Harry Edward Julius Man was born on 2 January 1822 at 33 Apollo Buildings, Walworth, Surrey, the son of Harry Stoe and Louisa Caroline (Fowle) Man. He was baptized on 1 February 1822 at St. Giles, Camberwell, Surrey.

He married his second cousin, Henriette Marie Phillipina Fowle, on 15 October 1860 in Colabar, India.

Harry and Henriette’s Marriage Certificate

Harry died on 1 July 1864, age 42, at Halstead Hall, Halstead, Kent and was buried on 5 July at St. Margaret’s, Halstead.

Henriette was born on 8 November 1829 in Calais, France, the second daughter of Captain John and Mary (McCormick) Fowle, and she died on 15 November 1863 at St. Leonard’s, Sussex and was buried on 25 November at St. Margaret’s, Halstead.

Harry and Henriette belong to Man Generation Eight; their children belong to Man Generation Seven and are:

1. ELLA KATHARINE EMMA
2. HARRY
3. HARIETTA EMMA MINNIE

[References: Harry’s birth – Col. A.M. Man’s notes; his baptism – film viewed at London Metropolitan Archives; marriage – FHL Film # 0523919; his death – copy of his death certificate; his burial – from a record of a film viewed at LMA; Henriette’s birth and death – Col. A. M. Man’s notes; her burial – film viewed at LMA.]

Note that Henriette died only a few days after the birth of her daughter, probably as a result of complications, etc. So far we do not have Henriette’s burial record. Harry is shown below dressed as an officer of the Turkish contingent during the Crimean War. Sir Richard Burton also served in the Turkish forces in the Crimea and in the book ‘A Rage to Live’, a biography of Richard & Isabel Burton by Mary S Lovell, the author notes that: “All the British officers who served with the Turkish forces wore ostentatious uniforms in order to maintain the respect of the men under their command …” Harry was also one of the supervisors laying the telegraph through Persia. During this time he wrote two letters to his brother Morrice King Man. The Rev. Morrice Man writing in his diaries recalls Harry Edward as follows; Hubert Man’s recollections of Harry are as follows. Sir Julian Goldsmid wrote a book about the laying of the telegraph and Harry appears on a number of pages.

Henriette Maria’s father (John Fowle) was a Captain in H. M. 63rd regiment.

Between 1862 and 1864 the son Harry dies, Harry Edward himself dies, his wife dies, his brother Morrice King dies, and so does his sister Ella Emma.

Henriette’s brother, Edward Fowle, lived for much of his life in Rangoon and was involved in a messy divorce case, the details of which were published by the British Burma Advertiser Press in 1876. (See Fowle Family page for details)

Below a Russian cross picked up by Harry from the body of a Russian soldier during the Crimean War. (See The Rev. Morrice Man’s recollections of Harry above).

Morrice Man’s recollections of his uncle Harry are as follows:  Harry was born at Halstead in 1822. [Actually at Walworth]. He became a Major in the Turkish Contingent and fought for the Turks (at Plevna?) during the Crimean War – I still have a thin Silver Russian Cross (below) picked up on the field of battle from some dead [Russian] soldier. He later joined the Persian Telegraphs. I have in my possession a copy of an interesting letter written to his brother Morrice King Man (they were much attached to each other) from Teheran. It is dated October 14th 1863 describing his journey from London to Teheran via Calais, Brussels, Cologne, Berlin, Konigsberg, St Petersberg, The Volga, Astrakan, The Caspian, Enzelli and Rescht to Teheran (see below).

They travelled (three of them) with a Persian servant (who deserted at Cologne to rejoin his former master Capt. Champain) by rail to Berlin where they had to stop a week owing to the Polish rebellion before entering Russia. Ten days were spent at Petrograd thence by Volga steamer to Peva Bazaar, thence post chaise and later on horseback to Rescht, then 200 miles on horseback to Teheran in under four days, changing the horses every 25 miles. Lots of tigers pheasants, partridges – two days over an immense chain of mountains, their vallies (sic), crossing rivers, getting wet all over scenes very grand: At last – 53 days journey from London we sight the chief town of Persia, Teheran not half a bad place? Both Harry and Morrice, judging from photographs were very handsome men (as indeed were William and Garnet). Harry married Harriet Fowle and when he died in 1864 and his wife died also. The two children, Harriet and Ella were taken by his eldest sister Eleanor, Mrs. Morgan Thomas, until they both married.

