Downing (sometimes spelled Downey, Downring)

Carmen Finley.


James Downing (son of John and Jane (Thompson) Downing)

ca 1789: born.

1817-19: lived St. Charles Township, St. Charles County, Missouri - 1 male 18-45; 1 male under 18; 1 female over 14. St. Charles County, Missouri Territory Enumeration for 1817 and 1819, Melvin B. Goe, Sr., Owensboro, Kentucky: Cook & McDowell Publications, 1980.

no date: married Martha _______ (1795 Kentucky-____).

1821-1824: taxpayer in Hurricane Township, Lincoln County, Missouri.

ca 1829: daughter Prudence born.

ca 1833: son Lewis R. born.

ca 1836: daughter Martha born.

ca 1838: son Stephen H. born.

1840: census - Harrison Township, Lincoln County, Missouri - 1 male under 5; 1 male 5-10; 1 male 10-15; 1 male 15-20; 1 male 20-30; 1 male 50-60; 1 female under 5; 1 female 10-15; 1 female 15-20; 1 female 40-50.

1841: non-resident tax book: Present and original claimant James Downing, 161.84A in S24 T46 R2 $600 value, 75 cents tax. St. Charles County, Missouri Vault.

1842: non-resident tax book: Present and original claimant James Downing, 161.84A in S24 T46 R2 $600 value, 75 cents tax. St. Charles County, Missouri Vault.

1850: census - #749 #749 Lincoln County, Missouri - widow Martha with four of her children and two grandchildren.

Prudence Downing (daughter of James and Martha Downing)

ca 1829: born Missouri.

31 Aug 1848: married Lincoln County, Missouri by W. Bernett, Methodist-Episcopal MG, Augustus Bradley (ca 1823 Missouri-____).

ca 1849: daughter Martha A. Bradley born.

1850: census - gold miner #749 #749 Lincoln County, Missouri - this family lived with widow Martha.

Lewis R. Downing (son of James and Martha Downing)

ca 1833: born Missouri.

ca 1836: born Missouri.

ca 1838: born Missouri.

8 Oct 1790: born (Bible 1).

14 Aug 1817: married Mary Yocum (28 Jan 1799 Kentucky-21 Sept 1854 Clay County, Indiana). (Bible 1) daughter of William S. and Sarah (Stewart) Yocum)

7 Aug 1818: daughter Sarah born Kentucky, died 29 Oct 1821 (Bible 1).

10 Mar 1819: appraised a stray taken up by William Downing. Missouri Gazette, St. Louis, Missouri.

29 Dec 1821: son William Yocum born (Bible 1).

28 Feb 1824: daughter Jane S. born, died 12 Oct 1824. (Bible 1)

26 Oct 1825: son Samuel H. born, killed by lightning 6:00 p.m. on Monday, 1 Oct 1849, buried Billtown Cemetery, west of Brazil, Clay County, Indiana.

*5 Apr 1829: son John Stewart born (Bible 1).

15 Apr 1830: W½ NE¼ S34 T13N R7W. John Downing and John S. Yocum, Clay County, Indiana Landowners Tract Book 1.

4 Jan 1831: deed from Andrew Jackson, President of the United State to John Downing and John S. Yocum, Certificate #2045 E½ NW¼ S34 T13N R7W. Clay County, Indiana Deed Book E p183. (Many times a man did not have his patent recorded until he needed it, therefore a patent may appear in later deed books than the one covering the year the patent was issued).

4 Jan 1831: Whereas John Downing and John S. Yocum have deposited in the General Land Office at Vincennes a certificate of register, whereby it appears the full payment has been made by John Downing and John S. Yocum according to the Act of Congress 1820... Deed from Andrew Jackson President of the United States to John Downing and John S. Yocom 80A W½ NE¼ S34 T13N R7W. Vincennes Land Office, Certificate #2046 paid for at Vincennes. Clay County, Indiana Deed Book C p249.

13 Feb 1832: daughter Mary H. born (Bible 1).

31 Mar 1834: son Ezekiel T(hompson?) born, died 3 Mar 1835 (Bible 1).

1 Oct 1835: deed from John S. and Elizabeth Yocum and John and Mary Downing, all of Clay County, Indiana, to George Wymore, of Montgomery County, Kentucky, $300 for land on Spencer Creek, 1/3 part of the land which was purchased from Thomas, William, and Polly ?Budy and deeded by them to John S. Yocum, David Yocum, and George McCullough. Montgomery County, Kentucky, Deed Bk 17 p197.

