Mary King

Mary King (born circa 1590 and died 1644), also known as Marie King, was a member of a prominent family of lawyers and academics, whose reputation and fortunes waxed and waned during Europe's religious wars in the 17th century, especially the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Above and beyond her standing as a member of that family, she was a Scottish burgess in her own right and a friend and intimate of several significant figures in early British political history. Early life and family She was born in Edinburgh towards the end of the 16th century. Thanks to her legal discharge of 1613, it is possible to positively identify Mary as the daughter of Jonet King and Alexander King. Her mother, Jonet King, was the daughter of Alexander King, advocate. Her mother's first husband, James Mosman, was executed for his support of Mary, Queen of Scots. Jonet then remarried a cousin from Aberdeen, also named Alexander King. Mary had at least two other siblings: James King and William King. James is named in Mary's legal discharge of 1613 as her elder brother and heir to her deceased father's property. Her brother William seems to have been closest in age to Mary and have had a closer relationship with her. In August 1616, as recorded on the same page of Edinburgh's parish records, Mary married Thomas Nimmo and William married Margaret Cass. Thomas and Mary had four children – Alexander, Euphame, Jonet and William. Mary's brother William was the witness (godparent) to all of her children. He was recorded as 'William King, Regent in Philosophy' in the baptismal record of Mary's daughter Jonet (no doubt named after their mother). This identifies William as the professor of philosophy who taught at the University of Edinburgh from 1607 until 1630 and who was then minister of Cramond church from 1631 until his death in 1632. Moreover, Thomas Craufurd, William's contemporary at the University of Edinburgh and historian of the university, states that William was the 'son of a north country gentleman, who, marrying a sister of Alexander King, Advocate, had settled himself in Edinburgh, attending the laws.' Mary's mother Jonet was an independent business woman, who was 'actively involved in the property trade.' One of Jonet's properties was the house now known as John Knox House in Edinburgh, which was the property of her first husband James Mosman whose initials 'J' 'M' are still visible today on the house.