At some point in the 1760's John Man had been appointed as trustee to moneys held on behalf of George and Richard Cumberland, his wife's nephews. Some ten years later, John Man left England for Wales in order to escape mounting debts and his whereabouts became unknown. As a result it was necessary to arrange the release of the trust money without John.  In the letters of George and Richard Cumberland there is a discussion as to how to convince their 'Aunt Man' (Mary Balchen) to declare herself a widow in order to have the money in stocks released to them. The letter below is from John Man's son John in response to an inquiry from his cousin George Cumberland as to the whereabouts of John's father.  John gets his dates muddled; he writes 1760 when he means 1770.

John Man – Geo Cumberland about 1775/6

Transcript

It is with the utmost pleasure and satisfaction dear sir that I now set down to answer your last obliging letter which I received a few day ago and would have answered soon had I had the opportunity. Since my brother has referred you to me I shall enform you of what I know concerning my father.

In December 1769 I went to him at (?Knighton?) and after that I received one letter from him or I believe two but cannot say for certain at this distance of time. But whether it was one or more I can safely assert I never received any from him or have heard of him by any other means since Easter 1760 [John means 1770]. I am very certain of the time because in the last that I received I was ordered to go to him for the rent of the houses there and I think it was 1^st of May that I went however I am very sure it was sometime before I came to Reading and I came hear in June that year. This is all I know of the affair and I am pretty certain none of the family have heard of him since.

If I can be of any service to your mother I beg she acquaint me in what manner and be assured I shall exert myself to the utmost to delight her. I am very glad to hear that your brother is going to Driffielde because you give me reason to hope that the road through Reading will not be much out of the way. I flatter myself I should be welcome else should not presume to offer to attend you. We are naturally fond of pleasure so it is no wonder if I catch at every opportunity that offers to gratify a passion which I inherit from my nature, if I can conveniently accommodate the journey to the beginning of our Whit Sun Holidays I shall be very happy to join you on the journey at Reading. I can then accommodate you with a bed which though none of the finest I can promise you shall be wholesome and better than travellers usually meet with at Inns. And we set off with the Sun and get to the vicarage by the time a fine little pig will be put to the spit. Since you say the west has attractive powers as well as the North I think I may be certain of seeing you in summer whether we go the journey or no therefore I shall use no arguments to persuade you to favour one with a visit which I think you have favoured on these 6 years but never yet fulfilled. But now I expect you in good earnest so take care you don’t disappoint me. When your brother was here I engaged to write to him but alas! Never thought to ask for his address whence it comes. I have not fulfilled my promise. Do you make m compliments to him and beg him to use the power of the keys (which in spite of the Pope I believe was given to him) in behalf of a poor persistent sinner who like other (?pxrittents?) is determined to transgress again – until the next time. You and I George are now laymen and have nothing to do with religions dispute. We believed before Gibbons attacked our faith and I dare say were not staggered with his objections so stood in no need of Dr Watson's vindications. One of the Fathers [no matter which] said he believed in the Trinity because it was impossible but I believe in Christianity because it was founded by a divine power grew up and flourished in opposition to principalities and powers and by its own internal evidence has withstood the attacks of (?Deistoltsheists?) and unbelievers. Compliments to your mother brother & C

from your affectionate cousin

Jno Man

Addressed to
Mr. Cumberland
Secretary’s Office at the Exchange Assurance Office
London.