William Man's Letter to Edward Garnet Man.

The following letter was written by William Man, son of John Man, to Edward Garnet Man. William and Edward would have been first cousins one generation removed; William being the first cousin of Edward's father Harry Stoe Man. 

In this letter, William's recollections are somewhat accurate, however his claims about Admiral Balchen are not since NO relationship, at least not nearly as close as William states, has been established between the Admiral's family and the London Balchen family of William's grandmother Mary (Balchen) Man.  The journal mentioned by William and kept by James Balchen (NOT a Sir) can be found here.  James Balchen was Mary Balchen's brother and therefore William's great uncle and he certainly was neither a brother nor a son of the admiral's.  'My cousin Ann' refers to Eleanor Ann Rankin Man daughter of Henry Man. The grandfather William speaks of who dies in Wales is John Man. 

47 Castle Street,
Reading Feb 10^th, 1865

Dear Sir  In reply to your letter received this morning being a total stranger to me, I find many incidents contained in it correct.  I am uncertain whether my grandfather, who was a builder, and built many houses in that neighborhood, among others my father pointed one out to me then occupied by the Misses Dolbys built by him at Hurst. I formerly had an itinery written by Sir James Balchen, brother or son of the Admiral who was lost with his ship, of his journey to Hurst to pay a visit to his new relation Mr. Man and his wife, but whether senior or junior I have forgotten. I remember my father saying what a sever blow it was to his family the news of his Uncle Balchen the Admirals loss my Grandmother [Mary Balchen] being the Admiral's sister.  I heard my father say he himself was born in Goodman's Fields (where probably my Grandfather lived) if so our Great Grandfather might have lived at Hurst.  Further than this I know not. My Grandfather as you observed died in Wales.  I believe at Cardiff.  I have no knowledge of my Grandfather or Great Grandfather having lived in Cornwall.  The itinery I mentioned still exists in the Man family. My cousin Ann, who you call Aunt, has made to me the same inquiries you are now making, who is now living at Halstead, Kent, with no better success.

Perhaps if you could find the year of the death of our Great Grandfather by searching his will at Doctors’ Commons, it might lead to something further.

I remain Dear Sir
Respectfully
Yours
William Man

To E.G. Man, Esq.