James MANNING, Congress, RI (1738-1791)

MANNING, James, a Delegate from Rhode Island; born in Elizabethtown (now Elizabeth), N.J., October 22, 1738; attended Hopewell Academy and was graduated from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in 1762; studied theology and entered the Baptist ministry in 1763; moved to Warren, R.I., in 1764, and was one of the founders and first president of Rhode Island College (now Brown University); moved to Providence with the college in May 1770; served as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Providence from July 1771, until his resignation in April 1791; also resigned the college presidency the same year; Member of the Continental Congress in 1786; died in Providence, R.I., July 29, 1791; interment in North Burial Ground.

Bibliography

Guild, Reuben Aldridge. Life, Times, and Correspondence of James Manning, and the Early History of Brown University. Boston: Gould and Lincoln; New York: Sheldon and Company, 1864.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present