MANNING, Richard Irvine, governor of South Carolina, born in Clarendon county, South Carolina, 1 May, 1789; died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1 May, 1886. He was a son of Lieutenant Lawrence Manning, who served in the Revolutionary army, at first in the regiment that was known as "Congress's own," and afterward in the corps of "Light-horse Harry" Lee. Interesting mention is made of him in Lee's "Memoirs" and in Johnson's "Traditions and Reminiscences of the American Revolution." The son was graduated in 1811 at South Carolina college, served in the war of 1812 as captain of a volunteer company for the defence of Charleston, was a member of the legislature, and in 1824-'6 governor of the state, and while holding the latter office he entertained at his house General Lafayette on the occasion of his second visit to this country. He was subsequently defeated as a Union candidate for congress, but in 1834 was elected as a Union Democrat and served till his death. His wife bore the unusual distinction of being the wife of a governor, the sister of a governor, the niece of a governor, the mother of a governor, and the aunt and foster-mother of a governor.--Their oldest son, John Lawrence, governor of South Carolina, born in " Hickory Hill," Clarendon County, South Carolina, 29 January, 1816, entered Princeton, but was recalled before graduation by the death of his father. He was afterward graduated at South Carolina college, and while a student there married Susan Frances, daughter of General Wade Hampton. He was engaged for many years in sugar-planting in Louisiana, and his works were among the first on the Mississippi river. He entered public life at an early age, served several years in the assembly and senate of South Carolina, when only thirty years old was defeated in a close contest for governor, and in 1852 was elected governor by an overwhelming majority. During his term he especially devoted himself to the advancement of education. He established scholarships in South Carolina college, and from his own ample private means aided the progress of many impecunious young men. He was a delegate to the convention that nominated Buchanan for the presidency, and was one of the committee that was sent to wait on him at " Wheatlands" to inform him of his nomination. Mr. Buchanan tendered him the mission to St. Petersburg, which for private reasons he declined, suggesting for the place Governor Francis Pickens, who was afterward appointed. In the civil war he served on the staff of General Beauregard, and in 1865 was chosen United States senator, but with the other southern senators of that year was not allowed to take his seat. He is at present (1888) the only surviving ante-helium governor of the state.