| James Downing II History by Joe Downing Back to Contents James Downing was born July 1750 in Maryland near where Conococheague Creek enters the Potomac River. He was the brother of Timothy, John, Robert and Nancy Downing. (See letters by John Downing, Draper MSS Vol 4BB and Series E, interview with his daughter) A more in depth biography of James has been prepared by Robert Kitzmiller of Bellingham, WA. and Bob Downing of Akron, OH. has done considerable research on this family. There is a well documented article by Carmen J. Finley in "The National Genealogical Society Quarterly" dated Sep. 1989 which compares this James to another James Downing of Virginia. Therefore I will just highlight the important dates of his life. He was married in 1774 to Sara Laughlin, daughter of Adam and Margaret Laughlin at Redstone Old Fort, Fayette Co., PA. They lived in Washington Co., PA. during the Revolutionary War and he served under his brother Timothy in the militia. A record of his service in the 3rd Battalion, 7th Company, Washington County Militia during 1781-1783 is recorded in the Pennsylvania Archives (A,6,II, p117). He also served as an Indian Scout with General Anthony Wayne. His encounter with Indians in 1793 is recorded in Stark Co., Ohio Histories. On October 7, 1777 he is on a list of soldiers who took the oath of allegiance to the Commonwealth of Virginia in Ohio County. He was a Presbyterian and in 1779 signed a petition from the Buffalo and Cross Creek Congregations of Washington Co., PA. He appears on the Cross Creek Church Rolls in 1779, 1781, 1782, 1788 and 1789. His land on Cross Creek, Hopewell Twp., Washington Co. was near that of John and Timothy. The land "Poland" was based on his warrant of 17 Nov. 1788. It was surveyed 30 Oct. 1800 after he sold it on 26 July 1790, confusion over the title caused a late survey and the title was then patented to William Patterson in 1801.(Ref Survey Bk 1,p303 & Warrant Cert. p-47-61 and Vol 3, p60, Horn Papers) During the 1790's he lived in Brooks Co. (now Hancock Co., W.VA) VA. and moved to Stark Co., Ohio in 1805. He settled on Sandy Creek and lived there until his death 22 Sep 1822. His wife Sara died 16 Jan 1829, aged 75y, 11m, 15dy. They are both buried in the Downing Cemetery, Magnolia, Ohio. James and Sara had the following children: A "History of Stark Co., Ohio, 1881 has the following on James and his family: p194-April 1793, James Downing Sr., a ranger and spy for Gen. Wayne in a fight with Indians on Ohio River, described as past middle age. p198-Served militia, War 1812, Capt Downing. p209-Stark Co. commissioners, 16 Dec 1833, James Downing Jr. p470-c.1805, Capt. Downing lived across the Ohio River in Virginia opposite the mouth of Yellow Creek. James Downing Jr. married Nancy Hewitt in Virginia, (now W.VA.) Copyright © 1998 by Joe Downing. All Rights Reserve |