It has been a while since I’ve written about my Brown Line. I’ve been spending a lot of time researching one of my most confounding ancestors, my 3rd great-grandmother, Minerva Ann Tolliver. I’m alone in my thoughts about her parents. Family Search’s Family Tree indicates her parents are Elijah Toliver and Martha Mannin[i]. Likewise, when I check the hints on Ancestry, there are 10 Ancestry Member Trees suggested. All 10 of them indicate her parents were Elijah Toliver and Martha Mannin. My tree seems to be the only one that indicates Minerva’s father was Tulion Tolliver. That always concerns me. It is like marching and saying “everyone is out of step except for me.” In reality, it is much more likely that I am out of step.
So, I’ve been going through all my records and making sure I’ve gleaned every fact about Minerva and her parents out of them. Sadly, the only record I’ve found indicated that Minerva’s father was Tulion Mannin. I have seen speculation by some researchers that Minerva’s mother was Martha Mannin [nee unknown]. That Martha had Minerva in 1821 and then remarried Elijah Toliver in 1825[ii]. Minerva then used the surname of Toliver as that was common during that period.
A second theory suggested on the Internet is that Minerva was full-blooded Native American. If so, her parents would not have been included in any census records because Indians living in the general population were not enumerated until 1860. If Minerva were native, a mitochondrial DNA test of one of her mitochondrial descendants should answer that question.
Probably the biggest problem I have is that I’m not confident that Minerva’s death record citing her father’s name being Tulion is accurate. Whoever provided the information didn’t report who her mother was, which suggests they didn’t know Minera’s ancestry very well. Additionally, though she died in in 1902 at the age of 82, there is another entry on the page indicating she was born in 1823. An 1823 birthyear is inconsistent with all other documents regarding her birth. So, if her year of birth is incorrect, then any other birth information on the document is suspect.
Until I discover documents which clearly indicate Minerva’s parentage or learn of mitochondrial DNA test results think that Minerva’s parentage is a brick wall.
If you have documentation regarding Minerva Ann (Tolliver) Mannin parentage or if you are a mitochondrial descendant of Minerva, I would really like to hear from you. In the meantime, I consider this issue to be a “brick wall.”
[ii] Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954, Family Search, Elijah Tolliver & Martha Marvin [Mannin] – 12 Sep 1825. “Kentucky, County Marriages, 17971954,” database with images, FamilySearch, Elijah Toliver and Martha Marvin, 12 Sep 1825; citing Marriage, Morgan, Kentucky, United States, district clerk, court clerk, county clerk and register offices from various counties; FHL microfilm 839,918. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4MV-DQT?from=lynx1UIV8&treeref=K81Q-DR5.
52 Ancestors – Week 2018-48 [i] Brown – Manning – Fugate line by Don Taylor
Finding that we have Fugate ancestors in Kentucky give rise to the question if our Fugates are related to the famous blue-blooded Fugate family of Troublesome Creek, Kentucky. I took some time looking at the family tree of the “Blue Bloods,” people with a recessive genetic trait called methemoglobinemia.” I did not find any common ancestors with our Fugates; possibly there is a relationship but, if so, it is distant.
Rachel Fugate was born on 4 June 1803 in Kentucky, 9 days after Ralph Waldo Emerson. Kentucky had been admitted to the Union just nine years earlier. Her parents were Reuben and Mary Fugate. Reuben Fugate was born in Wythe County Virginia, the birth location for Rachel’s mother, Mary, is unknown.
Childhood
Nothing is known specifically of Rachel’s childhood, but historically, Kentucky was undergoing great expansion. She undoubtedly felt the New Madrid earthquakes in 1811 & 1812 and probably knew people who fought in the War of 1812, although her siblings were too young to have served in that war.
Marriage
She and Meredith Mannin were married in Bath County, Kentucky on 14 Feb 1825 (possibly 17 Feb) in a ceremony performed by Johnathan Smith. She was 21 years old and Meredith was 22.
Rachel and Meredith had 12 known children.
Child
Birth Year
Spouse
Death
Enoch
1823*
Minerva Ann Tolliver
1907
Isaac B
1825
Elizabeth Fortune
1905
Thomas Hillry
1827
Rachel R Richardson
1924
Tubil
1829
Elizabeth Jane Brown
1862**
Reuben Calloway
1831
Sarah A Shuts
1859
Katharine Susan
1833
Harvey Tapp
1864**
John
1835
Martha McGlothin
1870
Mahala
1837
William Myers
Bef. 1917
Elizabeth Marthy
1838
(None)
1841
Sarah Jane
1838 or 39
James Richardson
1913
Zachariah
1841
Unknown if he married.