*26 Oct 1835: deed from John Downing of Indiana to Mary H. Coleman for $100 80A SW½ of fractional section 13 and 14 T46N R4E District of St. Louis. St. Louis County, Missouri Deed Book X p72. Mary Coleman mentioned in estate of Harrison Downing.

26 Nov 1835: received of John Downing of Clay County, Indiana by the Vincennes Land Office $50 payment in full (#8738) for 40A $1.25 per acre NE¼ SW¼ S34 T13N R7W. Clay County, Indiana Deed Book C p201.

26 Nov 1835: received from John Downing of Clay County, Indiana $50 full payment #16491 for SE¼ SW¼ S34 T13N R7W 40A $1.25 per acre. James P. Drake, Receiver. Clay County, Indiana Deed Book C p201.

30 Mar 1836: daughter Rachel Elizabeth born (Bible 1).

1 July 1836: deed from John and Mary Downing and John S. and Elizabeth Yocum to Francis B. Yocum North part E½ NW¼ S34 T13 R7 for $100 and part West half NE¼ S34 T13 R7 60A. Clay County, Indiana Deed Book C p405.

1 July 1836: deed from John and Mary Downing and John S. and Elizabeth Yocum to Francis B. Yocum for $100 part E½ NW 1/4 S34 T13 R7. Clay County, Indiana Deed Book C p405.

12 Nov 1836: receipt by Vincennes Land Office from John Dowenen for $50 (#16491) SE¼ SW¼ S34 T13 R7 40A at $1.25 per acre $50. Clay County, Indiana Deed Book C p200.

30 Dec 1836: John and Mary Downing to the State of Indiana - Mortgage: SE¼ SW¼ S34 and NE¼ SW¼ S34 T13N R7W. Witnesses: John S. Yocum, JP and Jacob Goodrich. Mortgage satisfied in 1928 under the 20 year rule. John signed his name, Mary used her mark. Clay County, Indiana Deed Book C p205.

4 Jan 1837: deed from United States to John Downing and J. S. Yocum W½ NE S34 T13 R7 80A. Clay County, Indiana Deed Book C p249.

7 Jan 1837: deed from John and Mary Downing and John S. and Elizabeth Yocum to William Yocum all of Clay County, Indiana, South part W½ NE¼ S34 T13N R7W for $500 40½A, bounded by John S. Yocum, John Downing and Francis B. Yocom. Clay County, Indiana Deed Book C p250.

7 Jan 1837: John and Mary Downing to the State of Indiana - Mortgage $200 land in Clay County, Indiana 40A SE¼ SW¼ S34 and NE¼ SW¼ S34 T13N R7W. Witnesses: John S. Yocom, JP and William B. Townsend. 18 Feb 1928 Mortgage satisfied by Recorder's release (mortgage being more than 20 years before this date is released). Clay County, Indiana Deed Book C p218.

7 Jan 1837: witnessed mortgage of John Stewart Yocom to the State of Indiana. Clay County, Indiana Deed Book C p29.

1 Sept 1838: with John S. Yocom witnessed deed of Thomas and Polly Moore to William Kennedy all of Clay County, Indiana. Clay County, Indiana Deed Book D p55.

7 Sept 1838: with John S. Yocom witnessed deed of Thomas and Polly Moore to Jonathan Yocom as Trustee of Church of Christ, Posey Township, Clay County, Indiana. Clay County, Indiana Deed Book D p77.

1 July 1839: twin Rhoda Webster born (Bible 1).

1 July 1839: twin Margaret Ann born (Bible 1).

6 Sept 1839: witnessed deed of Samuel and Dorcas Campbell to Solomon Myers, all of Clay County, Indiana. Clay County, Indiana Deed Book D. p430.

1840: census - Clay County, Indiana: 2 males under 5 (1835-1840); 1 male 5-10 (1830-1835); 1 male 20-30 (1810-1820); 2 females under 5 (1835-1840); 2 females 5-10 (1830-1835); 1 female 30-40 (1800-1810).

