Thomas Downing was born on December 14, 1691 in Bradninch, Devon, England. Thomas died in Downingtown, Chester County, PA on January 15, 1772, he was 80.
"Biographies of Chester County Residents before 1790" Gives date of birth as 14 Dec 1691 States, "Founded Downingtown (PA), c. 1735 "A Corner in Ancestors", by Eleanor Lexington, Copyright by McClure Syndication "One immigrant came from Devonshire. He was Thomas Downing, and a member of the Society of Friends. Pennsylvania was naturally the place he chose for a home. Downingtown is the name of the town he helped settle, and the old homestead still stands" (Newspaper article, c. 1940)
"The Devonshire Downings" prepared by John Perot, Ardmore, PA, put together from the entries in the parish records of Bradninch, Devonshire, England, in 1901 and 1903: "Thomas Downing, son of Thomas Downing, born December 14, 1691, and was baptized January 6, 1691/2, at Bradninch. The Bradninch records show that a Thomas Downing married Judeth Bending on 2 Jun 1717. Judeth, wife of Thomas Downing, was buried 26 Jan 1723. According to the Downingtown records, 'his first wife was said to have been named Ellen, and his second Tomazine, who was perhaps the mother to all his children. On Dec 1756 he married Jane Alborne (of Albin).' There seems to be some error here, unless he had two wives before Tomazine; Ellen and Judeth. Thomas Downing came to Pennsylvania before 1718, where he was taxed in Concord township from 1718 to 1732; later moving to Downingtown, where he died age 81. The Downingtown records says that two of his children were born in England and the Bradninch recoreds show the births of a Thomasine (1715) and Thomas (1717)." Notes of contributor Sandra K. Farney: "He was a founder of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, a Welsh settlement. He settled on the east branch of Brandywine Creek and was a farmer, miller, and merchant. He was a Friend (Quaker) and was a member of the Falls, Birmingham, Wilmington, & Baltimore Friends Meetings." From "History of Chester County", page 525: "There is reason to think that while in concord he operated a mill belonging to Nathaniel Newlin, and he and his descendants continued to be mill-owners at Downingtown for several generations."
On 10 April 10, 1715, when Thomas was 23, he married, Thomazine Beer, daughter of Roger Beer, in Silverton, Devonshire, England. Born About 1692. Thomazine died About 1754, she was 62. She may have been his second or third wife.
Marriage Records of Goshen Mtg. in Society of Friends Records of Chester County, PA., Page 130. Film 309402 in Salt Lake City Genealogical Library.
Logic note: Thomas and Thomazine gave birth to their second child on 17 Mar 1717 in England. They gave birth to their third child on 27 Feb 1719 in
Pennsylvania. Thus it would appear that they sailed from England to the
United states somewhere between those two dates.
Source of Thomazine's last name from GEDCOM files of Sandra Farney
(sfarney@@webzone.net)
They had the following children:
Thomazine. Born on October 6, 1715 in England. Thomazine died young, possibly in England. Note in Downing Family Historical Society notes "died young".
Thomas. Born on March 27, 1717 in England. Thomas died in Downingtown, Chester County., PA on November 19, 1736, he was 19. Buried in Chester County., PA.
Marriage Records of Goshen MTG in Society of Friends, Records of Chester County, PA, page 130. Film 309402 in Salt Lake City Genealogical Library. One other source shows birth date as 17 Mar, not 27. Quaker records indicate birth in Concord Twp, Chester Co., PA, but other source
indicate the first two born children were "probably born in England". The
Bradninch, England, baptisms from the Devon Record Office show Thomas baptized on 9 Jun 1717. This would certainly indicate he was born in England.
Richard. Born on April 27, 1719 in Concord Twp., Chester County, PA. Richard died in E. Caln, Chester County, PA on July 8, 1804, he was 85.
History of Downingtown, PA, gives death year as 1804, not 1803, in conflict wit
a different source which I failed to mark. It also states:
"RICHARD DOWNING, m. 21 Mar 1741, at Uwchlan Quaker Meeting, Mary Edge, b. 2
Aug 1721, d. 13 Dec. 1795, daughter of John and Mary of Providence. " Records
of Mary Harris, Chester County Genealogy, shows marriage date as the 23rd, not
21st.
