MANNING, James (fl.1834-1861) — London
Globemaker. Produced The national new terrestrial globe 1854 (16-inch), with Dudley Wells; Outline of the earth 1857 (2½-inch); Model of the earth 1857 (1¾-inch); Model of the earth 1857 (1¾-inch); Manning’s new and improved terrestrial globe 1858 (5½-inch); Manning’s terrestrial globe ca. 1860 (12-inch); Manning’s terrestrial globe 1861 (10-inch), etc.
Born in Pentonville about 1813, the son of James Manning, who was employed by the Post Office, and his wife Elizabeth. Baptised at St. Andrew Holborn 11 May 1817. He married (1) Mary Ann Monro (d.1846?), with whom he had at least three children, at St. James Piccadilly, 17 Feb 1833, and (2) Elizabeth Williams, daughter of a customs officer from Newcastle, with whom he had several more children, at St. Marylebone 8 Nov 1847. The 1834-1837 addresses in Chancery Lane given at the baptisms of children suggest that he was working for the Newton family at that time (see John Newton in BME 2011). He was recorded as a globemaker on the 1841 census, at the baptism of a daughter in 1844, and again at the time of his second marriage in 1847, but as a managing clerk to a shipping broker in 1851, when living in Islington. Returning to globe-making, he was trading as ‘Manning & Wells’, with Dudley Wells 1854-1855, until the partnership was formally dissolved 23 Apr 1855. His premises in Goswell Street were badly damaged in a fire in April 1855, and again in 1859 in Goswell Road, the front shop being destroyed on the latter occasion, but he would appear to have been fully insured. He was recorded as a globemaker when resident with Elizabeth and five children in Clerkenwell in 1861. He was probably the James Manning who died in Clerkenwell towards the end of 1864. Neither he nor his wife have been traced beyond that point, but at least two of the children emigrated to Australia in early life.
Crown Court, Chancery Lane — 1834
Chancery Lane — 1837
Albion Place, King’s Cross — 1841
Middle Row, Holborn — 1844
Charles Street, St. Marylebone — 1847
18 Coles Terrace, Islington — 1851
117 Goswell Street — 1855
116 Goswell Road — 1856
13 Goswell Road — 1859-1861
BNA. Census 1841-1861. Tooley.