Rev. Samuel Mann (1647-1719) and Esther Ware (1655-1734)

{Hills Ancestors}

Click here to go to a condensed version of this biography.

(The italicized portions below are from Biographical Sketches of Graduates of Harvard University, in Cambridge Massachusetts, by John Langdon Sibley)

SAMUEL MAN

Born 1647, died 1719, aged 71

"Rev. Samuel Man, B.A., of Wrentham, Massachusetts, born 6 July 1647, was the only son of William and Mary Jarrad Mann of Cambridge, Massachusetts."1 William would have been about 40 years old when his son was born. William and Mary named him Samuel, the name of the long-awaited son of Hannah in the Old Testament.

Mary Mann died sometime before 1657 when her son was ten-years-old or younger. After her death, his father married Alice Tidd, the widow of John Tidd. William died on 7 March 1661/62 in Cambridge when Samuel was fifteen. In his will. after providing for his wife, William bequeathed "the residue and remainder of my estate … to my son and only son, Samuel Man"; "my trusty and well beloved friends Thomas Chesholm and Jno. Fessington" to be sole executors." On 13 January 1662/3, "Thomas Chesholme and John Fessender, administrators as abovesaid," sold to "John Paulfere of the town abovesaid, joiner, … all the abovenamed messuage or tenement"8 The first half of this deed, in the microfilmed version, is illegible, thus preventing us from learning just which parcels the executors of the will of William Mann were selling. The sale was probably made to provide funds to pay Samuel Mann’s expenses at Harvard College.

Charles Messinger, who wrote about the Manns, says Samuel’s parents "were esteemed truly religions," and that they early designed their son for the ministry; he was accordingly furnished with a liberal education and graduated from Harvard College in 1665 when he was 17 or 18 years old."7

"May 13, 1667, the [now 20-year-old] graduate agreed to "teach the male children" of Dedham, Massachusetts, "thatt shall be sent to him in English, writing, Grammarm and Arithmeticke for...one whole yeare from 27th this instant moneth for ...20 in such pay and at such prices as the Countrey Rate shall accept for that yeare one halfe to be payed at the end of each halfe yeare at his assigmn in Dedham." April 26, 1669, he was to be paid "20 in corne at prices currant"; but 9 May, 1670, he was to receave no indian corne for more than three shillings per bushel."1

When the decision was made to encourage a settlement at Wollomonopoag, and a few Dedham residents began making preparations to move there, they needed a minister for their congregation. Jordan D. Fiore says,

"In late 1669, the proprietors of Wollomonopoag met in Dedham 'to adopt some rules as to the ordering and due management of the said place for the furthering and settling of a plantation there.' To indicate that they really meant permanent settlement, they also pledged themselves to employ a minister … The minister whom they invited to serve the new community was Samuel Mann, a native of Cambridge who was then 23 years of age and had graduated from Harvard in 1665. Samuel Man had been hired on May 13th, 1667 to 'teach the male children' of Dedham that shall be sent to him in English, writeing, Grammar, and Arithmeticke for … one whole year at £20 in such payt and at such prices as the Country Rate shall accept for that year. He was to draw he salary semi-annually. The post of teacher was good preparation for the ministry, at least in salary matters, for poor Mr. Mann’s salary fluctuated radically. In April of 1669 he received his salary of "£20 in corn at prices current." But in May of 1670, the local authorities pegged the price of corn at three shillings a bushel and paid him accordingly. The Proprietors of Wollomonopoag indicated that they were aware of Mann’s ability and invited him to assume the spiritual leadership of their flock. Samuel Mann undoubtedly accepted the invitation at this time, but he continued to teach at Dedham."2

"The 26 April, 1672 renewal of the engagement [to teach school in Dedham], was with the condition of 'always excepting his engagement to Wollomonappoage and upon that occasion he to give the Selectmen two moneths notice that they may supply themselves.' After teaching more than five years he was succeeded, 17 June, 1672, by Jer. (?) Burroughs.1

