William Manuel, Free Settler “Lady Kenway” 1841

from Rod Carpenter (Genes reunited)

General Notes: William and Eliza were assisted migrants from Dorset. They arrived in NSW aboard the ship "Lady Kenway" in 1841 with three children. The family settled and worked first in the Hunter Valley district. Around 1887 the family moved to the Uralla area settling at Gostwyck, Salisbury and later at Yarrowyck. It is believed that during their later years William and Eliza had a coaching inn/store at Yarrowyck. [source: "Yarrowyck" by Dorothy Stevenson and Mary Hope]

children: Francis Manuel B:1836, Tamar Manuel B:1838, Harriet Manuel B:1840, Hannah Manuel B:c1840, Mary Manuel B:1842, Emma Manuel B:1845, Sarah Manuel B:1845, John Manuel B:1847, William Manuel B:1849, James Manuel B:1851, Elizabeth Manuel B:1854 and George Manuel B:1855

To see what Mapperton Manor looked like go to www.dorsetshire.com

then click onto Great Houses.

Mapperton Manor

Built in Henry VII's reign (1485-1509) and later expanded, this Elizabethan manor has a beech avenue approaching it and classic gardens. The attached church has interesting stained glass. The Black Death wiped out most if not all of the village of Mapperton before the house was built.

here is some info on the town Beaminister:

Welcome to Beaminster!

The town stands at the head of the valley of the River Brit where many tributaries join together, and the streets tend to follow the line of the streams which in earlier times flowed above ground in many parts. The earliest recorded version (possibly 7th century) of the name Beaminster is BEBINGMYNSTER, and the most likely meaning is Church of BEBBE, this being a female personal name. No trace has so far been found, however, of the early minster church; the existing church, St. Mary’s, is basically 15th century with a little 13th-century work. Contact the Friends of St. Mary's Church for information on the future maintenance of the Church.A charter was granted in 1284 for a weekly market all day Thursday and a three-day annual fair in September, and by the end of medieval times the agricultural settlement had certainly grown into a little town, with a stepped cross in the centre of its market-place. Prosperity came through the manufacture of wool cloth and in the 17th century there was a fine market house on stone arched pillars. Hemp and flax manufactures also developed – sailcloth, sackcloth, shoe-thread, rope and twine. Many other small industries were carried on, for example paper-making, printing, potteries and metal-working, but the buildings have since been pulled down or adapted for different uses. Strongly Parliamentarian, the town was devastated in 1644 in a fire started by the occupying Royalist army; in 1684 the centre was severely burnt through an accidental fire. The finest 17th-century houses are to be found on the fringe of the town where they escaped the fires. A further fire in 1781 affected Church Street, Hogshill Street and Shadrack Street, and the centre of Beaminster today has a largely late-18th-century and early-19th-century appearance.

The population declined after 1841 when the industries failed, the railway did not come near the town, and the flight from the land led to a great fall in numbers employed in agriculture. Growth has taken place since the last War and the population today is about 2,800.

The following information is taken from The Manuel booklet by Jean McIntosh:

William and Eliza, with their three children, Francis Josiah (5yrs), Tamar (3yrs) and Harriet (1 1/2yrs) and accompained by Eliza's sister, Harriet, left Plymouth, England aboard the "Lady Kennaway", of 584 tons and built in Calcutta, had made three previous trips twice to Van Diemans Land and donce to Sydney, each time with convicts.

Wlliam was described on the immigrant sheet as a 32 year old farm labourer, in good health and able to read (a not too common accomplishment in those days). Eliza was described as being a 26 year old needlewoman, in good health who could neither read nor write. Their religion was shown as Episcopalian.

William's party was described as "bounty passengers" - assisted immigrants in today's terminology.

Early immigrants to the colony had to have a job to cometo. They were brought out at a cost of 13 pounds epr head and in return were required to work for a few years for the nomination employer.

On arrival in Sydney families would spend a short time in the immigrat barracks then proceed to their destination. Paddle steamers, like the "Sophia Jane" and "Tamar", made wiikly trips from Sydney to Newcastle then up the Hunter River to Morpeth (then called Green Hills), at cost per single of 35/- cabin class or 15/- steerage. It is highly probable that William & Eliza made such a tirp then comp;leted their journey by bullock dray.

William first worked for his nomination employer, Mr. Pringle, of "Orimbah", his wages being 28 pounds p.a. with rations. He later worked for a number of years for Mr Charles Reynolds, of "Tocal", one of the finest estates in the Hunter Valley and now a renowned agricultural college.

Seven more children were born during their next 16 years or so around Paterson.

About 1857/8, the family oved to Uralladistrict, settling at Gostwyck, Salisbury and later Yarrowyck. In ensuing years, William and his sons had various selections in these areas. In fact, some blocs in the Salisbury area are still known as the Upper and Lower Manuel paddocks.

It is believed that during William's latter years he and Eliza had a coaching house/store at &Yarrowyck.