Thomas King

Thomas King (21 November 1821 – 28 April 1893) was a 19th-century New Zealand politician. He served in the 1st and 2nd Parliaments, and was otherwise active in New Plymouth. He was one of the first settlers, coming out on the first ship to New Plymouth in 1841. Early life King was born in London on 21 November 1821. He received his education at the City of London School and then at Oxford University. He came to New Zealand in March 1841 on the William Bryan. He married Mary Chilman (born in London), the daughter of the New Plymouth settler Richard Chilman, in 1846. She was the sister of Richard Chilman, the local secretary of the Plymouth Company. The Kings had seven children.