RootsChat.Com
Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Derry (Londonderry) => Topic started by: dukewm on Monday 08 March 21 16:43 GMT (UK)
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Hello to all who may have interest in the DOWNING and DOWNEY surnames of County Londonderry,
I started this topic as a "catch all" forum for anyone who may have DOWNING/DOWNEY family history to share and hopefully, answers to your questions.
Please feel free to post away. Together, maybe we can solve some of our lingering mysteries.
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Links to your previous Downing topics-
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=806951.msg6659370#msg6659370
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=770735.msg6234505#msg6234505
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=770734.msg6234497#msg6234497
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=769001.msg6213907#msg6213907
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=443356.msg3063464#msg3063464
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Great idea for a thread, Dukewm! I've noticed there seem to be a lot of good researchers working in this area, so it'd be great to collaborate.
As people might have seen in threads like this one (https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=831229.0) my particular area of interest is in families that I think of as the 'Stafford' offshoots. These are families found throughout a number of townlands in Loughinsholin (Dreenan, Ballymacpeake, Rocktown, Innishrush, etc) that are marked out by the distinctive usage of 'Stafford' as a first or middle name.
My research suggests that it's highly likely that most if not all of these families are at some point offshoots of the so-called Dreenan branch of the Downings, as identified by Dukewm in the threads linked above.
I'll post the various families I've identified below (in rough order of appearance in the records) in case other researchers run across this thread and find a potential Downing connection they've never thought of before:
Catholic
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McCann
One of the earliest 'Stafford' families seen in the catholic records. An 1838 baptismal record exists in Termoneeny parish for a Patrick McCann, son of a Stafford McCann and a Mary McTammeny. Witnesses Patrick O'Neill and Rose McTammeny.
The same couple baptises a child Peter McCann in 1839 with the witnesses Michael Dinnen and Rose McNicholl. Michael Dinnen was the husband of Elizabeth Downing, daughter of Stafford Downing of Dreenan and Rose Mulholland, and progenitor of another 'Stafford' offshoot.
Following the McTammeny link leads back to an 1837 marriage of a Michael McTammeny of Dreenan and a Mary O'Neill. The witnesses were a Stafford O'Neill and an Arthur O'Neill. This suggests that the O'Neill offshoot was also fairly early.
Dukewm's excellent research has shown that the link between the McCanns and the Downings may go back very far indeed. The original 1734 'Dreenan lease' that granted one of the Stafford Downings farming rights to 450 acres in Dreenan to an earlier Stafford Downing was guaranteed by three lives: a Stafford Downing, a Bernard Mulholland and a Bryan McCann.
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O'Neill
My initial area of interest as this is the branch I believe myself to descend from. As shown above, this is another family that appears very early in the local records.
There are two distinct groupings of Stafford O'Neills in the records, the first is in Rocktown and includes my 3x great grandmother Ellen Carmichael (née O'Neill) and her presumed sibling Stafford O'Neill. Their exact birth dates are not known but Ellen has a birth range of between 1820-1827. Stafford seems to be born sometime c1830.
Ellen married a John Carmichael (they had a son named Francis Stafford Carmichael). Stafford married a Sarah McErlane.
The other grouping is found in Ballymacpeake, in the families of John O'Neill (b. c1820, married first to Bridget Mulholland, his third cousin and then secondly to an Alice O'Neill, also a cousin) and a Stafford O'Neill (b. c1825, possibly James Stafford - married Cecily O'Neill, a cousin). These two families had many children, many of which emigrated to Dunedin, New Zealand. They are notably intermarried with the Mulhollands of Eden, as well as the McErlanes.
For the Ballymacpeake Stafford O'Neills, I recommend this site (https://www.pko-genealogy.id.au/author/pko-admin/). It is run by one of the descendants of the New Zealand branch and is very well researched and referenced.
One likely origin point for the Stafford O'Neills is the marriage of a James O'Neill and Esther Downing. Local oral tradition gathered by Dukewm suggests that Esther was another daughter of Stafford Downing and sister to Elizabeth Dinnen (née Downing). She was baptised on the 4th April 1789 at St Lurach's, Maghera by a Rev. Alexander Clotworthy Downing who I believe was of the 'Rowesgift/Bellaghy' Downings, apparently a cousin branch of the Dreenan Downings.
This is the central puzzle piece of my own tree, trying to prove out a link between James and Esther and the Stafford-O'Neills. If Stafford of Ballymacpeake is actually James Stafford, then it opens up the possibility of John, James Stafford, Ellen and Stafford being siblings. If not, then they would more likely be cousins, which complicates matters (especially the timeline) even further!
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Dinnen
As mentioned previously, this branch originates in the marriage of Michael Dinnen to Elizabeth Downing. We've identified at least three of their children, two of which were a John Dinnen and a Stafford Dinnen. According to an inquest, Michael Dinnen died in 1841 after falling into a ditch while drunk and either drowning or suffocating.
Stafford Dinnen's first wife is unknown, but he remarried in 1872 at the age of 60 to the 42 year old Bridget O'Neill, a cousin. This Bridget was the daughter of a Bernard O'Neill and a Martha Cassidy. James O'Neill, a grocer of Dreenan and his wife Hannah (Née Brannon) were the witnesses.
James and Hannah were also the witnesses at Stafford McCann's 1866 wedding to Sarah Cushley/Costello, indicating some kind of link to the Stafford families. According to his will, James O'Neill's father was likely named Henry.
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Continued below.
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Catholic Cont.
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McNally
I don't know much about this branch - there is an 1861 marriage record in Termoneeny for a Stafford McNally (McNulla) who marries an Ellen McGuire. Witnesses were a Thomas Downey and a Nancy McCann.
There is a marriage three years latter in 1864 between a Nancy McCann and a James Costello. One of the witnesses was a Stafford McCann, so it's possible the Nancy that witnessed Stafford McNally's wedding was of the Stafford McCann branch.
James Costello (or Cushley)'s father was a Thomas Costello. This is possibly the father of Sarah Costello who married Stafford McCann, son of a Patrick McCann and likely grandson of Stafford McCann and Mary McTammeny. It seems clear that there are very strong ties between these different 'Stafford' families.
There is also an 1871 baptismal record for a Francis McNally, son of a John McNally and a Bridget Henry of Dreenan. The witnesses were James Stafford Dinnen and Elizabeth Dinnen, likely the grandchildren or great-grandchildren of Michael Dinnen and Elizabeth Downing.
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McLoughlin
Another branch about which I know little. there is an 1865 baptismal record for a Stafford James McLoughlin (twin of a Patrick McLoughlin). The parents were a Henry McLoughlin and his wife, a McErlane whose first name is variously written as Mavina, Marina, Madge, Mary, etc. They seem to be settled in Innishrush, just north of Ballymacpeake, near Clady.
As yet, nothing more known about this family. I can't even be sure which line the Stafford name comes down through. If I were the betting sort, I'd say the McErlane's may be the more likely, given their marriage links to other Stafford families, such as the O'Neills - but sadly there is no strong evidence for that.
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Protestant
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Kane
This offshoot originates in the 1866 marriage in Maghera of Thomas Kane (sometimes Kean) a schoolmaster of Curran and Elizabeth Downing of Dreenan.
Elizabeth's father is given as Stafford Downing - clearly a later man than the husband of Rose Mulholland. Elizabeth's age is given as 21 on her wedding record, placing her birth year c1845.
Witnesses to the wedding were a George Downing and a William McGall. The couple seem to have moved around a bit, settling for a time in Glenmaquill where they had a son Stafford Kane in 1872.
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McQuillan
Another family I don't know too much about. They seem to be based in and around Ballymacombs, north of Bellaghy, as well as Bellaghy itself.
An 1871 death record for a Stafford McQuillan of Bellaghy (aged 84, rough birth year 1787) suggests that this may be a very old offshoot of the Downings indeed, presuming that that is actually the origin of the name.
There is an 1864 civil birth record for a Stafford McQuillan in Ballymacombs, son of a James and Nancy McQuillan (same maiden name).
There is also an 1874 civil birth record for a Stafford McQuillan in Bellaghy, son of a Stafford McQuillan, weaver, and a Margaret Tipping.
A 1910 death record from Mullaghboy near Magherafelt shows a Stafford McQuillan dying at the age of 92 (estimated birth year 1818), the informant his son Stafford McQuillan. I don't know whether these Staffords are linked to the above.
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Henry
I can't say much about this branch as I've only seen second hand information, most of which is American and beyond my area of knowledge. I include it here because it appears to link back to Derry, and the family appears to use the Stafford naming convention - however, we should probably consider the link tenuous until more evidence comes to light.
This branch seems to descend from an Elizabeth Sharon Downing ('Betty' Downing) supposedly born c1798. She is said to have married a Robert Hugh Henry c.1820 in county Derry before emigrating to the united states. They had 13 children born at various locations along the way to Texas where they finally settled. One of the Children was a Stafford Charron (sometimes mistranscribed as 'Oharrow') Henry.
Again, not 100% confident in the inclusion of this branch, but adding it here for completeness.
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Apologies for the perhaps overly-long posts, but I thought this thread was a great opportunity to share some local families with apparent links to the Downings.
Hopefully other local researchers might hit some inspiration with the above information!
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Many thanks to Mike for posting a list of some of the collateral surnames that are linked to the DOWNING branch. It's always good to raise a large "tent" and see who shows up. Perhaps someone from the "perimeter" has good data that proves a connection.
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Even aside from my own family research interest, the region is a fascinating area of study. It's a place that seems to show a large degree of interplay between the major protestant landowners (such as the Downings) and what might be considered remnants of the pre-plantation gaelic order (families such as the Mulhollands, in particular).
You've probably read this before, Dukewm, but for the benefit of others interested in the history of the local area, I'd highly recommend reading the following genealogical study (http://www.tuohey.biz/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/DRAFT-The-Tohill-Family-of-Ballymacpeake-Upper.pdf). It's primarily about the Tohill family, but contains a lot of very useful local historical context as well as information about the local Downing families, including some of their land leases.
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I'm going to lay out a story that leads to a theory on the origins of two distinct branches of the DOWNING family and how they may be connected, based on circumstantial evidence gathered over the past several years, but first I must set up some background information.
The two distinct branches I'm referring to are the DREENAN branch and the DRUMARD branch.
They are named as such because the earliest known members of the DOWNING family were residents of those two adjacent Townlands in the Civil Parish of Maghera.
Using the following website for ready reference, any Townland in the Barony of Loughinsholin can be found by clicking the links embedded within the site:
https://www.townlands.ie/londonderry/loughinsholin/
The point I'm emphasizing here is that this general area is a rather small place and the populations are NOT comparable to places like Shanghai or Mexico City.
For example:
- the land area of County Londonderry is about 801 Sq Mi
by comparison, the area of the state of Rhode Island is 1,214 Sq Mi and the area of Chester County, PA, where I live, is 759 Sq Mi
- the land area of the Barony of Loughinsholin is about 270 Sq Mi
- the land area of the Townland of Dreenan is 1,426 Acres
- the land area of the Townland of Drumard is 982 Acres (adjacent to and south of Dreenan)
- the land area of the Townland of Rocktown is 759 Acres (adjacent to and south of Drumard)
- the population of Gulladuff (a nearby village and surrounding area) was 2,723 in the 2011 census
- the population of Knockloghrim (west of Drumard & Rocktown) was 2,704 in 2011
- the population of Maghera was 2,852 in 2011
- the population of Bellaghy was 2,685 in 2011
- the population of Castledawson was 3,293 in 2011
All the above population figures are assumed to include surrounding areas of the named places.
