ELLIS DOWNING (J010)
He was born in Pennsylvania 3 Feb 1771. He married Dorcas Downing (the daughter of Timothy and Mary Downing) 6 Feb 1792 in Mason Co.,KY. He died in Mason Co. 16 Sep 1800. (Will Bk B, p111, Inventory of estate, Sep 1801). Their children:
John b. m.Sarah Jones, 2Jan1817, Clermont
Mary b. m.Asa Jones, 5Jul1816, Clermont Co,OH
Ruth b. m.Elijah Jones, Mar1818, Brown Co,OH
Susan b. m.Mark Armacost, 10Apr1817, Clermont

Ky Gen, Vol 15, p5--Ellis recommended ensign, Apr 1791 in Mason Co. militia, commissioned 17 Oct 1791, and Vol 22, p46--Floyd Co. Tax List, 1793, shows Ellis Downing, male 21+, no females.
Mason Co. Will Bk A, p81-Ellis appointed to appraise estate of James Campbell, 24 Mar 1795.
Brown Co., OH. Deed Books, 1818-19, pp304, 339, 348, 349 shows disposition of property by wife Dorcas and children, heirs of Ellis.

NANCY (ANN) DOWNING (J020)
She was born 26 May 1772 in Pennsylvania. She married Jonathan Conrey 6 Oct 1789 in Mason Co., KY. She died 16 Jan 1809 in Mason Co. Her husband was born 7 Jan 1767 in Monmouth Co., NJ and died 16 Oct 1841 in Franklin Co., IN. After Nancy's death he married Mary (Ford) Parish 4 May 1809 in Franklin Co., IN. The children of Nancy:
John b.28 Apr 1792 m.Margaret Marten, 2Mar1813
Jonathan b. 5 Jan 1794 m.Eliz Whalen, 11Sep1817
Nathaniel b.11 Feb 1796 m.Rebecca Parish, 20Feb1817
James D b. c. 1799 m.Anna Layman, 21Nov1816
Malinda b.14 Apr 1803 m.John Kershner, 6Sep1819
Belinda b.14 Apr 1803 m. Parrish
Nancy b. m.Joseph Philip, 28Mar1822
Peter b.18 Aug 1805 m.Sarah M Brewer, 20Feb1827
Abraham b. c. 1809 m.Rachel Larowe, 4Dec1828
may be by 2nd wife--Info furnished by Carolyn Conrey Hansen.

JAMES DOWNING (J030)
He was born 14 Nov 1773 in Pennsylvania. He married Charity Furr 6 Sep 1793 in Mason Co.,KY. His will was written 21 July 1812 and probated in 1812 in Bourbon Co., now Fayette Co., KY (Will Bk B, p432) It mentions wife Charity, Keziah Higbee, Sinthea Downing, Jeremiah, John and James Downing. I have no information on birth dates and marriage dates on only three of the children:
Jeremiah m. Phoebe Stevens, 1814 in Jessamine Co., KY.
Keziah (Nancy) m. Joseph Higbee, 1809\10, Jessamine Co.
Sinthea (Cynthia) m. James Hines, 15Mar1814, Fayette Co.
His widow Charity Furr Downing remarried to Joseph Furr, 27Jan1817 in Fayette Co.,KY.