Hubert Man’s notes on his uncle Harry are: Harry Edward Julius Man, son of Henry Stoe Man was christened in Camberwell Church in 1822 (Sponsors, Julius Newell R. N., H. S. Man (father) & Jane Fowle (aunt)) he was educated at Maidstone. He went to the West Indies (Jamaica) sugar planting [probably on behalf of ED and F Man], then went to the Crimean War as Major in the Turkish Contingent. He then got an appointment through a General Mitchell in the Persian Telegraphs. He was at Karachi in India & at Teheran in Persia whence he was invalided home; on his way home he was attacked in a house in Russia & thrown out of a window. H. M. Consul wired “for someone to come & meet him at S. Petersburg.” His brother E.G. Man started but alas stopped by a wire when he reached Hull because his brother had left Russia. E.G. Man awaited Harry’s arrival at Hull, took his brother back to Halstead, there Harry died some three days later. Harry had a very good singing voice. He always took off his hat when he saw a barrel of sugar because he had sugar investments.

HARRY’S TWO LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER MORRICE

Introduction: The following two letters were written in 1863 and 1864 by Harry Edward Julius Man (HEJM), the second eldest son of Harry Stoe Man, to his elder bother Morrice King Man (MKM). The years 1861 – 1864 were significant for Harry and Morrice. In November 1863 Henriette Marie (wife of HEJM and mentioned in the first line of Letter No. 2) had died. Emma Elizabeth (HEJM and MKM’s younger sister), and also mentioned in the first line of Letter No. 2 , died one day later although the two deaths are not connected. Both HEJM and MKM died in 1864. Caroline Eliza, the daughter of Emma Elizabeth and Charles Edward Walch died in 1862. Squeezed between these years were the births of Morrice and Harry’s four daughters, all of whom survived to adulthood. In the letter HEJM refers to his daughters (Ella, aged 2 years & Harriet 8 months) as the ‘poor little girls’. In Letter No. 2 he also mentions Eleanor who is his elder sister (she raised both Ella and Harriet on the death of her brother) and George who was his younger brother. He also refers to ‘Aunt Ann’ who is Eleanor Ann Man, his father’s younger sister.

We gather from these letters that Harry must have once visited or lived in Jamaica: ‘Such a mass of Mud, I have never waded through before. There is nothing like it in Jamaica’

The best source on the history of the laying of the telegraph from London to India is Sir Julian Goldsmid’s ‘Telegraph and Travel’. The book gives details on three of the people mentioned in the letters below namely: Champain, Walton and Hoeltzer. Goldsmid also mentions Harry Man in a number of places but only in passing although he does mention Harry’s illness and return home. After the letters we hope to put extracts from Goldsmid’s book where Harry Man is mentioned. The illustrations are taken from Goldsmid’s book.

Letter No. 1
Teheran, Persia, 14 Oct., 1863

My Dear Mo,  A Mail arrived here yesterday from Bushire, but not a line for me from anyone in India – are you aware that a Steamer leaves Bombay with letters etc. for Karrachee and the Persian Gulf twice every month?After arrival of mails a courier is despatched immediately up to this — so do write as often as you can.

