James B. Manor - Founder of Manor, Texas - The Early Years - 1804-1838

                  James B. Manor

Although he was born in North Carolina on November 17, 1804, his family moved to Murfreesborough, Rutherford County, Tennessee in 1814. According to family lore and tradition it was there that James B. Manor met and became friends with Sam Houston, which resulted in Manor accompanying Houston to Texas in 1832 when President Jackson sent him to Texas to negotiate treaties with some of the Indian tribes. Family history goes on to say that James Manor remained in Texas for 3 years, returning to Tennessee in 1835 and then in 1836 bringing his wife and 2 small daughters back to Texas where he cleared and settled on land which, at that time, was considered to be a part of  the Webber's Prairie community, later renamed Webberville.[1]

However, histories and timelines of the life of Sam Houston, as well as other historical documents, do not support the stated family history. There is also information that indicates James Manor and his wife may have been living in Mississippi from 1831 to 1836, before coming to Texas. [2]

Certificate number 3164 issued by the Republic of Texas granted James Manor 1280 acres of land because of his service in the Texas military from May, 1837 to April, 1838. It was issued May 3, 1838 and signed by Barnard Bee, Texas Secretary of War.

 A  survey was made  on November 12, 1838 by Thomas Mays and verified by Bartlett Sims on March 9, 1839. It reads, in part:

“Survey No. 40 of Twelve hundred and Eighty Acres of land for James Manor situated on the East side of the Colorado River on Gillilands Creek, 35 miles above Bastrop. It being the quantity of land to which said James Manor is entitled to by virtue of Land warrant No. 3164 issued at the City of Houston on the third day of May 1838 for military service by Barnard E. Bee, Secretary of War.” [3]

Certificate 77 issued July 5, 1838 by the Board of Land Commissioners of Bastrop County granted 640 acres of land to James Manor. It reads:

“No. 77 Class 2 Republic of Texas County of Bastrop.

This is to certify that James Manor has appeared before us the board of land Commissioners for the County aforesaid and proved according to the law that he arrived in this Republic subsequent to the declaration of independence and that he is a single man and entitled to six hundred and forty acres of land to be surveyed after the first day of August 1838. Given under our hand at Bastrop this fifth day of July 1838.”

The document was signed by S. B. Patton who was President of the Board of Land Commissioners and by Josiah Wilbarger and Moses Gage as Assistant Commissioners - [4]

A second survey was also made on November 12, 1838  for James Manor by Thomas Mays, Dept. Surveyor of Bastrop County. It reads, in part:

“Survey No. 39 of six hundred and forty acres of land for James Manor (Second Class) situated on Gillilands Creek on the east side of the Colorado River 35 miles above Bastrop, it being the quantity of land to which he is entitled by virtue of a certificate No. 77 issued by the Board of Land Commissioners for the County of Bastrop.” [5]

This section of a map of Travis County made in 1861 shows surveys 39 and 40 made for the land grants given to James Manor with Gilliland Creek running through both of them. [6]

Sources

[1] James Manor and His Descendants by Thelma Rogers Cook, September 16, 1953 – Texas State Library and Archives Commission and Austin Public Library and Genealogy.com, 1963 – https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/a/l/l/George-D-Allen/GENE7-0001.html

[2] Yazoo County, Mississippi deed records, 1831-1836 – FamilySearch website - https://www.familysearch.org/en/united-states/

[3] Texas General Land Office website - https://cdn.glo.texas.gov/ncu/SCANDOCS/archives_webfiles/arcmaps/webfiles/landgrants/PDFs/1/4/8/148468.pdf 

[4] Texas General Land Office website - https://cdn.glo.texas.gov/ncu/SCANDOCS/archives_webfiles/arcmaps/webfiles/landgrants/PDFs/1/4/8/148180.pdf 

[5] Ibid 

[6] Texas General Land Office website - 

https://www.historictexasmaps.com/collection/search-results/4088-map-of-travis-county-general-map-collection

James B. Manor - Founder of Manor, Texas - Family Years - 1824 -1881

James Manor was born November 17, 1804 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Not long after, his family moved to Murfreesborough, Rutherford County, Tennessee. That was where 19 year old James married 17 year old Phebe Singleton Foster on June 26, 1824. She was born May 29, 1807. The 1850 Travis County Census lists her birthplace as Virginia. .  