1864**
Tarlton
1844
Mary Jane (Unknown)
1916
* Enoch was born two years before Meredith and Rachel were married. ** Three of the children died during the time of the Civil War.[ii]
Rachel lived until May 1870, so it appears five of her children proceeded her in death.
Adult
About 1828 the Manning family moved west to Missouri. Tubil, Reuben, and Katherine were born there.
1830 Census
The 1830 Census indicates the family lived in St Ferdinand, St Louis, Missouri. The household consists of:
3 Males under 5, One presumed to be Isaac, Age 5 One presumed to be Thomas Hillry, Age 3 One presumed to be Tubill, Age 1 1 male 5 to 10 Presumed to be Enoch, Age 7 1 male 20 to 30. Meredith Mannin, Age 28. 1 Female 20 to 30 Presumed to Be Rachel Fugate, Age 26.
About 1834 the family moved again, this time to Indiana. That is where John, Mahala, Sarah Jane, and Elizabeth were born.
1840 Census
1840 Census indicates the family is in Boone County, Indiana. The household consisted of:
2 Males 5 to under 10 – Presumed to be John (age 5) and Reuben Calloway, (Age 9) 1 Male 10 to under 15 – Presumed to be Thomas Hillry OR Tubill (Age 13 or 10)[iii] 2 Males 15 to under 20 – Presumed to be Enoch (Age 17) and Isaac B. (Age 15) 1 Male 30 to under 40 – Presumed to be Meredith Mannin (Age 38) 3 Females under 5 – Presumed to be Mahala (Age 2), Elizabeth (Age 1), and Sarah Jane (a newborn) 1 Female 5 to under 10 – Presumed to be Katharine Susan (Age 7) 1 Female 30 to under 40 – Presumed to be Rachel Fugate Mannin (Age 36)
Sometime in 1840 or 1841, the family moved from Indiana to Kentucky, where Zachariah and Tarlton were born.
1850 Census
The 1850 Census indicates the family is in Carter County, Kentucky
Meradith Mannen – 48 – Farmer 250 VA Rachel “ 47 KY Tubal “ 20 Laborer Mo Reuben “ 17 Laborer “ Cathrine S “ 15 “ John “ 13 Ind Mahala “ 12 “ Sarah “ 10 “ Zachariah “ 8 Ky Tarlton “ 6 “
The four oldest children, all boys, appear to have moved out of the house before 1850.
1860 Census
The 1860 Census indicates the family is in Bath County, Kentucky. Only four of their children are still at home with them: Meredith Manning – 58 Farmer – Born Virginia Rachel “ 57 Kentucky Zachah “ 18 Farm Hand – KY Mahala 21 KY (Apparent Error) Sarah 19 KY (Apparent Error) Tarlton 16 KY
Death & Burial
Rachel died on 7 May 1870.
I have been unsuccessful finding burial information concerning Rachel.
Further Actions / Follow-up
Zachariah died of smallpox during the civil war, and his father received his pension. Research the deaths of the other two children who died during the Civil War and determine if any of them served.
Determine if Rachel can be “found” in her parents’ records before her marriage to Meredith.
Sources
Mannin Family Bible, Copy, Mannin Family Bible – Family Records – Births. Bible Records found in Civil War record file of Zachariah Mannin, son of Meridith and Rachel Fugate Mannin. Zachariah died of smallpox Jan. 7, 1864 at Knoxville, Tennessee. Meridith Mannin applied for Zachariah’s pension and received it. I have found this resource in many locations including http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.mannin/159.1.1/mb.ashx.
1830 Census (A) (NARA), Com, 1830 Census – Meredith Manning – St Ferdinand. St Louis County, Missouri.
1860 Census, Family Search, 1860 – Meredith Manning – Bath, Maine – Page 131.
Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954, Family Search; Meredith Mannon and Rachel Fugate, 14 Feb 1825 – Bond. Bath, Kentucky, United States, Madison County Courthouse, Richmond; FHL microfilm 273,003. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5ZH-L12.
Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954, Family Search; Meredith Mannon and Rachel Fugate, 14 Feb 1825 – Confirmation. Bath, Kentucky, United States, Madison County Courthouse, Richmond; FHL microfilm 273,007. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5ZZ-J2T.
Minnesota Deaths and Burials, 1835-1990, Family Search, Enock Mannin. “Minnesota Deaths and Burials, 18351990,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1 BLS : 10 March 2018), Enock Mannin, 07 Apr 1907; citing May, Cass, Minnesota, reference ; FHL microfilm 2,117,564. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FDM5-BLS.
Endnotes:
[i] In 2014, Amy Johnson Crow suggested a theme for bloggers to use of “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.” I have continued this theme into 2018.
[ii] Enoch served in the Civil War and all of his brothers were of the age to have served.
[iii] NOTE: The family should include both Thomas and Tubill, however, it appears that only one of the two boys was enumerated.
Family Search entry for Rachel Fugate (Login Required)
Meredith didn’t follow the typical “go west young man” life of so many of my ancestors. Meredith was born in Virginia about 1802. He went west as a young man to Bath County, Kentucky, where he married. He then moved west to Missouri. After several years in Missouri, he moved back east to Boone County, Indiana. He returned east again and settled in Carter County, Kentucky. Finally, he appears to have died in Bath County after returning to the place of his youth.
The Mannin family bible clearly indicates that Meredith Mannin was born on 12 June 1802. Sadly, that family bible isn’t a contemporary source record. The bible record is from the Civil War record file of Meredith’s son Zachariah. The record appears to be written by one person at one time. It was clearly written after 1838 and probably not until the 1860s. The 1850 and 1860 Census records indicate he was 48 and 58 years old respectively, suggesting the birth year of 1801. The 1870 and 1880 census records re-establish his birth year as being 1802, consistent with the Bible record.
It is unclear who his parents were. Some sources suggest that his mother, Catherine Barnett, married both John Bosel Mannin and his brother Meredith Mannin. I’ve accepted his father being John Bosel Mannin and know that I need to do much more research in this area.
In any event, I believe his siblings to be:
Charles
b. 1796 in Virginia
Martha
b. 1798 in Virginia
John
b. 1799 in Virginia
Tubal
b. 1800 in Virginia
Meredith
b. 1802 in Virginia
Samuel
b. ca. 1804 in Kentucky
Tarleton
b. 1811 in Kentucky
John Bosel
b. 1915 in Kentucky
Mary
b. 1826 in Kentucky
Childhood
Nothing is known of Meredith’s childhood. Sometime in 1803 or 1804 the family relocated to Kentucky.
Marriage
Meredith and Rachel Fugate’s father signed a marriage bond on 14 February 1825. It is unclear if they married on that date or three days later, on February 17th. See: Marriage of Meredith Mannin & Rachel Fugate. Enoch was born on 3 January 1823, two years before Meredith and Rachel were married. While Rachel was 4-months pregnant with Isaac she and Meredith married.
Meredith and Rachel had 12 children. Their first three children, Enoch, Isaac, and Thomas were born in Kentucky. About 1828, the family moved to Missouri and had three children while in Missouri – Tubill, Reuben, & Katharine. About 1835, the Mannin’s moved 250 miles back towards the east to Boone County, Indiana. There they had four more children, John, Mahala, Sarah, & Elizabeth. Finally, about 1841, the family moved back to Kentucky where their two youngest children, Zachariah & Tarlton, were born.
Adulthood
1830 Census indicates the family is in St Ferdinand, St Louis, Missouri:
3 Males under 5, One presumed to be Isaac, Age 5 One presumed to be Thomas Hillry, Age 3 One presumed to be Tubill, Age 1 1 male 5 to 10 Presumed to be Enoch, Age 7 1 male 20 to 30. Meredith Mannin, Age 28. 1 Female 20 to 30 Presumed to Be Rachel Fugate, Age 26.
Map showing Meredith’s land.
In 1837, Meridith Mannin owned 40 acres of land about four miles north of Lebanon, Boone County, Indiana, in Washington Township, the SE ¼ of the NE ¼ of Section 12.