SUSANNA DOWNING (J040)
She was born 5 Feb 1776 in Washington Co., PA. She married George Edwards 20 Aug 1794 in Mason Co., KY. She died 6 Aug 1853 in Brown Co.,OH., age 77yrs,6m & 10dys and is buried in the West-Evans Cemetery, Byrd Twp. Her husband was born 3 Jan 1772 in Fairfax Co., VA and died 28 Oct 1870 in Brown Co.,OH. Their children were:
John b.12 Apr 1795 m.Delilah Jacobs,1817 & Susana Adams, 1847.
Elizabeth b.30 Oct 1796 m.William Brown, 5Nov1820
Sarah b.19 May 1798 m.Edwards West, 23Nov1820, Brown Co,OH
buried West-Evans Cem, Brown Co.
James b.25 Jan 1800 m.Nancy Jacobs, 14Aug1821, Brown Co.
William b.16 Dec 1801 m.Rebecca Gillespie, 29Dec1823, Brown Co.
Ellis b.16 Dec 1801 m.Margaret Gillespie, 28Oct1823, Brown Co.
Darius b.19 Jan 1804 m.Jane Geeselin, 27Nov1823, Brown Co.
Alexander b.10 Feb 1806 m.Letita Ware d.? & Debera Johnson, 6Nov1842, Brown Co.
Susanna b.20 Nov 1807 m.John Brown, 29Jan1829 & Samuel Wilkins, 5Nov1840.
Telitha b. 7 Nov 1809 m.David Thorp, 24Sep1829
buried West-Evans Cem, Brown Co.
George W. b.24 Jul 18-- died young
Amanda b.27 May 1813 m.John Shrives, 30Jul1832
Mary Ann b.21Oct1815 m. William Jacobs, 6Sep1834 , d.1903
buried Confidence Cem, Georgetown,Brown Co,
Infant b.24 Oct 1817 m.
Orange b. 3 Oct 1819 m.Catherine LaFabre, 23Jun1842, Brown Co. & Mary McMillen Shaw, 1862.
The 1850 Census, Brown Co., Byrd Twp, p62 shows George & Susannah. In 1860 George is in the household of David Thorp, Brown Co., Jackson Twp, p108.

JOSEPH DOWNING (J050)
He was born 4 Oct 1777 in Washington Co., PA. He died 8 Jan 1853 in Mason Co., KY. and is buried at Kenton Station Cemetery. (Mason Co. Will Bk P, p364, court 14Feb1853) He married Sarah Peddicord 11 Mar 1799 in Mason Co. and they had the following children:
Jacob P b.29 Dec 1799
Rebecca b. 4 Oct 1801 m.Thomas Kirk, 5May1819, Mason Co.
Abel b. 9 Aug 1803 m.Jane Worthington, 24Jan1839, Mason
Lelita b.17 Oct 1805 m.Thomas McAtee, 22Jun1824, Mason Co
Susan b. 4 Sep 1807 m.Charles Downing, 11Sep1827, Mason
John b.19 Jul 1809 m.Rebecca Applegate, 10Feb1834, Msn
Reason b.23 Aug 1811 m.Amanda Thompson, 9Jun1843, Mason Co
Sarah P b. 6 May 1814 m.Grandison Pinkard, 3Nov1836, Mason

After Sarah's death 30 Jan 1818, Joseph married Frances McLaughlin Slack (widow of William Slack) 16 Nov 1819 in Mason Co. They had the following children:
Elizabeth b. 9 Oct 1820 m.Judson J Wood, 9Dec1846, Mason Co.
Wm George b. 4 Jul 1822 d. 18Sep1825
Joseph C b.28 Feb 1823 d. 23Sep1825
Thomas b.15 Sep 1825 m.Bettie A Moran, 19Feb1867, Mason Co
Joseph Jr b.15 May 1828 m.Eliz M Laycock, 13Mar1855, Brown Co
George b.22 Sep 1829 d. 7Nov1849
Frances b.14 Feb 1832 m. Moses Laycock, 3May1855, Mason Co

Joseph was commissioned a Lt. in the "20 Yrs War" 15 Apr 1797.
See "A History of KY and Kentuckians: by E.Polk Johnson. The 1850 census for Mason Co., p197 shows Joseph and Frances and 3 sons; in 1860 Frances is shown with her son Thomas.

