US Congressman/Minister/College President. Born on a Wednesday to prosperous farmer and extensive landowner James Manning and his wife Grace Fitz-Randolph. He was educated at the Hopewell Academy by the Reverend Isaac Eaton. He graduated second in his class of 21 from the College of New Jersey, now Princeton University in 1762. On April 19, 1763 he was ordained a Baptist Minister. A month later he married Margaret Stites. He was sent to Rhode Island by the Philadelphia Association of Baptist Churches to found a college. On March 3, 1764 he was granted a charter with the name of Rhode Island College, later to be renamed Brown University. Originally founded in Warren Rhode Island it was moved to Providence in 1770. During the Revolutionary War the school was closed and used as barracks and a hospital. In 1771 he accepted the pastorate of the First Baptist Church of Providence. By a unanimous vote of the General Assembly he was appointed as one of the delegates to the 1786 Continental Congress. While presiding over family prayer service he was stricken with an apoplectic stroke. He died at home 5 days later.
US Congressman/Minister/College President. Born on a Wednesday to prosperous farmer and extensive landowner James Manning and his wife Grace Fitz-Randolph. He was educated at the Hopewell Academy by the Reverend Isaac Eaton. He graduated second in his class of 21 from the College of New Jersey, now Princeton University in 1762. On April 19, 1763 he was ordained a Baptist Minister. A month later he married Margaret Stites. He was sent to Rhode Island by the Philadelphia Association of Baptist Churches to found a college. On March 3, 1764 he was granted a charter with the name of Rhode Island College, later to be renamed Brown University. Originally founded in Warren Rhode Island it was moved to Providence in 1770. During the Revolutionary War the school was closed and used as barracks and a hospital. In 1771 he accepted the pastorate of the First Baptist Church of Providence. By a unanimous vote of the General Assembly he was appointed as one of the delegates to the 1786 Continental Congress. While presiding over family prayer service he was stricken with an apoplectic stroke. He died at home 5 days later.
Bio by: Matthew Fatale
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