Robert Mann Sr (abt. 1650 - bef. 1713)

Born about 1650 in Surrey, England [uncertain]

Descendants

Died before 6 Jul 1713 before about age 63 in Henrico County, Virginia

Problems/Questions Profile managers: W Mann [send private message] and Karen Carty [send private message]

This profile is part of the Mann Name Study.

Source for much of the following: Mann Family Research Foundation, thanks to John Aylor:

Biography

Robert Mann, Sr was likely born between 1645 and 1655 in or near Surrey, England (though not proven yet, and it is possible that he was born in the Colonies). This range of years is taken from research conducted on behalf of the Mann Family Research Foundation and by other volunteer researchers, based on court documents in southern Virginia.

As of December 2023, ongoing research is seeking to identify family connections in England, with Y-DNA indicating a possible connection either to SURREY or HAMPSHIRE, England. Robert Mann died some time between April 10, 1712, when his will was written, and July 6, 1713, when Isabel presented his will to the court for the estate process. In many Henrico County records, the name was spelled "Man". Isabel's name was also spelled differently at times.

NONE of the parents that have been shown on this website, on Ancestry, or on Familysearch have ANY verifiable evidence for being the parents of this Robert Mann. Some of these speculated "parents" are impossible and others lack any logical justification. Also, there was an older Robert Mann in VA prior to this Robert Mann, but, as of 2023, there is no evidence of any family connection.

Note: As of 2023, ALL males in America from this family, who share Mann Y-DNA, descend from this Robert Mann. It is an uncommon Y-DNA haplogroup among males with the Mann surname. So, if you are a male with direct Mann paternal DNA, you can submit a sample for the Y-DNA test on the FTDNA website and confirm your family connection.

Death

Robert died between April 1712, when his will was written, and 6 July 1713 in Henrico County, Virginia, when his widow Isabel presented the will to the court at Varina. The death date of his widow Isabel is unknown, but obviously occurred after 6 July 1713. Her name has not been found in any document, thus far, after this date in 1713.

A common tradition was to list the children in age order, starting with the oldest, which appears to be the case in Robert's will, based on what is known about the children. Only daughter Jane has no paper trail after this will, written in April 1712:

His will indicates that son Robert Jr was an adult, as he was given "the land he lives on and 12 pence". His wife Isabel received the "plantation she lives on, down as low as Hounds ditch for life". After her death this property was to go to son Thomas. In some family traditions, the youngest son inherited the "home place", but there is no evidence that Thomas was younger. Also, the order of being listed in a parent's will more often was an indicator of their age. Sometimes, the sons were listed in order, then the daughters grouped together in order, in the will.

The children Thomas (in addition to a future promise of land), John, Francis, Mary, and Jane all received 12 pence apiece...Robert's wife Isabel received the rest of the estate, and was named executor.

Document Research and Commentary

The first part of this section provides a general timeline of activities regarding Robert Mann. The last part provides more specific details and sources for some of these activities.

As of 2023, the first confirmed reference to this Robert Mann in Virginia was the 1677 will of William Griffin, which lists Robert Mann as executor, and also makes reference to Isabel Mann. Recorded Henrico County, VA, Court, (date not readable) 1677. See the Sources section at the end of this profile for the will abstract.

The second known reference to this Robert Mann in Virginia is his appearance on a 1679 tithable list for Henrico, VA. (see below for partial text)

The third documented reference to this Robert Mann of Henrico, VA is this land patent from 1683: Patent: Thomas, Lord Culpeper, Lt. Gov. of VA, to Eve Bellonge and Robert Man Dated 16 Apr. 1683 Patent to Evan Baker alias Eve Belonge and Robert Mann. 89 acres and eight poles of land, in Henrico County, Bristol Parish, on the south side of the James River and on the north side of Swift Creek. Said land being due for transportation of two persons (to the Colonies). (Virginia Patent Book 7, pg 278). (later, full ownership was transferred to Robert Mann).

June 25, 1684 - Robert Mann was part of a 12-man jury in Henrico, investigating the death of John Russell in Swift Creek "at ye wading place near to Swift Creek Mill". The conclusion was that he drowned by "misfortune". (Robert Mann owned land on Swift Creek very near the mill). Other jurors included George Hunt, John West, John Wilson Sr, John Wilson Jr, and James Franklin, among others. "Robert Man" used "RM" as his signature. Book 1, page 277, Henrico Court Records.

