KING, WILLIAM CUTFIELD (1829-61) was the only son of Captain Henry King, and came to New Zealand as a lad. Receiving his education in New Plymouth, he took up farming on a considerable scale at Woodleigh. He married Elizabeth Mary Richardson (1855). Possessing an independent character and pleasant manners, he was highly esteemed, and in 1857 was elected to represent Omata in the Provincial Council. During the Maori war King held a captain's commission in the Taranaki militia. In Nov 1860 he was elected to represent Grey and Bell in Parliament, but he did not take his seat. On 8 Feb 1861, while riding on his property at Woodleigh, then being pillaged by marauding natives, he was shot and killed.

N.Z.P.D., 6 Jun 1861; Wells; Cycl. N.Z., vi; Taranaki Herald, 9 Feb 1861.

Reference: Volume 1, page 251

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