"13: 10: 1672,[the Dedham town records show], "This day Mr. Man sent six pence in money in satisfaction for three quarrells of glass broken by the schollars while he kept schoole, which is left in the hands of Nath. Fisher."1

At the Dedham Town meeting in February 1673, the town voted to pay him "£8 10s in full satisfaction for all dues to him for keeping schoole in Dedham this to be payed in Indian corne at 3d per bushel." They also voted to "lay out a house lot for Mann at Wollomonopoag and to take care about the church lot there." He not only received a house lot, but 10 cow-commons, first choice of ½ of his meadow land (the balance to be chosen probably by lot) and fifty pounds toward the construction of his house, in addition to the salary promised. This was very generous by the standards of the time, and Mann responded, "I do accept of these propositions in case they be performed in the space of a year and a half." This allowed him to marry Esther Ware, daughter of Robert and Margaret Hunting Ware. Robert had settled his family in Wollomonopoag in the summer of 1671.2

Esther Ware was born 28 September 1655, in Dedham.3 She was the fifth of the Ware’s ten children. She was 17-years-old at the time of her marriage to Samuel Mann in Dedham on 13 May 1673.3

"October 17, 1673. 'In ansr to the peticon of the inhabitants of Wollonopaug, the [General] Court judgeth it meet ot give the peticoners all due encouragement conduceable to their setlement, together wth the present minister, according to their desires; and to that end doe heereby grant them all the libertjes & privilidges of a tounship, their extent to be as by agreement betweene Dedham & them, and that it be called Wrentham.'1

"He preached to the small society in the part of Dedham, now Wrentham, till 30 March, 1676, when the inhabitants were drawn off by reason of 'an Indian Was,' after which the Indians burnt alll the dwellings but two. Samuel appears again in Dedham as a teacher in the years 1676, 1677, and 1678.1

"November 13, 1677, the town of Rehoboth 'voted that an invitation might be given to Mr. Man for to be helpful in the work of the ministry for this winter.'1

"Early in the spring of 1678 he was engaged to preach at Milton. Here, it is said, he was about to receive a call to be settled, when several of the inhabitants who had gone from Wrentham affixed their names to an engagement to return, and a committee was sent to treat with him about resuming his ministry there. 'So great was his affection for the people of Wrentham, and so desirous was he of that plantation's going on,'1 that he agreed to their request, but not before driving a hard bargain. He won an agreement that a good number of families must settle in Wrentham, a house should be built for him, a house-lot and cow-commons should be 'absolutely his,' he should have fifty loads of wood, help for his garden, and an assurance that his salary should be paid regularly and promptly. 2

"Samuel Mann 'and divers of the inhabitants' returned 21 August, 1680. There he continued his ministerial labors till a church of ten persons was gathered 13 April, 1692, and he was ordained, preaching his own ordination sermon. 'Mr. Brinsmead gave ye Charge, and Mr. Gookin ye Right Hand of Fellowship.'"1

Samuel and Esther had six sons and five daughters:

  1. Mary, 7 April 1674 in Wrentham4

  2. Samuel, 8 August 1675 in Wrentham4

  3. Nathaniel, 9 April 1677 in Dedham3

  4. William, 1 May 1679 in Milton5

  5. Theodore, 8 February 1680 in Wrentham4

  6. Thomas, 24 October 1682 in Wrentham4

  7. Hannah, 12 January 1685 in Wrentham4

  8. Beriah, 30 March 1687 in Wrentham4

  9. Pelatiah, 2 April 1689 in Wrentham4

  10. Margaret, 21 December 1691 in Wrentham4

  11. A son (twin) born and died 26 June 1696 in Wrentham4

  12. Julia's ancestor, Esther, (twin) 26 June 1696, married Ensign Isaac Fisher of Wrentham, died 20 January 1770 in Dover, Massachusetts.4

"Oct. 26, 1699, 'in the dead of night,' the Mann’s dwelling-house with the church records was burnt.