1840 Census indicates the family is in Boone County, Indiana:
2 Males 5 to under 10 – Presumed to be John (age 5) and Reuben Calloway, (Age 9) 1 Male 10 to under 15 – Presumed to be Thomas Hillry OR Tubill (Age 13 or 10)[1] 2 Males 15 to under 20 – Presumed to be Enoch (Age 17) and Isaac B. (Age 15) 1 Male 30 to under 40 – Presumed to be Meredith Mannin (Age 38) 3 Females under 5 – Presumed to be Mahala (Age 2), Elizabeth (Age 1), and Sarah Jane (a newborn) 1 Female 5 to under 10 – Presumed to be Katharine Susan (Age 7) 1 Female 30 to under 40 – Presumed to be Rachel Fugate Mannin (Age 36)
The 1850 Census indicates the family is in Carter County, Kentucky
Meradith Mannen – 48 – Farmer 250 VA Rachel “ 47 KY Tubal “ 20 Laborer Mo Reuben “ 17 Laborer “ Cathrine S “ 15 “ John “ 13 Ind Mahala “ 12 “ Sarah “ 10 “ Zachariah “ 8 Ky Tarlton “ 6 “
The 1860 Census indicates the family is in Bath County, Kentucky. Only four of their children are still with them:
Meredith Manning – 58 Farmer – Born Virginia Rachel “ 57 Kentucky Zachah “ 18 Farm Hand – KY Mahala 21 KY (Apparent Error) Sarah 19 KY (Apparent Error) Tarlton 16 KY
Rachel died on 7 May 1870.
The 1870 Census finds Meredith in Carter County again. Living with him are his daughter Sarah Jane, her husband and their three children. Also, with them are two of Meredith’s grandchildren. One more person, Rodeth Richard, probably Sarah Jane’s sister-in-law, is also living with them.
Merideth Mannin M 67 Virginia Farmer Jane Richardson F 26 Kentucky Keeping House James Richardson M 26 Kentucky Farmer Rachel Richardson F 7 Kentucky James Richardson M 4 Kentucky William Richardson M 2 Kentucky Rodeth Richardson F 17 Kentucky Ruben Tapp M 15 Kentucky Farm Laborer Evaline Tapp F 13 Kentucky
The 1880 Census now finds Meredith living in the household of his daughter Sarah Jane, her husband and their six children now in Tanyard, Bath County, Kentucky:
James Richardson Self M 43 Kentucky, Farmer Sarah Richardson Wife F 41 Indiana, Keeping House Rachal Richardson Dau. F 17 Kentucky James Richardson Son M 15 Kentucky, Laborer William Richardson Son M 13 Kentucky, Laborer Meridith RichardsonSon M 8 Kentucky Charley RichardsonSon M 6 Kentucky Melvin Richardson Son M 2 Kentucky Merideth Mannon F-I-L M 77 Kentucky (Widowed)
Death & Burial
I have been unsuccessful finding any death or burial record for Meredith. Several researchers suggest he died after 15 Jul 1885, several others suggest 15 July 1885.
Further Actions / Follow-up
Find out the sources for the suggested death date for Meredith.
1850 Census, Com, 1850 Census – Meradith Mannen [Mannin] – District 1, Carter, Kentucky. Online publication – Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.Original data – Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls).
1860 Census, Family Search, 1860 – Meredith Manning – Bath, Maine – Page 131.
1870 Census (FS) (NARA), Family Search, 1870 Census – Merideth Mannin – Precinct 3, Carter, Kentucky. “United States Census, 1870,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MX7P-1PB : 12 April 2016), Merideth Mannin, Kentucky, United States; citing p. 1, family 4, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 545,953.
1880 Census, Family Search, 1880 – James Richardson – Tanyard, Bath, Kentucky. “United States Census, 1880,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCCM-LQ1 : 12 August 2017), Merideth Mannon in household of James Richardson, Tanyard, Bath, Kentucky, United States; citing enumeration district ED 7, sheet 362D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0402; FHL microfilm 1,254,402.
Find a Grave, Find a Grave, Thomas Hillry Manning – Memorial 41718613 [No Image]. Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 15 September 2018), memorial page for Thomas Hillry Manning (8 Mar 1827–4 Oct 1924), Find A Grave Memorial no. 41718613, citing Manning Chapel Cemetery, Carter, Carter County, Kentucky, USA ; Maintained by Norm Nelson (contributor 47026217).
Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954, Family Search, Meredith Mannon and Rachel Fugate, 14 Feb 1825 – Bond. Bath, Kentucky, United States, Madison County Courthouse, Richmond; FHL microfilm 273,003. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5ZH-L12.
