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William Manning III, III

William Manning III, III[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28]

Male 1614 -


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  • Name William Manning III  [1, 2, 4, 12, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28] 
    Suffix III 
    Birth 1614  Braintree, Essex, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 4, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20] 
    Gender Male 
    Death Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 4, 12, 19, 20] 
    Burial Old Burying Ground, Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 19] 
    Person ID I312684223828  Oswald Genealogy
    Last Modified 15 Jun 2025 

    Family Dorothy Adams,   b. 1612, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 26 Jul 1692, Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 80 years) 
    Children 
     1. Hannah Manning,   b. 21 Jun 1642, Cambridge, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America Find all individuals with events at this location  [Father: unknown]  [Mother: unknown]
     2. Samuel Manning,   b. 21 Jul 1644, Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America Find all individuals with events at this locationbur. 1711, Old South Burying Ground, Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America Find all individuals with events at this location (Age ~ 66 years)  [Father: unknown]  [Mother: unknown]
     3. John Manning, Sr.,   b. 31 Mar 1649, Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 25 Nov 1678, Cambridge, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 29 years)  [Mother: unknown]
     4. Mary Manning,   b. 26 Mar 1651, Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 24 Jun 1679, Dedham, Suffolk, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 28 years)  [Father: unknown]  [Mother: unknown]
     5. Timothy Manning,   b. 1652, Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1653, Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 1 year)  [Father: unknown]  [Mother: unknown]
     6. Abigail Manning,   b. Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 10 May 1648, Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America Find all individuals with events at this location  [Father: unknown]  [Mother: unknown]
     7. Sarah Manning,   b. Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial America Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America Find all individuals with events at this location  [Father: unknown]  [Mother: unknown]
    Family ID F1710  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 15 Jun 2025 

  • Notes 
    • bio - in Walt Chamberlin, Los Alamos, NM's book by his mom: The Record of My Ancestry The Stetson - Perkins Family by Katharine Beecher Stetson Chamberlin, Pasadena 1961, page 80 https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/2241
      William was in Cambridge as early as as 1638, admitted Freeman 1640.

      William admitted Freeman May 10, 1643 probably came to American with his father. In 16470 he was sent to England to invite
      Uriah Oakes to come to New England, who came and became President of Harvard.

      Dorothy's estate was administrated by her son Samuel In the Middlesex probate office is recorded an agreement among the heirs of William Manning dated March 22, 1692 /1693 in which Samuel, the only son of Hannah Stearns eldest daughter Sarah, wife of
      Joseph Ball, and
      Mary Adams, who died before her father, and left one child,
      Eliphalet of whom Jonathan

      Thomas (together with Captain Thomas Prentice, who had been a "brave and distinguished commander of a corps of cavalry in King Philip's War" and another relative of the same name) is famed by tradition as one of Oliver Cromwell's bodyguards. He was 11 at the outbreak of the revolution in 1640 and 29 when Cromwell died.

      John ordained 29 March 1708 Lancaster Married 1st widow of his predecessor married 2nd Mrs. Prudence ( Forster ) Swan of Charlestown, prob. in 1719. By 2nd marriage Prudence married John Brown Relief married Reverend John Rogers, Rebecca married Reverend John Mellen, sons, Dr. Staunton, Thomas, John daughter of 1st marriage Mary married Reverend John was admitted to the church in Newton 14 March 1708 and dismissed the same day Took his degree in Cambridge 1700, at Harvard College.

      bio - in Walt Chamberlin, Los Alamos, NM's book by his mom: The Record of My Ancestry The Stetson - Perkins Family by Katharine Beecher Stetson Chamberlin, Pasadena 1961, page 80
      https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/2241

      !Manning Family of New England.
      !Manning Family of New England.

      !1. Information source: Manning Family H
      !1. Information source: Manning Family History. 2. Child # 1 William md Dorothy, 1641. 3. Child # 2 Hannah md David WALSBY.

      Reverand Thomas Shepard left a manuscrip
      Reverand Thomas Shepard left a manuscript in which he recorded"confessions" of his congregation. One of them was of William Manning,part of which follows. "Goodman Manning's Confession" begins withWilliam describing his sinful early years in which he was anapprentice 14 years old he "liv'd in a place where it was badexamples, was drawn aside whereas I might have got good but being aprentice: with him 4 years I did grow very loose & vayne & would notbe ruled nor governed by my dame". William goes on to say how helooked "upon them that liv'd more restraynedly & civilly than I did Ithought I leave off my bad company & joyne myself to such as theywere". He "took a business lawful & comendable in hand, yet joyning onit without any wisdom". Despite his desire to become good, he stillclung to his worldly ways, being occupied in his business. Eventuallyhowever, faith won out and William made an attempt at righteousliving, difficult as it was for him. He gave his reasons foremigrating to America as "...having at last thoughts of this place inN[ew] England; my wife & I hearinge some certynty of help here; Idesired to come thither tho I was weake; yet the Lord in mercy madeaway ready for me".

