KING BECOMES A SLAVE OWNER

King fell in love and married a true southern belle, Mary Mourning Phares, on Feb. 10 1841.  Mary was the daughter of a wealthy local planter, John Ebenezer Phares, who was also on the Board of Trustees of Mathews Academy. Mary Phares dowry included two slaves, Amelia (her "Mammy") and Eliza.

King wrote in his autobiography, “one could not get faithful and trustworthy servants unless you bought them”. In 1842, King bought his first slave, Talbert, for the sum of $1,000.  King wrote in his autobiography that Talbert proposed the sale to William, as Talbert wished to learn how to read.

The young couple purchased land adjoining the Phares plantation in 1843. In November of that year, King purchased two more slaves, Fanny and Molly along with their children Sarah and Peter, for the sum of $2,300. King also purchased Jacob to assist Talbert with the running of the farm.

Upon the death of Dr. Phares in 1846, Mary and William King inherited an additional six slaves: Robin, Ise, Ben, Stephen, Harriet, and Emaline.

In 1847, William purchased a young child Solomon for $150, so he wouldn't be separated from his mother (whom William inherited) when he was preparing to move his slaves north.