"It is said that Samuel was much afflicted with bodily weakness and infirmities, and that for twenty-five years before his death did not go out of his own town.

"One of the first men, if not the first, in this Province, and who was esteemed a good judge of the powers and abilities of men, said...that '[Samuel Mann] was not only a very good, but a very great and learned man.' " 6

"His ordinary sermons were fit for the press," and yet such was his humility that he thought nothing of his worth publishing.

"Samuel Mann died at Wrentham 22 May, 1719,4 at 71 years old."

Esther Ware Mann lived another fifteen years but did not remarry. She died 3 September 1734 in Wrentham.4 Samuel and Esther are buried in the Wrentham Center Cemetery.

 

C:\Users\carol\Pictures\BFJ\BFJ Ancestors\Wrentham Cemetery Pam.jpgC:\Users\carol\Pictures\BFJ\BFJ Ancestors\Wrentham Mann Gravestones.jpg

Among their descendants was the great educational reformer, Horace Mann, born 4 May 1796, Secretary of the Massachusetts board of education from 1837 to 1848, Representative to Congress, President of Antioch College, etc. who died at Yellow Springs, Ohio, 2 August, 1859.

Sources:

  1. Biographical Sketches of Graduates of Harvard University, in Cambridge Massachusetts, by John Langdon Sibley, M.A. Vol 2 1659-1677 p 190-193

  2. Wrentham, 1673-1973: a History by Jordan D. Fiore

  3. Early records of the Towne of Dedham Vol. 1

  4. Wrentham Massachusetts Vital Records.

  5. Milton Massachusetts Vital Records

  6. Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut, Vol. I-IV by

  7. https://minerdescent.com/2010/08/09/capt-robert-ware/

  8. Rogers 2: 73-74, transcribed MPR 2:49-51, Case #14572

  9. NEHGS Register Vol 6, p 39

 

Appendix A

Rev. Samuel Man, Frist Minister of Wrentham Mass, His Advice to His Children Who Were Soon to Enter the Married State. Written in 17049

Dear Children: - You are now about entereing the married state, into a condition that brings with it new cares, new comforts and pleasures - new trials and temptations - the two last of these you ought, by the help of God, to be well prepared for and armed against. I trust you have had many thoughts concerning your duty one to the other, and that you know both of you what these duties are; how that the husband should love, provide for and be tender-hearted to the wife, and on the other side, the wife should reverence the husband, and obey him, and endeavor to be a helpmeet for him, both soul and body, according to the best of her ability. But not to insist on these things now, I shall proceed, and from the word of God, and by the help of God, will spend a little more time, that I may assist each of you in the right, good and acceptable performance of these duties.

And first. Get a more thorough knowledge of the word of God, for this is a perfect guide to man, in all his relations; 'tis a guide to magistrates and subjects, to ministers and people, to parents and children, masters and servants, and with all it contains many acceptable hints and directions to husbands and wives, concerning what their behavior should be to one another. As concerns the duty of the wife, see Col. 3-18 and 19:-- "Wives submit yourselves to your own husbands as is fit in the Lord."-- Also the epistle of Peter, 3d chapter, 1st verse -- "Likewise ye wives be in subjection to your own husbands, that if any obey not the word, they also, without the word, may be won by the conversation of the wives."

There is also to be found in the word of God many examples of husbands and wives who behaved well towards each other, and how the blessing of God was bestowed on this account, as in the instance of Abraham and Sarah, Elkanah and Hannah. There are examples of husbands who behaved ill towards their wives, for instance, read the account of Nabal -- and for bad wives, take Michal the daughter of Saul for an example. Now these records are preserved for our warning, that we may see how God did punish them even in this world, for their bad behavior in the married state.