4 Jan 1841: deed from United States to John Downing and J. S. Yocum E½ NW S34 T13 R7 80A. Clay County, Indiana Deed Book E p183.

12 Mar 1841: deed from John S. and Elizabeth Yocum to John Downing part E½ NW¼ S34 T13N R7W 60A. Clay County, Indiana Deed Book E p215.

*24 Mar 1842: This indenture made this 24^th day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eitht hundred and forty-two between James M. Hanna Commissioner appointed by the Circuit Court within and for the County of Clay and State of Indiana: Witnesseth That whereas heretofore to wit before the April Term of the Circuit Court within and for the county aforesaid James Downing filed and Exhibited his bill in Chancery in the Court aforesaid John Downing and wife, Levi, John, Hiram, Nancy and Jesse Fortner, John S. Yocom, George McCollough and wife, Elizabeth Yocom, Francis B. Yocom, James McCollough and wife, Jesse B. Yocom, William Townsend and wife, Isom D. Yocom and Levi Yocom and whereas afterwards to wit at the October Term of the Circuit Court within and for the county aforesaid it was by the said Court ordered adjudged and Decreed that the said defendants convey the following described real estate to the said James Downing within ninety days or in default thereof that James M. Hanna be appointed a Commisssioner to convey the same to wit: the SE¼ of the NE¼ S34 T13N R7W containing 40A. And the South part of the W½ of the NE¼ of S34 T 13N R7W and bounded...containing 40 acres and 80/100s the said complainant having exhibited his bill aforesaid to compel a conveyance of the lands aforesaid according to a title bond then held by James, Executed by William Yocom, Sr. and Jesse B. Yocom the said William being then to wit at the time of filing said bill deceased, all which facts appear of record in the court aforesaid, and whereas the said ninety days in which the said defendants were ordered to convey the lands above described by the Circuit Court aforesaid having expired and the said defendant not having conveyed the said lands or offered to do the same. Now therefore, I James M. Hanna Commissioner as aforesaid to confirmed to the said James Downing the lands aforesaid so sold aforesaid by the said Jesse B. Yocom and the said William Yocom in his lifetime...Clay County, Indiana Deed Bk E p477.

*1 July 1842: John Downing - Transfer to Thomas Harvey, Commissioner of School Lands, part of E½ NW¼ S34 T13N R7W to secure payment of $243 with interest for 5 years. Clay County, Indiana Deed Book E p302.

26 Nov 1843: died, buried Billtown Cemetery west of Brazil, Clay County, Indiana.

1850: census #104 #103 Dick Johnson Township, Clay County, Indiana. Mary Downy, age 51, $500 real, born Kentucky; John S., age 57, $500 real, born Kentucky; Mary, age 18, born Kentucky; Rachel, age 14, born Indiana; Margaret, age 11, born Indiana; Rhoday, age 11, born Indiana.

Mary Emma (Downing) Rupert about 1950: “John S. Downing, Sr., Father of John S. Downing, Jr., came from Ky. to St. Louis Mo in 1830 later to Clay County Ind & entered the old Downing homestead from the Government (I do not know when he was born). He died in 1843. was married to Mary Yocom.”

29 Dec 1821: born Missouri.

19 Oct 1848: married Clay County, Indiana, Susan Jane Akers (20 Mar 1827 Franklin County, Virginia- 6 Apr 1914, buried Bee Ridge Cemetery) daughter of Luke Akers (Bible 1). Both her parents were born in Virginia.

29 Aug 1849: son John Akers born.

1850: census #105 #104 Dick Johnson Township, Clay County, Indiana. William, age 28, laborer, born Missouri; Susan, age 23, born Virginia; John, age 1, born Indiana.

6 Feb 1851: son Luke F. born.

1852-60: William Yocom Downing guardian of Rachel Downing et al - ordered by the court that the letters of guardianship heretofore granted by the clerk in vacation be in all things confirmed, the bond approved and the cause continued. Clay County, Indiana Probate Book 1 1852-60.

ca 1854: son Isom born.

3 Oct 1855: deed from Isom D. Yocom and William Downing both of Clay County, Indiana and James Downing of Henry County, Indiana T13N R7W...being part of the farm belonging to the heirs of James Downing, deceased, $220, 14A SE¼ and SW¼ S34 T13N R7W. Clay County, Indiana Deed Book M p195.

