Series IV. Robert Manning (1784-1842) Papers contain primarily business and financial records, much of them bills and receipts, with a significant section relating to his activities as a pomologist. Included in the references to pomology is a large part of the correspondence, together with the pomology record books (Nursery Book and List of Peach Trees). In his business and financial records, there are items relating to pomology, such as the cashbook, which includes pomology records, and the daybook, with a major reference to pomology itemizing various accounts relating to fruit trees. The bills and receipts are grouped chronologically by year, or by a set of months in the year, but are not necessarily in strict chronological order within those groupings.

Papers that are not directly attributable to Robert Manning include bills and receipts and other items that may have been related to the stage business or related to persons who were associated with, or perhaps employed by, him. Robert's activities as an agent for the Salem and Boston Stage Company are located with that company's records, MSS 142. Bills and receipts relating to Nathaniel Hawthorne and other members of his family are located in Box 8, Folder 5.

The Robert Manning family papers include bills and receipts of Rebecca (Dodge) Manning (Robert's wife), and correspondence of two of Robert's children: Robert (1827-1902) and Rebecca (1834-1933).