Alexander Manson was born in 1847 in Canisbay, Caithness, the son of Clunie Bain and Alexander Manson. He was their third son and they would go on to have 7 sons and a daughter.
In his late 20’s Alexander sailed to a new life in the colonies on the ship Commonwealth, the year was 1877. He travelled alone as an assisted immigrant and didn’t have any relatives living in the colonies.
Alexander was a carpenter, his religion was listed as Presbyterian, and he could both read and write. His bodily health, strength and probable usefulness was listed as good and he made no complaints respecting his treatment on the ship.
He married Frances Davis on 28 June 1881 in Maclean, New South Wales. The next year their first child, a son Alexander was born in Maclean, NSW. Shortly afterwards, Alexander was working at a sugar mill near Dyrabba, just west of Casino, when he fell to the ground whilst replacing a sheet of iron on the roof of the mill. Poor Alexander fell 16 feet (just over 5 metres) and broke his leg and wrist and suffered internal injuries. Although he later recovered, Alexander lived with the after effects of this injury for the rest of his life.
Alexander and Frances went on to have eight children in 17 years. They lived in the Orara Valley for the remainder of their lives after moving there as recommended by his doctors when he was recovering from his workplace accident. Their children would grow and marry into some of the most well known families in the district, including the Boultwood, Shephard and Hoschke families.
On verandah: midwife Rachel Davis (nee Shannoch), Catherine Manson (later Allen), Frances Manson (later Butterfield), Ellen Manson (later Baillie);
Seated on steps: Elsie Hoschke (later McPhail), George Manson, Ethel Manson (later Kerr), Granny and midwife Frances Manson (nee Davis) nursing baby Arthur Hoschke (Fred and Clunie’s son), Alexander Manson senior, William Manson, Alexander Manson junior, Charlie Davis. [Source: Coffs Harbour Time Capsule book, vol 6, p.84]
Baby Arthur was born in September 1907 and sister Elsie in 1904.
Alexander died on 18 September 1929 in Upper Orara, New South Wales, at the age of 82, and was buried in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. Frances would live another 17 years, passing away aged 89 in their beloved Orara Valley on 17 March 1946.
Obituary – Alexander Manson
An Orara Pioneer. (1929, September 20). Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 – 1942; 1946 – 1954), p. 4. Retrieved April 12, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article185719562
Obituary – Frances Manson