6 Nov 1855: daughter Mary Jane born.

Nov 1857: William Y. Downing guardian of Rachel, Margaret and Rhoda Downing files his report: liabilities to Margaret $52 and interest from 24 Oct 1854; same to Rhoda; receipt in full from Rachel - William Y. Downing formerly my guardian $52...from the estate of Mary Coleman 7 Apr 1857, Rachel E. and George W. Nobles. Case continued. Clay County, Indiana Probate Book 1 1852-60.

1858: daughter Lucy born.

29 June 1860: census - #510 #510 Dick Johnson Township, Clay County, Indiana. Sister Rhoda W. Downing lived with this family. William, age 38, farmer born Missour, $1000 real estate, $350 personal estate; Susan, age 33, born Virginia; John age10, Luke age 8, Isom age 6, Mary J. age 4, Lucy age 2 (all children born Indiana); Rhoda W. Downing, age 21, $90 personal estate.

29 July 1860: son William Henry born.

Aug 1860: as guardian of Margaret Downing, case continued. Clay County, Indiana Probate Book 2 1860-64 p42.

Feb 1861: as guardian of Margaret Downing, reports debts of $133.70 and credits of $133.70. Guardian discharged from any further duties. Clay County, Indiana Probate Book 2 1860-64 p 51.

Nov 1861: guardian of Reuben and Julia Acer. Clay County, Indiana Probate Book 2 1860-64.

Nov 1862: guardianship of Reuben and Julia Acer continued. Clay County, Indiana Probate Book 2 1860-1864.

Nov 1863: as guardian of Reuben and Julia Acer files report - charged with $77.59. Clay County, Indiana Probate Book 2 1860-64.

Mar 1864: son Reuben born.

July 1865: as guardian of Reuben and Julia Acer files report $81.69 assets, $39.02 debts, $42.69 remainder. Case continued. Clay County, Indiana Probate Book 2 1860-64.

9 Feb 1866: son Daniels Webster born.

24 Sept 1866: deed from William and Mary Applegate, George W. and Rachel Nobles, John and Margaret Blubaugh and Rhoda W. Downing to William Y. Downing all of Clay County, Indiana 63A $360 NE part NW¼ S34 T13N R7W. Clay County, Indiana Deed Book X p140.

Nov 1867: as guardian of Reuben and Julia Acer files report $47.65½ assets, $47.42 debts, 23½ cents remainder. Cause continued. Clay County, Indiana Probate Book 2 1860-64.

7 Mar 1868: dismissed as guardian of Reuben and Julia Acer. Clay County, Indiana Probate Book 2 1860-64.

1870: census - #41 #41 Dick Johnson Township, Clay County, Indiana. Sister Rhoda Downing lived with this family.

1870: Elder of Bee Ridge Christian (New Light) Church, Dick Johnson Township, Clay County, Indiana. History of Clay and Owen Counties, Indiana, Charles Blanchard, Chicago: F. A. Battey and Co., 1884, p323.

no date: ??? son Amos born. (1910 census widow Susan says she is the mother of nine children, 6 living).

1 June 1880: census - #3 #3 next door to John Stewart Downing, Dick Johnson Township, Clay County, Indiana. Sister-in-law Sarah E. Akers lived with this family. William Y., age 58; Susan, age 53; Luke F., age 29; Mary J, age 24; Lucy, age 22; Henry, age 19; Reuben, age 17; Daniel W., age 14; Roda W. Downing, age 40, sister; Sarah E. Akers, age 40, sister-in-law.

30 May 1886: died, buried Bee Ridge Cemetery, northwest of Brazil, Clay County, Indiana.

1900: census - #45 #45 Dick Johnson Township, Clay County, Indiana: Susan and Rhoda Downing lived with Luke F. Downing. Rhoda couldn’t read or write.

Dug the first grave at Bee Ridge cemetery for one of Jonathan Murphy's children.

Susan (Akers) Downing could only county to twelve - she laid out her eggs on a bed and put them in piles of twelve.

