KING LOSES HIS FAMILY

Upon return to Scotland King worked closely with Rev. Chalmers and their families developed a friendship.  The Kings' named their second child, daughter Mary Elizabeth Chalmers King.

On Dec. 13, 1845, Mary's father John Ebenezer Phares died.  William King was named as co-executor in John Phares Last Will and Testament.  The Kings' inherited additional slaves from the Phares estate.  Shortly after learning of the death of her father, Mary developed consumption (tuberculosis).  During this period Rev. Chalmers, made frequent visits to the King household.  Mary Phares King died shortly after their fifth wedding anniversary on Feb. 25th 1846 and Rev. Chalmers conducted her funeral service for William.

Tragedy struck again when the last member of King's little family became ill. Young Mary Elizabeth Chalmers King died on May 9, 1846.  King wrote:

"God, who had given her to me as a pledge of our mutual love, was soon to take her to Himself forever to be with her Mother in Heaven. My work was not done, I was to remain a while longer on Earth to finish the work he had given me to do. My family had all gone before me. I will follow in the appointed time when we shall meet again in the land where death never comes, and where there is no sorrow and where there is no separation."


August 1846, William became a licensed minister by the Edinburgh Presbytery and accepted a commission as a missionary to Canada.