      Kim Stickney's - Tenth great grandfather
      Kim Stickney's - Tenth great grandfather

      Pedigree Chart - Henry R. Mathews, Vets
      Pedigree Chart - Henry R. Mathews, Vets Adm. Branch, Box 84443, Los Angeles, CA Family Group Record - Ms Violet MacPhee 2615 Dekalb Pike Apt 416 Norristown, PA 19401-1831 Genealogical and Family History of Central New York Vol. 1 Microfinche 6051221 Death: 1665/1666 1685/1686 Came to New England in 1634. (Roxbury or Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1636 may have went to Hartford, CT (Violet MacPhee)

      [Family.ged] [tim.FTW] Immigrant to Amer
      [Family.ged] [tim.FTW] Immigrant to America in 1634 [Thunter.FTW] [tim.FTW] Immigrant to America in 1634 --Other Fields Ref Number : Quality: 0 Death: Quality: 0

      Selectman 1667 and after.
      Selectman 1667 and after.

      Was in Cambridge by 1634; freeman 13 Ma
      Was in Cambridge by 1634; freeman 13 May 1640.

      William came over some time before 1634
      William came over some time before 1634 with his father. He settled inCambridge and remained there the rest of his life. He owned a house atthe southeast corner of Dunster and South Streets. William was amerchant by trade. He had a warehouse across the street from his homeand constructed a wharf on the Charles River, just down the streetfrom it. His business was obviously a success since his father's willindicated that he was financially well off. The county court licensedWilliam to sell Intoxicating liquors by retail. On 9 June 1652 he wasgranted lot 68 of sixty acres and lot 54 of seventy acres. William held numerous public offices in Cambridge. He was selectedalong with John Cooper to oversee the replacement of the HarvardCollege building and to receive and disburse funds for that purpose.This work began in 1672 and was completed in 1684 after manydifficulties. Many towns had agreed to donate money for the project,but didn't come through with it. This caused a sporadic and slow workeffort.

      BIOGRAPHY: William Mannining Jr. came to
      BIOGRAPHY: William Mannining Jr. came to America with his father prior to 1638. He was one of the chief men of Cambridge, a merchant, largely engaged in navigation. He was a member of the First Church in Cambridge, and was sent by it as a messenger to England in 1669, to invite the Rev. Urian Oakes to become............at Harvard College William Manning was one of the selectmen of Cambridge, and with Deacon John Cooper, by appointment of the colonial government, directed the erection of Harvard Hall, and collected and disbursed the moneys that were raised for its conctruction (App. Dect. Am. Bio.)