“Mrs. Susan Downing, the oldest resident of the county, celebrated the eighty-second anniversary of her natal day, Saturday, March 20, 1909, on which occasion a family reunion was held at the residence of her son, Luke Downing, with whom she is at home, in the Bee Ridge neighborhood, Dick Johnson Township. Mrs. Downing is not the oldest person in the county in point of years, but in the sense that she came here at an earlier date and having continuously resided in the county longer than any one else now surviving. She was born in Franklin County, Virginia, March 20, 1827, the family having come here in the fall of the same year, when she was but a babe of six months, two years after the county was organized and ten years before the organization of Dick Johnson Township. Luke Akers, the father of Mrs. Downing, was one of the very few pioneers who settled the Bee Ridge country prior to 1830, who drove a yoke of oxen through from Virginia. The Downing family joined the infant Bee Ridge colony three years later, in 1830. On the 19th day of October, 1848, she married William Y. Downing, who died 30 May 1886. The Akers family settled on the north side of Otter Creek and the Downing family on the south side. William Y. Downing was an older brother of John S. Downing, who celebrated his eightieth anniversary on the 5th day of April. Though now four score years, Mr. Downing has never chewed tobacco, smoked a cigar nor pipe, taken a drink of whisky, used profane language, nor paid a fine for his perpetration of any misdemeanor.” History of Clay County, Indiana, Closing for the First Century's History, William Travis, New York: Lewis Publishing Company, 2 volumes, 1909, p543.

28 Aug 1849: born Dick Johnson Township, Clay County, Indiana.

2 July 1871: married Clay County, Indiana, Josephine A. Weaver (ca 1852 Clay County, Indiana-30 Jan 1876 age 24y 7m 12d, buried Bee Ridge Cemetery, Clay County, Indiana) daughter of J. and M. Weaver [Hazel Rupert Evans said she was a daughter of Sam Weaver].

1872: daughter Magdalena born.

19 Aug 1877: m/2 Anna M. Anderson (June 1856 Iowa [1900 census]-1931, buried Bee Ridge Cemetery, Clay County, Indiana).

13 June 1878: son Charles Albert born.

1880: census - #132 #133 Posey Township, Clay County, Indiana. John, age 30, born Indiana, father born Missouri, mother born Virginia; Anna, age 24, born Iowa, parents born Indiana; Charles, age 2; Maggie, age 8.

no date: son Noah E. born, died 25 Aug 1880, buried old section Bee Ridge Cemetery, Clay County, Indiana.

no date: son James H. born; died 25 May 1882, buried old section Bee Ridge Cemetery, Clay County, Indiana.

10 Sept 1884: daughter Julia L. born; died 16 Oct 1885, buried old section Bee Ridge Cemetery, Clay County, Indiana.

23 June 1886: son Orla E. born.

14 Aug 1891: son Harvey E. born.

20 June 1889: son William R. born.

25 Sept 1894: son Burlin F. born.

ca 1898: daughter Zola G. born.

1900: census - #65 #65 Clay County, Indiana. John A., age 50, born Indiana, didn’t know where parents were born; Anna M., age 43, born Iowa; Orla E., age 13, Willie E., age 11; Harvey, age 8; Burlin, age 5; Zola G., age 1; all children born Indiana.

1910: census - #78 #81 Dick Johnson Township, Clay County, Indiana.

1920: died, buried Bee Ridge Cemetery, Clay County, Indiana.

Lived near Sugar Grove school, sometimes called "Old Cabbage School" - a family by the name of Cabbage lived across the road from the school.
Magdalena "Maggie" Downing (daughter of John Akers and Josephine (Weaver) Downing)

1872: born Clay County, Indiana.

17 Jan 1892: married John Jackson Biggs (Aug 1862 Missouri-____).

Oct 1892: son Ralph Biggs born, married _______ Shattuck, divorced; m/2 _______; died 25 June 19__.

Jan 1895: son Ira Biggs born; married Laura Short; died 23 Dec 1971.

Oct 1896: daughter Augusta "Gussie" Biggs born; married Dennis Diel.

Mar 1898: daughter Anna Biggs born; married _______ Stangle.

Feb 1900: son George Biggs born.

14 July 1902: son Jay R. Biggs born Dick Johnson Township, Clay County, Indiana; married Katherine Casassa; died 13 Jan 1976, buried Clearview Cemetery. Daughter Mrs. Robert J. (Kathleen) Moore.

ca 1905: son Albert Biggs born.

ca 1907: daughter Susan Biggs born; married Carl Nickey.

ca 1909: daughter Jennie Biggs born; married _______ Weaver (7/12 in census).

