[2] Catherine Gray was born in Lehena, County Cork, the daughter of Francis Gray and his wife, Elizabeth Ruddock,[3] and was brought up in Cork, Ireland.

In 1821, the family surname was changed from Manners to Tollemache (also spelt Talmash).

William died in 1833 and in 1840 their son Lionel inherited the Earldom of Dysart from his grandmother.

All his siblings were raised to the precedence of the children of an earl, to reflect their father's position had he survived.

[4] The first collection of poems under Lady Manners' own name was published in 1790, and their author was described as having "claims ... to the praise of harmony of verse and purity of sentiment ... not exceeded by those of any among her fair contemporaries".