Charles E. King, 1886-1887

The papers include accounts, notes, receipts, legal documents, inventories, books, a diary, a speech, a family tree and miscellaneous items relating to the family.

The King Family Papers reveal that Elisha F. King was a successful entrepreneur and multi-plantation owner. At his death he passed these good fortunes on to his only living child, Edwin W. King.

In 1852 when Edwin W. King assumed the management of his father's estate, he became one of the wealthiest men in Alabama. He also achieved success with a hotel in Marion.

When Edwin died in 1860, he left this great responsibility to his wife, Rhoda B. King. With Mrs. King's excellent business judgment, she probably would have been able to hold on to most of the property had she not been faced with the Civil War.

A few of the papers of Edwin W. and Rhoda B. King's children are also included in the collection. These papers reflect their problems created by the Civil War as well as their successes and failures.