Just for some perspective, when William Conoly granted farming rights to Stafford DOWNING of Dreenan for 435 acres in 1734, that area represented over 30% of the entire Townland.
Incidently, that 'Stafford' was the first known DOWNING to occupy DREENAN and he is thereby designated as Stafford the Elder (or Stafford I), head of the DREENAN branch.
Two days earlier, Conoly granted a Lease to John DOWNING of Drumard for 545 acres that represented nearly 56% of the entire Townland. John was a grandson of Nicholas DOWNING who first occupied DRUMARD and is considered the head of that branch. (more on that in the story)
I have toured the area with my own "boots on the ground" and can attest that when we are speaking of any specific individual from one of these locations, of a certain era, there are NOT very many alternate possibilities. Sure, there was no shortage of 'John' DOWNINGs, but in general, when we are researching 'Stafford' DOWNING, virtually ALL of the results will be related.
Of course, the 800 pound gorilla in the room when we are researching Irish ancestors is the unfortunate fire in 1922 at the Four Courts Building in Dublin that destroyed about 60% of the Church of Ireland Birth, Marriage, Burial Registers, leaving us with limited resources. The good news is, SOME records were kept in local custody and survived.
My little story follows - - -
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Making a quick post here to share a bit of information that may complicate the timeline of when exactly the Stafford-O'Neills branched off from the Downings.
I had thought that Ellen O'Neill and Stafford O'Neill (Rocktown) may have been children of James and Esther Downing, but a review of the Tithe Appointment Books for Maghera parish show a Staford [sic] O'Neill as head-of-household in Dreenan in 1828.
Even allowing for some elasticity in reported birth years, this man would seem to be too old to be either of the two Stafford O'Neills in Rocktown or Ballymacpeake. He is likely the man who witnessed the wedding of Michael McTammeny and Mary O'Neill in 1837.
Figuring out the age of this Stafford O'Neill is largely guesswork as there appears to be no available birth or death record for him. But if he was old enough to be a head of household in 1828, he may fit the timeline as a possible child of James and Esther (my guestimate for their marriage would be sometime in the early 1810s based on Esther's baptismal date), though it would still likely be something of a squeeze.
Of course this raises the question of how this earlier Stafford fits in with the Stafford O'Neills in Rocktown and Ballymacpeake. If there is another generation in between these particular families and their Downing origins, it makes it more likely that they could be cousin-branches rather than siblings.
It's interesting to me that Stafford O'Neill (who might be labelled the elder or 'I' based on Dukewm's convention) seemed to be settled in Dreenan. It might offer an explanation for how the parcels of land John Carmichael was renting out to both the Stafford McCanns and Stafford Dinnens came into his possession. Perhaps from Stafford(I) to John Carmichael via his wife Ellen O'Neill?
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My 3rd great grandmother was Mary Downing, daughter of Stafford Downing and Rose Mulholland. Mary married Robert Downing, who was likely a cousin. Mary and Robert had the following children:
1. Eliza Downing m. Edward Downing
2. Esther Downing (died 1885 in Trenton, NJ) m. Charles Delate (died 1863). Esther and Charles emigrated to Philadelphia, and later to Trenton, New Jersey. Esther married 2nd Henry Monaghan in 1865.
3. Thomas Downing (died 1907 in Dreenan) m. Mary O'Neill (died 1917 in Dreenan)
4. James Stafford Downing, my 2nd great grandfather (b. abt. 1839 died 1890 in Trenton, NJ) m. Rosina McShane 1864 in Trenton, NJ
5. John Rodgers Downing (died abt. 1871 in Dreenan)
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Hi humph19! I ran across Thomas Downing and Mary O'Neill's wedding when researching the Dreenan O'Neills and their connection with the Downings. Mary was the daughter of a John O'Neill, 'Flax-buyer' of Dreenan, who I believe was the son of a Felix O'Neill. He seemed to be fairly well-off, leaving assets of £191 in 1889 and apparently dying in Broxburn Scotland where his son William O'Neill (one of the executors) was living.
Mary O'Neill's sister Jane married a Patrick 'Mealman' Convery as shown on this site here (http://www.dreenan.com/site_pages/family_tree/mailman_pat/patrick_and_jane_oneill.htm). There's a Patrick Convery as one of the signed witnesses on Thomas and Mary's civil marriage record, which is possibly the same man - though there were a couple of Pat Converys in the area, so it isn't a certainty. I suppose 'Mealman Pat' would have been Thomas Downing's brother-in-law via their two wives.
I'm currently trying to see whether there is any familial link between these 'Felix' O'Neills who intermarried with the Dreenan Downings, and the 'Stafford O'Neills' who appear to be directly descended from them.
One of the children of Stafford O'Neill of Ballymacpeake, Margaret O'Neill, actually married an Edward Downey of Eden. Bap. (catholic) 21st Jan 1865, son of a William Downey and a Rose Mulholland.
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Happy St Paddy's Day to all,
Following up on my own post (see Reply # 7), this thread is continued in several parts due to size restrictions
Part 1
CHAPTER 1: The Stafford Downing Lease of 1734
It’s been nine years now since I made the acquaintance of Stafford Poole, a Catholic Priest who passed away this past November, may he rest in peace. Stafford was a descendant of what we have come to call the DREENAN branch of the DOWNING family. He notified me of the first known DOWNING to occupy the Townland of Dreenan, Stafford Downing, head of the DREENAN branch, who we shall call Stafford I, Lessee to an Indenture, dated 30 Mar 1734, that granted the farming rights for 435 acres in “perpetuity”, which basically secured those rights for future generations by naming three “lives” to which those rights would be extended, provided the Lessee legally “renewed” the Lease by replacing deceased individuals with new names and paying the renewal fee, which was typically half the yearly rent. The original three “lives” named by Stafford, were Stafford Downing, Bernard Mulhollan, and Bryan McCann. These leases were usually extended to young sons, or teenage boys, of family members and friends. In this case, it is assumed that Stafford named his own son as the first named “life”, being Stafford II, although it could have been a nephew.
Then, just three years later, in another Indenture, dated 21 Mar 1737, Stafford “did Assign Transferr and make over unto John Downing of Rowesgift in the said County Esqr all his right Title and Interest of in and to the lands of upper Dreenan”. If we look at the map of Dreenan, it appears the narrow leg of land that extends northwesterly from the main body of the Townland, could be described as “Upper Dreenan”. (see https://www.townlands.ie/londonderry/loughinsholin/maghera/gulladuff/dreenan/)
and represents approximately 30% of the total area of the Townland (1,426 acres). That was surely the “Stafford Downing Lease”, the original 435 acre farm. The FACT that he sold his rights to John of Rowesgift indicates a family connection between the two branches. Mind you, Rowesgift is not a Townland or even a small community. Rowesgift is a house that was gifted to John upon his 1727 marriage to Anne Rowe by her father, Rev’d Simon Rowe, Rector at St. Tida’s Church of Ireland, about ¾ mile up the road in Bellaghy. It’s a rather handsome manor house that still stands today in good repair. There were several other ‘John’ Downings roaming around at that time, but there is NO DOUBT that the sale of Upper Dreenan was to John of Rowesgift, the 2nd son of Col. Adam Downing.
For ready reference, I’ve attached a copy of the particulars of the Stafford Downing Lease below. We do not have an original and it could not be found in the FamilySearch database, although it is referred to in other Indentures. This abridged version was sourced from a copy of a 1922 Deed that referenced the original Indenture, as related by John Young’s unnamed Aunt to Stafford Poole during his visit to Ireland in 1979, so the source is similar to a story being told around a circle and comparing the last version to the first, but is believed to be accurate, as follows:
Go to Part 2
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Part 2
“Stafford Downing Lease”
Dated 30th March 1734 from William Conolly to Stafford Downing of Dreenan
Rent and fees 25 Pnds 12 shillings 6 pence, containing
246 acres 0 roods 7 perches of arable and pasture &
189 acres 0 roods 30 perches of Bog
Rent fine: 10 pnds 2 shillings 6 pence
Lives: Stafford Downing, Bernard Mulholland, and Bryan McCann
Dated 6th October 1782 from Thomas Conolly to John Downing of Dreenan
1st Renewal Life Dead: Stafford Downing
Rent Fine (renewal fee) Lives Inserted: James Nesbitt Downing Nesbitt, son of
10£ 2 Shillings 6 Pence Revd. Alexander Clotworthy Downing
Lives now being: Bryan McCann, James Nesbitt Downing Nesbitt,
and William Downing
Dated 1st November 1787 from same to John Downing of Dreenan
2nd Renewal Life Dead: James Nesbitt Downing Nesbitt
Life Inserted: Arthur Dawson, son of Arthur Dawson of
Castledawson
Lives now being: Bryan McCann, William Downing, and
Arthur Dawson
Dated 3rd May 1789 from same to John Downing of Dreenan
3rd Renewal Life Dead: Bryan McCann
Life Inserted: (blank in the original)
Lives now being: William Downing, Arthur Dawson, and
(another unknown life inserted)
Dated 20th October 1791 from same to John Downing
4th Renewal Life Dead: Bryan McCann
Life Inserted: William Dawson, 2nd son of Arthur Dawson
Lives now being: William Downing, Arthur Dawson, and
William Dawson, aged 7 years
Dated 20th June 1796 from same to same
5th Renewal Life Dead: William Dawson
Life Inserted: James Maddigan, son of Shane Maddigan of
Dreenan
Lives now being: William Downing, Arthur Dawson, and
James Maddigan
Dated February 1798 from same to James Downing, William Downing, George
6th Renewal Downing, and Stafford Downing
Life Dead: Arthur Dawson
Life Inserted: Robert Forrester
Lives now being: William Downing, James Maddigan, and
Robert Forrester
Dated 1st June 1800 from same to James Downing, George Downing, Stafford
7th Renewal Downing, John Downing, and Sarah Downing
Life Inserted: Ezekiel Downing, son of Dawson Downing
Lives now being: James Maddigan, Robert Forrester, and
Ezekiel Downing
Go to Part 3
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Part 3
We know by virtue of another Indenture, dated 20 Dec 1756, wherein Stafford was described as “Stafford Downing late of Dreenan aforesaid Gent deceased”, confirms the assumption that Stafford I did not name himself as one of the “lives” in the original lease, and that it had to be a different ‘Stafford’.
Upon the first renewal in 1782, Stafford Downing is listed as “life dead” and he is replaced by James Nesbitt Downing-Nesbitt, son of Rev’d. Alexander Clotworthy Downing. Knowing that John of Rowesgift had purchased the rights in 1737, Stafford I was deceased by 1756, and that Bryan McCann was the only survivor of the three original “lives”, we could assume with good confidence that the “life dead” Stafford was the second ‘Stafford’, who had passed away, probably shortly before October 1782. A. C. Downing was the eldest son of John Downing of Rowesgift, and grandson of Col. Adam Downing of Rocktown. He served as Curate and Rector at St. Lurach’s Church of Ireland, Maghera from 1785 to 1793.