2d. Turn all knowledge into prayer. Let God be sought unto for wisdom and grace to enable you to act aright in this connection; you have abundant encouragement from the word of God for this, if you only rely on the promises made to such as look to God for the bestowment of these blessings -- see Proverbs 1:3, --James 1st:5. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not." It was well pleasing to God to hear Solomon pray for a wise and understanding heart when he was called to lead the great nation of Israel; his earnest entreaty for wisdom God thought proper to hear and caused him to be the wisest man that should ever dwell upon the earth; and he gave him also riches and honours, and every earthly good that he asked not, as a token of approbation of his prayer. And we may believe that God is himself pleased to hear husbands and wives ask for wisdom that they may live well together, as to hear Solomon in the midst of his glory, and on you part you must believe that wisdom is necessary to sustain the marriage connection as it is for Kings upon the throne.

You will find, amidst the comports of the married state, that there is temptation to be resisted, care and trouble to be endured -- and these day by day -- but let it not be so much of your concernment to know aforetime what you may be required to do or to suffer, as to act wisely undeer the trials and difficulties of the day, to note the hand of God in them, and to acknowledge the goodness of God, that herein he is careful to admonish you, not to set your affection on the pleasures of this present world, and teaching you to be more intent upon the joys of the world to come. Pray always for a contrite and an understanding heart, and like Solomon, ask for wisdom, for her price is above rubies, length of days in in her right hand, and in her left, riches and honour.

3d. Daily Prayer to God. -- This is unquestionably a duty that God's children are expected to perform morning and evening, and this practice will prove a good help to the right performance of all other duties connected with the matrimonial connection; as it seldom happens that praying husbands and wives do not live in some little measure, as they ought to do, while such as are neglective on this account, are very apt to carry it ill to one another; therefore let me entreat you not to engage in the cares of the day, without first praying in the morning for the guidance and protection of God, that he would make you ready and willing for every service, he intends to call you into during the day; whether to give good counsel to such as may ask it, or attendance upon the sick at a neighbor's house, or a call for the right of hospitality at home; whatever the services may be, you must be sure to pray, that the performance of them may be acceptable to God, and a consolation to your own souls; and when the cares and labors of the day are over, do not forget to call your family together to seek the care and protection of your heavenly father through the night, and be assurred, if it is the main desire of your hearts to serve God by the keeping of his commandments daily, that if need be, he will send a band of angels to defend you while you are sleeping, which will prove a more effectual guard in time of danger and alarm, the battalions of soldiers without them.

4th Observe the natural dispositions of each other, and conform to one another so far as you can with safety to the soul and body. You may consider also, of what you have, or may take notice of, as comely or uncomely in others, who live in the relation of husband and wife, and accordingly do or not do whatever appears to be pleasing or displeasing in the light of a good understanding; this will be making a good use of your observation, and turn to a much better account, than the speaking of their faults to others.

5th, Wisely conceal whatever is a matter of real infirmity in each other, as an unnecessary disclosure will have a tendency to destroy confidence; will beget discord and strife, whereas a prudent concealing the matter will tend to strengthen and encourage the confidence which each one should desire to place in the other; this will serve to maintain love and good will on to the other; and here, I would bring to mind the Proverb of Solomon, "He that covereth transgression seeketh love," so if in this way is sought, so will be found much of the comfort and happiness pertaining to the married state. The husband who truely lives and serves God with fidelity, will endeavor to do his whole duty to his wife, so likewise, the wife, by the help of God, will endeavor to do her whole duty to her husband. To conclude the whole matter, my Dear Children, you must make it your main business to please God and one another; -- may you live long and happy in the bonds you have chosen; --fear God always;--may God bless you in the more especial manner by the making of thee a great blessing to the world in this thy day and generation--follow the paths of the just; --and may God grant, for Christ's sake, that you may be found among the spirits of the just made perfect, to ascribe glory and honour to Him who sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb forever and ever.

 

From your affectionate father,

Samuel Man