      !SOURCES: The Manning Family Genealogy
      !SOURCES: The Manning Family Genealogy by Boyd. Researched by Gertrude Clifton Pierce Nelson. !OTHER MARRIAGES: William Manning, Sr. married 2nd Susannah. He married 3rd Elizabeth. We do not know the name of his 1st wife. !NOTES: William Manning, the founder of his family in America came to the Colony of Massachusetts Bay at an early date. Whence he came has not been learned, but as the Mannings' had long been a numerous family in England, and as he came contemporaneously with the migration of the other emigrants, it is certain he was from a branch of that ancient family. In his "Church Confession" he states that his reason for settling in the new colony was that Reverend Mr. Hooker was there. The latter was an eminent minister; preached in Chelmsford, Essex, England then opened a school at Little Baddow, about five miles from Chelmsford; went within two years to Holland and preached at Delft and Rotterdam and then came to Massachusetts Bay and was Pastor at Cambridge until his removal to Hartford, Connecticut 1636. William Manning's own statement is that, on his arrival in the Colony, he lived in Roxbury for 9 or 10 weeks. He then went to Cambridge where the first documentary sign of him is found. The date of his arrival in the Colony has not been learned, but it was as early as 1634 and may have been some years before. William Manning's homestead was at the southwest corner of what is now Mount Auburn and Holyoke Streets, but then called Spring and Crooked Streets respectively. This location is a short distance south of Harvard Square. William Manning was a freeman in 1640, which meant that he was a Church member and voter. The founders of the New Colony, taking the first steps in the building of the future nation, took great pains to preserve government and society from evil. Their Charter provided "That, from henceforth forever, there shall be one Governor, one Deputy Governor and 18 assistants of the same company, to be from time to time constitu ted," and these above named persons were to meet at regular times to vote upon and enact laws for the Colony. At an early meeting of the body or the General Court, as it was termed, the germ of our present free government was formed. Our ancestor had experienced a religious awakening in England; he was perhaps a member of Mr. Hooker's Church at Cambridge, as he certainly was during the pastorate of the latters successor, Reverend Thomas Shephard. There is now in the library of the New England Historical Society of Boston a manuscript book in Mr. Shephard's handwriting to which the pastor gave the general caption: "The Confessions of Divers propounded to be received and were entertained as members." William Manning's name appears. William Manning lost his wife Susannah by death in 1650 and at sometime later he removed to Boston, where he united with the First Church. The record reads: "William Manning was admitted a member 25, 6 month 1664". It is not certain that the latter date determines the time of his removal. He may have gone earlier than 1664 and for a time kept up his Church relations at Cambridge, which as far as distance was concerned, could have been easily done, but he was a resident of Boston in 1664 August 25 when he became connected with the Church there. The name of the mother of his children is unknown. We have his own statement that she died on the voyage to this country. In a day when family names were generally repeated in each successive generation, her son named his daughters Hannah, Sarah, Abigail and Mary, respectively. Theoretically, the name of the first wife of Elder William Manning should be in this list and opinion may well dwell strongly upon the first as perhaps the proper one. After arriving in the Colony he married second Susannah, of whom we know no more than that she died in Cambridge 16 October 1650. Whoever she was, it is a reasonable conjecture that he had known her in England. He married third, perhaps at Boston, El izabeth, who survived him, but her identity is unknown, neither of these marriages being on record. The Will of our ancestor, written by some person unknown, was drawn shortly before his death, and now on file in the Suffolk County Probate Office, reads as follows: "The last Will and testament of William Maninge senior, being weak of body but perfect in understanding and memorie blessed be God. I William Maninge of Boston in New England in ye countie of Sufolk. Being weake of bodie but of perfect memorie, doe make and ordain this my last Will and Testament; in manor and forme as followeth: Imprimis all my debts and funeral expenses being paide by my executrix here after named: I doe give and bequeath unto my loving wife Elizabeth Maninge all my whole estate whatsoever during the time of her natural life and at her decease my will is that of what shall be then left of my estate, which was my owne before my last marriage I do dispose of as followeth; for as much as my loving son Willyam Maninge have through ye providence of God a good estate I doe therefore give and bequeath unto him but one third part of that which shall be left of what was my owne before this last marriage; and ye other two thirds I do give and bequeath unto my grandchilde Samuel Walsbie and my desire is that this grandchild Samuel Walsbie might be put to a trade according to ye discretion of my executrix and overseers: further I doe make, ordain, constitute and appoint my loving wife sole executrix: I do desire Robert Walker, Jacob Eliot and Theophilus Ffray to be overseers, and to assist my wife and to see this my last Will and Testament performed; lastly, I do hereby revoke and make voyd all former Wills and bequeaths whatsoever made or pretended to be made; and own and acknowledge this to be my last Will and Testament in witness whereof I have herunto set my hand this 17 of February in ye year of our Lord 1665. William Manning In presence of John Tapping Edward Porter !NOTES: Simon de Man ning was the earliest representative of the family mentioned Hasted. Hasted's Kent, Kent, England published 1797, of him there is now general knowledge in England. His home was at Downe, Kent, England. He lived in the time of King Richard I who reigned A.D. 1189-1199 and "was the first of the English Barons to take up the cross and go with King Richard to the Holy Wars in the second Crusade when he was knighted". Refer to New England Historical and Genealogical Society Register. The connection exists but the connecting link has not been found. We only know the general race.