Mannin Family Bible, Copy, Mannin Family Bible – Family Records – Births. Bible Records found in Civil War record file of Zachariah Mannin, son of Meridith and Rachel Fugate Mannin. Zachariah died of smallpox Jan. 7, 1864 at Knoxville, Tennessee. Meridith Mannin applied for Zachariah’s pension and received it. From http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.mannin/159.1.1/mb.ashx.
Endnotes:
[1] NOTE: The family should include both Thomas and Tubill, however, it appears that only one of the two is enumerated.
Bond for the Marriage of Meredith Mannon [Mannin] and Rachel FugateKnow all men by these presents that we Meredith Mannon & Rueben Fugate are held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the just and full sum of £50 current money of Kentucky which payment well and truly to be made to the said Commonwealth we bind ourselves our heirs & jointly and several firmly by these presents sealed and dated this 14th day of February 1875 the condition of the above obligation in such that whereas there is a marriage shortly intended to be had and solemnized between the above bound Meredith Mannon and Rachel Fugate. Now should there be no lawful Occur to obstruct said intended marriage then this obligation will be void else to remain in full force and notice in law
Marriage Confirmation – Meredith Mannon [Mannin] and Rachel Fugate.Memorandum of Marriages Confirmed by me in Bath County in year 1825.
Willis Moffett & Caroline Stone on the 4th of Jan Also Rice Burns & Elizabeth Hardin Febr 3rd Meredith Mannon & Rachel Fugate on the 14th Feb…. ….
January the 3rd 1826 – Jonathan Smi…
Discussion
14th or 17th?
The legibility of the “Marriage Confirmed” date leaves something of a question. It is unclear in my mind if the date is the 14th or the 17th. Both dates make sense. There are no other 7s on this page to compare his 7s against his 4s. Meredith and Rachel’s father, Reuben Fugate, signed a bond assuring Meredith and Rachel were able to marry. That they married on the same day makes sense, unless there was a waiting period. If Kentucky had a marriage waiting period in 1825 then their marriage three days later, on the 17th makes more sense.
Conclusion
I have decided to go with the 14th because Kentucky does not currently require a waiting period. I’ve tried to find Kentucky Laws in 1825, but have been unsuccessful. If anyone has a source for me to check, that would be a great help. If Kentucky had a waiting period in 1825, then Meredith and Rachel had to have been married on 17 February 1825.
Endnotes
[i] John Newmark started the “Amanuensis Monday” category in 2009 on his Blog, Transylvanian Dutch, and many bloggers have followed suit using the tag. Google provides the following meaning for amanuensis: “A literary or artistic assistant, in particular, one who takes dictation or copies manuscripts.”
[ii] “Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5ZH-L12 : accessed 16 September 2018), Meredith Mannon and Rachel Fugate, 14 Feb 1825; citing Bath, Kentucky, United States, Madison County Courthouse, Richmond; FHL microfilm 273,003.
[iii] “Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5ZZ-J2T : accessed 16 September 2018), Meredith Mannon and Rachel Fugate, 14 Feb 1825; citing Bath, Kentucky, United States, Madison County Courthouse, Richmond; FHL microfilm 273,007.
Roberts-Brown-2017 Research
Brown/Mannin Line
Ancestor #52
By Don Taylor
Enoch Mannin is one of my “go to” ancestors. That is to say that if I find a new database or website I ask myself, should I find something about Enoch on that site? It is also a person that I search for on a system I know little about. Will Enoch be there? Enoch lived a really full life, he was born in Kentucky, he fought for the Union during the civil war. After the war, he migrated to Minnesota and homesteaded land there. So, there are many placed and records that mention him. Also, his name is helpful because is helps me understand the search criteria needed to be used. Are Mannin and Manning the same – Are Mannon and Mannan also included in the same search or do I need to use wildcards.
I think having a person whose life you know a lot about, so you can differentiate him from other people with the same or a similar name, and is a person that appears in many records helps to clarify a collection. For me, Enoch Mannin is that guy. Do you have such a person in your tree that you can always “go to”?
*Parentage unconfirmed but believed to be correct.
Enoch Mannin (1823-1907)
Enoch Mannin
Enoch Mannin was born on 03 Jan 1823[ii] in Owingsville, Bath County, Kentucky. He was the first child of twelve children born to Meredith Mannin and Rachel (Fugate) Mannin.
