Jonathan Manning was a resident of Norfolk County, Virginia. In 1777 he associated with known loyalist agitator, Josiah Phillips, a man he may have formerly employed. Thomas Lester later testified that he saw Manning and other men known to support the loyalist cause at Francis Williamsons' house in Currituck County casting bullets, and as a result of that testimony Williamson was brought before the court in Edenton to face charges.