Family Dysfunction

Today is my Dad's birthday and I sent him the funniest card...
OUTSIDE: You know how every family has that one person who seems normal?
INSIDE: We need to get us one of those!

HA! It is my belief that every family has dysfunction--some are just better at hiding it than others. ;-) The Mann family definitely has a history--I won't go into details. But one thing I have noticed that I find quite odd is the fact that MANY (Ensign) Mann descendants never married or had kids. I'm no historian, but think this is a little bizarre. I've contemplated dysfunction and I've contemplated the fact that maybe there weren't a lot of options in the area. Maybe they weren't really into marrying their cousins? (Although some did. HA)

Then there were those who only had 1 or 2 children when my ancestors in Newfoundland were spitting them out by the dozen! And believe me, all the Newfies married cousins! HA

Poor ol' wealthy Wilson Mann of Orange...He only had one daughter, and when she died unmarried at the age of 31, he died of a broken heart walking home from visiting her grave.

Boston Tea Party and Sons of Liberty

I was just watching the latest version of Mysteries at the Museum with a special segment on the Boston Tea Party, and it is quite possible our Mann ancestors were involved in that historical event. Ensign Mann II* (Jr.), who graduated from Harvard, was a known Patriot and leader of the Sons of Liberty in Petersham. It is believed the Sons of Liberty, along with Samuel Adams, were responsible for the event. Ensign II would have been 33 at the time. Ensign is listed in a book of Registered Members of the American Revolution.

*In some entries, this Ensign is referred to as "Jr." However, his son Ensign is also known as Jr., so I named this Ensign, born in 1740, "II." There were 3 in a row, so it can be quite confusing.

Sons of Liberty

Ensign stepped down from his position as Chapter President of Sons of Liberty (Petersham) in order to marry a Tory's daughter. This was just a few months before the Boston Tea Party.

Harvard

Ensign graduated from Harvard in 1764, the year Harvard Hall burnt down. He lost items in the fire and was compensated.

Ensign Mann Memorial

Read at length about Ensign and his political dealings here. Book is "An address delivered in petersham massachusetts." Page 36-41

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