THOMAS KING

Thomas King (II) was born in Sileby and was baptised at the parish church on the 3rd November 1700. His father Thomas (I) came from a long line of wealthy farmers and was considered a gentleman. Thomas (I) had married Elizabeth Oswin early in 1700. The Oswins were also a successful up and coming family, hailing from Cossington. Elizabeth's brother William had migrated to London and became a master in the prestigious Mercers company. After Thomas King (I) died in 1712, Thomas (II) was put apprentice for seven years under his uncle William Oswin in an indenture dated 7th December 1716. In 1731 Thomas (II) was granted the Freedom of the City of London which allowed him to be a fully fledged member of the Mercers Company.

William Oswin and Thomas King (II) became business partners. They lived and worked at a house in Henrietta Street near Covent Garden, trading as 'Oswin and King' mercers, selling satins and other luxury materials. Thomas (II) married Mary Ayscough in October 1731, and their union produced two children; Mary in September 1732, and Thomas (III) in November 1733. Thomas (II) took over the business after his uncle's death in 1739. Later known as 'Thomas King and William King' the business expanded and by the late 1770s claimed to be mercers to the King. His prominence was shown when his body was buried in a vault within the Mercers Hall chapel after his death in 1776. He bequeathed property in Southwark, London, Queenhithe, Little Brandon (Norfolk) and elsewhere, having probably already devised his Leicestershire property to his son Thomas (III) by agreement.