In the general history of Mount Pleasant township, and also of Starrucca borough, will be observed considerable mention of this family, which, originally from New England, settled in the first-named township late in the last century.
Benjamin King was born in Rhode Island May 23, 1777. During early manhood he accompanied his parents, who were blessed with a large family, to Pennsylvania, and made a home in Mount Pleasant township, as stated. On December 15, 1798, he married Eunice, daughter of David Kennedy, who was born September 25, 1775, whose family also receives
proper mention in the history of their township. Their children were Cynthia K., born November 24, 1799, married Peter C. Sherman; Sally Ann, born April 24, 1801, married Reuben Peck; Hawkins, born May 18, 1803; Lucinda, born June 9, 1805, married C. Palmer Tallman; Durinda, born September 25, 1808, married David H. Clough; Pamelia, born November 25, 1812, married Squire Crater; Robert Kennedy, the subject of our sketch;
Benjamin C., born April 15, 1818.
Mr. King, in addition to farming, engaged largely in lumbering on the Lackawaxen, near Pleasant Mount village, and on the Starrucca Creek, within the present limits of the borough, and, after a long and useful life, passed away on June 15, 1860, having survived his partner, who died March 18, 1848.
Robert Kennedy King, born August 27, 1815, spent his first nineteen years on the homestead, and the following three or four years learning more of life among his surroundings. On June 9, 1838, he was united in marriage to Minerva H., daughter of Elihu and Lucretia Tallman, of Preston township, Wayne County, and three days after set out for the then far west, bringing up in McHenry County, Ill., where he began farming. Chicago was then but an infant, and Mr. King says he could have visited all the houses it contained in any one day desired. There were no more stores, etc., then in the future metropolis of the West than are now found in Starrucca borough, and yet the new-comers were compelled to
go to that place from their home, forty miles north, in order to obtain household supplies. Tiring of this, and finding the climate very malarial, after a year's experience they returned East, and, in 1842, they bought property near the northwestern corner of Preston township,
and made a home in the woods, on that beautiful elevation since known as King's Hill. For some twelve or fifteen years, until the land was cleared of its timber, he cut logs and sent them down the Delaware River to Philadelphia, to market, since which time his days have been spent upon the farm, improving it year by year, until the present appearance has
been reached.
Mrs. King also claims New England descent, on both paternal and maternal sides. Her grandfather, Ebenezer Tallman, born at Bedford, Mass., removed to Utica, N. Y., and effected a settlement there. He married Rhoda Akins, and had a numerous family, and many descendants still reside in that part of the beautiful Mohawk Valley. Elihu, their eldest son, was born March 28, 1780, and in 1799, having just been married to Lucretia Perkins, near Ballston Springs, N. Y., moved to Wayne County and made a home in Mount Pleasant township, as will be seen in the general history. Their children were Rebecca P., born 1801,
married David Babcock; Rhoda A., born 1802, married John Stanton; William, born 1804; Christopher P., born 1806; Maxamilia, born 1808, married Perry Babcock; Akins, born 1810; Sidney, born 1812; Lucretia A., born 1814, married Alonzo Bennett; Oliver P., born 1817; Minerva H., born November 4, 1819, married Robert K. King, as aforesaid. The Tallman
family have written that name in very strong characters upon the history of Mount Pleasant and Preston townships, having been, since the first, foremost in progressive works and in religious and educational matters.
The union of Robert K. King and Minerva Tallman has been happy, and the following children came to gladden their hearth: Anna Z., born July 2, 1840; Ali E., born May 22, 1842, killed at the battle of Petersburg, Va., while bravely upholding the cause of his country, June 18, 1864; Elmer A. and Ellen A., born July 1, 1844; Eunice L., born September 30, 1846; Clarence A. F. E. L., born August 12, 1849; Hector E., born November 21, 1851; Kate I, born March 18, 1854; Lillie Durinda, born April 11, 1857; Ada Alice, born June 11, 1860; Robert B., born March 19, 1863. Anna Z., married Irvin Starbird, and has borne him Ali King, Alfred Clair and William Robert. Elmer A. married Elmira Labar, who has borne him Nellie, Josephine, Minerva and Benjamin Charles. Ellen A. married Edgar Stearnes, and bore him John K. and Minnie S. After the death of Mr. Stearnes she married Henry Hill, and has borne Leona, Lionel and Pearl. Eunice A. married David H. Cole, bore him Ward R., Susie E. and Elmer D., and died July 8, 1882. Clarence A. F. E. L. married Rosa Fletcher, who has borne him Bert E. and Bird R. (twins, Bird R. since deceased), and Anna E. Hector E. married Eva M. Yale. Kate I. married Stephen L. Callender, and has borne Nelson, Everett, Leroy, Archie, Aurora and Vida. Lillie Durinda married David H. Cole, and has borne Leonard and an infant son unnamed. Ada Alice married Wesley D. Peck, and has one child, Cora. Robert B. married Mary Temperton.
This large family has been properly raised and well educated, and is a valuable factor in the growth and prosperity of the county. Mr. King for twenty-one years served the people as school director, a large part of the time being president of the board and treasurer, and his
influence and example have ever been of the best, well worthy being handed down to posterity for their respect and emulation.
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