In 1787 he was assessed with a grist mill, fulling mill, two saw mills, and
malt house in East Caln, and his son Richard with a merchant mill. An old saw
mill, which has been in the family for generations has just been torn down."
From "Chester County and Its People", by W. W. Thompson, 1893:
"In 1764 Richard Downing was assessed in East Caln with one hundred and
ninety acres of land and buildings, worht 35 pounds per annum; one hundred and
sixty acres uncultivated; a grist mill and saw mill, owrht 70 pounds per annum;
76 acres in West Bradford and 100 acres in Uwchlan, 4 horses, 9 cattle, and 9
sheep. this tax was L6:3:3, being the largest in the township, and his brother
John, was next below him. Richard was appointed overseer of Uwchlan Meeting
July 6, 1763, in place of Evan Jones."
A copy of the abstract of the Last Will and Testament of Richard Downing is
in the files.
On March 23, 1741 when Richard was 21, he married Mary Edge, daughter of John Edge and Mary Smedley, in Uwchlan, Chester County,PA. Born on September 2, 1721 in Upper Providence, Chester County, PA., Mary died in E. Caln, Chester County, PA on December 13, 1795, she was 74.
John. Born on October 18, 1720 in Concord Twp., Chester County, PA., John died in 1796, he was 75.
Reports of Helen F. Snow, genealogist:
"John Downing became a tavern keeper about 1760 and after several years was
succeeded by Richard Cheyney at the Sign of the Kin in Arms, where the
Revolutionary county committee met in 1776." Pennypacker says John was a taver
keeper from 1761 to 1771. The King at Arms became the Washington Inn, which wa
still owned by a Downing descendant, Clara Fox, when I visited her. In 1764
Richard was assessed in E. Caln with 190 acres, "His tax was L6:3:3, being the
largest in the township, and his brother John was next below him."
From "Chester County and Its People", by W. W. Thomson, 1898:
"John Downing continued to reside at Downingtown, where in 1764, he was
assessed with two hundred and forty acres of land and buildings, tavern, etc.,
worth 100 pounds per annum; sixty acres of uncultivated land, five horses, six
cattle, thirteen sheep, and one servant. He was a tavern keeper from 1761 to
1771, at the eastern tavern on the Lancaster Road, then or subsequently called
the "King in Arms," and later, the Washington Inn."
An interesting newspaper article from "The Pennsylvania Gazette", May 2, 1765:
"Went away, on the 24th of April, from the house of JOHN DOWNING, Tavern
keeper, in East Caln Township, Chester county, one John Smith, of swarthy
complexion, marked with the smallpox, about five feet nine inches high; had on
when he went away, a Swanskin jacket, and a brown lincey one under it; he stole
a new broadcloth jacket, of a grey colour, a new pair of breeches, one pair of
stockings, and a beaver hat, lined with white; he is well known all over
America. Whoever takes up and secures said Smith, shall have three pounds
reward, and reasonable charges paid by Godfrey Richards."
In another instance, John placed the following ad in the same paper, December
12, 1765:
"Came to the plantation of John Downing in East Caln Township, Chester county
about the 18th day of November last, two stray creatures, a horse and a mare,
the horse is of a black colour, a natural pacer, and has neither brand nor ear
mark, about 12 years old; the mare a dark bay, has a bald face, paces and trots
neither brand nor ear mark, about 6 years old. The owner or owners are desired
to come and prove their property, pay charges, and take them away."
On March 5, 1747, when John was 26, he married Elizabeth Hunt, daughter of Roger Hunt and Esther Aston, in E. Caln, Chester County,PA. She was born in 1730.
"The Downings, Pennsylvania Quakers" shows mother's name as Mary. Data from
Personal Ancestral File obtained on the LDS web site indicates marriage was
performed by "T. Cummings, Esq.".
William. Born on May 24, 1722 in Concord Twp., Chester County, PA., William died in Bart Twp., Lancaster County, PA on May 7, 1788, he was 65.