It’s also noted that the Lessee is referred to as John Downing of Dreenan and subsequently, as such, until the 4th renewal in 1791, when the description is simplified to “John Downing”. However, we know that John Downing of Rowesgift died in 1785, so he could not have been the Lessee of record for the 2nd (1787) or 3rd (1789) renewals. I found no Deed that transferred the rights at Dreenan to another ‘John’ Downing before or after 1782, yet he appears to be the Lessee in 1782 because he had his own grandson inserted as one of the “lives”, and the other “life” inserted was William Downing of Rowesgift. An earlier Indenture, dated 1 Oct 1753, memorializes an agreement by which John Downing of Rowesgift sold lands in Queens County to a Thomas Bolton. One of the witnesses to the signing was described as William Downing of Rowesgift, two patently obvious clues that William was a close relative. John had a brother, William, but he died before 1752. He had a nephew, William, son of his brother Adam, who was born about 1740 and would have been too young to witness a Deed in 1753. He also had a first cousin, William, son of his uncle George, who was born about 1710 and would have been about 43 years old in 1753. He seems to be the most likely candidate.
I cannot yet explain which ‘John’ Downing was the Lessee from the 2nd through the 5th renewals, but he must have made an agreement with John of Rowesgift. John had a son named John and perhaps John the Younger inherited those rights from his father, but the younger John was apparently entitled to inherit Rowesgift as he opted to live elsewhere under an agreement with his younger brother, Dawson, that he could return and live there whenever he chose. Dawson would become “of Rowesgift”. Although John the Younger was a Capt. in the military and appears to have established his own home at Killyberry Downing, just down the road towards Castledawson, where one of his two known sons, James, is listed in the 1831 Census, along with a “widow” Downing. Maybe the other son, John, was living with his mother. Even if the Killyberry homestead was Capt. John’s, it’s still possible he was managing the Dreenan farm.
Another clue that seems to link the two branches was the baptisms at St. Lurach’s of at least two daughters of Stafford Downing and Rose Mulholland, Mary in May 1785, and Esther on 4 Apr 1789, by A.C. Downing. Knowing Stafford I and Stafford II had both passed away by 1782, we will designate this ‘Stafford’ as Stafford III. Whether he was a son of Stafford II, or not, is uncertain, but for the sake of piecing a potential tree together, I have attached him as such, tentatively. Of their four daughters, three had married before 24 Sep 1812, when Stafford (III) was party to a Deed of that date that identifies his wife as Rose (nee Mulholland) and describes them by their married names, Elizabeth Dinnen (Michael Dinnen), Mary Downing (Robert Downing, relation unknown), and Esther O’Neill (James O’Neill). The fourth daughter, Elinor, reportedly married into the McNally family afterwards. It is believed Elizabeth was the eldest daughter and likely born about 1783, thereby giving us an estimated date for the marriage as about 1782, give or take a few years, and the basis upon which I have estimated that Stafford III and Rose were probably both born c.1760, or thereabouts. Mary and Robert had three sons, John Rodgers, Thomas, and James Stafford, carrying the Downing surname to the next generation of the branch of Stafford III, in addition to Robert’s, wherever that may lead.
Go to Part 4
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Part 4
To introduce another ‘Stafford’ Downing of this era seems confusing, but necessary when trying to hash out all these relationships. In October 1781 the Belfast Newsletter posted a Death Notice for Stafford Downing, only child of John Downing of Dreenan, a Lieutenant in the Loughinshillen (now Loughinsholin) Batallion, wherein he is described as a “young gentleman”. We shall dub him Stafford IV and tentatively place him in the tree as the son of Major John Downing, and nephew of Stafford II.
At the 6th renewal in February 1798, the Lessee (John Downing) had apparently deceased and he was replaced by James Downing, William Downing, George Downing, and Stafford Downing. It’s also noted that William Downing, inserted in 1782, was the only surviving “life” from that date. And we know that Stafford I and Stafford II had both passed away by 1782, so the Stafford named here as a Lessee must be a later Stafford. Some possibilities include:
• James may have inherited the rights from his father, Capt. John.
• the same ‘William’ still listed as a “life” could also have been named as a Lessee in 1798, although I think that would be an exception. It makes sense that John’s close relative (his first cousin who had been living at Rowesgift in 1753) would be named by John as a replacement “life” in 1782, but I doubt he would have been added as a Lessee in 1798 by a different John, although possible.
• there were two baptisms at St. Lurach’s, Maghera, of sons of George Downing of Dreenan; William on 2 Dec 1792, and Stafford on 6 Sep 1794. Maybe George, William & Stafford were father/son Lessees, but it’s unlikely two toddler sons of George would have been named as Lessees, leaving James as a “weaker” voice in any decisions. Nor does the order in which they are named indicate that George would have been the father of William & Stafford.
• there was a William, a George, and a Stafford Downing, all of Maghera, listed on the Flax Growers List of 1796. This seems to further discredit the previous father/sons relationship. They were quite possibly all farming Dreenan lands. There was also a James Downing of Termoneeny on the 1796 List, who could have had interests at Dreenan.
• there was a William Downing of Dreenan living in House No. 15 with 2 males and 2 females, Church of Ireland, 1831 Census – likely a young couple with 2 children, and probably not old enough to be a Lessee in 1798.
• there was a Stafford Downing of Dreenan who owned House No. 13, but it was occupied by Halford Downing, 1831 Census - a close neighbor to William
• there was a George Downing of Dreenan living in House No. 91 with 1 male and 1 female, Church of Ireland, 1831 Census – likely a young couple, or an older, “empty nest’.
• there was a Stafford Downing of Dreenan living in House No. 96 with 3 males and 4 females, (1) Church of Ireland + (6) RC, 1831 Census – typically the children would worship the mother’s faith in a mixed marriage, so Stafford was probably Church of Ireland, and they were evidently close neighbors of George, judging by the House Numbers. This is NOT Stafford III, whose children were all grown, or Stafford IV who passed away in 1781.
• there was a Stafford Downing of Dreenan who owned House No. 97 but it was unoccupied, 1831 Census – apparently next door to House No. 96 where he lived.
• there was a William Downing of Lemnaroy, Parish of Termoneeny, probated in 1813.
• there was a George Downing of Dreenan probated in 1834.
• there was another George Downing of Dreenan probated in 1846.
Any of the above possibilities may be involved with the “Stafford Downing Lease”.
Then finally, we note from the 7th renewal, dated 1 Jun 1800, that William has apparently passed away, having been eliminated as a Lessee AND a “life”. We can’t be sure he was one man. Whether John and/or Sarah Downing were related to John of Rowesgift is uncertain, but Ezekiel was a younger son of Dawson, born in 1796, so it’s evident that Rowesgift House still had some influence over the “Stafford Downing Lease”.
Just to spice it up a bit, there was another ‘Stafford’ Downing who placed a newspaper advert on 23 Apr 1780 offering a reward for the return of a valuable watch lost somewhere between Dreenan and Rowesgift. It could have been any of the previously identified ‘Stafford’s who lost the watch, except Stafford I, but it certainly reinforces the relationship between at LEAST one ‘Stafford’ and John, or whoever he may have been visiting at Rowesgift. The most likely ‘Stafford’ to have visited Rowesgift in 1780 with a valuable watch, seems to be Stafford II, who was almost certainly one generation younger than John. His father, Stafford I, was probably a second cousin to John.
From here, I’ll “rewind” further back and lay out the evidence presented by what we call the Fullerton Memoirs and identify the “head” of the DOWNING tree in County Londonderry.
Go to Part 5
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Part 5
CHAPTER 2: The Crown of the Tree
The first known DOWNING of this branch to emigrate to County Derry was George Downinge, who first appears as Associate Chief Tenant of the Fishmonger's Proportion at Ballykelly, Co. Londonderry, in 1619. He also appears in a 1622 Muster Roll for the City and Liberties of Londonderry, as Sheriff of Londonderry during several court proceedings in 1624, and as a resident of the Townland of Ballykelly in a 1659 Census.
Without delving “into the weeds” too much on the history of the Plantation of Ulster, I’ll just say he was claimed to be the son of Lt. John Downinge of Ballymanagh, County Tipperary, who was an adventurer soldier for the Crown of England during numerous campaigns in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, including involvement to squash O’Doherty’s Rebellion of 1608 near Londonderry City. For his service, it is presumed he was awarded lands in lieu of pay, a common practice for the cash-strapped monarchy, and he was holding about 3,000 acres around Ballykelly, a tract of land he had no intentions of inhabiting himself, so he gave it to George when he came of age. That was likely about 1617 or 1618 and just before the Fishmonger’s organized their holdings, so as compensation for his lands, the Fishmonger’s offered George the position as Assoc. Chief Tenant under James Higgins, an absentee Landlord who was to remain in London.
Alexander George Fullerton (1808-1907), a grandson of Dawson Downing by his first wife, Catherine Fullerton, wrote what we came to call the “Fullerton Memoirs”, a family history narrative that identifies George as the son of Lt. John, his son, George II, and claims George II married Jane Montgomery, daughter of Hugh Montgomery of Maghera, the parents of Col. Adam Downing and his siblings. This source remains the ONLY source we have found to date that make these connections. ANY information that supports, or discredits, these findings would be gratefully acknowledged. The DOWNING family tree I’ve developed is based on the Fullerton Memoirs, subject to verification.
With George I established at Ballykelly, it’s apparent he had at LEAST three sons; George II, as mentioned above; Nicholas Downinge of Drumard, who made his Will on 18 Feb 1698, naming Capt. Adam as his main heir, along with his wife, Mary, nephews John, George, and Samuel Downing (brothers of Adam), nephews Daniel, Abraham, and Bernard Downing (presumably cousins of Adam), nephew Tobias Mulhollan (presumably the son of a sister who married into the MULHOLLAN/MULHOLLAND family), William Downing (brother), Sarah Downing (dau of “my beloved brother William), and “to each of my brother William, his children by his last wife Mary £5”, indicating that Nicholas had at LEAST two brothers, probably more; and William, named in the Will. George II being the father of Capt. Adam (and his brothers) apparently predeceased Nicholas, and mention of the other three Downing nephews indicates a 4th brother who may have predeceased Nicholas. The likely 4th unnamed son may have been the father of Daniel, Abraham, and Bernard, or any combination of those three named nephews. Otherwise, Nicholas probably would have described them as William’s sons. The possibility that those three were not all brothers, opens the possibility of a 5th son, and even a 6th. We know Nicholas had no children and we know Adam’s brothers were all confirmed in Adam’s Will. We have only one named child of William.
Whether Nicholas’ brother William was antecedent to Stafford I is not certain, but possible. If we can establish a connection between Stafford I (b. c.1700-1710) and Nicholas (b. c.1628-1698), we have accomplished our mission. They appear to be at least two generations apart, making Stafford I a contemporary of John of Rowesgift, a likely 2nd cousin, and “setting the stage” for the sale of his farming rights at Dreenan to John of Rowesgift. Stafford’s father could have been one of those unnamed children of William “by his last wife Mary”, or a son of one of those other unnamed brothers of Nicholas. Of course there is always the possibility that Stafford’s branch was no relation at all, but keep in mind, at this early time, the DOWNING family in Derry was scarce.
The only other DOWNING’s of that era were Walter Downing of Loughinsholin who is listed in the 1622 Muster Roll of the Vintner’s Estate, Bellaghy, and James and William Downing of Tirkeeran, who both are listed in the 1630 Muster Roll of County Londonderry. There are no other ‘Walter’s who appear in the tree and very few ‘James’, who appear much later, making those two candidates more unlikely. And George’s son William would not have been old enough to muster by 1630. By all the limited evidence available at this time, it appears that George I was indeed the head of this DOWNING branch and Fullerton was correct.
