Captain King was a whaling captain, but he also farmed his land on Seapowet Avenue, purchased from Adoniram Brown in 1847. His general farm was typical of many Rhode Island farms in 1850. It included less than a dozen animals, a variety of grain and vegetable crops, and some dairy products. He died in 1909. His life may be summarized by his obituary in the Fall River Globe of May 17, 1909:
Tiverton has lost one of its most venerable and respected citizens and its oldest whaling captain in the death early Saturday morning of Captain Henry F. King at the advanced age of ninety-two years. He was probably the town’s oldest male citizen, being born at the family homestead on Crandall Road on September 30th, 1816. He suffered a shock a few years ago, and has been declining in health ever since, so that his death could but be expected. The deceased was the son of the late Joseph King and Anna Simmons, daughter of Ichabod Simmons and a daughter of Revolutionary fame, whose ancestors could be traced back to Priscilla Mullins, who became the wife of John Alden.
At an early age he acquired a great interest in sea-faring and began to go to sea when thirteen years old. His vivid description of his long life on the sea were always interesting, and his much prized logbook was often shown to the visitor at Captain King’s home, to whom he delighted to recall his experiences.
His first whaling was in 1830, when he sailed on the old sloop “Bedford” hailing from Fairhaven. The vessel was owned by Capt. George Hicks and his son-in-law, Charles Grinnell, and coasted around Boston and as far south as Philadelphia.
In April 1832, he sailed on the “Young Hercules,” Captain Peter Chase of Nantucket. On that voyage, he “went before the mast,” having occupied a minor position previous to that time. They sailed in the Indian Ocean and Madagascar, securing seventy-eight whales, from which they obtained 800 barrels of whale and 1200 barrels of sperm oil. He shipped again on May 9, 1834, on the vessel “Two Brothers,” sailing from New Bedford under Capt. Henry Pease of Martha’s Vineyard. This voyage occupied slightly more than a year, and during that voyage he was elevated to boat steerer and struck the first whale the vessel secured. About 1700 barrels, mostly of sperm oil were secured. Mr. King then remained on shore for a year, spending the time chiefly in New Bedford, where he was engaged in Swaine’s candle house. But the attractions of the sea he loved so well proved too great for him, and in 1837, he embarked on the “sally Ann,’ under Captain Henry Colt of the Vineyard. He acted as boat steerer, coming home after a cruise of 23 months, during which 2500 barrels of sperm and whale oil were obtained. He then stayed on land another year, working at the candle house.
The next voyage started in August, 1839, when he sailed as second mate on the “Lucy Ann” of Wilmington, Del., and belonging to the Wilmington Whaling Company. They sailed from the capes of Delaware under Capt. William H. Cox of Maine and cruised around on the coast of New Holland and Australia. This voyage was quite successful and 2500 barrels of oil, half sperm and half whale, were secured. He arrived home in June, 1844. He “shipped” on another voyage as second mate, but after being at sea ten days, smallpox broke on board and the vessel had to be quarantined at Delaware. During that brief trip under Captain Leander Cox of Maine, Mr. King served as chief mate. After the quarantine, Captain Cox left the ship and the chief mate, Henry F. King, was promoted to master of the “Lucy Ann.” Starting, in a month, on his first voyage as captain, he left the capes of Delaware in 1841. A Captain Charry accompanied him on both voyages of the “Lucy Ann,” acting as boat steerer. They returned after a profitable cruise in 1844 with 2200 barrels of oil.
It was shortly after the close of this voyage that Captain King married the partner of his joys and sorrows, Caroline Litchfield Manchester, daughter of Major John and Betsy Lake Manchester, people of old Tiverton stock. The happy union occurred on the 12th of September, 1844, and he sailed the following month on the ship “Cassander,” owned by Potter Bros., of Providence, R.I. The voyage ended in August, 1849, after securing a cargo of 2000 barrels of sperm and whale oil. This voyage was eventful and sad. His brother, David King, who had been engaged as boat steerer, lost his balance while hoisting a large whale, and fell into the sea, his body never being recovered. In this voyage Captain King himself also nearly lost his life. While the captain was in a small boat lancing, a whale settled out of sight under the craft and then stove the boat with his flukes. The boat was nearly cut in two where the captain was standing and the blow sent Captain King over fifteen feet into the air. He landed in the water with the lines tangled about his feet. He had not then entirely lost his senses, as was shown by his taking a knife from his pocket and cutting the ropes. When he had fully came to, he was lying in the boat with the line which had saved him tied about his neck.
This voyage ended his long whaling career, and he settled down to spend the balance of his life in quiet. He purchased a tract of 30 acres of land in the beautiful valley of Seapowet, and erected a pleasant home there, where he resided until his death. Three children were born, Emma H., Amanda, and Caroline. The first affliction came to the happy couple in the death of the daughter Emma in 1884. Mrs. King passed away over a year ago over 80 years of age, and the daughter Amanda soon followed her in death. So one daughter, Mrs. Theodore Howard, lives to mourn the loss of a faithful parent. The deceased was a deacon of the Congregational church and was a steadfast Christian from youth. He was always interested in town affairs, and stood for the best interests of the town, and will be missed as a good citizen.