Childhood
Enoch appears to have gained a kind of wanderlust while a child. He and his brothers, Isaac and Thomas, were born in Kentucky, presumably Bath county but the family didn’t stay there long.
About 1829 the family moved to Missouri. The 1830 Census finds the Meredith Manning family, with four boys, the three born in Kentucky and one, Tubill, was born in Missouri. They were living in St. Ferdinand, St. Louis, Missouri.[iii] St. Ferdinand is an area of Saint Louis just north of the city much of which is in the flood plain where the Missouri and Mississippi rivers meet. Siblings Reuben and Katherine were also born in Missouri in 1831 and 1833 respectively.
About 1835, the family moved to Indiana, where siblings John, Mahala, Elizabeth, and Sarah Jane were born. The 1840 Census finds the family in Boone County, Indiana.[iv] Oddly enough, one child appears to be missing from the 1840 Census. At the time, they should have had two boys from 10 to under 15 in the household, Thomas (age 13) and Tubill (age 10). However, the census shows only one male child in that age range. I don’t know if one of them was just missed in the census or if one of them was elsewhere. Both do appear in subsequent records. All other children appear to be present in the 1840 census records.
About 1841, the family moved to Carter County, Kentucky. There his two youngest siblings Zachariah in 1841 and Tarlton in 1842 were born.
So, it seems that Enoch’s wanderlust was developed as a child; he lived in at least four different locations in three states while he was growing up.
Marriage
When he was 20, he married Minerva Ann Tolliver, daughter of Tulion Tolliver and Martha Mannin, on 15 Oct 1843 in Grayson, Carter County, Kentucky. The ceremony was performed by Joseph Nichols who appears to have had a “Christian Church” in Morgan County.
Enoch and Minerva had nine children. They were:
Charlie was probably born circa 1844 and died about 1850.
John William Manning: born between 1845-1846 in Kentucky. He died on 25 Apr 1888 in Carter County, Kentucky. He married Elisa Jane Fannin before 1880 in Kentucky.
Isaac Wilson Mannin was born between 1845-1846 in Kentucky (Probably Owingsville, Bath County). He died on 01 Nov 1931 in Yakima, Yakima County, Washington. He married Hattie T. [Unknown] in 1868 in Kentucky.
Nancy Ann Mannin was born in Mar 1849 in Kentucky (She was age 10/12 during the 1850 Census). She died on 02 Feb 1913 in Ogema, Saskatchewan, Canada. She married Jessie Monroe Barnett on 22 Jan 1867 in Carter County, Kentucky.
Meredith Mannin was born between 1850-1851 in Kentucky.
Sarah Jane Mannin was born between 1854-1855 in Kentucky (Probably Owingsville, Bath County7). She died on 28 Jan 1942 in Medical Lake, Spokane, Washington14 (At age 88 & 4 Months). She married Joseph Hatfield Bryant in 1869 in Kentucky.
Mary Ermaline Mannin was born between 1855-1856 in Kentucky. She died after 1899. She married was married twice.
She married Thomas N Jones on 17 May 1875 in Cass, Minnesota.
She married again to George Washington Gates in 1899 in Cass, Minnesota.
Gresella Mannin was born between 1856-1857 in Kentucky. She died in 1897 in Bemidji, Beltrami, Minnesota.
Prudence Mannin was born between 1859-1860 in Kentucky. She died after Jul 1898. She married a McDonald on 12 May 1877 in Olive Hill, Carter, Kentucky.
Adult
The 1850 Census indicates Enoch is living in Bath County, Kentucky working as a laborer. He has a modest amount of real estate (valued at $50). He cannot read and write – a capability he doesn’t appear to ever achieve. With him in the census records are his wife Minerva, and three children, John W, Isaac, and Nancy A.[v]
The 1860 Census indicates Enoch is still living in Bath County, Kentucky. He is a farmer whose real estate value is only $25. His personal property is $80. Living with him are his wife and six children, presumably all his and Minerva’s.[vi] they were
William (John William), age 15, who was working as a farm hand.
Isaac, age 12
Nancy, age 10
Sarah, age 5
Emaline, age 4
Grasella, age 3
All were born in Kentucky.
