1820 British Settler

Thomas Manley 35, Farmer, together with his wife Margaret Robinson 30, and their 3 children, were members of Liversage's Party of 48 Settlers on the John.

Party originated from Staffordshire, England.

Departed Liverpool, 13 January 1820. Arrived Table Bay, Cape Town on 19 April 1820. Final Port - Algoa Bay, Port Elizabeth May 1820.

Area Allocated to the Party : Wilmot Vale on the Blaauwkrantz River

Children :

• Ralph Manley 12
  
• John Manley 10
  
• William Manley 2
  

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In September 1819, Samuel Liversage, originally from Wybunbury parish, but then at Burselm, Staffordshire, got together a party intent on immigrating to the Cape. Amongst them was the Thomas Manley family, consisting of Thomas, Margaret and 7 children: Ralph (12), John (10), Mary (8), Thomas (7), Joseph (5), Ann (4), William (2) -- and also Thomas Robinson (brother of Thomas's wife Margaret) then a 20-year old farmer.

Several changes were made in the company between September and November. Thomas Robinson dropped out and was replaced by his older brother Abraham, then a widower who brought his two young children Joseph (5) and Ann (3). Some of the Manley children had died, and the couple decided to leave some with friends and so they were only bring their three sons: Ralph, John & William. The William Ford family (William Ford : husband of Hannah; sister of Margaret) replaced a family that had dropped out. Joseph Scott, also described as a widower, was bringing his children, Mary (7) and Thomas (6).

Interestingly Abraham Robinson and Joseph Scott's children match the names and (almost) ages of those the Manley's intended to take. No marriage for either gentleman has surfaced.

Article found at 1820 Settlers Association

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Thomas Manley and his wife were entered in the original party list with seven children under the age of 14, but in the event emigrated with only three. Liversage gave a succinct explanation for this reduction in the number of Manley's family: 'Some are ded and is frends take the other'.

I have this story in the profile of Thomas Manley: Thomas and Margaret had 3 kids "registered" with them; Abraham Robinson (Margaret's brother) accompanied 2; and a friend (sic) accompanied the other 2 making a total of seven.

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The Grahamstown Journal. Sat. 22nd May 1847

Died in Trapps Valley on Friday 14th instant, in the 71st year of his age, Mr. Thomas MANLEY, the son of John and Ann MANLEY, born at Checkley, Comrionhill in Cheshire. He married Margaret, daughter of John and Mary ROBINSON of Shebington. Deceased was one of the Settlers of 1820 - a man well beloved by all who knew him. He was an affectionate husband and father and has left a widow and seven children to lament the loss of so good a friend.

The Settler's Handbook

Deposits were paid for 11 men and the party sailed from Liverpool in the John on 13 February 1820. All three of William Ford's children died at sea. The John reached Table Bay on 19 April and Algoa Bay during May. The party ws located east of Grahamstown on the Blaauwkrantz River, and the location was named Wilmot Vale.

Thomas Manley 1, 2 was born 3 1777. He died 14 May 1847. Thomas married Margaret Robinson.
Thomas was employed farmer before 1820. He arrived 4, 5 with the Liversage Party aboard the 'John' 1 May 1820 in Algoa Bay, Cape Colony.

Margaret Robinson 1, 2 was born 1790. She married Thomas Manley.

They had the following children:

M i Ralph Manley was born about 1808.

M ii John Manley was born about 1810.

F iii Mary Manley was born 29 Apr 1813 and died 2 Jul 1897.

M iv William Manley was born about 1818.

2Mailing list, SOUTH-AFRICA-IMMIGRANTS-BRITISH-L Archives, From: Russell and Olivia , 6 Jun 2003. "66. Thomas MANLEY was born in 1777. He died on 14 May 1847. Thomas married Margaret ROBINSON. Margaret ROBINSON was born in 1790." [CAWOOD, Lionel]

3Desmond McAllister, http://www.desmond-mcallister.info. Thier child was born on this date, the parents must have allready been born.

4MD NASH, The Settler Handbook (Chameleon Press, Cape Town 1987), Manley in the Liversage Party. "

Settler Handbook

.". "Party Liversage. Ship John. Settler MANLEY Thomas 35 Farmer.
Margaret 30 Ralph 12 John 10 William 2."

Extract from The Grahamstown Journal CO53/16 National Archives, Kew, London

Saturday May 22 1847

Died in Trapps Valley on Friday 14th instant, in the 71st year of his age, Mr. Thomas MANLEY, the son of John and Ann MANLEY, born at Checkley, Comrionhill in Cheshire. He married Margaret, daughter of John and Mary ROBINSON of Shebington. Deceased was one of the Settlers of 1820 - a man well beloved by all who knew him. He was an affectionate husband and father and has left a widow and seven children to lament the loss of so good a friend.