MARY (POLLY) DOWNING (J060)
She was born 7 Oct 1779 in Washington Co., PA. She married Thomas McConnell 28 Mar 1797 in Mason Co.,KY. She died 5 Nov 1832 and was buried in Old Red Oak Cemetery, Brown Co.,OH. Her husband, Thomas, was born 4 Nov 1772 in PA. and died 26 Apr 1865 in Brown Co. After Mary's death he married Elizabeth Downing (Mary's sister) 21 Oct 1834 in Brown Co. Mary and Thomas McConnell had the following children:
John b.30 Jun 1798 m.Cynthia Crosley, 21Dec1820, Brown Co.,OH.
Susanna b.30 Apr 1800 m.John McMillen, 10Jun1824, Brown
Ellis D. b.19 Feb 1802 m.Nancy Hodgkins, 21Aug1823, Brown
James W. b.19 Jan 1804 m.Martha Burton, 9Mar1826, Brown
Nathan B. b.17 Jul 1806 m.Hannah Hodgkins, 11Sep1828, Brown
Thomas E. b.30 Jul 1808 m.Elizabeth Boles, 1Sep1832, Brown
Elizabeth b. 9 Jun 1810 m.J.H. McConaughey, 15Mar1827, Brown
Rachel b.27 Feb 1812 m.Joseph M McConnell, 14Sep1833,Br
Mary b.28 Dec 1813 m.Jesse H Hodgkins, 5Feb1836, Brown
Amos b.13 Aug 1817 m.Mary Boles, 30Sep1837, Brown Co.
Milford b. 3 Sep 1819 m.Eliz Frost, 24Apr1842, Brown Co, & Nancy Ann Graybill, 14Feb1892, Brown Co.
Nancy C. b. 4 Dec 1822 m.Wiley King, 19Nov1843, Brown Co.

In the 1850 & 1860 census for Brown Co., Union Twp, Thomas and Elizabeth McConnell were in the Milford McConnell household. A McConnell family bible exists which shows birth, death, and marriage dates of the children.

SARAH DOWNING (J070)
She was born 10 April 1781 in Washington Co.,PA. She married James McConnell 8 July 1798 in Mason Co.,KY. She died April 1827 in Clinton Co.,OH. They had the following children:
Elizabeth b. m.Isaac Wilson, 25Dec1820
John D. b.
Mary b. 1806 m.Thomas J Bernard, 1826
Dorcas b. m.Alexander Ross, 1Mar1830
Thomas b. 1809 m.Lena Reynolds, 9Feb1830
William b. m.Elizabeth Bowman, 7Apr1831
Harriet b.12 Oct 1810 m.George W Bernard, 31Mar1831
Joseph M b. m.Rachel McConnell, 14Sep1833
Reason D b. 1815 m.Elizabeth Works, 20Oct1833

All the children were married in Brown Co.,OH. and probably all were born there.

DELILAH DOWNING (J080)
She was born 5 Feb 1783 in Washington Co.,PA. She married Jacob Slack (1778-1821) 9 Oct 1800 in Mason Co.,KY. She died 1 Nov 1852 in Johnson Co.,IN. They were in Brown Co.,OH. in the early 1800's and all but the first child were born there. Jacob Slack died there 21Nov1821 (Will Bk I, p48). In the 1830's she moved to Johnson Co.,IN. with most of her children. Their children were:
Dorcus b.16 Nov 1801 m.Robert Elder, 25Mar1828, Brown Co.
Reason b.13 Mar 1803 m.Margaret Jolliffe, 12Aug1824, Brown Co. & Elnour Jolliffe 6Nov1862, Johnson Co.,IN.
Rachel b. 4 Apr 1804 m.Elias Downing, Jan1828, Brown Co.
Catherine b.16 Sep 1805 m.Jobe N Jolliffe, 14Sep1834, Brown
John b. 7 Jan 1807 m.Susan Bowler, 3Jun1830, Brown Co.
Harriet W b.19 Apr 1808 m.never married
Sarah b.11 Aug 1809 m.Joseph N Myers, 3Jan1828, Brown Co.
Ann b. 4 Feb 1811 m.John Perry, 6Nov1840, Johnson Co.
Susannah b.11 Aug 1812 d. before 1820
Delilah b.19 Apr 1814 d. 19 Jul 1816
Jacob Jr b. 8 Sep 1815 m.Eliza A.
Elizabeth b.16 Aug 1817 m.George W Gardner, 30Dec1841, Brown
Carey D b. 6 Mar 1819 m.Rebecca Lemon, 19Aug1844 Johnson
Nancy b.12 Aug 1820 m.