The Civil War
The civil war broke out in April 1861 when the Confederates attacked Fort Sumter. However, the war built up slowly as more and more men volunteered to serve in the Confederate and Union Armies. In April 1862, the Confederates enabled conscription (a draft). In July 1962, the Union also enabled conscription when a state couldn’t meet its quota with volunteers. Because Enoch was over 35, he probably would have never been drafted, but he did volunteer to serve on 29 Aug 1863. On that same day, he signed a parental consent for his son, and my 2nd great-grandfather, John W. Mannin to enlist early. John was only 17, but he was to turn 18 in the next couple months. Also, enlisting on the same day at Olive Hill with Enoch and John W. was a John N. Mannin. I have not determined the relationship between John N. and John W. or Enoch Mannin, yet, but their simultaneous enlistment cannot be a coincidence.
When Enoch enlisted, he was 40-years-old, however, he reported his age as 44. I don’t know if there was some sort of advantage to being older in his enlistment or not. He was 5’6” tall, had black hair and black eyes.[vii]
He mustered in at Grayson, Carter County, Kentucky on 28 September 1863. He serviced with Company E, 40th Kentucky Volunteer Mounted Infantry. I have not had a chance to follow the action of the 40th. KY Vol, Mounted Inf. yet.
I do know that he was captured by Morgan in 1864 and was finally released.[viii]
He mustered out at Catlettsburg, Boyd County, Kentucky on 30 December 1864.[ix]
After the War
The 1870 Census found Enoch living near Grayson, in Carter County, Kentucky, as a farmer. His real estate value had risen to $250 and his personal property was now $350. Living with him is his wife, Minerva, and four children, Meredith (age 19), Mary (age 16), Gazella (age 13), and Prudence (age 10). All of the children had attended school in the past year.[x]
The 1880 Census finds Enoch and Minerva still together, however, living with them are his son Isaac, Isaac’s wife Tennessee, and five of their children, Samuel, Henry, Frances, James, and Phodeence (?).[xi]
The Move North
Key places in Enoch Mannin’s Life
In the fall of 1882, Enoch led a group of 9 families from Kentucky to Minnesota. Besides he and his wife Minerva, there were 8 other families.[xii]
His daughter Sarah Jane and her husband Joseph Bryant
His daughter Nancy A. and her husband, Jesse Barnett.
His daughter Mary E. and her husband, Thomas Jones.
His son Isaac and his wife, Hattie.
His grandson, John T. Bryant and his wife Mary (Son of Sarah Jane)
His cousin, Joseph Fugate and his wife Eliza.
The nephew of his son-in-law (Joseph), Squire Bryant and his wife Elizabeth.
Finally, a friend and neighbor, John W. and Mary Horn.
And, of course, all their children. I can only imagine the difficulties they faced on the long, 900-mile, trip from Grayson, Kentucky up to Holding Township, Stearns County Minnesota during the winter. They arrived in February[xiii] and immediately set up households.
The 1885 Census is somewhat confusing. Some oral history indicates that Phoebe Manning was raised by her aunt and uncle Mary E. (Mannin) and Thomas W. Jones and her sister Mary Manning was raised by their father, John William Manning. Other oral history indicates that both Mary and Phoebe Manning were raised by Tommy and Mary E. Jones. In either event, both Mary and Phoebe, along with their older brother Robert, are all living with grandparents Enoch and Minerva Mannin in near Saint Anna in Holding Township, Stearns County, Minnesota. Tomas and Mary Jones were also living in Holding Township, Stearns Count, Minnesota.[xiv] So, it is confusing when Mary and Phoebe lived with Tom and Mary Jones and when they lived with Enoch and Minerva. If any cousins can shed some light on this topic, I’d love to hear.