You are by this aware that I left London on the 8 August for Teheran, in company with Mr. Walton, a Mr. Hoeltzer (a German from Siemens, Halske & Co) and a Persian servant belonging to Captain Champain, the Persian ran away back to his master from Cologne – so we have got rid of him. Our route was via Calais – Brussels – Cologne – Berlin – Konigsberg – St. Petersburg – Nigni – the Volga calling at Astracan – the Caspian – Enzelli – Rescht – Casvin – and Teheran. We stopped at Brussels – 2 days – and did Waterloo, at Cologne, the Cathedral, and slightly the Rhine — at Berlin we were a week stopped at a swell Hotel du Nord, and everything – our detention was due to the necessity of getting authority to go through the disturbed part of Russia — on a/c of Polish rebellion – with our guns – also having to tel. and wait for answers about the blessed Persian servant, who we thought was murdered etc. etc. At St. Petersburg we were 10 days; there we were obliged to stop as the Volga Steamer only went twice a month. At Moscow we remained two days – and at Nigni we caught our vessel. At every place we enjoyed ourselves. Brussels is a very clean city — Cologne nothing but the Cathedral, Suspension, and Rhine the latter at Cologne is a humbug – Berlin, lots to see, pictures, Statues, principally; St. Petersburg a wonderful city – beautiful statues – fine galleries – regular Cremorne – Emperor’s Summer Palaces – Cronstadt etc. – we stopped at an English boarding house kept by a Miss Benson – very jolly – about 15/- a day. After we received our Order from Russian and English Consuls at Berlin for passage of our Guns, the blessed Russians seized them at the Polish frontier, not liking the cuts of our jibs – and we have not yet got them back, though we are promised by the bigwigs to have them sent after us; at Moscow (all this time we travel by rail) – we saw the Emperor’s palace – the big bell Kremlin – and went to Sparrow Hill to look down upon the city – and drink tea, everybody swigs tea all day in Russia – looked at the way old Napoleon went into Moscow, went to Cremorne there, etc, etc. – at Higni the Volga is joined – here we begin Steamers, fine vessels very swift, River in Places grand — time taken to the Caspian, about, 9 days. To Enzelli where we land, 3, – we have to change vessels 3 times, as the river vessels do not go to sea – every night nearly we go to anchor, and at Sea did so also, as it blew hard. We coast along – now for Terra Firma – after lending we go over a sandbank, cross a lake and up a narrow stream to Pera Bazaar, a dirty hole. There we take horse for our baggage and ourselves – this 6 miles to Rescht is awful, particularly in wet weather. Such a mass of Mud, I have never waded through before. There is nothing like it in Jamaica. Fancy nothing but steps of deep mud. At Rescht (Persia) we slept a night at the English Vice-Consul’s – took post-horses and went Express, Walton and I, Hoeltzer bringing up the baggage. From Rescht to Teheran is 200 miles; good: we rode it in under 4 days – changed horses every 25 miles; at first country forest and rich vegetation; lots of Tigers; Pheasants; Partridges; then an immense chain of mountain for 2 days; we were constantly going up mountains and also going down into Valleys, crossing rivers, and getting wet, all over, – climate cool scenery very grand. After clearing these mountains we came upon a plain – mountains running up on each side; the plain has occasionally very pretty slopes of trees – cultivation here and there – not at a11 bad country – fruit and vegetables about — Grapes and all European fruit and vegetables abound – apples and pears excellent – grapes the finest in the world. We put up at the Dhurmsallahi. Not at all good – sometimes beastly. At last, 53 days’ journey from London we sight the chief down of Persia. Teheran is not half a bad place – the Bazaar is very fine – a brick vaulted building. The Houses occupied by Europeans – always a garden with a fishpond ………….. [the rest is missing]

