Manston Village

"The Manor of Manston, located on the western edge of this parish, was for many generations the home and inheritance of a family who shared its name. According to records in the Pipe Office, Richard de Manston served as one of the Recognitores Magnæ Assisæ—a position of considerable trust and importance—during the reign of King John.

Sir William Manston and his brother Sir Roger Manston are buried in the Grey Friars at Canterbury. A depiction of Roger Manston once appeared in one of the windows of Ashford Church. He was shown wearing his coat of arms — red, with a horizontal band of ermine between three silver stars (the same arms that appear on the stone roof of the cloisters at Canterbury). He was portrayed with spurs on, kneeling on a cushion with his hands raised in prayer, his hair cut short, and wearing a beard. His image was displayed alongside those of several other notable figures.

William Manston served as sheriff in the 14th year of King Henry VI’s reign and carried out his duties from this estate. His son, Nicholas Manston, died in 1444, leaving only one daughter, Joane, as his heir. Through her marriage, her husband Thomas St. Nicholas of Thorne in Minster gained possession of the estate.

Their great-grandson, Roger St. Nicholas, left only one daughter, Elizabeth, who brought the estate to her husband, John Dynley of Charlton in Worcestershire. Their eldest son, Henry, later sold the property—along with Powcies and Thorne—around the middle of Queen Elizabeth I’s reign to John Roper of Linsted, who was later made Lord Teynham. The estate remained in the Roper family until Henry, Lord Teynham, sold it around 1709 (the sale being recorded in Chancery) to Sir Henry Furnese of Waldershare, who died owning it in 1712.

Afterward, the estate passed in the same way as Powcies in Minster to his granddaughter Anne, the wife of John, Viscount St. John. Their grandson George, Viscount Bolingbroke (whose father had inherited the title), sold it in 1790 to Mr. Gibbon Rammel of Nash Court and to Messrs. Smith and Wotton. It has since been sold again and is now owned by Mr. Richard Brice.

The manor house has long since been converted into a farmhouse. The remains of its chapel are still substantial, and being covered in ivy, they create a very picturesque scene, especially on the north side."

Extract from: Edward Hasted, 'Parishes: St Laurence (Thanet)', in The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent: Volume 10 (Canterbury, 1800) - converted to modern English

Ownership Timeline of the Manor of Manston

1. The Manston Family (Early medieval period → mid‑1400s)

Richard de Manston — held office under King John (reigned 1199–1216).

Sir William Manston and Sir Roger Manston — buried at Grey Friars, Canterbury.

William Manston — Sheriff in the 14th year of Henry VI (1435–1436).

Nicholas Manston, Esq. — died 1444, leaving only one daughter.

End of Manston line

Joane Manston — sole heir; through her marriage the estate leaves the Manston family.

2. The St. Nicholas Family (mid‑1400s → late 1500s)

Thomas St. Nicholas, Esq. (husband of Joane Manston) — acquires the estate through marriage.

Their great‑grandson Roger St. Nicholas — leaves only one daughter.

End of St. Nicholas line

Elizabeth St. Nicholas — sole heir; through her marriage the estate passes out of the family.

3. The Dynley Family (late 1500s)

John Dynley, Esq., of Charlton, Worcestershire — gains the estate through marriage to Elizabeth St. Nicholas.

Their eldest son Henry Dynley later sells the estate.

4. The Roper Family (mid‑1500s → early 1700s)

John Roper, Esq., of Linsted — purchases the estate during Queen Elizabeth I’s reign.

Later created Lord Teynham.

The estate remains in the Roper/Teynham family for roughly 150 years.

End of Roper ownership

Henry, Lord Teynham — sells the estate around 1709.

5. Sir Henry Furnese (1709 → 1712)

Sir Henry Furnese, Baronet, of Waldershare — buys the estate in 1709.

Dies owning it in 1712.

6. The St. John / Bolingbroke Family (early 1700s → 1790)

Estate passes to Anne Furnese, granddaughter of Sir Henry Furnese.

She is married to John, Viscount St. John.

Their grandson George, Viscount Bolingbroke inherits and later sells it.

7. Rammel, Smith & Wotton (1790)

In 1790, George, Viscount Bolingbroke sells the estate to:

Mr. Gibbon Rammel, of Nash Court

Messrs. Smith and Wotton

8. Richard Brice (Late 1700s)

After further sale(s), the estate becomes the property of Mr. Richard Brice.