Robert Downing

Robert Downing
by Joe Downing
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ROBERT DOWNING was probably born in the early 1750's in Western Maryland since we have placed two of his brother's birthplace in that area. (Ref Draper Mss). He was married around 1778 at a time when he would have been in Southwest Pennsylvania. We know his wife's first name was Jane, but not her maiden name.

On 14 Feb 1833, JANE DOWNING gave a deposition at the house of her son ROBERT DOWNING in Mason Co, KY. She was 77 at the time and states "that she is the sister of ANN ELLIS, widow of ISAAC ELLIS. She further states that she was present at the marriage of her sister, the said ANN ELLIS, which took place at the house of their father in the now county of Washington, PA. near to a place called Catfish Camp, on the 18th day of May, 1779". This Ann Ellis was Nancy (Ann) Downing, the sister of Robert.
(Ref RW pension #W10013)

In 1775 ROBERT DOWNING was on a list of militia paid off at Ft. Pitt. (Ref. Virginians in the Revolution-Gwathmey-1938)

The first land record we have of ROBERT DOWNING is a Virginia Land Certificate which indicates he settled in 1776 on Chartiers Creek in what is now Cecil Twp., Washington Co.,PA. The plat entitled "Long Meadows" shows on Pennsylvania Land Records as a Virginia Entry, 18 Mar 1770. ROBERT sold his warrant for 399 acres to JOHN NEEPER of Lancaster Co, PA. on 20 Dec 1785. (Washington Co. Deed BK C, p69)

He is on the 1781 and 1785 Tax List in Cecil Twp.

He served in the Washington Co Militia, 3rd Battalion with his brother Timothy during the period 1781 to 1783. (Ref PA. Archives A(6)II,123 & A(6) II,117)

It was soon after he sold his land that he moved to Mason Co, KY. He appears on a 1786 petition from Bourbon Co. (Clift 1936)

In 1787 he appears on a list of those taxed who resided north of Main Licking in the district of Miles Withers Conway, Commissioner. This included Mason Co. (Ref VA State Library Files)

His land purchases in Mason Co. were two lots in Washington, 29 July 1789 (Bk A,p8); 276 acres on 28 June 1798 (Bk B, p199); and 182 acres in Bracken Co. on 26 Mar 1801 (Bk C1, p199). He built a grist mill and a saw mill on his property on the North Fork of Licking Creek. Mason County Order Book B, p1, 28 Oct 1794 refers to his petition to build a grist mill on the North Fork of Licking Creek. Page 71, 18 Nov 1795 refers to an inquest on the grist mill.

He appears on the 1790 and 1800 Mason Co. Census constructed from Tax Lists. His wife Jane appears on the 1810, 1820 and 1830 Census Lists. She was alive in 1833, see above, but died before 1840.

Other references to Robert in Mason Co. are as an appraiser for the David Figard estate, 24 Mar 1795 (Will Bk A, p83); and for the Ellis Downing estate in 1801. Mason Co. Order Book A, Dec Court 1791 refers to Robert Downing being paid for 1 old wolfhead. Order Book B, p80, May 1795 refers to sale of land from Robert Downing and Jane, his wife.

There is a 5 June 1792 reference to Robert Downing and Joseph Wells re the estate of John May (p345, VA Supreme Court-District of Kentucky-Order Books, 1783-1792 by Cook, 1988).

ROBERT DOWNING died in Mason Co. in 1802. His will was signed 16 Apr 1802 and probated 28 June 1802. (Bk B, pp174-176) In the will he mentions wife: JANE, and sons: JAMES, THOMAS and ROBERT. He names his brothers, TIMOTHY and JOHN, as executors. He also left eight daughters but does not mention them by name. He left them 50 pounds each designating 400 pounds for this bequest.

However a suit recorded in Bracken Co. Deed Book H, p44, dated 27 April 1826 names the heirs of Robert Downing: Wm. Kinney and wife, Susan; James Hooten and wife Nancy; Robert Thompson and wife, Elizabeth; John Tucker and wife Sarah; Josephus Mitchell and wife, Mary; Thomas Gano(Lane) and wife, Priscilla; Rebecca Downing, Jane Downing and Robert Downing.

Other references in Bracken Co. to the above suit are 23 Nov 1819, 8 Nov 1820 (Nov court), and 1821 (July) decree.

Mason Co. Order BK. G, p264, Dec Court 1814: ELIZABETH, REBECCA and JANE DOWNING, infant orphans of ROBERT DOWNING, deceased, being over age of 14, chose JOHN TUCKER as guardian.

Mason Co. Order BK. J, pp237 & 252, Jan court 1822: Upon motion of JAMES WIER and JANE, his wife, against JOHN TUCKER (Bracken Co.); JANE WIER, late JANE DOWNING, settle account as guardian of JANE.

His children owned land in Mason and Bracken Cos., Kentucky and several counties in Southern Ohio. They are discussed at greater length in the following chapter.

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