When Elizabeth King died in 1908 her family had the following inscription placed upon her headstone ‘The Beloved Wife of Robert Albion King of Swindon, Freeman of London.’ They were obviously very proud of Robert’s status.

However, in 1868 coach builders H. & E. King were forced to make the following announcement in the North Wilts Herald.

We are requested by Messrs. H. and E. King, coach builders, of Swindon and Stratton St. Margaret, to state that Mr Robert Albion King, recently charged before the magistrates with assaulting a Mrs Jennings, is not a coach builder, and is in no way connected with their firm.

North Wilts Herald, Saturday, April 18, 1868.

Robert Albion King appeared before Swindon Police Court on Thursday April 2, 1868 charged by Mrs Mary Jennings with damaging an unoccupied house, belonging to her, at Stratton St Margaret, by breaking two panes of glass, and with assaulting her, with intent to do her bodily harm.

Mrs Jennings said she had visited a property in Stratton which she had recently bought where she found Mr King in possession. Upon entering the property Mr King ordered her out tearing her shawl, and putting his fist in her face in a threatening manner; he was very much excited, and said he would shoot anybody who came on that property.

In his evidence King told the court he had previously informed Mrs Jennings that the property had been in his family since the 17^th century and could not be sold, and if she bought it she would lose her money as he was heir-at-law to it.

He in turn accused Mrs Jennings of assaulting him on a previous occasion, insulting his wife and children and scratching his face.

In summing up the Chairman said these family feuds were most disgraceful, and the bench would bind over both parties in their own recognizances of £20 each to keep the peace for six calendar months.

You can read more about the disputed property and the family connection in The North Wilts Herald, Monday July 20, 1868.

Robert Albion King died quietly (or perhaps he was arguing the toss at the time) at his home on December 23, 1909.

Death of an old inhabitant – One of Swindon’s oldest inhabitants passed away on Thursday, December 23^rd, in the death of R.A. King. Deceased, who had been suffering from heart disease for some time, died at his residence in County Road. He was the only surviving son of the late John and Ann King, of Little Britain and Moor Lane, London, and also of Stratton. Deceased’s father was a Freeman of the City and also of the Goldsmith’s Company, while deceased himself also enjoyed the same distinctions. He leaves three sons and six daughters. The remains were interred at the Swindon Cemetery on Wednesday, the coffin being of polished elm with brass fittings, bearing the following inscription: “Robert Albion King, died Dec. 23^rd, 09, aged 85 years.” A number of floral tributes were sent by relatives and friends.

North Wilts Herald, Friday, December 31, 1909.

Elizabeth King died in March 1908 at 166 Beatrice Street. Her funeral took place on March 6 when she was buried in grave plot B2820. Her husband Robert Albion King died in December the following year aged 85 years at 33 Country Road. He was buried on December 29 with his wife. Their daughter Olive Magdalene Manners is buried with them. She died in December 1926 aged 37.