Rutherford County, TN, Marriage Record Books, Volume 1, 1804-1837, page 106

According to family lore and tradition, in 1832 James left his family in Tennessee and came to Texas with Sam Houston. By this time his marriage to Phebe had produced 3 children:

Aaron Josiah Manor, born April 30, 1825; died July 26, 1829

Harriet Susan Manor, born August 26, 1827; died July 7, 1829 

Malinda Jane Manor, born October 26, 1830; died December 21, 1903

A fourth child, Ann Elizabeth Manor was born on February 1, 1833, three months after James supposedly left Tennessee to come to Texas. She was said to have been born in Missouri where Phebe apparently had gone to stay with relatives while James is said to have been away in Texas. 

Family lore goes on to say that James Manor remained away from his family for three years but in 1835 he went back to Tennessee to join Phebe and the children who had already returned there. In 1836 James Manor came back to Texas with his wife and two small daughters along with other members of his family including his brother, Joseph John Manor and his wife, Caroline, and his sister Rhoda (Manor) Wilson. [1] 

Historical documents seem to contradict the story told by family lore and tradition. Mississippi deed records seem to show James and Phebe Manor living in Yazoo County, MS from 1831 to 1836. [2] 

Records on file at the Texas General Land Office indicate that James Manor stated he emigrated to Texas in April, 1837, as a single man, and that Joseph J. Manor, also as a single man, stated that he came to Texas in May, 1838. U. S. Census records for Rutherford County, TN dated November 4, 1850 show that Rhoda, along with her husband, John C. Wilson, and six children were still living there.  Travis County Deed Records, book G, pages 4-5 show John C. Wilson purchasing 450 acres of land south of Austin on January 12, 1853, of which he later sold 250 acres to Rhoda Wilson on May 9, 1853, as recorded in Travis County Deed Records, book F, page 235.  

In 1838 James Manor received 2 land grants and had survey’s made totaling 1920 acres of land on which he built a log cabin near Gilliland Creek in the area that would eventually become the town of Manor. [3] In 1841-42 he built a more modern two story house, leaving the log cabin to be used as the kitchen. [4]

James Manor's house built in 1841-1842
(photo at Austin History Center)

His house was used as the first post office in the area as well as the stop for the stage line between Houston and Austin. At that time this area was still considered to be a part of the Webberville community (first referred to as Webber’s Prairie). 

Five children were born to James and Phebe Manor after they arrived in Texas.

William Franklin Manor, born Sept. 12, 1836; died February, 1840

Elvira Tennessee Manor, born October 31, 1841 , died September 12, 1918

Lavina Henrietta Manor, born Dec. 6, 1843, died August 14, 1892

Mary Emeline Manor, born Aug. 9, 1846, died June 1, 1864

Catherine Georgia “Kitty” Manor, born Nov. 30, 1848, died January 3, 1882 [5]

Phebe Singleton Foster Manor, first wife of James Manor, died March 12, 1859 of Consumption at their home. [6] She is buried in Rector Cemetery at Manor, TX. There are 2 stone markers on her grave. 

   

 

       "Phebe S. 

         Wife of 

   JAMES MANOR                     

           Born 

      May 29. 1807

           Died 

     Mar. 12. 1859"

        "Blessed are the dead

          who die in the Lord."

                     

                                     SACRED  TO 

THE MEMORY OF MRS. PHEBE S. MA

NOR, BORN IN VIRGINIA MAY THE 

29, 1807 AND DIED MARCH 12, 1859. 

BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART 

FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD. MATH. 5.8"

James married Missouri C. Parker Burditt  (born in 1824 in South Carolina) on September 20, 1866.

