Emily Armit Manning

(1853-1929)

Emily Manning was not only the daughter of a famous Fremantle pioneer but an independent woman who had an adventurous life. She survived her first husband dying at sea- and with her second, was able to be involved in significant work towards female suffrage and the aims of Women's Christian Temperance Union.

Emily Armit Manning, born 6 December 1853 was the third child of James Manning (1814-1893) and Jane Yeldham (1815-1877). She had an elder brother James Manning (1844-1893-link) and elder sister Jane Manning (1846-1906-link)- both professional photographers.

Her father James Manning JP, had been born in Burdrop, Oxfordshire, England on 17 Aug 1814. In February, 1850, as an engineer, he accompanied Captain Henderson, on special service to Western Australia, arriving in June, 1850, in the Scindian. He became Government Architect and Clerk of Works and had charge of many important public works including bridges, jetties and lighthouses. He was a born-again Christian and after starting as a Sunday school teacher with the Weslyan church, became its leader, trustee and steward. (reference)

In 1876 aged 22, Emily married 41 year old Roderick Louden McKay (1835-1883), who had travelled down from his sheep station, 100 kilometres south of Port Hedland. In 1867, Roderick McKay and his brother Donald McDonald McKay had taken up the first pastoral lease in the Yule River area. They called it Mundabullangana- an aboriginal word meaning ‘End of Stone Country’. They started with 27 sheep- the remainder that had survived a flock of 200 sent from South Australia.  A cyclone in 1872 destroyed the nearby town of Roebourne, and swept away McKay’s house at the time and killed 1,500 of his sheep. (reference) On one of the permanent pools on the west fork of the Yule River, stonemasons from Skye in Scotland built a new homestead for the McKays. It took 2 and a half years to complete and is still standing today. (reference) https://www.mundastation.com.au/

The McKay’s bought the land around them until they owned 1,000,000 acres. Although situated on permanent water, which enabled a garden to be grown, bore water proved unusable, so water was carried from the river, by Aboriginal women workers, to irrigate the garden. In 1889 the station employed 35 Aboriginal men as shearers and two Chinese workers as ‘shear-sharpeners’, as well as Aboriginal men and boys, engaged in other station work. (reference)

McKay had an interest in horse breeding, and imported thoroughbred horses. His horses won the Roebourne Cup in 1877 (reference) and in 1879, he supplied a horse for John Forrest’s exploring party. (reference)

The station must have been a big change from Fremantle, for Emily, especially as a place to bring up children. Their first daughter Jessie was born in Roebourne, in June 1877. Emily’s mother Jane died in October of that year. Emily returned to Fremantle for the birth of her second daughter Amy Catherine Yeldham in May 1879, and her sons Donald (dec) and James Eric in 1881.

In November 1881 the family travelled to Melbourne on the Macedon with two children, and a servant. This may have been to buy thoroughbred horses. They arrived in Fremantle in Feb 1882 and returned in March 1882.

The brothers decided to engage in pearl fishing. This however ended in a tragedy in February 1883 when Roderick was lost at sea, during a hurricane, between Cossack and the pearling grounds. McKay was a passenger on the Ariel, a schooner delivering goods to pastoralists and pearlers in the north-west. Two boats the Gertrude and SS Macedon tried to find the wreckage and signs of any survivors but were unsuccessful. Finally Emily McKay took matters into her own hands- from Cossack she set sail in her husbands schooner the Myra, with an infant child, to undertake her own search of the coast. She had no success in finding him either, and although some of the wreckage was seen on the Montebello Islands- in June 1883 McKay was declared ‘lost at sea’. (reference and Unfinished Voyages)

Emily returned to Fremantle with her family on the Laughing Wave in October 1883. McDonald McKay bought his brothers interest in the station and went into partnership with another brother Donald, and his two sons. The station was farmed by the McKay family until 1925.

In 1887, Emily’s father James Manning applied to the court to Adminster the will of Roderick McKay on behalf of his grandchildren; Jessie Yeldham McKay, Amy Catherine McKay, and James Eric McKay- on the grounds Emily was mentally unstable:

“The application was for the appointment of Mr. Manning, the paternal grandfather, as receiver, and to have the estate administered by the Court. In support of the injunction affidavits were read showing that the defendant, Mrs. McKay, was at times of unsound mind, and incapable of conducting the estate.”

