildren are all buried. The graves are in great need of care.. Joshua Betts Grace was married to Susan King daughter of James King. Jacob Betts Grace and Susan's home is still standing in Allenton, the Moore family now owns it. Jacob Grace was the brother of my ggg-grandfather.. Christopher Columbus Grace. Kay Anderson ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Cc: <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>; <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, September 08, 2002 7:09 PM Subject: Re: Rev. James Baird King of Conecuh County, AL (1782-1870) > Bill, > > Thank you for posting the information about Duncan King and Rev. James Baird > King. I am adding a couple of things to it. Below is Rev. King's > autobiographical sketch which you sent me some time ago. It definitely > establishes his Bladen County, North Carolina connections. > > Something else that I find telling is that Duncan King's wife, Lydia Fosque, > was a devout Methodist who founded a church which later became Shiloh > Methodist Church in Columbus Co., NC (Columbus Co. was originally part of > Bladen Co.). According to my family records, i.e., obituaries, early > accounts by family members, etc., many of Duncan and Lydia King's children > and grandchildren were devout Methodists. > > An additional item of interest is another quote from the 1926 Raleigh > Observer newspaper article about Duncan King which is on my cousin's website > http://www2.brtrc.com/terenelf_corgis/new/duncunking.htm. > > "In 1840 Rev. James King and other descendants erected at the graves of > Duncan and Lydia King a handsome imported monument of Scotch granite." > > This monument was later moved to Shiloh Methodist Church where it still > stands. In his autobiographical sketch you will see that Rev. King made three > visits back to his native state of North Carolina after he moved to Alabama. > This could have been one of them. > > Charles > > Copied From Rev. B.F. Riley's 1881 'History of Conecuh County, Alabama' > by Bill King, Houston, Texas > > REV. JAMES KING > > The writer was fortunate enough to find an autobiographical sketch of the > life of this sainted preacher, in the hands of his daughter, Mrs. John > Sampey. She very kindly surrendered it for publication, and it is herewith > submitted: > > This day the Conference met at Tuskegee, being the day that closed my 74th > year; and being present with this large body of ministers, numbering about > two hundred, it caused my mind to run back over the past scenes of my > ministerial life, with deep and very solemn reflections. In contrasting the > past with the present, I have thought proper to write down a brief sketch of > my ministerial life, with a few incidents connected with my history, which > are as follows: > > In 1800, I attached myself to the Methodist Church. The society which I > joined was composed of six women and one free black man-he being the class > leader. In 1802, I married and took upon myself the responsibilities of a > family. In 1803, I was appointed the leader of the class which I had > joined. In 1805, I was licensed an exhorter. In 1806, I was licensed a > local preacher. By this time the society had increased to the number of > seventy. In 1816, I was ordained deacon, in Wilmington, by Bishop > McKendree; that being the first ordination ever conferred that place. Up to > this date, my family had increased to nine in number, beside myself and my > wife. I remained in North Carolina until 1818, making twelve years. During > this time my ministerial labors were confined to six counties, to wit: > Bladen, Brunswick, Hanover, Cumberland, Roberson and Columbus, with some > occasional visits to Horee District, South Carolina. In view of the charge > upon my hands looking up to me for support, it will be easy to perceive that > my labors were extended beyond the ordinary grounds of a local minister; and > for all this service and labor I had no claim upon the church, nor did I > receive one cent for my labors. On the 21st of April, 1819, I removed with > my family to Alabama. I arrived at Alabama Town, where I met with some of > my North Carolina Friends, who prevailed upon me to stop there for the year. > My ministerial labors during that year were as follows: One Sabbath at > Alabama Town-the next as Philadelphia (now Montgomery.) I was the first > licensed preacher that ever preached in that place. This was one of the > years of great trial and privation to me, there being no regularly organized > society, and I heard buy one sermon preached during the time. In the winter > of 1819, I removed to Conecuh River. There being but few settlements at > that time, my labors were somewhat curtailed; but I had to appointments-one > above and the other below the Florida line. In the winter of 1820, I moved > higher up, into the Burnt Corn settlements, in the bounds of what was then > called the Conecuh Circuit, belonging to the Mississippi Conference. This > circuit, at that time, covered nearly all that part of Conecuh County that > was then settled, and a considerable part of Monroe County. Here, a field > was opened wide enough for my labors. In 1822, I was ordained Elder, at the > Bellville Church, by Bishop George and others. This circumstance brought > upon me a greater amount of labor. The Mississippi Conference, being weak, > could not afford an ordained preacher for all the circuits. For four or > five years there was no regularly ordained preacher sent to Conecuh Circuit, > and consequently it devolved upon me to attend all the societies around the > circuit to administer the ordinance of the church. > > Up to 1830, I continued to travel and labor in that section of the county. > In 1830, I lost my wife, which was a severe trial to me. Having three > daughters with me, I proposed to them to make their homes with three of > their sisters, who were then married, and that I would join the Itinerancy. > To this proposition they were opposed, preferring to remain at their own > home. Consequently I consented to remain with them, and to do the best for > them I could. In 1832, I married the second time. At this time one of my > daughters had married, and the other two had gone to live with their > sisters. > > In the spring of 1834, myself and wife removed to Middle Tennessee, where we > remained until the close of 1835. My labors during that time were confined > to three counties, to wit: Weatherford, Bedford and Williamson, and I > attended five camp meetings during my stay there. In the winter of 1835, I > removed to Wilcox County, Alabama, and settled a short time afterwards. At > the request of Bishop Andrew, I consented to confine my preaching for one > year to the colored people, for the purpose of arranging a mission. For > this service I received one hundred dollars from the Missionary Society; all > is told that I ever received for my ministerial labors. From that time up > to 1850, I continued my labors in Wilcox and adjoining counties. In 1851, I > lost my second wife. This circumstance changed my situation, and placed me > under the necessity of breaking up for good. Since that time, being > relieved of the cares of a family, I have devoted my time, as far as > circumstances and feebleness would permit, in extending my labors to a wider > field. > > I have been three rounds with the Presiding Elders down on the west coast of > Florida; one round on the Lowndesboro' District, and as far east in this as > Dale and Pike counties; from thence west across the State as far as Sumter, > and the southern portions of Mississippi. I have visited the above named > State three times, in its northwestern counties; and I have also made three > visits to my native State-North Carolina. And in all my travels I have > preached as often as circumstances would allow. And, in conclusion, what is > in the future, is impossible for me to foresee; but of one thing I am > assured, that it is my settled purpose to devote the remainder of my life to > the service of God and his church. Whereunto I subscribe my name. > > [Signed] James King > > It will be seen from the above article that my labors have been scattered > over seven States, to wit: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, > Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee. > > [Signed] J. King. > > > Note: Mr. King died in Wilcox County, on January 12th, 1870, > at the advanced age of eighty-seven. > > >