Travis County Clerk Records: Marriage Record 2, page 267

The Southern Intelligencer Newspaper from Austin carried the following announcement on September 27, 1866: 

They had no children together but she had at least 7 children by her marriage in 1839 to Newell Walton Burditt who died December 6, 1856. 

Information is currently unavailable relating to the date of death of Missouri (Burditt) Manor, but Travis County deed records show that she sold some of her land in June of 1872. In July, 1872 W. H. Reynolds filed suit against M. C. Manor and James Manor for collection of a debt owed to him by her on a note dated January 22, 1866. (Travis County Deed Record W, page 629) Records also show that W. H. Reynolds was appointed by the court as the Administrator of her estate in June of 1874.

Weekly Democratic Statesman newspaper, January 21, 1875

James married 35 year old Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Davis on April 22, 1875 when he was 70 years old. 

Travis County Clerk Records: Marriage Record 4, page 335

She was born July 22, 1840 in Manchester, England as Elizabeth Ann Stelfox and had previously been married, first to James F. Allen, and then to John B. Davis before marrying James Manor. After James Manors death, she married Marion C.  Abrams and lived to be 101 years old, having been widowed 4 times. She died on November 3, 1941 and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery Annex in Austin. 

2 children were born to James and Elizabeth.

Lucile G. Manor - born May 6, 1876, died January 17, 1972

Elizabeth Beatrice Manor - born October 20, 1879, died August 25, 1959 [7]

Elizabeth Ann (Stelfox) (Allen) (Davis) Manor had several children by her previous husbands before she married James Manor. The 1880 U. S. Census for Travis County shows 4 of them living in the household with James and Elizabeth. 

James Manor died on May 17, 1881 and was buried in the City of Manor cemetery, for which he had donated the land. His grave is about fifty feet inside the gate a little to the right surrounded by a chain fence.

The inscription on the headstone reads;       "OUR FATHER 

JAMES 

MANOR 

Born

Nov. 17. 1804 

Died 

May 17. 1881 

Aged 

76 yrs. 6 mos." 

"A friend to his country 

                                                                and a believer in Christ"

James Manor had twenty-one grandchildren, but he had no sons that lived to maturity so there would be no descendants of his with the Manor surname.

Sources

[1] James Manor and His Descendants by Thelma Rogers Cook, September 16, 1953 – Texas State Library and Archives Commission and Austin Public Library and Genealogy.com, 1963 –https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/a/l/l/George-D-Allen/GENE7-0001.html

[2] Yazoo County, Mississippi deed records, 1831-1836 - FamilySearch website

https://www.familysearch.org/en/united-states/

[3] Texas General Land Office website -https://cdn.glo.texas.gov/ncu/SCANDOCS/archives_webfiles/arcmaps/webfiles/landgrants/PDFs/1/4/8/148468.pdf 

https://cdn.glo.texas.gov/ncu/SCANDOCS/archives_webfiles/arcmaps/webfiles/landgrants/PDFs/1/4/8/148180.pdf 

[4] Webberville and the Manor Cemetery by Banks McLaurin, Jr. 1995, page 172

[5] James Manor and his Descendents by Thelma Rogers Cook, September 16, 1953 

[6] FindaGrave.com record for Phebe Singleton Foster Manor

[7] James Manor and his Descendents by Thelma Rogers Cook, September 16, 1953

James B. Manor - Founder of Manor, Texas - Military Service - 1825 -1840

While still living in Murphreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee, at the age of 21, newly-married James Manor enlisted as a volunteer in the Rutherford County Militia. Militia records show that on June 4, 1825 he enlisted as an Ensign in the 45th Regiment, Volunteer Rifle Company. By September 4, 1827, he had been promoted to 1st Lieutenant in the 45th Regiment. 

After moving to Texas in April, 1837, records indicate that he served in Ranging Companies from Bastrop County that had been organized to help protect the settlers from Indian raids which were taking place in Texas during that time. 

