Collection of papers of Capt William King of Ayr and Charles Browne including William King's birth and marriage certificate, letters home to his wife and orders.

Administrative / biographical background
William King started his naval career at an early age by the time he was 16 he was acting Lieutenant of the DEFENCE under command Captain Thomas Newnham. During battle at Cuddalore 20 June 1783 the DEFENCE suffered 7 deaths and 38 wounded. When he returned home he quitted the service for a period until 1790 when he sailed as First Lieutenant to the East Indies under Commodore Rainier. Returning from India as a invalid he was captured by an enemy cruiser, the commander of which accepted his parole and furnished him with the means of reaching Scilly where he eventually made his way back home from.