Dear Northern Neck Genealogist, Any thought on this article? Anyone a Downing descendant? Thanks Jim Burgess www.virginiasurnames.com [email protected] The Downing Family of Northumberland County by Mrs O A Keach Witchita, Kansas 1. Capt William Downing is mentioned in the Northumberland County Records on January20, 1655, when John Edwards assigned his interest in a patent for land to the said Downing. On January 27, 1688, "William Downing of Great Wicocomoco River, planter, "deeded property to his children as follows: To his eldes son, William and to his son John, 600 acres of land up the north side of horse-path and bounding east upon West Wildy and west upon Richard Nelms. Two cows to (name in decipherable0, to his daughter Mary Downing, one cow.. Witness, William Jones. About this time Capt Downing married Margaret _________ 1679 Jun 7. The court ordered that provisions for all Wicomico parish, levied for the Potomac Fort he delivered at the house of Capt William Downing, Sr. On the samd day Capt Downing was sworn a Justice of the Court. This office he held until the time of his death in 1683. Capt Downing;s will was dated February 9, 1682, and was probated and was probated October 1683, but was burned in 1710. His children were 2 William, 3 John, 4 Thomas, 5 Mary, 6 Probabyly a daughter and by second marriage 7 Charlest. Mr Margaret Downing, widow of Capt Downing, married second Mr Edward Typton and had son Joseph Typton. In 1684, March 19, Mr Edward Typton who married Mrs Margaret Downing, executrix of Mr William Downing, was ordreed by the Court to pay bills of exchange drawn on Mr Edward Jone, merchange of Bristol, England. On November 19, 1684 John Downing as attorney of Mr Samuel Typton, merchant in Bristol brought suite against James Jones. In passing it may be said that the Northumberland County records show many dealings between the colonist of this county and the merchants of Bristol. 2. William Downing, Jr. married Mary as she is mentioned as his relict in the Court records June 1683. His place of residence is shown in a record of Jun 7, 1679, when the court ordered that part of the provisions due from Fairfield parish for the Potomoc Fort be delivered at the house of William Downing Junior. his children were: 8 Elizabeth, 9 Ann and 10 Margery 8. Elizabeth Downing, daughter to William was born December 30, 1670 (St Stephens parish Records) 10. Margery married Josspeh Hudnall whose will is dated July 9, 1709 and probated August 18, 1709 He names his wife Margery and his four children, 11 John, 12 Joseph, 13. Ann 14 Mary Some time before March 20, 1710 Mrs Hudnall married Samuel Blackwell as the record book for that date furnished the following interesting history of the second Williams Downing's Line. Samuel Blackwell of the Parish of St Stephens and Margery his wife, one of the daughters and co-heirs of William Downing, deceased who was the son of William Downing also deceased to Samuel Blackwell, Jr for land left by will of William Downing (the elder and grandfather of the said Margery) to Thos Downing (son) said Thomas Downing to fall into the hands of Wm Hughlett- to and for the use of the said Saml Blackwell and Margarey, his wife, and at their death for the use of Samuel Blackwell Jr. (It is evident that Samuel Blackwell Jr was a stepson of Margey Blackwell.) 1712 Jul 26. Richard Nutt to Anne, his wfie, one of the daughters and coheirs of William Downing Jr., deceased, deed to Samuel Blackwell of Saint Stephens Parish. The above named William Downing by Willl dated September 3rd, 1682, did devise unto Chas Downing, youngest son of testator's father William Downing and to Margery Downing, the testators youngest daughter, his tact of land that he lived on, admitting only an estate for life, in said land, and Charles Downing, dying before any division, made his right come legally vested in the surviveor and after death of said Margery, descends to nearest o of kin to the Donor, the said testator, and whereas the said testator left three daughter only, Anne, Elizabeth and the said Margery. The said Anne hat in reversion an estate in fee in the said devised land being 788 acres (more or less) now in possession of Samuel Blackwell and Margery his wife. 1712, Oct 20 William Smith and Elizabeth, his wife, one of the daughters and coheir of William Downing Jr., deed ot Samuel Blackwell of Saint Stephens Parish for 788 acres more or less now in possession of Samuel Blackwell and Margery his wife. 1725 Oct 18 Samuel Blackwell and Margery, his wife, one of the daughters and coheirs of William Downing Junio and grand daughter of Wm Downing, Deceased, deed to Wm Jones of Wicomico parish, witnesseth that where as Wm Downing deeased by will bearing date Feb 1682, did give unto his son Thos Downing, his tract of his tract of land he loved on in Wicomico parish - thereby admitting only an etate for life and after said Thos Downings death it was determined by Northumberland County Court that the right of the aforseaid land did revert and become legally vested in the coheirs of Wm Downing Jr, vis" Anne, Elizabet and aforesaid Margery. These recrods establish the identity of the children of William Downing Jr beyond a questions as follows: 8 Elizabeth married William Smith, 9 Anne, married Richard Nutt and 10 Margery married, first Joseph Hudnall and second, Samuel Blackwell. The record of John Downing second son of Capt William Downing, the progenitor of all bearing that name in Northumberland county, will be given later in a separate paper. 4. Thomas Downing, third son of Capt Downing, married ______________. His children were: 15 Patience, 16 Margaret and 17 Thomas mentioned as the orphans of Thomas Downing on page 432 of the Order Book, 1678-1698 15 Patience Downing married Daniel Neale, the 2nd son of Daniel Neale, the 1st. Daniel Neale, the 2nd children by his first marriage with Elizabeth Holland were: Lucretia, born September 5, 1680, who married John Cottrell. Daniel born May 29, 1677; William, born July 1, 168- Hannah, born July 12, 1684; who married John Haynie and others. The will of Daniel Neale; 3rd, dated November 4, 1700 names youngest brother, Ebenezer; Sister, Hannah Neale; brother-in-law, John Cotrell; Niece Elizabeth Cotrell, mothine in law (step-mother) Mrs Patience Neale. The rest of estate to be divided between his own brothers and sisters. Cousin Christo. Neale, executor. Mention of Mrs Patience (Downing) Neal's children will be made later. 16 Margaret Downing married _______________James. Her will, dated January 4, 1723, probated January 15, 1724 mentions her daughter 17 Margaret James, and her sons 18 Moses, 19 Charles, 20 George, 21 Thomas, 22 William James was legatee of Thomas Downing, probably receiving the greater part of his estate. Then the children of Margaret James were: William, Moses, Charles, Thomas, George and Margaret. 17 Thomas Downing (Thos2 Capt William1) was one of the execurtors of the will of Joseph Palmer which was probated June 21, 1704. On Nov 17, 1708, Thomas Downing was appointed by the Court, Constable for the upper precincts of Wicomico parish 1710, Jun 13. Thomas Downing of Wicomico parish, planter, made a deed for 60 acres to Alice Palmer on south side of Great Wicomico river, part of a pltent for 216 acres granted by deed from the Proprietor's office in 1704 to said Downing. 1720, May 18 he made a deed to John Champion for 112 acres on south side of Great Wicomico river, being part of 220 acres formerly in possession of George Downing, late deceased. The will of Thoms Downing, dated February 1, 1722, probabted February 21, 1722 his whole estate to his sister Margaret James and her children. He mentions, "my sister, Margaret James, cousins (nephews) William and Moses James to Chas James. To George James." It is possible that George Downing deceased, mentioned above was his son but it is evident that Thomas Downing, died without issue. Thus the records prove that the only male descendant of Capt William Downing in the third generations were the sons of John Downing.