"War Dept. Houston, Jany 17, 1838 - I certify that the certificate given at this office to James Manor should have been as a private in the Ranging Battalion, he is therefore entitled to receive pay as such. - Barnard Bee"

"This certificate entitles James Manor to pay from the date of the last payment made him to April 30, 1838, as a Private in Lt. Moore's Company B, Rangers - has been under orders April 30, 1838 to date. B.S. Bee - Secretary of War"

"Houston, May...1838 - James Manor has drawn $26.96 in clothing from 13th May 1837 until 30th April 1838 and there is yet due him $9 33/100. Wm H. Moore, 1st Lt. Comy Rangers."

City of Houston - This is to certify that James Manor a private under my command was detail to guard the waggon from Fort Houston to this place and back the service was thirty three days, given under... this 30th April 1838 -     Wm H. Moore, 1st Lt Comy Rangers"

In February, 1839 James Manor was part of a group of 109 men under the command of Colonel John H. Moore who were involved in a battle with Comanches on the San Saba River. One account of the battle says;

"In consequence of the repeated and continued inroads of the Indians through 1837 and 1838, at the close of the latter year Col. John H. Moore, of Fayette, already distinguished alike for gallantry and patriotism, determined to chastise them. Calling for volunteers from the thinly settled country around him, he succeeded in raising a force of fifty-five whites, forty-two Lipan and twelve Toncahua Indians, an aggregate of one hundred and nine. Col. Castro, chief of the Lipans, commanded his warriors, assisted by the rising and ever faithful young chief, Flacco, whose memory is honored, and whose subsequent perfidious fate is and ever has been deplored by every pioneer of Texas…."

Colonel Moore's troops were defeated by the Comanche and as a consequence of the battle and it appears that James Manor was seriously wounded  because  the writer went on to say;

"...six of their comrades so wounded as to perish in the wilderness, or be transported on litters home by their fellows. Such was the condition of six of the number. They were William M. Eastland (spared then to draw a black bean and be murdered by the accursed order of Santa Anna in 1843); S. S. B. Fields, a lawyer of La Grange; James Manor, Felix Taylor, ______ Leffingwell, and ______ Martin, the latter of whom died soon after reaching home."

 Noah Smithwick gives a longer account of the battle in his book "EVOLUTION OF A STATE" published in 1900. In it, he says;

"The Indians then formed in line and advanced to the attack. One brave, under cover of his shield, preceded his comrades, and flourishing his bow, delivered a challenge. Jim Manor was standing beside me with his gun cocked; he took deliberate aim at the prancing heathen, and at the crack of his gun the Indian fell back, unable to rise.

"By ----, I killed an Indian, didn't I?" said Jim, as if needing verification of his deed."

Members of the Ranging Companies were required to provide their own horses and weapons. Bastrop County records show that James Manor's horse was captured by the Comanche Indians during the battle.

"Republic of Texas County of Travis
Personally appeared before me S. J. Whatley an acting Justice of the Peace for the Republic and County afforsaid Noah Smithwick and Thomas McKernon who being duly sworn deposeth and sayeth that they know the mare which James Manor rode in the campaign against the Comanche Indians under the command of Col John H. Moore was captured by the Comanches on the San Saba on the 14th day of February 1839 and that the said mare was worth two hundred dollars. 
Sworn and Subscribed to before me                                           Noah Smithwick 
this 10th day of April AD 1840.                                               Thomas Mckernon

S. J. Whatley J. P.

J. H. Moore    Commandant Com"

"This is to certify that James  Manor volunteered to go against the Comanche Indians on the 25th day of January 1839 and discharged the duty of a private faithfully up to the 24th day of February following thru the 12th day of April 1840.

     J. H. Moore                                                                      Noah Smithwick

     Commandant Com.                                                        Capt of Bastrop Volunteers"

Sources

Rutherford County Militia information taken from Rutherford County Historical Society, Murphreesboro, TN, Publication No. 3, Summer 1974

Battle with the Comanche on the San Saba River taken from various online sources

All other documents showing Republic of Texas military service taken from the Texas Digital Archive of the Texas State Library and Archives Commmission