      !SOURCES: The Manning Family Genealogy
      !SOURCES: The Manning Family Genealogy by Boyd, R929.2 m316B Seattle, Washington Public Library, page 102; The Manning Family Genealogy, 929.2 m3153m, New Bedford, Massachusetts Library, pages "History of Cambridge"; Billerica Vital Records to 1650, New Bedford, Massachusetts Library. Researched by Gertrude Clifton Pierce Nelson. Early Manning Graves at Cambridge, Massachusetts. "Here lyes ye body of William Manning, aged 76 years Deceased ye 14 of March 1690" !NOTES: William Manning born about 1614 in England came to the Colony of Massachusetts Bay in or before the year 1634 and settling in the latter year in Cambridge made that town his home throughout the remainder of his life. He early purchased a homestead and other land and engaged in business as a merchant, a calling he followed throughout his life. He owned a warehouse and boat house on a canal to which boats had free access. He constructed his own wharf by the boat house. Early in life he became one of the most prominent and trusted citizens of the town and was called to public offices of trust. He was a member of the Grand Jury of the Court of Sessions in 1686 and again in 1688 and in 1675 was one of the jury of Grand Inquest of the County Court. In 1660 the records say: "Edward Oakes and William Manning are chosen to joyne with the committee formerly chosen, ye eighth of December 1656, for the prosecuting and effecting a bridge over the Charles River." Eighteen different instances have been found in which Mr. Manning was concerned in the settlement of the estates of his fellow citizens either as executor, administrator or in some capacity. He was one of the appraisers of the estate of Reverend Jonathan Mitchell, the third Pastor of Cambridge 1668 and also of Reverend Urian Oake's estate in 1681. He was a freeman in 1643, was an early member of the Church. The list of members at the time of Reverend Mr. Mitchell has, among other entries, the following: "William Manning and Dorathy, his wife both in full communion. Their children Hannah, Samuel, Sarah, John, Mary, all born and baptised in this Church." Mr. Oakes not only remained Pastor of the Church until his death, but was elected President of Harvard College. The most important trust of William Manning's life was in connection with Harvard College, he having been selected, with Deacon John Cooper as an associate to replace the old College building with a new one, and to receive and disburse funds for that purpose. This was in 1672, and as the accounting was not made until 1684 it will be seen the work covered many years. The records of the General Court (Legislature) term these two associates stewards, trustees, and overseers. The name of William Manning appears oftener than that of Deacon Cooper and as he received two thirds of the sum allowed to them for services, it is clear that the greater part of the work, management and responsibility fell upon him. To both it was a momentous trust. The Harvard College of that day was nearer to the hearts of the people and offices of the Colony, than any other College in this country is likely ever to be again. Established by the General Court, itself, and that too only sixteen or seventeen years after the landing of the Mayflower Pilgrims, it was the pride and hope of a people who had cast their fortunes in a new land. It was the head center of education and, moreover, the source whence the several Churches must obtain most of their "learned and orthodox ministers". The connection of the General Court did not end with the establishment of the College; it continued to watch over, scrutinize and govern the seat of learning. Thus, when Mr. Manning and Deacon Cooper were selected to supervise the erection of the most important building in the Colony, and to handle funds necessary for the undertaking through a long period of years, they became responsible to Society, Church and State. It was an important trust. The first step toward the establishment of the College had been on October 28, 1636 as appears from the record of the General Court. William was one of the inhabitants of Cambridge to whom Shawshin or Billerica territory was granted in 1644. Pages, History of Cambridge, says that William "inherited the homestead" of his father. Samuel bought a home from Henry Adams on South Street. After his death the premises passed to his son Samuel and in 1698 to his grandson Samuel.

      !SOURCES: The Manning Family Genealogy