Letter No. 2

Ispahan, Persia – 7 Feb (18)64

My dear Morrice,  You will ere this have heard of the death of my dear wife and also of Emma – poor dear girl. What an awful blow it has been to me – I am truly broken hearted altho(ugh) I strive to keep up on acc(oun)t of those poor little things left behind motherless – I have lost a dear affectionate wife one whom I dearly loved – how all our plans are frustrated by God’s will – poor dear Emma was an excellent correspondent with me lately – she wrote me such cheerful letters that all was going on so well – I cannot bear to dwell upon it – my health is very bad – this blow has nearly crushed me – I think since my attack of fever followed for a short time by dysentery I am now suffering from diabetes – a regular wasting away. We have no medical advice which is a great shame, as a medical man could have been easily obtained from Bombay or Teheran. An Armenian priest who knows a little has kindly doctored me a little – I do not get any stronger. May the Almighty spare me just a little for my poor children’s sake. When at home I tried to insure my life for 2,000 pounds with the Royal – they would not take me … not thinking me a safe subject. I am very uneasy and unhappy about the future of the two poor little girls. I must bequeath them to you all – there will possibly be about 1,000 pounds – the Indian debts may … me here – that is little but if judiciously put out will accumulate by the time they grow up if spared. My poor old mother has been sadly afflicted with these deaths. Eleanor writes me she bears up wonderfully. I should not wish her to be put to any expense on my account. Thank God it need not be much but it is cruel to take anything from her. The doctor at Teheran – to whom I wrote detailing my case to him – says I am suffering from severe nervous prostration – God trust there may be nothing more … the greatest reluctance I ask you all to do what you can for my poor children. Some of you may have it in your power to offer a home at all events. Keep them from being wanderers. Eleanor is very kind she has taken a great interest in Ella – so has Aunt Ann she is now an old lady – it is the future. I hope you or Eleanor will buy the old house at home [Halstead Hall]. May the day be far off yet when it will be sold. I send you a letter to the Manager of the Agra Bank … to transfer to you all monies to my credit with him. My a/c here to end of Feb are:

Rs Est bill 4 mo. 2400
Contingent 212
Travelling 605
Loss on change 70
Rs 3,287

These a/cs I have today sent in asking Champain to send home a bill payable to my mother for the sum, less 50 …, about 250 Rs, I want here.

I have this moment recd your letter of 21 Dec also one from George and … Give my love to both of them. I hope to answer both. I am very glad to hear George has safely arrived and has got so good an appointment. I am much obliged to you for all the trouble you have taken about my things. You are doing much better than expected. I recd the Gazette all right but not one paper this mail. You are sure to recover my pay. We were obliged to sign our bills before the supt. Controller could draw the money from …. I could not do it after giving over the charge. Because the Agent appointed by Govt not by me – it was his duty to pay me as soon as he drew the pay – the same on the other hand on the … he has no authority from me to keep the money or to act for me. I have all monies in Agra Bank transferred to Lon(don). I send you a letter – … money to nearly all there I believe I got 200 odd … to London … that was all – they will soon tell …

…a/c with … stands thus. Total a/c was 457.10.0
I paid him 200 Sept ’61
” ” 123 3 Dec ’62
” ” 100 ” ”
For …. —————–
423
50

Total bill Interest, I think settled for 50
———–
507.10

…to the best of my belief has to pay 150Rs, he will recollect, see (endorsement) on bill – the interest should not allow old C(hampain?) – I think we compromised for 50. I paid you see much more than my half – so should not lose out – S went home and forgot all about it – I send the a/c.

Tom Hill late paymaster Sind Railway owes me Rupees 188. I sent him his a/c. I suppose I shall have to take what I can get – he never paid a (rupee?). I am glad to hear that all the a/cs are likely to be right with Government they should pay the bills quick and then there would be no trouble. The recpts for … money I left with poor H. I feel sure 774 Rs are still at Karachee.

I should much like you, Edward [Edward Garnet Man, younger brother] and Eleanor [sister] to take charge of all monies or whatever I may have for my poor little children and to do the best you can for them, will you do so? I hope when all my debts are collected there may be 1000 – there may be a little money here after my mother told me she should wish any monies that might have come to her sons or daughters to be left to their children in event of death. I will add more before the Post leaves. Love to Jane (his brother Morrice’s wife) & young Liz (his brother’s daughter aged 1 year 10 months).

Yours affectionately

HARRY

The envelope (above) of the second letter is addressed M K Man Esq, Supd Gov Tel Dept, Indore, Bombay, India, and is crossed Champain and King’s physician. On the reverse is written ‘Found amongst Harry’s papers by me E(dward) G(arnet) Man and sent on to M K M(an).’  Harry clearly was not expecting to live long. Capt Champain presumably recommended his repatriation. He died on 1 July 1864 aged 42 at Halstead Hall, shortly followed by Morrice who died on 16 July 1864 aged 38, while staying with the Walches, Jane’s family, in Hobart, Tasmania. The letter would have arrived after Morrice had died.