The Final Move
Mannin’s in Section 22 & 26, Township 134, Cass County, Minnesota
In the winter of 1887-1888, Enoch and several of the other families moved again – This time to Township 134 (May Township), Cass County, Minnesota.[xv] They began homesteading properties there. In February 1894, Enoch received a patent for 160 acres of land – The NE Quarter of Section 22 in township 134 North (later known as May Township) of Range 31 West of the Fifth Principal Meridian in Minnesota.[xvi]
John William Manning (Enoch’s oldest son and Mary and Phoebe’s father) died in April of 1888. By all oral accounts, the two children lived with the Jones’ after that. Oral history from Mary Manning said that Enoch was very strict and stern. Apparently, getting out from under Enoch’s rule was enough motivation to marry young, very young. Mary married Arthur Durwood Brown on 19 October 1891 when she was only 13 years old. Phoebe apparently toughed it out longer
The 1895 Minnesota Census shows Enoch living in Township 134 (May Township), Cass County Minnesota with his wife Minova [Minerva]. In the same household is his grandson, Robert J. Mannin with his wife, Martha J, and two of their children, Perly and Ernest.[xvii]
The 1900 Census finds Enoch and Minerva still living in living in Township 134. The census confirms Enoch was born in January 1823 and that Minerva was born in February. It has an error in Minerva’s birth year indicating 1881 rather than 1821, but the mistake is clear as her age is 78 years old. The two had been married 57 years. Minerva had had nine children, five of whom were still living.[xviii] All nine have been accounted for.
Dead – Charlie Mannin died c. 1850
Dead – John William died in 1888
Dead – Gresella died in 1897
Alive – Isaac Wilson died 1931.
Alive – Nancy Ann died in 1913.
Alive – Sarah Jane died in 1942.
Alive – Mary Ermaline died in 1941.
Alive – Prudence died in 1940.
Dead (by deduction) – Meredith must have died before 1900.
On 24 October 1902, Meredith’s wife Minerva died. They had just celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary.
The 1905 Minnesota Census shows the 82-year-old Enoch living alone in May Township[xix].
Death
Marker – Enoch Mannin
Enoch died on 7 April 1907, in May Township, Cass County, Minnesota. He is buried in Bridgeman Cemetery, May Township, with a marker showing his Civil War service in Company E, 40th Kentucky Infantry.[xx]
Further Actions / Follow-up
I need to follow the Civil War action of the 40th. KY Vol, Mounted Inf.
I also need to research the further moves of the nine families. (Some moved to Washington, some to Canada, others to Oregon.)
Photos
Do you have a photo of Enoch Manning, his siblings or his children? If so, I’d be very interested in getting a digital copy of it. Please contact me using the comment form below.
Are we related? If we share Enoch Mannin as our first common ancestor then we are probably fourth cousins. Fourth cousins is about the limit that autosomal DNA can reliably match individuals. If you have a nice, we defined, tree I highly recommend DNA Testing through Ancestry.Com. If your tree has gaps, adoptions, or unknown paternal events, I highly recommend Family Tree DNA. If you haven’t tested, please use one of the links below to order your test. Contact me using the form below if you have any questions. I find it fun to genetically identify new cousins. Hopefully, you will too. [xxi]
Endnotes
[i] Mannin, Manning, Mannen, and Mannon are used interchangeably in various documents. My tendency is to use the variation used in the source/document I am citing from, however, occasionally I will use my preferred spelling regardless of the document.
[ii] Mannin Family Bible, Copy, Mannin Family Bible – Family Records – Births.
[iii] 1830 Census (A) (NARA), Ancestry.Com, 1830 Census – Meredith Manning – St Ferdinand. St Louis County, Missouri.
[iv] 1840 Census (A) (NARA), Ancestry.Com, Year: 1840; Census Place: Boone, Indiana; Roll: 74; Page: 138.
[v] 1850 Census (A), Ancestry.Com, Enoch Mannan – Division 2, Bath, Kentucky – Page 71, Family 486 – Line 26. Source Citation: Year: 1850; Census Place: Division 2, Bath, Kentucky; Roll M432_191; Page: 36A; Image: 453.
[xxi] Note: DNA Testing results sometimes bring to light family relationships that were not previously known. Do not test if you prefer to be blissfully ignorant of the truth.
Until I discover documents which clearly indicate Minerva’s parentage or learn of mitochondrial DNA test results think that Minerva’s parentage is a brick wall.
Enoch Mannin is one of my “go to” ancestors. That is to say that if I find a new database or website I ask myself, should I find something about Enoch on that site? It is also a person that I search for on a system I know little about. Will Enoch be there? Enoch lived a really full life, he was born in Kentucky, he fought for the Union during the civil war. After the war, he migrated to Minnesota and homesteaded land there. So, there are many placed and records that mention him. Also, his name is helpful because is helps me understand the search criteria needed to be used. Are Mannin and Manning the same – Are Mannon and Mannan also included in the same search or do I need to use wildcards.