Deed Abstract: James Franklin of Bristol Parish, Henrico County to Thomas Totty and Robert Man of same. Recorded Henrico County, VA, Court, 2 Aug. 1686. for valuable consideration, 119 acres on the north side of Swift Creek, lately patented by William Greenfield and by him transferred to me; the upper ½ to Totty, and lower ½ to Man. Dated 17 Nov 1685. Wit: Thomas Fitzherbert, James Hill, Nicholas Dison. Signed James (his mark) Frankling. Margaret, the wife of James, relinquished her dower right. (Henrico County Will, Deeds, Etc. 1677-1692, 378, abstracted in Benjamin B. Weisiger, III, Henrico County, Virginia Deeds 1677-1705 (Richmond, 1986) 34)

Note: Robert Mann received the lower half of 119 acres, which adjoined the 89 acres that he already owned. William Greenfield's patent is recorded in Virginia Patent Book 7, p. 389.

In 1698, in Henrico records, Robert and Isabel Mann gifted a tract of land to a daughter. Unfortunately, the scanned image of the document is partial. The only first name that is visible is MARY, so it could have been daughter Mary Mann. Supposedly, she married Seth Perkinson at some time, possibly around the time of this gift. BUT, the source of this Mann/Perkinson relationship has not been provided by readily available sources. Even the research developed by the "official" Mann family researchers has not included the sources.

Deed Abstract: Robert Man to George Hunt Recorded Henrico County, VA, Court, 31 July 1702. Dated 31 Jul. 1702. For valuable consideration, 50 acres of land on the north side of Swift Creek, part of my land purchased by James Franklin, next to Maj. Field. Izabella, my wife, will relinquish her dower right. Wit: Ed Harper. Signed: Robert (his mark R) Man. Isabella, the wife of Robert, relinquished her dower right.

• Robert Mann appeared on the Quit Rent Roll of April 1705:

Robt Mann, Henrico VA; 100 acres. (1 shilling was due to England for every 50 acres owned. The 1704 list is the only one discovered as of 2021, The Henrico Co list was compiled as of April 1705 for the prior year.)

• Deed Abstract Information*

^[1] Patent: Thomas, Lord Culpeper, Lt. Gov. of VA, to Eve Bellonge and Robert Man Dated 16 Apr. 1683. Patent to Evan Baker als Belonge and Robert Mann... 89 ac. noe rood, but eight poles of land, in Henrico Co., Bristoll Parish, on South side of James River and on north side of Swiff [Swift] Creek (viz) Begin at a corner white oak belonging to Mr. Henery Randolph and runneth thence north by East one hundred and thirty poles to a corner Pohickory, thence East north East twenty six poles to a Corner white oake, thence south East by South twenty fower poles to a Corner, thence East south East thirty six poles thence South East by East sixty seven poles to a corner dead Pine, thence south east by east one hundred and twelve poles to a Corner Gum, thence south by west sixteen poles to ye line of Mr. Hen: Randolph, thence along ye sd Randolphs line west by north two hundred twenty fower poles to ye place wee began, including ye aforesaid eighty nine acres & eight poles, ye said land being due for transportation of two persons. 89 acres; 1683 Patent for 89 Acres

Deed Abstract: Thomas, Lord Culpeper, Lt. Gov. of VA, to Eve Bellonge and Robert Man and assignment from Bellange to Robert Man.

^[2] Recorded Henrico County, VA, Court, 1 Aug. 1684. Dated 16 Apr. 1683. 89 acres in Bristol Parish on south side of James River and north side of Swift Creek, next to Henry Randolph. Signed: Tho. Culpeper. Eve Bellange assigns to Robert Man his whole interest in land taken up betwixt us. 1 Feb. 1683. Signed: Eve Bellange. Mary Bellange, wife of Eve Bellange, relinquishes her dower right in above land. 1 Feb. 1683. Signed: Mary (mark) Bellange.

^[3] 1685 Nov. 17th Deed James FRANKLING of Bristol Parish, Henrico Co., for valuable consideration, to Thomas TOTTY and Robert MAN of same, 119 acres on north side of Swift Creek, lately patented by William GREENFIELD and by him transferred to me, the upper ½ to TOTTY, and lower ½ to MANN. 17 Nov 1685. Wit: Tho FITZBERBERT, James (IH) HILL, Nich. DISON Signed James (his mark) FRANKLING Recorded 2 Aug. 1686 Margaret, wife of James, relinquished her dower right

Notes: Thomas TOTTY and Robert MAN(N) buying land from James Frankling on same deed with each sharing ½ the land on Swift Creek.

