Eliphalet Manning (1693 - 1780)

Born 28 Jul 1693 in Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts

Ancestors

Husband of Rebeckah (Frost) Coolidge — married about 1712 in Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts

Descendants

Died 13 Jun 1780 at age 86 in Tewksbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA

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Biography

Eliphalet was the son of Samuel Manning and Abiel Wight.

The following biography is from William H. Manning's The Genealogical and Biographical History of the Manning Families of New England.^[1]

Eliphalet⁴ Manning (Saml.,³ Wm.,² Wm.¹) b. 1693, July 28, at Billerica, Mass. He settled as a farmer in his native town, in the southeast part, buying, 1714, July 1, of Joseph Walker, land "on the south side of Shawshin river." The price was £25, and the quantity, 80 acres and 40 poles. The southern boundary was Woburn line, but the incorporation of Wilmington, 1730, made the latter a nearer neighbor, and some of the Billerica settlers not only wished to be transferred to Wilmington but were wanted by that town. Eliphalet was one of nine signers to a petition to the General Court, 1733-4, Mch. 4, asking to be annexed to Wilmington. Their reasons were that they lived so far from the place of public worship in Billerica, and for most of them it was only half as far to the meeting-house in Wilmington [Archives, 114-543]. The petition was not acted upon, but Eliphalet's farm was a part of that Billerica territory set off 1734, Dec. 23, and incorporated as the town of Tewksbury.

It is said that he erected the second board house built in the latter town. The cellar excavation of this old house may still be seen (says a descendant). It is on the left of the road as one goes from Tevvksbury to Wilmington, near the southern boundary line of the former place, on land known at an early day as " the Manning farm." As the line now runs a part of the farm is in each town. Descendants say the farm contained 170 acres, which shows that it was added to by grant or unrecorded purchase. It remained in the family until 1856, or later. "The house built by Eliphalet was removed from its original site years ago, and the upper story at present forms a part of Mr. Hill's blacksmith shop at South Tewksbury."

He m. Rebecca , who d, 1765, Oct. 15. Her maiden name has not been learned, but, theoretically, it may be worthy of notice that Thomas and Sarah Frost, of Billerica, had a dau. Rebecca, b. 1695, May 6, and that Mrs. Manning named her second son Thomas. Eliphalet d. 1780, June 13, at Tewksbury.

He probably was buried in the cemetery in the south part of the town, but no gravestone has been found. The statement has been made that 60 Mannings, of this branch, lie in unmarked graves in a long line in the above cemetery. The number may be an exaggeration; otherwise, the statement is correct.

By his will he divided his farm between his son Eliphalet and dau. Rebecca, the son to have the live stock, etc., and household effects, exclusive of one bed, which was bequeathed to "my granddaughter, Betty Manning." The testator's son Thomas, deceased, had already received his portion, so the latter's son received but 10 shillings. No other heirs are mentioned.

Sources

1. ↑ Manning, William H. The Genealogical and Biographical History of the Manning Families of New England (Salem Press Company, 1902); 145.