Hubert Man's recollections of William are: William Lionel Man Son of Harry Stoe Man:
Born at Halstead, Kent Dec 7th 1822, Sponsors William Man (cousin). He was educated at Westerham School. He was always full of fun & mischief, irresponsible & cheery. He was articled to a solicitor but ran away with & married Rosa Cooper, a well-known Shakespearian actress. They were a devoted couple; he went on tour with her to India & Australia. He with a friend Jack Street were two of the first white men to walk across North (?) Island, New Zealand. He had several adventures; was shipwrecked with his wife and always declared that their two lives were saved by floating ashore on her crinoline. They had 5 or 6 children all except one died young. The exception Horace died when he was about 15 by a blow from a cricket ball. Rosa died of cholera, in India William married a second time; a Mary F Starnes; they had no children
They lived at King St. Maidstone & then at Beaconsfield Terrace Hythe Kent, where both of them died, she survived him for many years.
He hated humbug & conventionality. His nephews & nieces were devoted to him. He disliked meals at stated times, preferred toasting a chop over his study fire or roasting a potato when hungry. He was original, wrote for various papers; also wrote a book “Gleanings from Rome”. He had a very kind heart and loved children, horses & dogs. He always tried to shock conventional people. A lady came to call & imparted much scandal to his wife. When he opened the front door to let her out he remarked, “Go & sin no more”.
People did not understand him & were apt to fight shy of him. His wife Aunt Mary was very good to her nephews and nieces; she was over 40 when she married William. She was not very happy as a child, she had a miniature of an Aunt of hers which she wore in a gold locket, the Aunt had been very kind to her in childhood, she told Beryl Man that every time she put the locket on she said God bless you, in gratitude to the old Aunt. The locket is in possession of Mrs Beryl Man.