This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: mlcole50 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.downing/2228/mb.ashx Message Board Post: The following information was sent to the National Society Daughters of the American Colonists, Washington D.C. last June. I received a letter from Sarah Seemann, NSDAR Office of the Registrar General - Genealogical Division dated September 5, 2013 thanking me for my correspondence regarding John Downing A034249. She wrote that they had reviewed the documentation and agreed with my conclusion that John Downing had lived in Maryland, not Pennsylvania, during the Revolution. They have corrected their records to change his residence and have reopened his line with Maryland service. She expressed their appreciation for my interest in the accuracy of their records. I was thrilled with their response. Mary Lou Cole Information sent June 24th While researching the Downing Family of Washington Co, Maryland, I have found information that I believe clarifies a mystery that has been a problem for DAR members claiming descent from John Downing, Ancestor # A034249. It has long been known that John Downing b. 1762 lived in Huntingdon Co, Pennsylvania, but there was confusion as to where he served in the Revolutionary War. He did not live in Washington Co, Pennsylvania as some researchers thought but originated in Frederick/Washington Co, Maryland. Not only do the following documents prove that John lived in both Washington Co, Maryland and Huntingdon Co, PA, but the DNA taken from one of his direct descendants matches exactly (67/67 markers) with the DNA profile of Bezaleel (Downey)Downing b. 1777 of Marsh Hundred, Washington Co, MD. To find an exact match is very rare. There is a 99% chance that John and Bezaleel share a common ancestor within eight generations or 200 years. They may be brothers. John also is a close match to five other Washington Co, MD Downing lines. The NSDAR does not presently accept DNA evidence. Documentation: John Downing b. 1762 and his uncle John Downing Sr. b. 1747 are listed on the muster roll of Capt. Basil Williams' Company, 2nd Battalion, Washington County, Maryland Militia (S. Eugene Clements, The Maryland Militia in the Revolutionary War, p. 244). John Downing Sr. Private 3rd Class John Downing Jr. Private 5th Class The company was organized and Capt. Basil Williams received his commission 22 June 1778. Maryland Archives: Journal and Correspondence of the Council of Maryland, April 1, 1778 through October 26, 1779, Vol. 21, Pg. 145. John Downing Jr. was 16 years old in 1778. In Maryland, men age 16 - 60 were required to serve in the militia. Following the Revolutionary War, males age 21 : Maryland State Archives Assessment of 1783, Index - Washington County John Downing. WA Marsh Hundred, p. 64. MSA S1161-10-9. 1/4/5/53 John Downing. WA Marsh Hundred, p. 2. MSA S1161-11-2. 1/4/5/54 The following year, John Downing Sr. and Jr. moved to Hopewell Twp, Bedford Co, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania, Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801 (Ancestry.com) Tax on land, horses, cattle & etc. owned previous year. Therefore, John Sr. & Jr. were in Hopewell Twp. in 1784. 1785 Hopewell Twp, Bedford Co, PA Tax List - John Downing Jr. listed as Single Male. 1787 Hopewell Twp, Bedford Co, PA Tax List - John Downing Jr. married Hannah d/o Robert Frakes. 1787 Huntingdon created out of Bedford Co. 1788 Hopewell Twp, Huntingdon Co. Tax List - John Sr. & Jr. & Robert Frakes 1789 Hopewell Twp, Huntingdon Co. Tax List - John Sr. & Jr. & Robert Frakes 1790 Census: Hopewell Twp, Huntingdon Co. John Downing Jr. 2 m -16, 1 m. 16 , 2 f 1791 Union Twp. created out of Hopewell Twp Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, tax assessment records, 1788-1833 (LDS Film Number:1148579) 1792-97 Union Twp, Huntingdon Co. Tax List - John Sr. & Jr. & Robert Frakes 1798 . . . John Downing Jr. and the Frakes are gone - to Ross/Madison Co, Ohio by 1802. The earlier John Downing researchers may have been confused by the evolution of the townships and counties in Pennsylvania. No one mentioned John Downing Sr. who served with John Jr. in the Revolutionary War and lived near him in Bedford/Huntingdon Co, PA for 14 years. In 1798, John Jr. moved west with his wife's family - the Frakes to Ross/Madison Co, Ohio and then in 1822 to Sangamon Co, Illinois. He died in Sangamon/Logan Co. in 1838 and is buried in the Bowers-Templeman Cemetery at Mount Pulaski. His grave is marked with the wrong Revolutionary War service. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.