      !SOURCES: The Manning Family Genealogy by Boyd, R929.2 m316B Seattle, Washington Public Library, page 102; The Manning Family Genealogy, 929.2 m3153m, New Bedford, Massachusetts Library, pages "History of Cambridge"; Billerica Vital Records to 1650, New Bedford, Massachusetts Library. Researched by Gertrude Clifton Pierce Nelson. !NOTES: William Manning born about 1614 in England came to the Colony of Massachusetts Bay in or before the year 1634 and settling in the latter year in Cambridge made that town his home throughout the remainder of his life. He early purchased a homestead and other land and engaged in business as a merchant, a calling he followed throughout his life. He owned a warehouse and boat house on a canal to which boats had free access. He constructed his own wharf by the boat house. Early in life he became one of the most prominent and trusted citizens of the town and was called to public offices of trust. He was a member of the Grand Jury of the Court of Sessions in 1686 and again in 1688 and in 1675 was one of the jury of Grand Inquest of the County Court. In 1660 the records say: "Edward Oakes and William Manning are chosen to joyne with the committee formerly chosen, ye eighth of December 1656, for the prosecuting and effecting a bridge over the Charles River." Eighteen different instances have been found in which Mr. Manning was concerned in the settlement of the estates of his fellow citizens either as executor, administrator or in some capacity. He was one of the appraisers of the estate of Reverend Jonathan Mitchell, the third Pastor of Cambridge 1668 and also of Reverend Urian Oake's estate in 1681. He was a freeman in 1643, was an early member of the Church. The list of members at the time of Reverend Mr. Mitchell has, among other entries, the following: "William Manning and Dorathy, his wife both in full communion. Their children Hannah, Samuel, Sarah, John, Mary, all born and baptised in this Church." Mr. Oakes not onl y remained Pastor of the Church until his death, but was elected President of Harvard College. The most important trust of William Manning's life was in connection with Harvard College, he having been selected, with Deacon John Cooper as an associate to replace the old College building with a new one, and to receive and disburse funds for that purpose. This was in 1672, and as the accounting was not made until 1684 it will be seen the work covered many years. The records of the General Court (Legislature) term these two associates stewards, trustees, and overseers. The name of William Manning appears oftener than that of Deacon Cooper and as he received two thirds of the sum allowed to them for services, it is clear that the greater part of the work, management and responsibility fell upon him. To both it was a momentous trust. The Harvard College of that day was nearer to the hearts of the people and offices of the Colony, than any other College in this country is likely ever to be again. Established by the General Court, itself, and that too only sixteen or seventeen years after the landing of the Mayflower Pilgrims, it was the pride and hope of a people who had cast their fortunes in a new land. It was the head center of education and, moreover, the source whence the several Churches must obtain most of their "learned and orthodox ministers". The connection of the General Court did not end with the establishment of the College; it continued to watch over, scrutinize and govern the seat of learning. Thus, when Mr. Manning and Deacon Cooper were selected to supervise the erection of the most important building in the Colony, and to handle funds necessary for the undertaking through a long period of years, they became responsible to Society, Church and State. It was an important trust. The first step toward the establishment of the College had been on October 28, 1636 as appears from the record of the General Court. William was one of the inhabitants of Ca mbridge to whom Shawshin or Billerica territory was granted in 1644. Pages, History of Cambridge, says that William "inherited the homestead" of his father. Samuel bought a home from Henry Adams on South Street. After his death the premises passed to his son Samuel and in 1698 to his grandson Samuel. !DEATH: William Manning was buried in the Old Cemetery, Harvard Square Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts near Harvard Square. His estate was appraised 30 March 1691. Early Manning Graves at Cambridge, Massachusetts. Here lyes ye body of William Manning, aged 76 years Deceased ye 14 of March 1690

