Skip to main content

Mary Ann King and William King diaries

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 2315

Scope and Contents

Contains two diaries, one kept by Mary Ann King, dated 1887-1888, and the other by her husband William King, dated 1880-1882. Mary Ann's diary covers the time period during which she accompanied William on his mission to the Sandwich Islands for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. William King's diary discusses his ranching, camping, and traveling activities.

Dates

  • 1880-1888

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to use material from this collection must be obtained from Reference Services at specialcollections@byu.edu.

Biographical / Historical

Mary Ann Henry was born May 11, 1854, in San Bernardino, California, to Robert Henry and Mary Ann Ross. She married William Rice King on November 29, 1869, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She went with her husband, William, on his mission to the Sandwich Islands in 1886, and returned home with him in 1890. Mary Ann had seven children, six boys and one girl. She died on April 16, 1943.

Biographical / Historical

William Rice King was born on April 8, 1834, in Cicero, Onondaga, New York, to Thomas Rice King and Matilda Robison. He married his first wife, Josephine Henry, on January 20, 1861, in Fillmore, Millard, Utah. Together, they had four children. Josephine died after giving birth to her fourth child, and William then married her cousin, Mary Ann Henry, in 1869. William and Mary Ann had seven children together.

Throughout his life, William worked as a merchant, a manufacturer, and a stock raiser. He was called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Sandwich Islands. He was set apart as a missionary on October 18, 1886, and then called as president of the Sandwich Islands mission in April of 1887. His wife, Mary Ann, accompanied him on this mission. William was released and he and Mary Ann returned home in 1890.

William also served missions in the United States and in Ireland. He served as a member of the high council and as a bishop. William King died on February 17, 1892 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Extent

2 folders (0.05 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Custodial History

The journals of Mary Ann King and William King were donated to BYU in November of 2000, by David S. King, who is a grandson of William King by his first marriage.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated; David S. King; 2000.

Appraisal

19th Century Western and Mormon Manuscripts.

General

Diaries have significant water damage.

Processing Information

Processed; David J. Whittaker, Judi Crisp, and Rose Frank; 2001.

Processing Information

Processed; Karen Glenn; 2023. Edited to reflect William King as diary creator.

Title
Register of Mary Ann King and William King diaries
Status
Completed
Author
Rose Frank
Date
2011 March 9
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States