Hi Jim, I'm not a Downing descendant (as far as I know), but there seem to be some collateral connections with my NN families.   I believe one Samuel Downing married Elizabeth Saunders/Sanders, half-sister to my ancestor Hannah Cockerill (born c.1700?) who married Alexander Morehead (maternal grandparents of Christopher Dameron who married Sarah Ingram, granddaughter of Thomas Berry, Jr.). Additionally, Thomas Berry, Jr. had a wife named Patience (and named a daughter Patience who married John Ingram).   Thomas Berry, Jr. lived near the Hudnalls.   Transcription of his will by Carol Vass is posted below. Thanks. David From: Carol Vass <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [BERRY] Berrys of Northumberland County, VA Date: Sat, 20 Oct 2007 00:51:34 -0700   NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, VA - WILLS - Thomas Berry Will written 22 February 1742/43 Codicil 12 March 1742/43, Will proven 11 April 1743.   Son Thomas Berry plantation whereon he now lives during his natural life and his wife's widowhood containing one hundred and fifty acres by estimation bounded as followeth: to the line formerly Partin Hundall's  strait to the schoolhouse branch, thence to the main road and along to the  said road to Suttons corner dogwood tree, thence to "Scotland" line. They make no  waste and if the make waste of the land and timber more than their proper use, land to go to my son John Berry.   Son John Berry neck of land called "Scotland Neck" and a tract of land formerly Partin Hudnall's bounding along Lattimore's line to the  main branch and up the schoolhouse branch to his brother's line, both the said  tracts containing by estimation on hundred and fifty acres and that  parcel of land whereon my son Thomas Berry lives after his death and his wife's widowhood.   Son William Berry plantation whereon I now live and the remainder of my land adjoining by estimation two hundred acres. If my son William should die before he comes of age or have lawful issue, his land to my son George Berry.   Son Thomas Berry negro man Dick for his support during his  natural life, all that cattle in his possession and all my wearing clothes.   Son John Berry negro woman Hazar, negro man James, one feather bed and furniture.   Daughter Alice Lattimore negro girl Nan and twenty pounds cash  towards buying another, one feather bed and furniture.   Daughter Patience Ingram negro woman Moll and negro girl Nell, one feather bed and furniture.   Daughter Sarah Berry negro woman Lucy and negro girl Winnie, one feather bed and furniture.   Daughter Elizabeth Forrester negro girl Priscilla, one feather bed and furniture, one cow with calf, one pied steer, four sheep, one  mulberry table, three white chairs, one black chair, three plates, two dishes, two basons, one tankard, six spoons, one chest, one pot and fry pan.   Granddaughter Barbery Lattimore negro girl Suckey.   Sons William and George Berry all the rest of my slaves, to be  equally divided between them when my son George comes of age of twenty years. If either of my sons William or George should die before they come of age, the survivor to have the other part of the slaves and their increase.   Twenty pounds cash to be raised out of my personal estate by my executors before division, to buy my son George Berry land. If my son George Berry should die before he comes of age the money or land to go to my son William.   All my personal estate to be equally divided between my two sons William and George Berry and my daughter Sarah Berry when my son William comes to the age of nineteen.   Daughter Sarah Berry shall have her dwelling on my plantation and liberty to work her hands during her maiden life.   Son George to be kept at his learning and a trade of bricklaying or storekeeping which my executors shall think proper and to be brought up by Travers Colston, gent.   Travers Colston, George Ball JR., David Lattimore and John Berry executors.   CODICIL: dated 12 March 1742/43   If my son Thomas Berry is not satisfied with what I gave him and he should bring suit or action to cause trouble, what I have given him in land and personal estate to go to my son John Berry and that Thomas  receive a mill shilling for his part.   Witness: John Gouch and John Bowen.   ________________________________ From: Jim Burgess <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, September 16, 2011 10:09 AM Subject: [VA-NORTHERN-NECK] The Downing Family of Northumberland County by Mrs O A Keach Witchita, Kansas Dear Northern Neck Genealogist, Any thoughts on this article?  Anyone a Downing descendant?