Go to Part 6
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Part 6
CHAPTER 3: Tracing Lands
As you may know, the Plantation of Ulster brought about the confiscation of lands that were then leased out by agents of the respective “proportions”, which divided Northern Ireland into 12 equitable segments. The Fishmonger’s Proportion controlled Ballykelly and the Vintner’s Proportion controlled Bellaghy, along with the Townlands we have been focusing on herein. Generally, large tracts were leased to prominent English settlers and they, in turn, sublet smaller tracts to the local Irish farmers.
Although the London Livery Companies (the “proportions”) technically owned the land, for a period of time, it’s thought that the original owners had some say in who could lease certain tracts and how they might be passed on to future generations. In the case of George I, we don’t know what, if any, tracts that he may have owned prior to the Fishmonger’s takeover, remained under his (limited) control.
If we fast forward to the 1698 Will of Nicholas Downinge, we see that he left: “my freehold lands of Drumag (sp?) – Drummagh (sp?) & Knockan in the Barony of Konaght & Co aforesaid with all my Leasehold & other rights to any lands unto my nephew Captain Adam Downing . . . “
It’s not clear whether Nicholas was trying to describe ONE Townland with an alternate spelling, or he meant “Drumag” and “Drummagh” were TWO separate Townlands. My interpretation is that he was referring to ONE Townland. Investigation of the names of all the Townlands in the Barony of Keenaght reveals there are NO Townlands in existence today by either spelling. Unfortunately, Knockan is the only Townland given in the Will that matches the present-day spelling. The 869 acre Townland of Knockan is located SW of the Town of Dungiven and about 10 miles south of Ballykelly. The photocopies of the handwritten Will that I have are so faint, it’s nearly impossible to decipher the spellings, and I was left to accept the typed version, but the first three letters are definititely “D-r-u” and the last three certainly look like “a-g-h”. If we presume “Drumag-Drummagh” is meant as ONE Townland, and search for the closest resemblance, the closest present-day spelling is Drumraighland, a 752 acre Townland just about a mile and a half south of Ballykelly. It’s possible that the “land” was added to the name at a later time and was then called “Drumraigh”. The only other possibilities appear to be Drummond, a 159 acre Townland that includes a significant part of the village of Ballkelly and is a very short distance east of the old Walworth House where George lived, or Drumavally, which is Druim-a-bhealaig in Gaelic, located on the eastern shore of Lough Foyle, only 6 miles north of Ballykelly, but with either of those spellings, that’s a bit of a stretch in comparison to the handwritten script. In any case, it’s evident that Nicholas had inherited some land rights very near where his claimed father, George I, lived, and likely part of his 3,000 acre estate before the Fishmonger’s took over. Adam then inherited those lands from Nicholas.
Before we look at the “Townlands of Drummard”, I’ll relate a little backstory that sets it up, then “rewind” to the Will of Nicholas Downinge and trace his Drumard lands as far forward as we can.
In May 2018, I had the pleasure of spending eight nights at the “Bridge Cottage” right on the banks of the River Moyola just upstream of Dawson’s Bridge (on Bridge Street), literally the namesake of the town founded by Joshua Dawson, now known as Castledawson. One of John Downing’s daughters married into the Dawson family, but that’s another story.
From our Castledawson base, I was able to “beat the bushes” pretty hard trying to find evidence of my own “broken link” to the DRUMARD branch, which I am certain lurks somewhere just out of sight. I’m sure there are other discussions here on RootsChat that address my own issue, possibly in one of the links provided above by Aghadowey, but again, that’s yet another story. This topic is an attempt to find a link between the DREENAN and DRUMARD branches.
As you can see from studying a Google Maps zoom-in of the area, just south of the village of Gulladuff on the A42 road, the Townland of Drumard is bisected by Drumard Road, running from Gulladuff Road westerly to Quarry Road. The Townland of Rocktown, is basically bisected by Rocktown Road, running from Gulladuff Road, southwesterly to Hillhead Road, and Rocktown Lane forms a “T” intersection with Rocktown Road, runs northwesterly, then bends southwesterly to Hillhead Road near the village of Knockcloghrim. These Townlands can also be viewed by clicking on the Townland link at:
https://www.townlands.ie/londonderry/maghera2/
Go to Part 7
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Part 7
In an effort to “tiptoe” around the RootsChat rules against speaking of living persons, I will not reveal any names but I hope the Moderators understand it’s difficult to tell a story about a specific area that is sparsely populated without virtually “spilling the beans”.
While driving on Rocktown Lane we (by the way, I’m travelling with my wife) came upon a farmer who was working on his tractor. We sat there for over an hour gathering some vital “intel”. Turns out he was the 7th generation of his family to farm that land, and that he used to play in the ruins of Col. Adam Downing’s “old castle” just around the corner when he was a kid. He also referred me to another man on Drumard Road who could give me some information on the Downing family.
The next day, we rode down Drumard Road looking for the home of the man I was referred to, and after knocking on one door, got directed to the right place. The very kind lady who answered the door to a knocking stranger on a “cold call” (imagine THAT), invited us in and I conducted another interview in their living room. The husband, who I will refer to as Mr. “X”, told me the names of his father, his grandfather and his great grandfather, which was as far back as he knew, and that he was also the 7th generation of his family to occupy that site. At that point, I realized we were probably sitting on land once farmed by Nicholas. The real revelation was that Adam’s “old castle” was just 800 yards or so, scaled on Google Maps, from the house on Drumard Road and within view of each other across a rather flat plateau-like array of cultivated fields, if not for a few trees. Subsequent research confirmed that Mr. “X” was a direct descendant of the Drennan branch through his mother, an apparent link between the two branches.
If we “rewind” to the 1698 Will of Nicholas Downinge, we see that he also left: “profits of my leaseholds . . . and the Townlands of Drummard & Cullier where I live and the islands of Armayhnacurr (sp?) & Killyfall (Sp?)” were left to his wife Mary “so long as she shall continue unmarried and no longer” . . . , “all which are to return to my said nephew Captain Adam Downing & his heirs”.
Again, the spellings as deciphered from the handwritten Will do not match any present-day Townlands other than Drummard (Drumard today), which fortunately, is our only concern here. This exercise is undertaken to see whether we can trace the Drumard land held by Nicholas to Mr. “X” who may be in possession of it today, and if so, establish a solid connection between the two branches.
A few years ago one of the members of Tim Mansfield’s DOWNING FAMILY Facebook page posted a reference that turned out to be a “gold mine” of valuable info regarding land transfers. It requires a slight “learning curve”, but once you get used to it, you’ll see it for its’ value. The main page is:
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/185720?availability=Family%20History%20Library
This FamilySearch database contains microfilmed copies of the original Indentures taken from Registers that were kept in somewhat of a chronological order, and are basically agreements between LESSORS and LESSEES. (by the way, on the website above, a GRANTOR Index, alphabetical by the first letter of the LESSOR’s surname, is followed by a Land Index, by County, and then a Place Name Index, by County. The actual Deed Volumes begin on p.8)
Go to Part 8
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Part 8
I’ve actually taken the time to decipher almost all of the pertinent DOWNING deeds of County Derry, from 1708 – 1825 and put together an eBook. My intention was to distribute the eBook for free, but Amazon does not allow free publication, so I had to price it at the minimum 99 cents. I’m not hawking or plugging it, but after you try to read a few of the Deeds from the database, you might find it a little easier to read plain text than the original handwritten script, and I’ve added my own analysis to many of the Deeds, cross referencing some of the relationships. The INDEX at the end helps you find any of the included Deeds quickly.
The link to the eBook is:
https://www.amazon.com/DOWNING-DEEDS-DERRY-1708-1825-Transcripts-ebook/dp/B085XM4DMF/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=downing+deeds+of+derry%2C+1708-1825&qid=1615734260&sr=8-1
That being said, by the Will, we know that Nicholas left his lands at Drummard to his nephew Adam. Who did Adam pass those rights to ? Fortunately, I have a clear copy of the handwritten Will of Adam Downing of Rocktown. On page 2 he wrote, “I devise unto my son John the lands of Dromard”.
In my eBook, I’ve categorized 15 Deeds regarding John of Rowesgift, arranged chronologically. The earliest Deed, dated 4 Apr 1734, memorializes the lease granted by William Conolly to John for lands of the “south division of Killyberry” (present day Townland of Killyberry Downing) “lately poss(ess)ed by Mrs Anne Rowe of Ballydermot”, widow of Rev’d Simon Rowe, John’s mother-in-law. In naming the parties to the Deed, John is described as “John Downing of Drimard”, even though he had been living at Rowesgift for 7 years. This also confirms that John was in control of the Drumard lands that were held by Nicholas.
Then, by Deed Vol 228, image 182, dated 31 May 1764 (p. 41 of the eBook), we see that John, his wife, and his heir, Rev’d. Alexander Clotworthy Downing, “did grant bargain sell remise release & confirm unto the said Richard Jackson & Adam Williams & to their heirs all that & those the Towns & Lands of Drimard”.
You may notice that these deed descriptions do not include metes and bounds that would specifically describe the exact locations of tracts of land. They merely refer to the fact that the transfer of what were then leasehold rights, were portions of the named Townland. However, by another Indenture, I’ve found that Wm. Conolly granted a formal Lease to John Downing of Drimard in 1734 that contained by estimation 545 acres, or what would have been over 55% of the entire Townland. In the 1764 Deed above, we can see that John “sold” his leasehold of “all that & those the Towns & Lands of Drimard”, indicating that the acreage he inherited from Adam, was transferred in its’ entirety, retaining NO land interests at Drumard.
For a living descendant to “own” real estate on Drumard Road today, and claim he is a 7th generation member of his branch to occupy that site, that obviously means that at least one family member RE-acquired lands on Drumard Road, and knowing that Nicholas once held 55% of Drummard, even without a specific description of his leasehold, it’s a decent bet that the current homeowner is occupying part of the original Nicholas tract.
At this point, tracing the Drumard lands becomes a much more difficult investigation and I am going to cut off this thread right here. I may pursue that investigation and report my findings in a future topic, but for now, it remains a mystery. If you, or anyone you know, has any piece of information that could help connect the Dreenan branch to the Drumard branch, please chime in. Even the smallest, seemingly insignificant, piece of evidence could be a breakthrough to solving a long-standing mystery.
The END
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Dukewm, thank you for taking the time to type all that out - it's a phenomenally well-researched piece of work!
Your mention of Elinor marrying into the McNally family was a new one to me - and something of a lightbulb moment! Given the clear presence of a 'Stafford' McNally branch in and around Dreenan, it would seem highly likely that Elinor would be the source, assuming her reported marriage is correct.
The name James Maddigan was ringing bells for me, I knew I'd seen it somewhere before in records I've reviewed for my own research. I think I found it in the form 'James Madden' (the two versions of the surname seemingly being interchangeable). A James Madden was one of the witnesses to the 1865 wedding of Thomas Downing, son of Mary and Robert Downing, and Mary O'Neill son of John O'Neill the Flaxbuyer, the other witness being Patrick Convery.
Now given that the name James Maddigan first appeared on the lease renewal of 1796, he may be too old to be the same one who witnessed the above wedding, but perhaps it could be a relative?
Earlier to that, there was a Nicholas McKenna baptised in 1838, son of a Patrick McKenna and a Rose Maddigan. The sponsors were a Stafford McNally and a Susan O'Neill. If Stafford McNally is old enough to sponsor a baptism in 1838, and knowing that Elinor was unmarried at least prior to 1812, as per your own research, then I would posit that he could very likely be a son of Elinor. Either way, more clear evidence of close links between the Maddigan family and the various 'Stafford' families of Dreenan.
