Background
Manuel Eyre was born in Burlington, New Jersey, one of five children of George and Mary Eyre. On January 8, 1761, he married Mary Wright, daughter of shipbuilder Richard Wright.
Manuel Eyre was born in Burlington, New Jersey, one of five children of George and Mary Eyre. On January 8, 1761, he married Mary Wright, daughter of shipbuilder Richard Wright.
Shortly after these marriages, the Eyres would take over the shipping yards at Kensington (now part of Philadelphia). During the Revolution, the first ships built in the United States. Navy were commissioned by the Eyres, the earliest being the gunboat Bulletin Dog in August 1775. The Eyre shipping yards that had been so vital to the cause of independence became the international business of Eyre and Massey, one of the largest shipping companies in the world.
One historian writes that, "Their vessels were known in almost every principal port of Europe and Asia, besides the United States and West Indian Islands.. held extensive mercantile intercourse with all parts of the world."
Manuel"s son, Manuel, Junior., would become Director of the Second Bank of the United States in 1816.
After the war, he became a member of the Pennsylvania state legislature and continued to build on his business interests.