Family and Education

bap. 17 Jan. 1648, 1st s. of Ambrose Manaton† of Trecarrell by his 2nd w. Jane, da. of Narcissus Mapowder of Holsworthy, Devon and coh. to her bro. Anthony; bro. of Henry Manaton*.  educ. G. Inn 1666; Exeter, Oxf. 1667.  m. (1) 29 Oct. 1674, Elizabeth, da. and h. of William Kelly of Kilworthy, 1s. d.v.p.; (2) 23 Oct. 1690 (with £3,000) Rachel (d. 1706), da. of Sir John Carew, 3rd Bt.*, s.p.  suc. fa. 1651.1

Offices Held

Mayor, Tintagel 1679–80; asst. Camelford to June 1688.2

Biography

Manaton’s estates gave him an interest in more than one constituency, but after the Revolution his parliamentary efforts were concentrated at Camelford, where he owned property, and at Tavistock, close to Kilworthy, which he had inherited through his wife. In 1690 he was successful at Camelford, but suffered defeat at Tavistock. He petitioned against this defeat and after renewing his petition at the start of the following session, the House found against him. He was classed as a Tory by Lord Carmarthen (Sir Thomas Osborne†) in his analysis of the new Parliament, and was also included upon Carmarthen’s list of potential supporters in December 1690. In April 1691 Robert Harley* also considered him a Court supporter. He was given leave of absence for three weeks on 21 Feb. 1693 to recover his health. In the next session he was found to be absent following a call of the House on 4 Dec. and was excused for a week. When the House was called over again on the 20th he was presumably present as no further action was taken. He was then granted leave on 4 Apr. 1694, and a further three weeks’ leave was granted him on 19 Mar. 1695. After the general election of 1695, Manaton stood at both Tavistock and Camelford, being returned for the latter, but petitioning on 29 Nov. against his defeat at Tavistock. Forecast as likely to oppose the Court in the division of 31 Jan. 1696 over the proposed council of trade, he signed the Association promptly. He was seated for Tavistock on 13 Mar. 1696. On the following day he resigned his seat at Camelford and was then granted leave of absence to recover his health. He was never to return to Westminster, however, dying before Parliament reassembled. However, the exact date of Manaton’s death presents some problems. He made his will on 30 Apr. 1696 and an Ambrose Manaton was buried on 1 June, which is consistent with Narcissus Luttrell’s* record that he had died before 6 June. However, a Devonian correspondent had only heard of his death on 26 Sept. and a legal document refers to his death in October of that year.3

Ref Volumes: 1690-1715

Authors: Eveline Cruickshanks / Stuart Handley

Notes

• 1. IGI, Cornw.; Egerton 2764, f. 26v.; Cornw. RO, CW/HH/19/2; Polsue, Complete Paroch. Hist. Cornw. iv. 63.
• 2. J. Maclean, Trigg Minor, iii. 210.
• 3. PCC 36 Pyne; Egerton 2764, f. 26; Portledge Pprs. 240; Luttrell, Brief Relation, iv. 69; CW/HH/19/2.