The name Forrester is also very interesting to me based on my recent research trying to work out the O'Neills land interests in Dreenan. The initial Griffiths valuations show 5 acres of land being rented by a Mary Anne Downing, possibly the wife of a William Downing. The lessor was a Catherine Forrester. There is a house on the land being sub-let to a Neal McTammeny (another surname very clearly linked with the Stafford offshoot family in the records).
Mary Anne Downing passed in 1897 at the age of 100(!) and the land passed to the Riddle family. There is an 1892 marriage between a George Riddle of Drummuck and an Ellen Downing of Dreenan, daughter of John (witnesses Robert Riddle and Martha Downing). There is also an 1898 marriage between a Robert Riddle and a Charlotte Downing, also of Dreenan, also daughter of a John. Both George and Robert are listed as sons of a George Riddle, so may well be brothers.
This land is 'Land-Act' purchased by a George Riddle from Robert W Forrester in 1909. There is also a Norris family who moves into part of the land in 1896, but the record isn't 100% clear to me.
By 1912 the land appears to be sold by George Riddle to the Magherafelt R.D. Council and split up into parcels, mostly regular lots of 1 acre, 4 perches with a house. Interestingly two of the people who take over some of these plots in 1912 are a James O'Neill and a John Poole (obviously both surnames of interest). There is also a Rankin whose plot is taken over by a Patrick Toughill by 1920.
The Norris portion of the land (which isn't part of the above sale to M.R.D.C.) is taken over by a Stafford Downing by 1918, who is in turn replaced by Charles Downing in 1929. The land is then purchased from the Bellaghy Estate owners that same year.
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I've just found a death record for a James Maddigan of Dreenan, died December 1874 at the age of 84 (rough birth year 1790). He might be a good candidate for the same James Maddigan found in the lease.
The record lists him as married, so he predeceased a wife, and the informant is a Patrick Maddigan, no relation given.
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Article in the April 10, 1830 edition of the Londonderry Sentinel:
Wednesday, April 7
William Downing, for the manslaughter of Stafford Downing, Six months to hard labour.
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In response to M. O'Neill's Replies Nos. 19 & 20
The only source I have for Elinor marrying into the McNally family is the personal notes taken by Stafford Poole in 1979, which his niece forwarded to me.
Yes, I think you are probably right about James Maddigan. If his birth year was 1790, it's highly possible he could have been inserted into the Stafford Downing Lease in 1796 by the (still then) Lessee, John Downing of Dreenan.
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Article in the April 10, 1830 edition of the Londonderry Sentinel:
Wednesday, April 7
William Downing, for the manslaughter of Stafford Downing, Six months to hard labour.
Wonder which 'William' and 'Stafford' THEY were ? And how they were probably related ?
Too late for my 4th great grandfather.
I take it that's you, Jim ?
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William Downing, son of George Downing of Dreenan & Elizabeth, bp 2 Dec 1792
Stafford Downing, son of George Downing of Dreenan & Elizabeth, bp 6 Sep 1794
Could he have "accidently" killed his own brother ?
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CHAPTER 4: Tracing Drummard, The Follow Up
Before I get into the specific details of the exercise of tracking the “ownership” of the Drumard lands, first allow me to expound a little on how land rights were handled from the early 17th century. The reason all the land “transactions” conducted at that time were referred to as “leases” is that the British government had confiscated the lands of the native Irish in Northern Ireland around 1610 in an effort to control that strategic island in defense of England and prevent it’s use as a military base against attack, explained in great detail by Robert Stedall’s book, Men of Substance. Within a few years they had organized their plan and subdivided Ulster into twelve relatively equitable segments, assigned to the London Livery Companies. The area from which our Downing ancestors were concentrated was “owned” and managed by the Vintner’s Proportion, with its center located at Vintnerstown, now known as Bellaghy. The Livery Companies then appointed a “Chief Tenant” to manage their lands by leasing them back to English settlers and Irish farmers. Typically, large tracts would be leased to the English settlers, who they hoped would populate the province, eventually convert Northern Ireland into a more anglicized society, and the English settlers could then sublet smaller portions to the native Irish, who were not excluded from larger tracts if they had the means to execute the agreements. That’s just a generalization, with the purpose being to show that land was not “sold” as we customarily think about it today, until much later.
Before 1870, only about 3% of the land in Ireland was privately “owned” by “freeholders” and 97% was leaseholds. Between 1870 and 1923 there were a series of parliamentary Acts that were designed to transfer land rights from tenancy to land ownership, so that by 1929 that ratio had reversed and about 97% of the land was then freehold, and “sold” in the way we think of real estate transfers today.
Clotworthy Skeffington, 3rd Viscount Massereene, under whom Capt. Adam Downing served during the Siege of Derry and the Battle of the Boyne, officially took over as Chief Tenant in 1695, when his father, Sir John Skeffington died. When Clotworthy died in 1714, William Conolly, Speaker of the Irish House of Commons (1715-1729), became Chief Tenant.
(an excerpt from Stedall’s book): “In 1729, he tried to negotiate the purchase of the estate for 6,000 BPS and a continuing rent of 200 BPS with 2 fat bucks, but he died before these terms could be agreed. . . Conolly’s nephew, also William (William James Conolly, or William Jr.), was obliged to increase the offer to 15,000 BPS. Although an agreement was signed, completion was delayed until 1737, at which time, Thomas Conolly, William Jr.’s son, obtained the proportion in perpetuity, and the Vintners and their associates ceased to be involved.”
After 1737, and for quite some time, Thomas Conolly continued to assign leases and along the way, many Lessees were “selling” their property rights.
As for tracking the Drumard lands, there could be two ways to approach this problem. We could try to trace the ownership of the descendant’s specific real estate in the traditional manner, by consulting a “Recorder of Deeds” and following the path of ownership as far back as possible. Or we could try to trace the unspecified Drumard lands held by Jackson and Williams as of 1764, by examining their Wills and those of their heirs, searching for transfers in the FamilySearch database, and other sources that may reveal when, and to whom, they transferred those lands. I have already started that process and can attest that it is not going to be easy. Perhaps a combination of those efforts will merge at some time, and we can “connect the dots”. Of course, the present homeowner on Drumard Road doesn’t own 545 acres, so, during the ensuing 254 years, that acreage was subdivided into many smaller tracts, piece by piece. I’m afraid I don’t have another “lifetime” to fully conclude THAT investigation, so I will terminate the exercise with the knowledge that Nicholas lived somewhere among 545 acres in Drummard, not necessarily on the exact spot occupied by the living descendant, but the living descendant has at LEAST a 55% chance of sitting on part of the original 545 acres, that just happen to be within 800 yards and clear sight of Col. Adam Downing’s “old castle”.
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More great stuff as usual, Dukewm!
Re: the manslaughter charge, I was about to post about it being possibly the man born c1795, but I see you beat me to it! This looks to be the same Stafford Downing who died at Dreenan in 1878. He was also the father of the Elizabeth Downing who married into the Kane family.
His will (granted 1879) lists a son George Downing (the only listed son, in fact), possible evidence for the theory that he was himself the son of George, perhaps? The two executors of the will were William Anderson 'of Tubberhead' (Toberhead) and a 'Mr James Downing (Son of Alexander)'. The witnesses were the same William Anderson and a John Harbison of Magherafelt.
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1830 was a hell of a year for the local area, it seems. Three months after Stafford was sentenced saw the 'Maghera Riots', started when armed gangs of Ribbonmen (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ribbonism) and Orangemen started shooting at each other in clashes after the local 12th July marches. I'm not sure of the precise geography, but I think they were firing across the Gulladuff road, Ribbonmen to the north, Orangemen to the south.
Tensions were running very high after the Catholic Emancipation Act (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Relief_Act_1829) had passed the previous year. There was apparently a wave of women and children fleeing down the road towards Maghera, as seen by a band of mounted police coming the other way. Later that evening a number of catholic homes were burnt down by a number of the Orangemen - including the house of my presumed 4x great grandfather William Carmichael in Drumard. Strangely enough, when I brought this story up to my family, one of my cousins said he remembered our grandmother telling him the story of when 'the Orange Order burnt us out of our home'. She was born in 1925 - so a grievance nursed for over a hundred years!
Just goes to show that Dreenan and the surrounding area was hardly a 'sleepy little townland'!
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I wondered about that after I posted it, Mike.
I think you’re probably right due to Stafford naming his only son George, after his father.
So, the victim was probably a different Stafford, of which there were many.
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By the way, when you mention Adam Downing's 'castle' what is actually being referred to? Was it an actual castle or just a local name for a stately home of some kind? Whereabouts was it in Rocktown?
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No, I’m pretty sure it was NOT an actual castle. That’s just what the farmer around the corner called it when he played in the ruins as a kid. I’d wager it was a rather stately home as Adam was Deputy Governor of the County.
The site is on Rocktown Lane right where the road bends left, then right again (going NW away from Rocktown Rd)
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Oh wow, very close to where my ancestor Ellen Carmichael (née O'Neill) ended up living. The Carmichaels and the family of Stafford O'Neill moved down to adjoining farms down there from Killard sometime between 1862 and 1866, I think. The farm in question was, I think, just a little bit back off the Rocktown Road, on the northern side - opposite where there's now a quarry.
Edit: A rough estimation using google maps puts them at less than 800m to the south of the area you mention. Probably doesn't mean much, but still interesting!
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It looks like it was William Downing who was charged with the killing of Stafford Downing in 1830.
Jim Humphrey
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Some thoughts on the origin of the name Stafford and how it relates to the Downing family.
So I was talking with a cousin about our family history and he asked about the origins of the name 'Stafford'. I've been giving this some thought and thought I'd post to the thread about it.
We can say with certainty that the name appeared in the Downing family sometime prior to 1734 (thanks to the Dreenan Lease). Since Stafford Downing (I) was a fully grown man when he obtained the lease, it seems likely to have entered the family either at or before the beginning of the 18th century.
Now an old tradition that seems to have been present in protestant families, as well as culturally Scottish families, is the preserving of the names of families married into theirs in the form of first and second names. The Drumard Downings give us examples of this tradition in names such as 'Dawson Downing' and 'Rowe Downing'. The practice seems to be particularly prevalent in well-to-do protestant families. I would theorise this is likely because of the social advantages in showing off your family's social connections through marriage. When researching the Bell part of my tree in Tyrone I encountered local names in Coagh such as 'Hamilton Bell', 'Arthur Hamilton Bell' 'David Miller Bell', etc, so the practice was not uncommon.
If we were to accept, for sake of argument, that this was the origin of the name in the Downing family, then where might it have come from?
The earliest origin point I can find for the name in the local area is Sir Francis Stafford. In 1572 the English built a castle in Portglenone whose garrison was captained by Francis. He then later became Governor of Ulster and named his home Mount Stafford (the castle is long gone but the name is memorialised in the name of Mount Stafford Road, to the north of Portglenone). He reputedly died in 1609.
He seems to have had a number of children with his wife Anne Grogan, but the only ones I can find record of are; Edmund Stafford, who later became Sir Edmund of Mount Stafford, his father's heir, Mary Stafford who married John Echlin Esq. of County Down, and a Martha Stafford who married Sir Henry O'Neill of Edenduffcarrick ('Shane's Castle') south of Randalstown and east of 'Staffordstown' which I presume has a link to the Stafford family, but I've yet to find a good source.