1910: census - #88 #91 Dick Johnson Township, Clay County, Indiana.

no date: son Lloyd Biggs born.

Lived near Sugar Grove school, RR 1 Brazil, Clay County, Indiana.

Charles Albert Downing (son of John Akers and Anna (Anderson) Downing)

13 June 1878: born Clay County, Indiana.

1900: census - lived Posey Township, Clay County, Indiana with Emma (Downing) and William Henry Benjamin Rupert.

3 Apr 1902: married Clay County, Indiana, Jeannie Hoffer (2 Apr 1883 Cardonia, Clay County, Indiana-9 Jan 1971, buried Bee Ridge Cemetery, Clay County, Indiana) daughter of Fred and Susan A. (McCrea) Hoffer.

no date: two children died infants.

21 Mar 1903: daughter Marie Downing born.

1910: census - #84 #87 Dick Johnson Township, Clay County, Indiana.

26 Nov 1938: died, buried old section Bee Ridge Cemetery, Clay County, Indiana.

21 Mar 1903: born Clay County, Indiana.

5 Dec 1931: married Floyd Williams.

Orla E. Downing (son of John Akers and Anna (Anderson) Downing)

23 June 1886: born Indiana. (WPA record says July)

18 Nov 1914: married Bertha Stites (24 Feb 1887 Putnam County, Indiana-24 Jan 1961, buried Bee Ridge Cemetery) daughter of William and Lydia (Trump) Stites.

22 June 1965: died, buried Bee Ridge Cemetery, Clay County, Indiana.

No children.

Harvey E. Downing (son of John Akers and Anna (Anderson) Downing)

14 Aug 1891: born Dick Johnson Township, Clay County, Indiana.

8 Apr 1912: married Helen Cora McCurdy (1894-____).

26 July 1913: daughter Ruth born.

28 Dec 1915: son Stanley P. born.

no date: son William R. born.

no date: son Orla E. Downing born.

7 July 1961: died, buried Bee Ridge Cemetery, Clay County, Indiana.

26 July 1913: born Clay County, Indiana.

no date: married Russell Garrigus (19 Apr 1911-____).

Lived Rockville, Parke County, Indiana; husband was Superintendent of Schools.

28 Dec 1915: born Bee Ridge area, Dick Johnson Township, Clay County, Indiana.

no date: married Mildred Hoskins.

16 July 1953: m/2 Alvena W. Finkbiner of Marshall, Illinois; daughter of Robert Finkbiner; Alvena m/1 _____ Stewart, son: James Stewart.

11 Dec 1975: died Carbon, Clay County, Indiana; buried Bee Ridge Cemetery.

Graduated from Brazil, Indiana High School, Indiana State University, teacher, postmaster, mail carrier for the Carbon Post Office for 32 years, owned and operated Downing's Used Auto Parts, member of the Carbon Masonic Lodge, the Carbon United Methodist Church, the Carbon O.E.S., and the Scottish Rite Valley of Terre Haute. He also was a member of the Brazil Elks and Moose Lodges and the Wabash Valley Auto Racing Fan Club. Clay County, Indiana Families, LDS film #1404658.

20 June 1889: born Dick Johnson Township, Clay County, Indiana.

14 Dec 1908: married Josephine "Josie" Howard (3 May 1890-15 Apr 1923, buried Bee Ridge Cemetery, Clay County, Indiana) daughter of David Howard.

17 July 1909: son Franklin David born.

1910: census - #85 #91 Dick Johnson Township, Clay County, Indiana.

22 Apr 1912: son Robert R. born.

12 Mar 1915: son William Sanford born.

22 Jan 1916: son Virgil M. born; died 26 Feb 1917, buried Bee Ridge Cemetery, Clay County, Indiana.

no date: m/2 Margaret Clark.

July 1966: died Brazil, Clay County, Indiana.

Sheriff of Clay County, Indiana.

Josie 1890-1923, Virgil 1917 and Mortie 1903-1905 same stone in Bee Ridge Cemetery. Who is Mortie? In nearby area: Phebe S. Downing born and died 1902.