      Sources: Birth: (14) p486 & (24) p457 D
      Sources: Birth: (14) p486 & (24) p457 Death: (14) p486 & (24) p457 & (295) p117 Marriage: (14) p486 & (24) p457 & (274) p19 & (295) p111 Of Cambridge at time of daughter's marriage. Died at age 76. Buried in the old cemetery off Harvard Square. (24) p457: "...was only child to survive his parents...was born in England in 1614, and came with his parents to MA, and after their decease inherited their mansion place in Cambridge. He engaged and pursued the mercantile business and became a prominent and successful merchant..." (295) p117: "...he died full of years and hornors-a merchant; a selectman, and often called to public offices by the town in other ways; a trusted agent in various specail cases; a steward for the rebuilding of Harbard College, and messenger of the church...he had several grants of land from the town when "divisions" were made to the inhabitants...he was one of hte inhabitants of Cambridge to whom the Shawshin, or Billerica, territory was granted in 1644, he being allotted 60 acres... and who joined in the "great deed" of 1650 conveying it to the Billerica settlers... at the time of his death, he owned only one house, at the corner of Dunster and South Streets...his estate was inventoried 30 March 1691 at 218.19.08..."

      !SOURCES: The Manning Family Genealogy
      !SOURCES: The Manning Family Genealogy by Boyd. Researched by Gertrude Clifton Pierce Nelson. !NOTES: William Manning, the founder of his family in America came to the Colony of Massachusetts Bay at an early date. Whence he came has not been learned, but as the Mannings' had long been a numerous family in England, and as he came contemporaneously with the migration of the other emigrants, it is certain he was from a branch of that ancient family. In his "Church Confession" he states that his reason for settling in the new colony was that Reverend Mr. Hooker was there. The latter was an eminent minister; preached in Chelmsford, Essex, England then opened a school at Little Baddow, about five miles from Chelmsford; went within two years to Holland and preached at Delft and Rotterdam and then came to Massachusetts Bay and was Pastor at Cambridge until his removal to Hartford, Connecticut 1636. William Manning's own statement is that, on his arrival in the Colony, he lived in Roxbury for 9 or 10 weeks. He then went to Cambridge where the first documentary sign of him is found. The date of his arrival in the Colony has not been learned, but it was as early as 1634 and may have been some years before. William Manning's homestead was at the southwest corner of what is now Mount Auburn and Holyoke Streets, but then called Spring and Crooked Streets respectively. This location is a short distance south of Harvard Square. William Manning was a freeman in 1640, which meant that he was a Church member and voter. The founders of the New Colony, taking the first steps in the building of the future nation, took great pains to preserve government and society from evil. Their Charter provided "That, from henceforth forever, there shall be one Governor, one Deputy Governor and 18 assistants of the same company, to be from time to time constituted," and these above named persons were to meet at regular times to vote upon and enact laws for the Colony. At an early meeting of the body or the General Court, as it was termed, the germ of our present free government was formed. Our ancestor had experienced a religious awakening in England; he was perhaps a member of Mr. Hooker's Church at Cambridge, as he certainly was during the pastorate of the latters successor, Reverend Thomas Shephard. There is now in the library of the New England Historical Society of Boston a manuscript book in Mr. Shephard's handwriting to which the pastor gave the general caption: "The Confessions of Divers propounded to be received and were entertained as members." William Manning's name appears. William Manning lost his wife Susannah by death in 1650 and at sometime later he removed to Boston, where he united with the First Church. The record reads: "William Manning was admitted a member 25, 6 month 1664". It is not certain that the latter date determines the time of his removal. He may have gone earlier than 1664 and for a time kept up his Church relations at Cambridge, which as far as distance was concerned, could have been easily done, but he was a resident of Boston in 1664 August 25 when he became connected with the Church there. The name of the mother of his children is unknown. We have his own statement that she died on the voyage to this country. In a day when family names were generally repeated in each successive generation, her son named his daughters Hannah, Sarah, Abigail and Mary, respectively. Theoretically, the name of the first wife of Elder William Manning should be in this list and opinion may well dwell strongly upon the first as perhaps the proper one. After arriving in the Colony he married second Susannah, of whom we know no more than that she died in Cambridge 16 October 1650. Whoever she was, it is a reasonable conjecture that he had known her in England. He married third, perhaps at Boston, Elizabeth, who survived him, but her identity is unknown, neither of these marriages being on record. The Will of our ancestor, writ ten by some person unknown, was drawn shortly before his death, and now on file in the Suffolk County Probate Office, reads as follows: "The last Will and testament of William Maninge senior, being weak of body but perfect in understanding and memorie blessed be God. I William Maninge of Boston in New England in ye countie of Sufolk. Being weake of bodie but of perfect memorie, doe make and ordain this my last Will and Testament; in manor and forme as followeth: Imprimis all my debts and funeral expenses being paide by my executrix here after named: I doe give and bequeath unto my loving wife Elizabeth Maninge all my whole estate whatsoever during the time of her natural life and at her decease my will is that of what shall be then left of my estate, which was my owne before my last marriage I do dispose of as followeth; for as much as my loving son Willyam Maninge have through ye providence of God a good estate I doe therefore give and bequeath unto him but one third part of that which shall be left of what was my owne before this last marriage; and ye other two thirds I do give and bequeath unto my grandchilde Samuel Walsbie and my desire is that this grandchild Samuel Walsbie might be put to a trade according to ye discretion of my executrix and overseers: further I doe make, ordain, constitute and appoint my loving wife sole executrix: I do desire Robert Walker, Jacob Eliot and Theophilus Ffray to be overseers, and to assist my wife and to see this my last Will and Testament performed; lastly, I do hereby revoke and make voyd all former Wills and bequeaths whatsoever made or pretended to be made; and own and acknowledge this to be my last Will and Testament in witness whereof I have herunto set my hand this 17 of February in ye year of our Lord 1665. William Manning In presence of John Tapping Edward Porter !OTHER MARRIAGES: William Manning, Sr. married 2nd Susannah and married 3rd Elizabeth. We do not know the name of his first wife. !DEATH: William M anning, Sr.'s Will is dated 17 February 1665 and the document was proved on April 28, 1666. !NOTES: Simon de Manning was the earliest representative of the family mentioned Hasted. Hasted's Kent, Kent, England published 1797, of him there is now general knowledge in England. His home was at Downe, Kent, England. He lived in the time of King Richard I who reigned A.D. 1189-1199 and "was the first of the English Barons to take up the cross and go with King Richard to the Holy Wars in the second Crusade when he was knighted". Refer to New England Historical and Genealogical Society Register. The connection exists but the connecting link has not been found. We only know the general race.