Sir Edmund died childless in March of either 1644 or 1645. In his will he made his nephew Francis Echlin Esq. his heir. Upon succeeding in 1645, Francis took the name and arms of Stafford. I won't belabour the point by listing the entire pedigree, suffice to say that the 'mainline' branch of the Stafford family appear to have been present in Portglenone right down until the end of the 17th century and into the beginning of the 18th. However, it seems to me that a lot of the family tree is incomplete, and so there are likely many children we're not aware of.
So where does that leave us? Assuming again that Stafford (I) was named for a marriage, and assuming also that he was born sometime in the early 18th century, that gives us a gap of about 100 years to play with between the death of Sir Francis Stafford and Stafford Downing's birth.
I think it may be notable that, despite the seemingly close-links that Dukewm has shown between the Dreenan and Drumard Downings, there appear to be no Staffords in the Drumard branch at all (Dukewm, please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). I would suggest that any potential Stafford family ancestry is therefore potentially confined to the Stafford branch. If we also hypothesise that Stafford (I) is the first to bear the name, then perhaps the Downing - Stafford marriage might be close to him, perhaps his own parents or grandparents? Food for thought.
It's here I'd like to throw in a little wildcard - a Stafford O'Neill who I can't place. There is a tombstone in Fallsburgh, New York for a Stafford D. O'Neill (b. c1777 - d 1851). Based on the name of a son, John Dennison O'Neill, I'd suggest that's likely what the initial 'D' means in this Stafford's name. Newspaper reports suggest he came and settled in Fallsburgh in 1805. Now his year of birth places him too early to be a son of James O'Neill and Esther Downing.
He might, of course, not even be anything to do with the Stafford families of Dreenan, but it makes me wonder, given the name and the use of another surname as a seemingly-hereditary middle name. I got in touch with some of the owners of these trees. and sadly no one knows where this Stafford came from, other than 'Ireland'.
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Good stuff Mike.
Thanks for the history of the Stafford family. You could be right about a Stafford marrying into the Downing family. I have "pencilled in" an estimated birth year of 1705 for Stafford (I) Downing, which should be within 10 years either way, but that likely places him as a grandson of one of Nicholas' brothers, which as you say, could mean his mother, or grandmother, could have been a Stafford.
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Hi Dukewm, hope you're well!
I'm currently attempting to put together a piece of work untangling all the various O'Neill families of Dreenan and the surrounding townlands. We'll see how far I get with it (it's obviously a lot to go through!), but sure enough a few families in I've run into some Downings and I'm trying to see if I can narrow down which particular ones!
The question centres on one particular group of O'Neills (name written Neill) sharing ~18 Acres in Dreenan as shown in the initial Griffiths valuations:
Map ref 47
a) Michael Neill
b) Hugh Neill
c) Arthur Neill
Lessor: Julius Casement
I'm not sure which is the elder of this trio, as their land all changes hands roughly around the same time. Arthur's land on plot 47 c) switches to a Bernard O'Neill sometime around or prior to 1870, then again in 1871 to a Henry O'Neill.
Plot 47 a) switches from Michael to a Henry O'Neill around the same time (I think likely the same man). 47 b) goes from Hugh to a William Downing around 1872. In 1873 there's some reorganisation, likely to reconstitute the three former holdings into two . They are then held by Henry O'Neill and William Downing as two neighbouring holdings well into the 1890s.
Now, I suspect that there may be more than simply a land/business relationship going on here. In 1895 Henry's portion of land is split in two, going to Mary O'Neill and Arthur O'Neill. I'm fairly sure that this Arthur is the same one present in the 1901 census of Dreenan with his wife Nancy (née Henry). They have a number of children that I can find, but of interest to us here is their daughter Bridget, who married a Henry Downing/Downey of Eden in 1892. He himself was the son of a William.
Now firstly, I'm not sure how or where the Eden and Dreenan branches of the Downings are connected, but I suspect with the land changes above we're likely dealing with the branch that descends from the marriage of William Downing and Matilda Downing (m. 1866, Maghera).
In 1895, the Downings appear to purchase their portion of the above land, and it is thereafter leased by 'William Downing Snr', to 'William Downing Jr.' I'm assuming that the senior William Downing listed here is the husband of Matilda; seeing as his own father William passed in 1902 and yet there is no change in the lessor name through the revisions of 1894-1919. There's always the possibility that there was indeed a change and it was simply missed due to the repeated name, but I think that's an outside chance.
I'd be very grateful if you could cast an eye over the above and see if it makes sense to you. Do I have the right bunch of Downings, here? :)
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Hello again, good to hear from you. These dates are a bit later than the branches of my tree, BUT, the families are definitely related, so give me a little time to look into it and I’ll report back anything I find.
Interestingly, my 4th great grandfather was yet another William Downing who disappeared without a trace circa 1803. His father was misrepresented in our Downing family history and remains unknown. His wife remarried and his two young sons resurfaced in Coagh, County Tyrone by 1827(?) per Slater’s Directory. The eldest son, also William, was listed as a Linen Manufacturer. His purported uncle, Dawson Downing, was a prominent flax grower near Bellaghy, County Derry.
At some earlier point, as I recall, at least one Neill (or O’Neill married into the Stafford Downing branch.
I have at least one other “William” Downing of Dreenan who has not been connected to my tree (yet).
Stay tuned and thanks for your contributions.
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Interesting that you bring up the Linen manufacturing - one of the Dreenan O'Neills was a John O'Neill son of a Felix O'Neill. His will 1889 lists him as a 'Flax-Buyer'. His daughter Mary married Thomas Downing, son of Mary and Robert Downing. Thomas Downing would be the nephew of my putative ancestor Esther Downing.
The earliest reference I can find to a Stafford O'Neill is in the Tithe Applotment Books of 1828. He is listed as a head of household in that year, though strangely the 1831 census of the area doesn't show him. My current (unproven) theory is that he may be a child of James O'Neill and Esther Downing. I suspect there may be a 'missing generation' here, as the catholic records mostly only go back to the 1830s, with sporadic and incomplete records from the late 1820s.
Thanks for taking a look! If I find any other interesting O'Neill/Downing connections, I'll let you know. :)
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Following this thread with great interest and as you said a 'catchall for Downing/Downey'. No mention of the antipidies but a lot of Irish of all flavours made the trip to the Great Southland and The Shakie Isles. If any made it to Williamstown or The Goulburn Valley in Victoria i am happy to chat. The following is my Downie/Downey attachment -
Alice Maude HERWEG.b.1883St.Kilda. d.30.4.1969 Tatura. m.1906[Reg.1906-1892R] ThomasDOWNIE.b1882.Glenvale near Whittlesea.d.1968Mooroopna
Cheers
Jack Gee
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Hi Jack, thanks for posting to the thread! Hopefully you find a connection to your tree in here. :)
I thought I'd post some things related to my latest research on the O'Neills of the local area. I think there's definitely a link between the O'Neills of Rocktown and the O'Neills of Dreenan; in fact, my current hypothesis is that the local O'Neills may have started in Dreenan and then spread out from there. I remain convinced that at least one branch of these O'Neills is fairly heavily entwined with the Downings.
(This will likely be spread over a couple of posts)
The Rent Roll Books of The Bellaghy Estate
The first mention of the O'Neills in the local area that I have found is in the Rent Rolls for Dreenan (1718 - 1793) (http://www.dreenan.com/site_pages/rent_roll_books/The%20Rent%20Roll%20Books%20for%20Dreenan.pdf). From 1718 - 1729 the only two surnames represented are Mulholland and Downing, with the former paying far more than the latter. This likely represents the Mullholland's former status as the major landowners in the area under the old Gaelic system:
In 1660 these four townlands were listed as under the tenancy of one Cormuck O’Mulholland, Esquire and were entirely Irish. The numbers of adults of tax-bearing age was given for each townland: – Drummuck[7], Mayogall[3], Bally McPeake[7], Dreenan[6] (...) Bryan Mulholland was listed in Drumard in Tamlaght O’Crilly parish which is contiguous with Mayogall and ten Irish adults were tax-payers in 1660.
(Although he's may be too old to be the one listed in the Downing's Dreenan lease of 1734, the name Bryan Mulholland naturally draws the eye here.)
After 1729 there is a gap in the roll books until 1775 when a third name appears in the list: A 'Phelemy O'Neill & Co'. The Downings' rent has risen considerably, which would tally with Dukewm's fantastic research regarding the Downings increased landholdings in Dreenan in the mid-18th century.
By 1788 the names on the roll books have multiplied; reflecting legal changes that made it far easier to get leases on land, as well as the gradual dilution of land through passing generations. Other names that would become prominent in the townland have appeared (e.g. Henry, Higgins, later Convery), as well as a James O'Neill in 1789. I find it potentially telling that the first reported marriage between the O'Neills and the Dreenan Downings came within a generation or so of the O'Neill's first appearance on the rent rolls for the townland.
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Tithe Applotment Books (1821-1851)
The next appearance of the O'Neill surname that I've found is on the Tithe Applotment Books. These books were compiled as part of a survey performed in order to determine how much money (or 'tithe') occupants of land over one acre owed to the established, protestant church.
In Dreenan the survey was conducted in 1828, and showed the following O'Neill head of households in Dreenan and the surrounding townlands:
Dreenan
Unnamed O'Neill
Felix O'Neill
Daniel O'Neill
Staford O'Neill★
Danl O'Neill
Drummard
Daniel O'Neill
Gullyduff
Unnammed O'Neill
Dungleady
Chas. O'Neill
Rocktown
Charles O'Neill☆
Jas. O'Neill★
Note that some later townlands are not named in this survey; Eden for example is likely being counted as part of Dreenan. Also of note is that some townlands which do later have a considerable presence of O'Neills are shown here as not having any, such as Ballymacpeake.
The O'Neill surname is actually the second most common listed in Dreenan (assuming none of these individuals are repeated), though easily dwarfed by the Downings who sit in first place with fourteen (!) listed names.
The two names I've highlighted in bold in the applotment books are potentially important re: a Downing connection. The 'Staford' [sic] shown in Dreenan obviously bears the name almost synonymous with the Dreenan Downings. Of the two O'Neills listed as being in Rocktown, James is of particular interest to me personally, as I think my 3x great grandmother Ellen O'Neill may have been the daughter of a James O'Neill. Her (presumed, but likely) brother Stafford O'Neill takes over farmland from a James O'Neill in 1862.
My current (unproven) hypothesis is that the Staford and James listed in 1828 may have been brothers, children of the James O'Neill and Esther Downing mentioned earlier in the thread. My hunch (again unproven) is that Staford may have been the progenitor of the Ballymacpeake branch of 'Stafford' O'Neills by way of Eden; oral family history from that line has George Stafford O'Neill (b. 1860) recalling leaving Eden for Ballymacpeake being 'a boy about 5'.
The highlighted James O'Neill could therefore possibly be the progenitor of the 'Stafford' O'Neill branch of Rocktown. It would potentially explain why the 'Stafford' naming convention is so much stronger in the Ballymacpeake branch than the Rocktown one; a name taken from a more recent direct paternal ancestors perhaps being stronger presence in a family than one taken from more distant relatives.
The Charles O'Neill I've also highlighted from Rocktown could also have a connection to the Downings, though the evidence is even more tenuous than for Staford and James. The only record I can find from around that time in Rocktown is the 1838 catholic baptism of a Charles O'Neill son of a Charles O'Neill and a Mary Fullerton. The family's residence as listed as Killard, the specific subdivision of Rocktown in which all later O'Neills in the townland would live, my ancestors included. (Killard is the northeast corner of Rocktown, right along the border of Drumard).
