Manning, Francis M., 1903-1982

Francis Marion Manning (1903-1982) was for many years editor of the Williamston Enterprise, a biweekly, and the Robersonville Weekly Herald. The son of William and Sarah Roberson Manning, he graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1926. Manning returned to Williamston to work on the staff of the Enterprise, which his father and mother had purchased in 1908; his columns on fishing and local characters were regular features of the paper. Active in the North Carolina Press Association, Manning served that group as Vice-President in 1963-64. He also held a position on the Board of Directors of the Eastern North Carolina Press Association. Manning wrote many articles on historical topics and, with W. H. Booker, edited three volumes on Martin County history: Religion and Education in Martin County, 1774-1974 (Williamston, 1974); Martin County History, Volume I (Williamston, 1977); and Martin County History, Volume II (Williamston, 1979). Each of these books contains much useful information on the Martin County families whose papers Manning collected.