William Rufus De Vane King Born April 6th

William was born April 6th, 1786 in Sampson County, North Carolina. According to custom at the time, his mother Magaret's maiden name De Vane was added to William's birth name. After serving in several government positions in North Carolina, King became a diplomatic secretary in Italy and Russia. King returned to America and purchased land in Alabama and established a plantation which he called Chestnut Hill. King and his family were one of the largest slave holders at the time.

King and future President James Buchanan shared a house in Washington DC for 15 years. The relationship raised suspicion. Andrew Jackson called King "Miss Nancy" and "Aunt Fancy." Contemporary press wrote speculative articles about the men. There is no concrete proof of King's and Buchanan's relationship being romantic since nieces of King and Buchanan destroyed much of the letters the men wrote.

King was elected as Vice President, running with Franklin Pierce in 1852. He died from tuberculosis within weeks of taking the oath of office.

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