My eye here is drawn to the name of the mother, Mary Fullerton. This is obviously a name and a family also close to the Downings. Again, it's a tenuous link, but if this is indeed the Charles O'Neill listed in 1828, I find myself wondering if it's telling that both of the only two O'Neills shown in Rocktown have a (potential) Downing connection.
I'll leave it there for now, but I'll probably keep posting any relevant bits and pieces to this thread as and when I find them!
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Hey all, I hope anyone following this topic is doing fine! I thought I'd add a couple of small updates to the thread.
I've recently done an Ancestry DNA test, and while I'm waiting for my results, my paternal first cousin has let me take a look at his. While combing through them I discovered a fairly distant relation (9cM shared) whose tree I nevertheless immediately recognised as belonging to the Ballymacpeake branch of the Stafford O'Neills, specifically from one son who stayed in Ireland. There was then another account (also 9cM) who seems to be descended from one of the sons who went to New Zealand. This is the first solid evidence I've found for my long term theory that the two 'Stafford' O'Neill branches are indeed cousin branches.
On top of this, there was a Thruline given by Ancestry that suggested another account (11cM shared) that appears to be a direct descendant of Elizabeth Downing and Michael Dinnen. I still need to do a bit of checking, but the initial read-through does seem to bear out.
This, combined with the other research I've done on land occupancy, naming traditions etc., makes me more and more convinced that the genealogy of Stafford Downing and Rose Mulholland's four daughters as recounted by Stafford Poole is indeed correct.
As an outside chance, there is one result way down in my cousin's matches who seems to descend from some of the Downings of Kilberry Downing, specifically a James Downing and his wife Bridget Henry, married on the 13th Jan 1868 in the R.C. church at Lavey. The tree gives James' parents as John Downing and Ann Knib.
Now, this person's tree has a number of other families from the same area, so it's hard to say whether the DNA link comes from the Downing branch or elsewhere, but I thought it worth mentioning. Said match also has a shared match with my cousin - an account whose descent (or at least part thereof) I've managed to trace back to the Carmichaels of Drumard and possibly to my own direct ancestors William Carmichael and Mary McAward/Ward.
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Hello! I'm new to this board. I am the source of the information concerning the Protestant Henry family connection. My fourth great grandmother was Elizabeth Sharon Downing b. 30 Jan 1798 most probably in Co. Derry. I have been using the information shared here with other data to try to identify the parents of Elizabeth (Betty) Sharon Downing. She married Robert Hugh Henry on 30 June 1820 and, according to family tradition, left Ireland the next day with her Henry and Fullerton relatives for America. They landed in Charlestown South Carolina first, spent a few years there before moving on to Alabama where they tarried a short time and finally arrived in what would become Robertson Co. Texas in 1829. I can trace the Henry line to Loughgiel, County Antrim but I have so far had no luck with Elizabeth Sharon Downing.
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Hi, good to hear from you! I remember coming across your American branch before when looking up the various 'Stafford' families.
They definitely bear a number hallmarks of the Downing families around Dreenan. Firstly, there's the usage of the Stafford name itself (I believe I'm right in saying that one of Betty and Robert's children was called Stafford?). Secondly, there's the related surnames; Henry is a very common surname in the area, being particularly concentrated in the area of the Dreenan Bridge.
The name Fullerton might also of note. dukewm has already noted how the Fullertons of Ballintoy were intermarried with the Downings of Rowesgift, leading to that branch adopting the surname in 1794. I have also come across the surname Fullerton with increasing frequency while researching the O'Neills of Rocktown. There were at least two local O'Neill-Fullerton marriages that I can find, with the name appearing as sponsors and witnesses on a number of O'Neill marriages and baptisms. The Fullerton family seems to have been fairly prominent around Bellaghy as well as to some of the townlands to the north of the town. I've yet to determine whether the Fullertons of Ballintoy were the origin of all the local Fullertons, or whether they are unrelated families of the same name.
One thing we should note is that it seems unlikely that your Elizabeth Sharon is another direct descendant of the Stafford Downing who married Rose Mulholland. This is because they had a surviving daughter called Elizabeth, likely born sometime during the mid-to-late 1780s, who married a Michael Dinnen. This makes me wonder if your Elizabeth Sharon might have been from a cousin branch. Perhaps the child of a sibling of this later Stafford Downing?
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Hello "M"/Michael/Mike,
I have some notes that call you "Mike", so I hope that's your preferred name.
Anyway, I was reviewing some of the old posts on RootsChat, including your thread titled, "The 'Stafford' O'Neills of Rocktown/Ballymacpeake",
and got "deep into the weeds" trying to piece it all together. Perhaps when I have more time, I'll revisit your O'Neill branch(es), but I've been occupied with a big remodeling project at my house for a while now.
In any case, I'd like to comment on your latest post on my "All Things DOWNING/DOWNEY in County Derry" thread, dated 28 Jun 2023 (REPLY #41).
Not sure whether any of this has been posted earlier, but nevertheless . . .
As to Elizabeth Downing, dau. of Stafford Downing of Dreenan, and his wife, Rose Mulholland, she did indeed marry Michael Dinnen before 24 Sep 1812.
An Indenture of that date, between Stafford Downing of Dreenan and John Downing of Dreenan, names Stafford's wife as Rose Mulholland and his four daughters as; "Elizabeth, married to Michael Dinnen; Mary, married to Robert Downing; Esther, married to James O'NEILL; and Elinor, listed as a spinster."
Elizabeth and Michael were actually the 3rd great grandparents of one of our research team members, Michelle Dynowski, who wrote a rather extensive book on her family history.
According to Michelle, Elizabeth and Michael had at least three known children, and probably an eldest son named John, b. c.1804, who went to America in the 1820's to try and convince his sister, Rosanna, to return to Ireland.
The other three children were; Rosanna, b. c.1808 (Michelle's 2nd great grandmother), who married John Delevan; Stafford Dinnen, b. c.1812, who married Bridget O'NEILL, b. c.1830, dau. of Bernard O'Neill, and a second unnamed daughter.
The marriage of Bridget to Stafford Dinnen was on 17 Dec 1872 at Lavey Parish RC Church just north of Gulladuff. I don't have any other info on Bridget's father, Bernard O"NEILL.
Interestingly, Elizabeth's nephew, Thomas Downing, married 17 Jun 1865 at Lavey Parish, Mary O'NEILL, 3rd dau. of John O'Neill of Dreenan. So, in this relatively narrow branch of the Stafford Downing line, there are three intermarriages to the O'Neill family.
On the marriage of James Downing to Bridget Henery (Henry), I can refer to another RootsChat topic titled, "Downings of Killyberry Downing", dated 1 Jul 2012, posted by James Hanley, who states that he is a great grandson
of James Downing of Killyberry, through his grandfather, Patrick Dawson Downing, 2nd son of James. The date of their marriage was 13 Jan 1868. The marriage certificate names James' father as 'John', and Bridget's father as Patrick Henry of Drumard.
On your Reply # 40:
I have no downline for Esther Downing and James O'Neill, but your theory seems to be well founded. We know she was baptized in 1789, and married before 24 Sep 1812 (the date of the aforementioned Indenture).
It's certainly possible they named a son to honor her father, Stafford, and you have evidence that Stafford (the son) took over the family farm from a 'James O'Neill' in 1862.
Apparently, they had at least two other children, including a 'James' and an 'Ellen'.
It's also notable that Ballymacpeake-Lower borders Eden and Dreenan, so the younger generations didn't stray too far.
Ballymacpeake-Upper borders Dreenan, Drumard, and Rocktown.
On another note, in regards to the FULLERTON surname:
The only connection my Downings have to FULLERTON, are the first marriage of Dawson Downing, son of John Downing of Rowesgift, to Catherine Fullerton, dau. of George Fullerton of Ballintoy, County Antrim.
George was the elder brother of Alexander Fullerton, a prominent medical practitioner and rum trader in Jamaica, who purchased Ballintoy Castle as an investment in 1760 for 20,000 pounds.
Catherine married Dawson Downing on 3 Apr 1773 and had by him two sons, George Alexander, b. 1775, and David, b. 1777/8. She died in 1785 and predeceased Alexander's Will by 10 years.
George was killed in the American War for Independence in 1780, and Alexander took steps to secure the futures of his two great nephews, provided they assume his surname.
George Alexander and David assumed the Fullerton surname by Royal Licence, dated 1 Dec 1794, and became George Alexander Downing Fullerton, and David Fullerton Fullerton, respectfully.
George Alexander had three sons, but they are all presumed to have emigrated to Great Britain.
I have no further issue by David, so I have no known descendants of that FULLERTON branch who may have stayed in County Derry.
Hope that's not too confusing and there's something in here of assistance. Slainte !
Rick Turner
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...I can refer to another RootsChat topic titled, "Downings of Killyberry Downing", dated 1 Jul 2012, posted by James Hanley...
Link to the 2012 thread
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=604673.0
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Hey Rick, good to hear from you again. Mike is indeed my preferred name, so feel free to run with that!
It's funny that you mention Michelle, as we've only just recently established contact via Ancestry! I think it might be the first time in something like 150 years that members of the O'Neill/Carmichael and Dinnen branches of the 'Stafford' families have been in touch. Which I find pleasing as the to families seemed to have been fairly close at one point.
I've been looking into the initial Griffiths land valuation based on what I now know about the local 'Stafford' families and there's definitely a clear cluster of them in Upper Dreenan. I've created a map which highlights some interesting land patterns between the Dinnens and some of the other 'Stafford' and Downing families of the local area. It's too big to upload here, so let me know if you'd like me to email it through to you!
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Dear Mike and Rick, I recently was informed by a 4th cousin and also a descendant of Elizabeth "Bettie" Downing that her mother's name was also Elizabeth.
From the 1828 Tithe Applotment Books the only Elizabeth I can find at all was listed as Downing, Eliz, Dreenan, Maghera, Derry. This woman was listed between Alexander and George also from Dreenan. Can anyone identify this Elizabeth and what relationship she may have to Alexander and George. Bettie was born in 1798 so it is certainly possible that her mother could still be alive in 1828. Another piece of information provided by the 4th cousin that is a family legend is that Bettie's father was a large miller of Flax.
Carson
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Hi, Carson!
Rick would probably know more about specific members of the Downing family than myself, but I think I can add a little detail.
If Bettie's mother was indeed Elizabeth, then she may well be a different Elizabeth to the one we've mentioned previously, who married Michael Downing. Her parents were Stafford Downing and a Rose Mulholland.
The Elizabeth Downing you mention in the Tithe Applotment Books would also be another woman to Stafford Downing's daughter as the latter had married Michael Dinnen prior to 1812, making her Elizabeth Dinnen.
Do you know if your Bettie Downing ever married? If so, do you know her married name?
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Mike,
Elizabeth Sharon (Bettie) Downing married Robert Henry (b. 1801 in Loughgiel, Antrim) on 3 June 1820. They immigrated to America, South Carolina shortly thereafter. I have their history after they arrived in America. They were VERY Presbyterian.
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Sorry, RD. I've been talking about Downing branches with multiple people recently and got myself a bit turned around. I didn't realise you were talking about the Betty Downing we'd already posted about!
George and Alexander are definitely two Downing names I've seen before. in the later Griffiths land valuations (1859-60 for the initial survey) Alexander Downing, George's likely son Stafford, and a John Downing Senior, occupy various plots of intertwined land around the southern portion of Dreenan, especially around the Lavey bridge. It's possible these men could have been closely related. This Stafford, who died in 1878, made Alexander's son James one of his executors.