      William Manning was the only confirmed c
      William Manning was the only confirmed child of William previously mentioned. He was born in England about 1614 and came to this country, probably with his father, no later than 1634. In that year he settled in Cambridge which was his home for the rest of his life. William's wife was named Dorothy, but neither her maiden name nor her birth date are known at this time. From 1646 to his death, William owned a house at the southeast corner of Dunster and South Streets, which is probably where he lived during that time. He owned various other pieces of real estate as evidenced from grants of the town, however no deeds are in existence to indicate how he disposed of them. William became a freeman in 1643.[2]
      William Manning was a merchant by trade. He had a warehouse across the street from his home and constructed a wharf on the Charles River, just down the street from his warehouse. His business was obviously a success as his father indicated in his will that William. Jr. was financially well off.[2] The County Court had the power to license some people to sell intoxicating liquors by retail. This included William Manning from 16541686.[1/227] On June 9, 1652 he was granted lot 68 of sixty acres and lot 54 of 70 acres.[1/59]
      From all the public offices he held, it is obvious that William was a prominent and trusted citizen as well as a successful businessman. In 1651 he was elected highway surveyor and also a gauger "to size casks". He was the constable in the years 1652, '66, '68, '75, and '79 and was Selectman in 1652, '66'70, '72, '75'81, and '83. His name also appears frequently on committees to view lands and highways and determine what should be done in some cases. In 1660 "Edward Oakes & William Manning are chosen to joyne with the committe formerly chosen, ye eighth of December, 1656, for the prosecuting & effecting a Bridge over Charles River". In 1669 "At a meeting of the Select Men Mr. William Manning and petter Towne was appointed to agree with workmen to take down the Scholehouse and set it up againe and to carry the stones in the cellar to the place whare the house for the minister is to be built".[1/373] William was appointed by the Selectmen Feb. 14, 1675-6 with Nathaniel Hancock, John Jackson, and John Gove "to have inspection into families that there bye no drinking, or any misdemeanor whereby sin is committed, and persons from their houses unseasonably".[1/97] He was also one of the Jury of Grand Inquest of the County Court in 1675 and was a member of the grand jury of the Court of Sessions in 1686 and 1688.
      The meager records of the Cambridge church list "William Manning and Dorothy his wife both in full communion. Their children, Hannah, Samuel, Sarah, John, and Mary, all born and baptized in this church". William was also called upon to perform services for the church. In 1670 he was appointed with another "to catechise the youth" of the town. More importantly, in 1668 after the death of Reverend Mitchell, the third pastor of Cambridge, William Manning was selected by the church to go to England to persuade Reverned Urian Oakes to come to Cambridge and accept the vacant pastorate. "An account of seaverall providencis of God to the Church of Cambridge, after the death of that reverant and eminent man Mr. Jonathan Mitchell, pastor of the church, and the actings of the church for supply in the ministry. After sume time of seeking god by prayer, the lord was pleased to guide the Church to make theare application to Mr. Urian Oakes in old England which to further the same theare was a letter sent from the Church with a messenger namly Mr. William Manning with a letter alsoe sent by severall Magistrates and Ministers to Invite him to come over and be an Officer amongst us which he after Counsill and advice did Except".[1/271]
      The sickness and death of Mr. Oakes' wife, and his own ill health delayed his coming until 1671, in which year he was ordained at Cambridge. At this point the record states, "August 9th, 1671. Delivered to William Manning sixty pounds in silver to pay Mr. Prout toward the transportation of Mr. Urian Oakes his familie & goods & other disbursements".[1/272]
      William Manning was also selected as an associate along with John Cooper to oversee the replacement of the Harvard College building and to receive and disburse funds for that purpose. This work began in 1672 and was fraught with many difficulties until the final accounting in 1684. Many records can be found regarding this effort and are well documented in the Manning family work listed in the reference. To summarize the difficulties, many towns had agreed to donate money for the work of the Colony's only college. However, the towns were poor and many didn't cpme through with the promised money, thus causing a sporadic, or at best, slow work effort. William, however, saw the task through to a successful completion.
      William Manning died March 14, 1690-1 at the age of 76. He left no will, but his heirs agreed to an even division of the estate, with Samuel Manning, the eldest son (in this case, only son), receiving a double share as was customary. Inventory of the estate was taken March 30, 1691 by Elder Clark, Deacon Cooper, and Jonathan Remington and amounted to 218.19.08.[4/7:277] In an agreement dated Cambridge March 22, 1692-3, the heirs claimed to have already received 308.03.07 prior to William's death. After debts and funeral expenses there remained 163.02.09 in the estate. This resulted in five shares of 94.05.04 each. The heirs were "Samuel Manning ye only son", "Hannah Sternes ye eldest Daughter", "Joseph Bull ... with his wife Sarah second Daughter", "Eliphalet Adams ye only son of Mary ye youngest Daughter".[4/8:317]
      Dorothy Manning died July 26, 1692, aged 80,. Administration on her estate was granted to her son Samuel on Dec. 24, 1692,[3/8:62] and the inventory, taken July 28, 1692, amounted to 163.01.00 after "maids wages, Nurssing, and charges at ye Buriall".[3/8:63] William and Dorothy were buried side by side in the old cemetery near Harvard Square in Cambridge.
      REF: [1] History of Cambridge - Lucius R. Paige, 1877
      [2] William Manning Family of Cambridge - William H. Manning,
      1902 (pgs.99-118)
      [3] Middlesex County Probate (First Series Docket 14576)
      [4] Middlesex County Probate (First Series Docket 14610
      [5] Cambridge, MA Vital Records

      Came to Colony Bay ca 1634.
      Came to Colony Bay ca 1634.