^[4] Deed Abstract: James Frankling of Bristol Parish, Henrico County to Thomas Totty and Robert Man of same Recorded Henrico County, VA, Court, 2 Aug. 1686. for valuable consideration, 119 acres on north side of Swift Creek, lately patented by William Greenfield and by him transferred to me; the upper ½ to Totty, and lower ½ to Man. Dated 17 Nov. 1685. Wit: Tho. Fitzherbert, James (IH) Hill, Nich. Dison. Signed James (mark) Frankling. Margaret, wife of James, relinquished her dower right.

Note: Robert Mann received the lower half of 119 acres, which adjoined his 89 acres. William Greenfield's patent is recorded in VA Patent Book 7, p. 389. 119 acres Deed Abstract: Robert Man to George Hunt

^[5] Recorded Henrico County, VA, Court, 31 July 1702. Dated 31 Jul. 1702. For valuable consideration, 50 acres of land on north side of Swift Creek, part of my land purchased of James Franklin, next to Maj. Field. Izabella, my wife, will relinquish her dower right. Wit: Ed Harper. Signed: Robert (R) Man. Isabella, wife of Robert, relinquished her dower right.

^[6] Abstract of Will of Robert Man, Sr. Recorded Henrico County, VA, Court, 6 Jul. 1713. Dated 10 Apr. 1712.

To son Robert, land he lives on and 12 pence. To wife Isabel, plantation she lives on, down as low as Hounds ditch for life, and after her death to son Thomas. To children Thomas, John, Francis, Mary, and Jane, 12 pence apiece. All the rest to wife, and she to be executor. Wit: William Dodson, Henry Vaden, Thomas Bott.

Research Notes #2

It looks like there was an older Robert Mann in the Colonies. The dates on these records don't align with Robert Mann Sr.'s age at the time. He would have been too young.

Will Abstract: Will of William Griffin. Recorded Henrico County, VA, Court, (date obliterated) 1677. Eldest son William to go to Robert Man until age 18. Son Thomas to go to John Greene until age 18, and Greene to have the keeping of two cows until Thomas is 18. To son William, my gunn. To daughter Elizabeth, one cow and pewter. To son Thomas, one chest, all tools of the house, iron potts. To daughter Margaret, my bed and one pewter dish. Youngest daughter Elizabeth is to go to Isabell Mann until age 18. Executor: Robert Mann (witness names oblitereated.) (Henrico County Wills and Deeds 1677-1692, p. 26, abst. in Benjamin B. Weisiger III, Henrico County, Virginia, Deeds 1677 - 1705 (Richmond, 1986) 1)

Portion of 1679 List of Tithables Hening. Statutes at Large of Virginia, Vol. II, p. 433. Page 131. Att a Court holden att Varina for the County of Henrico the second day of June Anno Dom 1679 . . . An account of ye several fortye Tythables ordered by this Wor'll Court to fitt out men horse armes &c. according to act, viz: Mr Richd Lygon is ordered to give notice to these. Robert Mann 1 Mr Hancocke 1 James Eakin 2 Wm Puckett 2

Sources

1. ↑ VA Patent Book 7, 278
2. ↑ Henrico County Wills and Deeds 1677-1692, p. 276, abst. in Benjamin B. Weisiger III, Henrico County, Virginia, Deeds 1677 - 1705 (Richmond, 1986) 26
3. ↑ Henrico County VA Deeds 1677-1705, Compiled by Benjamin B. Weisiger III ©1986, p. 34] page 378
4. ↑ Henrico Co. Will, Deeds, Etc. 1677 - 1692, 378, abst. in Benjamin B. Weisiger, III, Henrico County, Virginia Deeds 1677 - 1705 (Richmond, 1986) 34
5. ↑ Henrico Co. Wills, Deeds, Etc. 1697-1704, 292, abstracted in Benjamin B. Weisiger, III, Henrico County, Virginia Deeds 1677-1705 (Richmond, 1986) 122
6. ↑ Henrico County Wills and Deeds 1710-1714, p. 220, abstract in Benjamin B. Weisiger III, Colonial Wills of Henrico County, Virginia, Part One 1654-1737 (Richmond,1976) 91

imbedded

• This reference is most likely NOT the same Robert Mann, as Robert Mann of VA was an adult as of 1677: ^[7]Surrey, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials: Name Robert Man' : Baptism Date 20 May 1664; Parish Cobham, St Andrew; Father's Name Robert Man; Reference Number COB/1/1

• The FindAGrave memorial for Robert Mann: Find A Grave: Memorial #9002207 as of 2018-06-09. (The info on FindAGrave is not based on an actual gravesite - it is NOT a reliable source in this case, and many other cases). Some incorrect information was updated in 2023.