Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Worcester County, Mass. Vol. 1 pgs 73,74,75 William MANNING (I), the founder of his family in America, came to the colony of Massachusetts Bay at an early date. He came (from best evidence) from Essex County, England. The first 9 or 10 weeks-he said himself- he lived at Roxbury, Mass., after landing here. He then removed to Cambridge, where documents were first signed by him, the date not later than about 1634, possibly several years before. He was on the list of landholders in Feb., 1635. An old church record says: " Payd our brother Manninge for a bell rope." This was dated 1648, whe he was engaged in " A business laudable and commendable." He had doubtless been a merchant in England. In 1638 he bought "foure acres of Swamp ffield of planteing grounde; Charles Towne East." His son William was a journeyman in Middlesex County, 1652. William MANNING (I) was a freeman (church member and voter) 1640. His wife Susannah died 1650, ad later he removed to Boston and there united with the church in 1664. Susanah was his (2nd) wife; of the (1st) wife nothing is known. His (3rd) wife was Elizabeth, who outlived him. He died 1665 or 1666. He was probably born in 1592. It is not quite clear, but from the best present obtainable evidence it seems that his children were: #1 William born about 1614 in England #2 Hannah (II) William MANNING, son of the first to locate on Ameican soil, born about 1614 in England, came in or before 1634 to the Mass. Bay Colony and live in Cambridge the remainder of his days. He purchased lands and engaged in business as a merchant. He also owned a warehouse, boathouse on a canal to which boats had free access, and constructed with his own hands a wharf by his boathouse. He was elected highway surveyor 1651; also a "gauger" of casks and constable, 1652-53. In 1652, 1661, 1670 he was Selectman; also for the years 1672-75-81-83, a total of 15 years.He was a member of the grand jury in 1686 and 1688. As a Selectman he was on a committee to inspect into the families "that there be no bye drinking or any misdemeanor whereby sin is committed, and person from their houses unseasonably." His wife was Dorothy, and their children were: #1 Hannah #2 Samuel #3 Sarah #4 John #5 Mary, all born and baptized in the church. In 1668 he was sent to England to procure another minister, and in 1671 Rev. Urian OAKES was received and ordained through their visit abroad. OAKES remained pastor until his death, and was also President of Harvard College. In 1670 Mr. MANNING was appointed " to catechise the youth" of his town. The most important act of his life was inconnection with Harvard College, he having been selected, with Deacon John COOPER, to replace the old college building with a new one, ad to receive and disburse funds for that purpose. This was in 1672, and his work extended until 1684. END of PART 1