They are in the 1850 census, Johnson Co.,IN., Nineveh Twp, pp121-151. Harold Boles has written a more complete history of this family.

DORCAS DOWNING (J090)
She was born 5 Feb 1783 in Washington Co.,PA. She married William Barclay (1778-1832) 8 Nov 1804 in Mason Co.,KY. He had previously been married to Martha Kirkpatrick by whom he had four children: Margaret, Stephen, James and Rachel. Dorcas Downing and William Barclay had the following children:
Elijah D b.14 Sep 1805 m.Mary E Foley, 18May1830, Mason Co
Alexander b.11 Dec 1806 d. 16 Dec 1835
John Y b.30 Jul 1808 d. 28 Mar 1837
Joseph D b.20 Nov 1811 d. 1 Nov 1841
Martha b. 4 Aug 1813 d. 3 Jun 1824
Elizabeth b.17 Nov 1814 d. 23 Jan 1845
Reason D b.11 Jun 1816 d. 11 Jul 1835
Stalyna b. 8 Apr 1823 d. 5 Mar 1867, Greensburg, IN
William Ellis, b. 17Jan 1812 may be a part of this family but his birth date does not fit in. He was in Mason Co. in 1836. Elijah D Barclay moved to Greensburg, IN.
See 1840 Mason Co.,KY census, p14 for Dorcas Barclay.

CATHERINE DOWNING (J100)
She was born 29 Jan 1785 in Washington Co., PA. She married James Wherry 8 Nov 1804 in Mason Co., KY. He was born 25 Aug 1775 in Washington Co.,PA. They moved to Brown Co.,OH. in 1813 and to Clinton Co.,OH. in 1820. Catherine died 19 Oct 1872 and James died 6 July 1870. They are buried in Sabina Cem., Richland Twp, Clinton Co,OH. Their son Joseph moved to Eastern IL. after 1850. In a biographical sketch of him,"History of Vermillion Co,IL", it states his parents had 13 children. The known children of Catherine and James Wherry are:
John b.17Aug 1805 m.Anna Crosby, 30Dec1829
Reason b.1807 m.Ann Lane, 11Jan1836, Mason Co
Susannah b. 1817 m.Jesse Spurgin
Joseph b. 1819 m.Harriet Barclay, 31Mar1847, Mason m2-Elsie Brady Burroughs, IL
Thomas b. 1822 d. 28Jun1882, Clinton Co,OH
Catherine b. 1826 d. 11Jan1883, Clinton Co,OH
Elizabeth b. 1828 d. 21Dec1895, Clinton Co,OH
Louisa b. 1831

See 1850 census, Clinton Co.,OH., Richland Twp, p330 and p145 1880 census.

LYDIA DOWNING (J110)
She was born 19 April 1787 in Washington Co.,PA. She married George Hooton (1786-1819) in Mason Co.,KY. 1 Sep 1808. She died 20 Aug 1852 in Danville, IL. and is buried at Springhill Cemetery. Lydia and George Hooton's children were:
Maria b. c.1809 m.Levi Dolly, 21Nov1824 & Calvin Allen, 9Mar1831
Keziah b. c.1809 m.Moses Cravens, 29Jun1835
Vincent J b. 5 Nov 1811 m.Nancy Shearly, 10Jan1832, IN & Sarah L Barnard, 18Jan1838, AK
Reason Alva b.13 Oct 1812 m.Nancy Mullen, 10 Nov 1831, Clermont Co.,OH. m2 Sabrina Roberts, 11 Nov 1867.
George b. c.1815 m.Sarah Mullen, c.1835, Clermont Co..OH.
George Hooton died Nov 1819 in Harrison Co.,IN.

