Lord Robert Manners

General Lord Robert Manners was born circa 1721 and died on 31 May 1782. He was an English military officer and member of the nobility. He was the son of John Manners, 2nd Duke of Rutland, and his second wife, Lucy Sherard.

Educational and Military Career:

On 26 July 1735, Manners purchased an ensigncy in the Coldstream Guards. He was promoted to lieutenant in May 1740. On 22 April 1742, he received promotions to captain and lieutenant-colonel in the 1st Foot Guards. In December 1747, he attained the rank of colonel and served as aide-de-camp to King George II.

Political Career:

In 1747, Manners was elected as Member of Parliament for Kingston upon Hull, a position he held continuously until his death in 1782.

Military Appointments and Promotions:

In September 1748, Manners was appointed colonel of the 15th Light Dragoons, a unit that was disbanded shortly thereafter. On 13 March 1751, he became colonel of the 36th Regiment of Foot. He was promoted to major-general on 7 February 1757 and to lieutenant-general on 7 April 1759. On 6 September 1765, he was transferred to the colonelcy of the 3rd (The Prince of Wales's) Dragoon Guards. Manners achieved the rank of general on 25 May 1772 and continued serving until his death.

Family and Marriage:

On 1 January 1756, Manners married Mary Digges, who was born circa 1727 and died in 1829. They had several children:

- Mary Manners (1756–1834), who married William Hamilton Nisbet (1747–1822) on 31 January 1777.

- Robert Manners (1758–1823), who had five children with his mistress, Mary Ann Goodchild (1780–1854).

- John James Manners (1762–1763), who died in infancy.

- George Manners (1763–1828), of Bloxholm and Ufford Hall, unmarried.

- Lucy Manners (1764–1835), who inherited the manor of Drayton Beauchamp from her mother and was unmarried.

Estate and Succession:

General Robert Manners left the estate of Bloxholm to his brother George, who was High Sheriff of Lincolnshire in 1826. George died unmarried in 1828, with both brothers having died without heirs. Consequently, the estate was inherited by their first cousin, Mrs. Jenney, the daughter of John, second Duke of Rutland, and sister of Lord Robert Manners, making her their first cousin once removed.

Contested Will:

The estate's inheritance was challenged by Lady Mary Bruce, daughter of the 7th Earl of Elgin, who was married to Robert Nisbet-Hamilton (originally Christopher). She claimed that George Manners had altered his will in her favor. The dispute was publicly documented, including correspondence in the Stamford Mercury in 1841. The case was ultimately settled in favor of Lady Mary Bruce.

References:

- Descendants of Sir Robert de Manners of Etal

- General Lord Robert Manners, regiments.org

- Leigh Rayment's Peerage Pages

- John Brooke, "MANNERS, Lord Robert (?1717-82)," in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1754-1790 (1964)

- Romney Sedgwick, "MANNERS, Lord Robert (c.1717-82)," in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1715-1754 (1970)