      WILLIAM Manning, Cambridge 1634, freema
      WILLIAM Manning, Cambridge 1634, freeman 13 May 1640, brought from England William, and probably other children, perhaps Timothy, who died 8 Nov. 1653, was one. His wife Susanna was buried 16 Oct. 1650, but when he died is not ascertained.

      WILLIAM Manning, Cambridge, son of Will
      WILLIAM Manning, Cambridge, son of William first, born in England, freeman 10 May 1643, by wife Dorothy had Hannah, born 21 June 1642; Samuel, 21 July 1644, bef. ment.; Sarah, 28 Jan. 1646; Abigail, 15 Jan. 1648, d. at 4 mos.; John, 31 Mar. 1650, who died of smallpox, 25 Nov 1678; and Mary. He was selectman 1667, and many years after sent, 1670, to England to induce Uriah Oakes to come over to be president of the college says tradition with more wildness than might have been expected of Cambridge people, who know that vacancy did not occur by death of Chauncy until 1672. The grave stone that tells his death 14 Mar. 1691, aged 76 yrs. may be truer, but I suspect some exaggeration in that for his wife Dorothy, when it makes her 80 yrs. at the death 26 July 1692. Sarah married 11 Apr. 1671, Joseph Bull of Hartford; and Mary married 21 Oct. 1674, Rev. William Adams of Dedham. (Believe what follows may be in reference to all the Manning's listed in James Savage's book) In the colleges of N. E. and N. J. fourteen had been graduated in 1834, of which ten were of Harvard. From Ormsby, in County Norfolk came, in 1637, aged 17, Ann M. as servant of Henry Dow, says the record of his declaration before embarkation as found at Westminster Hall.

      Moved to Cambridge Mass in 1634
      Merchant
      Moved to Cambridge Mass in 1634
      Merchant and Steward for the rebuilding of Harvard University for most of his life.

      supposed to have had 5 children

      !Manning Family HISTORY.
      !Manning Family HISTORY.

      !1. Information source: Manning Family
      !1. Information source: Manning Family Genealogy, Cambridge Vital Statistics ( Both books in San Francisco Library.) 2. Child # 1 Hannah md Samuel STEARNS, 1 Feb 1662. 3. Child # 2 Samuel md Abiel WIGHT, 6 May 1673. 4. Child # 3 Sarah md Capt. Joseph BULL, 11 Apr 1671. 5. Child # 6 Mary md William ADAMS, 21 Oct 1674.

      Sources: Birth: (24) p457 Death: (24) p
      Sources: Birth: (24) p457 Death: (24) p457 Marriages: (24) p457 & (295) p95 (24) p457: "...the emigrant ancestor of the Manning family of Stonington, and wife, Susannah, came to New England with its early planters and settled in Cambridge, MA, where he purchased valuable real estate in 1638...the residence of this family in England is not certainly known, nor is it known how many children they became the parents of in the old country, or how many in this country. Only one child survived them..." (295) p85: "...the founder of his family in America, came to the Colony of MASS Bay at an early date [abt 1634]; whence he came has not been learned...his church "confession" he states his reason for settling where he did in the new Colony was that the Reverend Mr. Hooker was there...his own statement is that, on his arrival in the Colony, he lived in Roxbury for nine or ten weeks; then went to Cambridge, where the first documentary sign of him is found...it is not known what calling he followed in Cambridge; in his church confession he states that he was apprenticed when very young, from which it seems he learned some trade; but he further says that he later "took a business lawful and commendable"; what this business was is unknown, but it seems probable that, like his son, he was a merchant...he was the owner of a house and of other lots of lands, but when he bought and sold is not known in full [deeds of that period are not to be found, for the Middlesex County Registry of Deeds had no entries prior to 1649]...his homestead was at the southwest corner of what is now Mount Auburn and Holyoke streets, but then called Spring and Crooked streets respectively...the location is a short distance south of Harvard Square ...was a freeman in 1640, which meant that he was a church member and voter...at some time after the death of his second wife, Susannah, he removed to Boston, where he united with the First Church...his will was dated 17 February 1665 and proved 28 April 1666, in Suffolk County Probate Court...no headstone exists to his grave, and the place of his burial is unknown..."

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