After George Hooton Sr's death Lydia married Michael McMahan, 8 Feb 1821 in Harrison Co.,IN. They had one child:
John b.18 Nov 1822 m.Alice A Griswold,Rising Sun,IN

Lydia married for the third time to Michael Ryan.
See 1860 census, Vermillion Co.,IL. Danville Twp, p42 for Reason Hooten.
He died 27 July 1880 in Danville,IL.

RACHEL DOWNING (J120)
She was born 23 Feb 1789 in Mason Co.,KY. She married Thomas Mullen in Mason Co. 7 Feb 1809. She died c.1812 probably in Mason Co. They had one child:
Amanda b.22 Jul 1809 m.Anthony Sawyer

After Rachel's death Thomas Mullen married Mary (Polly) Downing, daughter of Timothy. He later married for the third time to Caroline Brown. He died 7 Feb 1856 in Clermont Co.,OH.

ELIZABETH DOWNING (J130)
She was born 11 Jan 1792 in Mason Co.,KY. She is mentioned as Elizabeth Downing in her father's will of 1819. On 21 Oct 1834 she married Capt. Thomas McConnell, the widower of her sister Mary, in Brown Co.,OH. They had no children. She died 13 Aug 1889 in Clinton Co.,OH. having moved there in 1867.
In the 1850 & 1860 census, she and Thomas are in the household of Milford McConnell in Union Twp, Brown Co.,OH. Thomas died 26 Apr 1865 in Brown Co. See "War of 1812" pension claim #30760.

REASON DOWNING (J140)
He was born 18 Nov 1793 in Mason Co.,KY. He married his cousin Elizabeth Ellis, the daughter of Isaac Ellis and Nancy Downing, 18 Feb 1817 in Shelby Co.,KY. They resided near Washington, Mason Co. their entire life and were buried on their homestead. He died 9 Sep 1849 (Will Bk O, p251-court Oct 1849) and she died c.1877. Their children were:
John b.20 Dec 1817 d. 21 Apr 1855
Nancy b. 9 Jan 1819 m.Jacob Slack, 18 Dec 1845, Mason Co
Susan b.13 Sep 1820 d. 15 Jan 1842
Isaac E. b.28 Oct 1821 m.Lucinda Downing, 15 Sep 1857, Mason
James E. b.22 May 1823 m.Susan Downing, 21 Nov 1849, Mason Co. & Elizabeth Best, 1869, Mason Co.
Lydia Ann b.12 Aug 1824 m.David Benedict, 13 Oct 52, Mason Co.
Eliza J b.10 Mar 1826 m.David A Post, 18 Mar 1846, Mason Co.
William b. 2 Feb 1828 m.Nancy F Wherry, 19 Mar 1857, Clinton Co.,OH.
Elizabeth b. 4 May 1830 m.MartinPSennett,22 Nov 1849,Mason
Reason b.10 Dec 1833 m.Mary Brady, 28 Sep 1875, Mason Co.
Joseph T b. 7 Oct 1835 m.CarolineBayless,13 Apr 1871,Mason
Thomas Mc b.30 Apr 1837 m.Frances J Dearing, 22 Oct 1872, Mason

Elizabeth Downing appears on the 1850, 1860 & 1870 census in Mason Co.,KY with other members of her family. Mason Co. Deed BK 58, p458, 7 Aug 1849, refers to indenture between Reason Downing and Elizabeth, his wife, & Kicks; Deed Bk 30, p342, 10May1825 refers to land in Davies Co.,IN.

Copyright © 1998 by Joe Downing. All Rights Reserved