Emily’s lawyer Mr Haynes objected on her behalf saying there was ill feeling between Emily and her father. Judge Stone however ruled in favour of James Manning. (reference) It was later withdrawn that Emily was insane, however the judge ruled that a guardian be appointed for the children and that Manning control the monies that came into the estate from the Station. (reference)

The power of men, at that time, to control every aspect of women’s lives was all too apparent to Emily. Perhaps in some way to escape the control of her father- or because she was attracted to the dashing and modern thinking new pastor in town, Emily remarried on the 21 August 1888:

Yesterday morning, at the Perth Presbyterian Church a marriage was celebrated between the Rev. R. Hanlin, Presbyterian minister at Fremantle, and Mrs. McKay, relict of the late Mr. Roderick McKay of the North-west. (reference)

The Reverend Robert Hanlin was born in Stonehouse, Scotland in 1855 and when ordained in Glasgow in 1886- was requested by the Colonial Committee of the Free Church of Scotland to raise a Presbyterian church in Fremantle. He came to WA in September 1886 on the Carthage, and having no church, preached his first sermons in the Oddfellows Hall and then the Fremantle Town Hall. Four years later he laid the foundation stone for the Scots Church in Fremantle, which opened in 1890. (reference) The Rt Rev. Robert Hanlin was Minister of the Scots Church until 1920. He was also a founding member of the Princess May School (1901) and Patron of the Scots Church Tennis Club. (reference)

Emily’s father James Manning died on 22 July 1893, aged 80, from influenza.

From 1890- 1903 the Hanlin’s lived at James Manning’s residence ‘Burdrop House’ at 83 Cantonment Road, Fremantle (Lot 300) and later 56 Queen Victoria Street (currently Shack Motors). 

It was here that Emily bore another 5 children: John Francis ‘Frank’ Yeldam Hanlin (1889-1955), Emily Armit ‘Daisy’ Hanlin (1890-1987), Robert ‘Bert’ Trevelyan Hanlin (1892-1967), Reginald ‘Reg’ Alan Hanlin (1895- 1979), and Hugh Eric ‘Tib’ Hanlin  (1897-1962).

28 Feb 1902- The charming gardens attached to Burdrop House, the, residence of the Rev. Mr and Mrs. Hanlin, proved an ideal place for a moonlight promenade concert given on Wednesday evening in aid of the organ fund of the Fremantle Presbyterian Church. The gardens were effectively decorated with flags and lanterns, hanging in strings from the tall trees, and the arrangement of the different stalls presented a very attractive appearance… (reference)

Reverend Hanlin became an identity on the streets of Fremantle and was considered to have ‘an old world courtesy and wonderful Christian kindness about him’. He was also considered to have ’a mind that was not set and closed against new ideas’ (reference) That was fortuitous as Emily, Mrs R. Hanlin, along with her friend Grace, Mrs J.M. Ferguson, became founding members of two important women’s organisations; the Christian Temperance Union of Western Australia (WCTU) and the Women’s Franchise League (WA). The husbands of both women supported their wives and spoke in public to defend them… (reference) 

The Woman's Christian Temperance Union, founded in 1892 was primarily dedicated to promoting abstinence from alcohol and other harmful drugs. Under its broader agenda of 'home protection' and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, it was involved in wide range of social and political reform activities mostly relating to the welfare of women and children. Early activities revolved around prison work, establishing a sailor's rest, as well as children's and youth groups. The group’s motto was ‘for God, home and humanity’.

In 1895 Emily was the WCTU delegate to the meeting of the Temperance Societies; formed to amend the liquor licensing laws in WA. (reference)

See the photograph of the members at the convention of the W.C.T.U. in 1897. Mrs. Nicholls, the Australasian president, is in the centre. On her right is Mrs. J.M. Ferguson, the West Australian president, and on her left Mrs. Stone, the secretary, while between Mrs. Nicholls and Mrs Stone and above them is Miss Manning, the treasurer (not related to Mrs Hanlin). Mrs Hanlin is not identified- however her great granddaughter Debbie Hanlin suggests she might be the woman on the far right of the photo. (Photo by Bartletto Studio) (reference)

By 1893 the WCTU had also adopted the cause of women's suffrage as one of the group’s main objectives, because obtaining the vote was seen as a vital tool in the fight against alcohol’s effect on the lives of women.

In 1898, Mrs Hanlin was amongst the leaders of the WCTU, who organised and spoke at a large meeting at the Perth Town Hall, to support ‘women’s suffrage’. (reference)

The Women’s Franchise League, was formed in 1899 with women drawn from the WCTU, the Karrakatta Club, plus key male politicians and supporters. This organisation deliberately set out to broaden the participation of women of all socio-economic status in the debate on women’s suffrage, including those not sympathetic to the WCTU’s position promoting abstinence. The League focussed on education because they believed that ignorance was the major impediment to suffrage. As President of the WCTU at the time, Mrs J. M. Ferguson, convened the initial meeting of the Women’s Franchise League in April 1899 and Emily Hensman became its first President. Christina Clark (WCTU) became Secretary and Eleanora James (Karrakatta Club) the Treasurer. Emily Hanlin, as WCTU Correspondence Secretary, became one of the female vice-presidents. (reference) Mrs Hanlin and Mrs Ferguson were also both instrumental in the Women’s Franchise League holding a public meeting in the Fremantle Town Hall in June 1899. (reference)

Within a year of its formation and with the achievement of women’s suffrage, the Women’s Franchise League was dissolved and reformed under the name of the Woman’s Electoral League of Western Australia.