Marriage Records of Goshen MTG in Society of Friends, Records of Chester
County, PA, page 130. Film 309402 in Salt Lake City Genealogical Library.
Family data of William Downing and Ellen John from Mary Harris, Chester County
Genealogical Society (mhharris@@sprynet.com). Her source is Meldum & Reamy;
Early Church Records of Chester County, PA., Vol. 2; Westminister: Family Lines
Publications.
Family group sheet supplied by Dianna Nading, Albany, OR, also shows a second
wife for William; Margaret Miller. Later research shows she was the widow of
Samuel Miller, her maiden name was Halliday. Married 19 Dec 1765. Her bio
sheet for William:
"William downing was born the 5th child of Thomas and Thomazine Downing,
Quakers, who had emigrated from England about 1718. Thomas was a successful
farmer and businessman who established an industrial complex of water powered
mills in East Caln township, PA. This area became first known as Milltown, and
later, became the city of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, named for the family.
William grew up in the Concord, Sadsbury, and East Caln Townships in a strict
Quaker environment. See files for a copy of William Downing's will, dated 1788
At Uwchlan meeting, William married Ellen John. She died prior to 1765, and
William again was married December 19, 1765, at New Garden meeting, to Margaret
Miller, widow of Samuel. William had 8 children by Ellen, none by Margaret.
The will of his father, Thomas, states:
"And whereas I have already conveyed unto my son, William Downing, the
Dwelling House where he now liveth with the water, corn, and grist mill and One
Hundred and Fifty acres of Land in the townbshp of Bart in the county of
Lancaster and took Bond of Fifty Pounds from him which Bond I order my Executor
to deliver to my said son William without money."
On December 19, 1765, when William was 43, he married his second wife, Margaret Halliday, daughter of William Halliday and Deborah, in New Garden Meeting, Lancaster County, PA.
William's third marrage was to Margaret Miller. Margaret was married first to Samuel Miller, April 29, 1732, then to William. No issue known from this 2nd marriage.
Jane. Born on October 6, 1723 in Concord Twp., Chester County, PA., Jane died in PA on October 21, 1795, she was 72.
History of Downingtown, PA:
"Jane, b. Oct 6 1723, m. John Roberts of Merion. She died Oct 29, 1795.
John (3) was the son of John (2) Roberts, who was the son of John (1) of
Merion.
John (2) m. 3 Sep 1720, Hannah, d. of Robert and Lowry (Jones) Lloyd, of
Merion,
b. 21 Sep 1699, d. 15 Jan 1763; John died the next year and his only child
was born after the death (Pg. 714, Futhey & Cope).
John (3) was b. 15 Aug 1721, d. 4 Nov 1778, m. 1 Apr 1743 at Uwchlan Meeting
Jane DOWNING of E. Caln. They lived in Merion, where their children were
born:
Thomas
Isaac
Hannah (m. Reese Price)
Sarah (m. George Thomas)
Jehu (m. Elizabeth Jones)
Mary (m. William Hunter)
Jane (m. Richard Tunis)
Thomazine (m. Eli Yarnall)
John (died young)
Elizabeth (m. Isaac McPherson)
Ann (m. Richard Trimble)
On June 1, 1743, when Jane was 19, she married John Roberts, son of John Roberts & Hannah Lloyd, in Uwchlan, Chester county, PA. Born on August 15, 1721, John died on November 4, 1778, he was 57.
Genealogy of the Palmer-Trimble Families, Page 690:
"John Roberts was a miller. He probably resided in the Great Valley,
Chester County, PA, and also in Merion, Montgomery County, PA. He lost
his life by reason of his adherence to the British cause during the
Revolutionary War. He was taken prisoner whilst the British army occupied
Philadelphia, 1777-78, and charged with acts inimical to the American
cause, in which times of heated passions the calm and wise judgement was
lost sight of in the struggle for success. Great efforts were made to
save his life by his neighbors and friends, near and far, all petitioning
in his behalf as a good citizen and conscientious man, but mistaken in his
course. But it all did not avail and he suffered the extreme penalty of
martial law."
Sarah. Born on October 13, 1725 in Concord Twp., Chester County, PA., Sarah died in PA. on July 16, 1745, she was 19.
