Lord William Manners

Lord William Manners (13 November 1697 – 23 April 1772), of Croxton Park, Leicestershire was an English nobleman and Whig politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1719 and 1754. He was the second son of John Manners, 2nd Duke of Rutland and his first wife, Catherine Russell. His brothers John, Robert and Sherard were also Members of Parliament.

Gambling

Manners was known as a successful gambler and made a considerable private fortune by gaming. He is said to have won 1,200 guineas in an evening at New Year 1728. He is supposed to be portrayed in the gambling scene of Hogarth's ‘The Rake's Progress’. He also kept large racing studs and looked after the Belvoir foxhounds. He died on 23 April 1772 as the result of a riding accident. John Manners (1730 – 23 September 1792) politician, married Louisa Tollemache, 7th Countess of Dysart and had several children. Rev. Thomas Manners (1731 – 1 December 1812), twice married; firstly in 1758 to Susannah Buckland, who suffered from a mental condition, and secondly immediately after her death. His son William Manners married Frances Whichcote of Aswarby, and has descendants. William Manners (1734–1827), married Caroline Pickering Russell Manners (1736–1800), married Mary Rayner Augusta Manners (21 November 1737 – 1828) Frances Manners (1739–1817) Robert Manners (b. 1740), died young Caroline Manners (1741–1800), married Jeremiah Ellis Robert Manners (2 May 1743 – 18 April 1810), married Elizabeth White (1749–1817) with numerous descendants including Rear Admiral Sir Errol Manners (1883-1953).

His descendant David Drew-Smythe speculates that Lord William Manners and his mistress Corbetta Smyth, who had a long-term relationship, never married because of inheritance clauses. All Corbetta's children were recognized by their father. Conditions of inheritance being linked to stipulations about specific marriage expectations or restrictions are not uncommon and have been known to "force" couples into living and bringing up their children in 'unmarried' relationships in order to avoid losing an inheritance. This is speculation, of course, but there must have been some specific reason why they chose to be unmarried.