It is interesting to note that Champain-Bateman, one of the leaders of the British group who laid the telegraph line through Persia, married a daughter of Sir Frederick Currie and that another daughter married Edmund Elliot Lowis. One of the sons of this Currie-Lowis marriage was Cecil Champain Lowis (CCL) whose middle name was probably derived from his mother’s brother-in-law. In 1894 CCL married Sarah Josselyn Man the niece of Harry Edward Man and daughter of Edward Garnet Man.

EXTRACTS FROM JULIAN GOLDSMID’S BOOK ON THE LAYING OF THE PERSIAN TELEGRAPH

We will briefly review this officer’s proceedings, as related in his official report. Of the five gentlemen appointed to serve as superintendents, Major Champain had found Messrs. Man and Walton already in Persia, on his return thither in October, 1863. The former [Man] he then despatched to Ispahan, to see to the necessary collection and distribution of poles: the latter he sent to Baghdad, with instructions to expedite the looked-for wire and insulators to the Turco-Persian frontier, and thence distribute it along the line to Tehran. One of his inspectors, Mr. Ernest Hoeltzer, he left at Tehran to instruct young Persians in the use of the Morse instrument. He himself rode on to Bushahr, where, finding that much material had arrived, he at once set about sending it along the line on mules supplied by the Governor of the town. Some three weeks passed in this occupation …

After making arrangements at Shiraz for the despatch of stores expected from Bushahr to points further up the line ; dropping two sergeants at Ispahan ; ascertaining that some of the material had actually reached that city, moreover, that Mr. Man had already set up there two or three miles of posts and insulators, he repaired to his head-quarters at the capital. Here he remained a month, unsuccessfully endeavouring to obtain poles for his superintendent, so that work might be begun in the Tehran district. Then, thinking the locality the most likely to meet the exigencies of the occasion, he sent Captain Smith and his party to the city of Kum, a main station within his range of superintendence.

The five divisions were apportioned as follows.  For the line from Tehran west, or joining the Persian with the Turkish and European systems.

1st. Lieut. Pierson, R.E., from Baghdad to Kangawar.
2nd. Mr. H. V. Walton R.E. from Kangawar to Tehran.

For the line from Tehran south, or joining the Persian Land lines to the Indian Submarine Telegraph.

3rd. Captain Smith, R.E., from Tehran to Kohrud.
4th. Mr. H. Man, R.E. Kohrud to Murghab.
5th. Lieut. St. John, R.E. Murghab to Bushahr.

[Giving, on an average, about 220 miles to each superintendent.]

The Director [Major Champain], with the intention of reinspecting the whole course of the line, and assisting each superior officer in overcoming the difficulties presenting themselves, soon quitted Tehran and moved towards Baghdad. Mr. Man’s serious illness caused him some anxiety; and he had to employ the services of Captain Gastaiger, an Austrian officer of Engineers in the Shah’s pay, temporarily to supply the want of a superintendent. Major Champain speaks well of the manner in which this duty was performed. Captain Gastaiger, “placing himself under Mr. Man’s orders, assumed charge of the working party, which that officer was too ill to direct. The operations were then being carried on some sixty miles north of Ispahan with great difficulties and delays. Labour and carriage for material were but scantily supplied by the Persians, and the intense cold at the time rendered the wire so brittle that it was almost impossible to join or strain it. Working for weeks together while the snow was lying waist-deep on the ground, and in the miserable villages scattered at long intervals from one another along the road, Captain Gastaiger and the two non-commissioned officers, Corporals Macdonald and Norman, could make but slow progress ; but they deserve great credit for their indomitable perseverance, and for the cheerfuless with which they bore the very serious hardships to which they were exposed.”

The illness and departure of Mr. Man, the officer originally appointed to the fourth division, has already been mentioned. That gentleman died immediately after his return to England. No separate report of the division under his charge accompanied Major Champain’s general letter to the Bombay Government : but the Director bore flattering testimony to the manner in which Mr. Hoeltzer had taken up and completed the work of the deceased superintendent [Harry Man].