Apparently died during childbirth; daughters birth date is same as Sarah's death date.
Thomazine. Born on August 15, 1727 in Concord Twp., Chester County, PA.
Futhey and Cope, p. 484:
Thomazine m. Samuel Bond, son of Joseph, of Bristol, Bucks Co.; settled in
West Whiteland. Member Uwchlan Meeting. Children:
Ann (m. Robert Valentine)
Jane (m. Thomas Stalker, Jr.
Thomazine b. 1755 d. 1782 (m. George Spackman)
Hannah (m. 2nd cousin John McPherson of Virginia)
Joseph
Sarah (m 1793 at Hopewell, VA to Asa Moore)
First name spelled "Thamizan" and "Thamzin" in the Quaker records.
On April 29, 1749 when Thomazine was 21, she married Samuel Bond, son of Joseph Bond, in Uwchlan, Chester County, PA. Samuel died after 1791.
Uwchlan Records:
"Samuel Bond married in 1749 Thomazine, daughter of Thomas Downing. Samuel Bon
is listed on Uwchlan tax lists from 1767 until at least 1785. He acquired trac
27, partly in Uwchlan, in 1760 and 1772 and sold it in 1791."
Samuel. Born on June 11, 1729 in Concord Twp., Chester County, PA., Samuel died young.
Joseph. Born on October 12, 1731 in Concord Twp., Chester County, PA., Joseph died young.
Joseph (1734-1804)
On December 15, 1756, when Thomas was 65, he married Jane Albin, in Uwchlan Twp., Chester County, PA. Jane died on January 23, 1759.
"History of Chester County", page 525: "Thomas married a third wife, Jane
Albin, widow of James, and daughter of John and Mary Edge 14 Dec 1756. She was
a minister, and died 23 Jan 1759."
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1 comment:
Concerning John Roberts:
*NOTE: "Incensed by the banishment, by the Revolutionary government, of some of his friends, (John) joined the British Army, on its approach to Philadelphia, on September 1777, with the purpose of having the exiles released. For this, and for acting, it was charged, as guide to the British, the Supreme Executive Council declared him outlawed. An attainder of treason issued against him, and, despite efforts of family and friends, was relentlessly presssed. His execution followed...
"No less ruthless was the confiscation of property. Household and livestock, lands and mills--all were ordered to the auction block. Of the two hundred acres on Schuykill, Thomas Roberts, the miller's eldest son, made good his claim to the greater part; the residue, remaining unsold until 1794, was then, by an eleventh-hour act of restitution, returned to the widow of John Roberts. All else of value was swept away. On December 16, 1780, the homestead, four mills and three hundred seventy-eight acres of land, were sold to one Edward Milner of Bucks County, for 271,000 pounds, a sum almost unheard of. Four days later, Milner re-conveyed the whole, for the same consideration, to John Maxwell Nesbitt, John Donaldson and William Erskine. As Nesbitt was treasurer of the Council of Safety, as well as of the Board of War, the reader will not fail to draw his own conclusions! Nor, perhaps, will he wonder at the magnanimity of the Revolutionary government in paying to the widow of the man they had had executed, an annual pension!"
("Old Mills of Mill Creek, Lower Merion", by Charles R. Barker, published in The Pennsylvania Magazin, Vol.L)
What Barker does not tell us is that the jury was split for acquittal but was persuaded by members of the War Council to render a "guilty" verdict as an example, after which the Council would consider pleas for clemency. This was done and letters were submitted from the Friends he had rescued from prison, the sailors of the U.S. Navy who had been POWs, that he had had released, more than half the jury AND the judge who tried his case. The petitions were denied & John was summarily executed. So much for THAT uppity Quaker!
378 A. of forfeited property was purchased in 1780 by Edward Milner for £271,500, a sum almost unheard of in those days. (Pennsylvania Magazine, Vol.IV, p.349)
It must also be noted here that, although ordered by the Supreme Court to pay Jane (Downing) Roberts £75 per annum on the 1st of every April, retroactive to 7 months BEFORE her husband's execution, the government was so lax that she was forced each year to petition for her pension, in one case not receiving it unntil July! (MHS)
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