The Constitution Acts’ Amendment Act was passed on 16 December 1899 and proclaimed on 18 May 1900, giving women – ‘every person’ 21 years and over, who had resided in the colony and in the electorate for 6 months the same voting rights as men.  ( reference)

4 June 1900- at a Friday night, political drawing-room meeting, held at the WCTU Leisure Hour Club (formed to offer single, working girls healthy recreational activities at the Unions headquarters in the McNeill’s building, Barrack-street, Perth):

Mrs. R. Hanlin, who occupied the chair, in opening the meeting expressed her surprise and gratification at such a large gathering, which showed the interest taken in the movement. Having obtained the franchise for women in this colony it had been thought advisable that they now be taught to realise their responsibilities... (reference)

In 1901 at the tenth annual convention of the WCTU at the Fremantle Town hall, Mrs Hanlin reported that ‘’efforts were being made to secure a piece of land adjoining the residence of the Rev Hanlin, with the view of extending the work of the Sailors Rest at Fremantle.’’ (reference)

In 1903 the Hanlin’s lived on High St, and from 1910 until 1922 they lived at 83 Victoria Road, Fremantle. Emily continued to be a strong advocate for the WCTU in WA.

In 1904 Mrs Hanlin and Mrs Ferguson lead a deputation to the Premier (Mr Henry Daglish) to put forward WCTU proposals… (reference) and in 1904 Emily attended the World Convention of the WCTU in Geneva. She brought back from her travels a gavel made from an apple tree from the home of Frances Willard (a revered visionary in the American WCTU who believed in an equal standard of morality for both sexes) , which she presented to Mrs J. M. Ferguson (President). (reference)

 In 1912 Emily is mentioned taking on the role of superintendent of the ‘anti-narcotic dept’ with the Fremantle WCTU ( reference) and in 1916 continued as Correspondence Secretary. (reference)

In 1926, after 34 years, Mrs Hanlin was still involved in the WCTU and she urged the delegates:

“to safeguard all that was good by ‘right teaching’ and to guard the children from dangers which beset their young lives”. She was referring to the truthful teaching of sex education but “truth given in a wise and beautiful way by the parent”, and a ‘reverence for womanhood and self-control.’ (reference)

In 1919 Rev Hanlin resigned from his position as pastor of the Scots Presbyterian Church in Fremantle after 33 years of service. (reference) From 1924- 1926 Robert and Emily Hanlin moved to live in Albany where Robert ministered the Scots Church there, during the absence abroad of the Reverend Alex Crow. Emily continued working to better women’s position. She was quickly elected President of the local Albany WCTU and in 1925, at the Sailor’s Rest in Albany, gave a spirited lecture about the life of Frances Willard-“a woman with strong convictions, and who had the courage of her opinions. She was ever ready to do battle for the right…’’ (reference) Emily could have been speaking about herself.

On their departure from Albany in May 1925, Mrs Hanlin was presented with a set of teaspoons from the women of the congregation, for her work with the Ladies Aid committee to renovate the Hall. (reference) 

On March 26 1929- Emily died at home ‘Mount Paradise’, in the Darling Ranges. She was 75 years old.

Obituary in the West Australian, 29 March 1929

Mrs. Emily Armit Hanlin, wife of the Rev. R. Hanlin, first pastor and present minister emeritus of Scots Church, Fremantle, died on Tuesday last at the age of 75 years… She was born at Fremantle and had lived in the State all her life. She was a foundation member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union and the principal founder of the House of Mercy, now known as the Alexandria Home for Women. The funeral service was conducted yesterday at Scots Church by the Rev. A. E. Brice… The chief mourners were the Rev. R. Hanlin. Messrs. R. T. and H. E. Hanlin (sons), and A. R. V. MacKay (nephew).  (reference)

Robert Hanlin died 9 Oct 1933. The Mayor of both Fremantle and East Fremantle were pall bearers at this funeral. (reference) As a sign of respect the flag at the Fremantle Town Hall was flown at half-mast. (reference) Rev Hanlin was buried at Fremantle Cemetery. A memorial was erected by the Church at his grave.

One of their sons Rev J. ‘Frank’ Yeldham Hanlin became head master in charge of the Fairbridge Farm School in 1925. (reference) He died in 1955 and was buried in the same grave as Emily and Robert in Fremantle Cemetery. Robert Trevelyan Hanlin married Marion Laura Pelle in 1919. Jessie McKay married Harry Reginald Day ( a dentist) in 1897 and had three children.

Emily’s sister Jane married William Raine and had 2 children: Emily Dorothy Yeldham Raine (1887-1888) and Arnold Yeldham Raine ( 1889-1957)- both born in Victoria. Jane and William returned to WA in 1903, a few years before she died in 1906.

Researched by Otti Bajsa and Jo Darbyshire and written byJo Darbyshire, 2021.

Thank you to Debbie Hanlin for her correspondence.

Please contact me if you have any further information or photos.

References:

Unfinished Voyages, Western Australian Shipwrecks 1881-1900, Lynne Cairns and Graeme Henderson, 2007, University of Western Australia Press (pp 40-41)

Pauline McDonough, ‘Western Australia’ in Australian Women's History Forum (reference)