Again, Rick would probably have a better overview on these Downings, but I'd say this might be where you'd want to start looking for connections to Elizabeth Downing.
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For those who may be following my search for the parents of my 4th great grandmother, Elizabeth "Bettie" Sharon Downing, I just found in Griffiths Valuation from 1858 that the most represented family in Drennan was Downing with 13 families. The second most represented family was Henry with 7 families.
Bettie was born in 1798 and had left Ireland by 1821. The family legend is that her father was a large scale miller of lenin. The Tithe Applotment of 1828 lists 4 Downings involved in farming lenin in Drennan at that time. My best guess is that one of these men could be Elizabeth's father.
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Concerning the George above.
Could this be the same George referred to in the 6th renewal of the Stafford Downing Lease dated 1798?
I think so.
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Some random thoughts on recent replies: PART 1 of 3
It's awesome that someone is still digging for answers on this thread after so many years.
In regards to the O'Neill queries and the researcher(s) trying to find the ancestors of Elizabeth Sharon Downing, I have not been able to positively identify where she may fit in the DOWNING tree, nor discover any PROVEN connection between the O'NEILL family and my DOWNING tree, other than two marriages, to wit:
Firstly, Esther DOWNING, daughter of Stafford Downing, the Lessee on the original 1734 Lease at Dreenan, married James O'Neill, at some time before 24 Sep 1812 (she is mentioned in an Indenture of that date, as being married). We know she was baptized in 1789 at St. Lurach's Church of Ireland, Maghera, by Rev'd Alexander Clotworthy DOWNING, eldest son of John DOWNING of Rowesgift. I assume James was about the same age as Esther, perhaps slightly older.
The rights to a portion of the 246 acres arable land and 189 acres of bog at Upper Dreenan, were signed over to John DOWNING of Dreeenan (and Rowesgift), by Stafford DOWNING, on 21 Mar 1737.
Ref: Deed Vol 100, img 21, Film# 7905904, p.26, Mem# 69437;
"A Memorial of an Assignment or Instrument in writing Endorsed on the Back of a Lease made between the Rt. Hon(oura)ble William Conolly of the City of Dublin Esqr. of the one part And Stafford Downing of Dreenan in the proportion of Vintners & County of Londonderry Gent of the other part w(hi)ch Assignment bears date the 21st day of March 1737 whereby the said Stafford Downing for the consideration therein Mentioned did Assign Transferr and make over unto John Downing of Rowesgift in the said County Esqr all his right Title and Interest of in and to the lands of upper Dreenan in the said Lease Mentioned with their & Every of their Appurten(an)ces To have & to hold the Prem(is)es aforesaid unto the said John Downing his heirs & Assigns for and During the Continuance of the said Lease . . .
It should be noted that Stafford did NOT transfer his rights to the entire 435 acres in "Upper Dreenan" because he is party to another deed, dated 1747, wherein Stafford grants rights to Ambrose O'NEILL.
Ref: Deed Vol. 165 ; Image 454
NOTE: these Indentures, and many more can be seen in my eBook, Titled "Downing Deeds of Derry, 1708-1825", available on Amazon
The granting of rights at Upper Dreenan by Stafford to John DOWNING of Rowesgift, indicates a familial relationship between the two men and explains how several members of John's tree became "lives" in the "Stafford" lease. Verifiable PROOF of their relationship remains elusive.
Secondly, Stafford Dinnen, son of Michael Dinnen and Elizabeth DOWNING, daughter of Stafford DOWNING (the original Lessee) and Rose Mulholland, also older sister of the aforementioned Esther DOWNING, baptized 1785 at St. Lurach's by Rev'd A. C. DOWNING, married Bridget O'NEILL. Stafford Dinnen was born in 1812, and I assume Bridget was about the same age or slightly younger. I do not know the name of her father.
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Part 2 of 3
As to the original 1734 lease, we refer to as "Stafford's Lease,
the copy I got from Stafford Poole reads as follows;
Dated 30th March 1734 - from William Conolly to Stafford Downing of Dreenan
Rent and fees 25 Pnds 12 shillings 6 pence, containing
246 acres 0 roods 7 perches of arable and pasture &
189 acres 0 roods 30 perches of Bog
Rent fine: 10 pnds 2 shillings 6 pence
Lives: Stafford Downing, Bernard Mulholland, and Bryan McCann
Dated 6th October 1782 - from Thomas Conolly to John Downing of Dreenan
1st Renewal Life Dead: Stafford Downing
Lives Inserted: James Nesbitt Downing Nesbitt, son of
Revd. Alexander Clotworthy Downing
Lives now being: Bryan McCann, James Nesbitt Downing Nesbitt, and William
Downing
Dated 1st November 1787 - from same to John Downing of Dreenan
2nd Renewal Life Dead: James Nesbitt Downing Nesbitt
Life Inserted: Arthur Dawson, son of Arthur Dawson of
Castledawson
Lives now being: Bryan McCann, William Downing, and
Arthur Dawson
Dated 3rd May 1789 - from same to John Downing of Dreenan
3rd Renewal Life Dead: Bryan McCann
Life Inserted: (blank in the original)
Lives now being: William Downing, Arthur Dawson, and
(life inserted)
Dated 20th October 1791 - from same to John Downing
4th Renewal Life Dead: Bryan McCann
Life Inserted: William Dawson, 2nd son of Arthur Dawson
Lives now being: William Downing, Arthur Dawson, and
William Dawson, aged 7 years
Dated 20th June 1796 - from same to same
5th Renewal Life Dead: William Dawson
Life Inserted: James Maddigan, son of Shane Maddigan of
Dreenan
Lives now being: William Downing, Arthur Dawson, and
James Maddigan
Dated February 1798 - from same to James Downing, William Downing, George
6th Renewal Downing, and Stafford Downing
Life Dead: Arthur Dawson
Life Inserted: Robert Forrester
Lives now being: William Downing, James Maddigan, and
Robert Forrester
Dated 1st June 1800 - from same to James Downing, George Downing, Stafford
7th Renewal Downing, John Downing, and Sarah Downing
Life Inserted: Ezekiel Downing, son of Dawson Downing
Lives now being: James Maddigan, Robert Forrester, and
Ezekiel Downing
Although the original lease could not be found in the FamilySearch database, it’s interesting that Stafford apparently sold the “lands of Upper Dreenan” in 1737, just 3 years after the original grant, to John Downing of Rowesgift, (see Deed Vol 100, img 21), an indication that Stafford was related to John. At the 1st renewal in 1782, John Downing of Dreenan, likely John of Rowesgift, had replaced Stafford as the Lessee, BUT it’s noted that subsequent renewals in 1787, 1789, 1791, & 1796 all continue to name John of Dreenan, at least until 1791, when he is referred to simply as “John Downing”.
We know John Downing of Rowesgift had died in 1785.
Also note that by Deed (Vol 194, img 60), dated 20 Dec 1756, Stafford is described as deceased.
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Part 3 of 3
You will note that upon the 6th renewal of 1798, we see that the Principle Lessees are named as James, William, George, and Stafford DOWNING.
There are references to George DOWNING, b. c.1731, that describe him as eldest son of Bernard DOWNING - see eBook
Deed Vol 303 ; Image 309
Deed Vol 189 ; Image 649
It is believed Bernard was the brother of Stafford (the elder) DOWNING of Dreenan, and grandfather to Stafford the 1734 Lessee, by his son John.
George's brothers, as gleaned from deeds and as Principle Lessees to the Stafford Lease, are presumed to be James, William, and Stafford, also John (father of the 1734 Lessee) named in the 7th renewal. Although all those men would have been in their 60s by the end of the century, and the Principles may have been of a younger generation, but it's unlikely all four names would be identical.
It's also worth noting that 'Sarah', inserted as one of five Principles in 1800, replacing the presumed "life dead" William, could have been the daughter of George DOWNING of Old Town, Ballyscullion, and who had brothers named James, William, and John. Although that William is known to have died in 1788 (Probate on record), so it's certain he would NOT have been the Principle named in 1798.
On 'William' DOWNING, first named as one of the "lives" in the 1st renewal, dated 6 Oct 1782, I would love to know where he fits in the family tree, because I have yet to positively place my own 4th great grandfather, William. However, the 'William' mentioned in the lease renewals presumably had passed away sometime between 1798 and 1800, when he is replaced by John and Sarah DOWNING (not necessarily spouses). My 'William' supposedly survived until 1803 and was probably a flax grower, as were many of the DOWNING farmers of that era. His son, another 'William', is listed in Slater's Directory of 1846 as a "Linen Manufacturer" of Coagh, a small village just over the southern border in County Tyrone. Linen is made from flax seeds.
We know the McCann family had some connection to the DOWNINGs of Dreenan, as Bryan McCann is named as one of the three "lives" in the original 1734 lease.
As for the CONVERY family and probable connections to DOWNING and O'NEILL ; there are still CONVERYs living on Rocktown Road to this day, primarily along the eastern end towards Gulladuff Road.
I don't have any information on the CARMICHAEL family.
I may have missed a few things, but wanted to put up a response to several new comments. Hope you find something of value.
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In my most recent post prior to this one, I failed to mention several things.
In his 2014 Book "Staggering Life and Death on the Texas Frontier at Staggers Point " (ISBN 978-1-312-74442-4) my 4th cousin once removed Avrel Seale revealed That Elizabeth Sharon Downing "Bettie" mother was also named Elizabeth. He also mentions that Bettie's father was a large miller of Flax. This information is family legend and is not documented.
The 1796 Flax Growers List for Maghera lists five Downings growing Flax in Dreenan; Daniel John, George, Stafford and William.
I did not find a baptism for Elizabeth Sharon Downing (b. Jan 1798) but I did find that George Downing and wife Elizabeth baptized five children at St Lurach Church in Maghera.
1. John 21 Oct 1789 (did this child die?)
2. Jane and John 16 Apr 1791
3. William 2 Dec 1792
4 Stafford 6 Sept 1794
The record mentions that Stafford was baptized by the Rev. ??? Downing, Curator of Maghera
I find it interesting that these children were within an age bracket that make them very eligible to have been "Bettie's" siblings. Is it just a coincidence that Bettie's mother was thought to be an Elizabeth by her Texas descendants and that George's wife is an Elizabeth?
Is it possible that this husband George is the George in the 6th renewal?
The Tithe Applotment Book for Derry does list Elizabeth Downing between Alexander Downing and George Dowiing. Are this George and Elizabeth the husband and wife of the children baptized at St. Lurach? Is the Elizabeth Downing listed as living in Dreenan in 1858 census the same woman?
I don't know the answers to these questions but it ceertainly makes me wonder if George and Elizabeth Downing are my Bettie's parents.
Cheers
Carson
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And, I forgot to mention that Robert Henry and Elizabeth Sharon Downing (who gave birth to 13 children) named four of them, John, Jane, William and Stafford.
Coincidence? I'm beginning to think not.
Carson
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Thanks for the replies everyone, I'll probably be posting a longer response to the thread in the next couple of days or so, but just quickly: I can help you out Rick, with regards to the parents of Stafford Dinnen's wife Bridget O'Neill. The actual paper Catholic record gives the parents of both bride and groom (see attached snippet). Michael Dinnen and Elizabeth Downing for Stafford, Bernard O'Neill and Martha Cassidy for Bridget.
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DukeWM mentioned on the 23rd to reference a Downing ebook. Which ebook is that? I may have seen it but it doesn't jog my memory just now.
Carson
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Hi Carson,
The title is “DOWNING DEEDS of DERRY, 1708-1825”
available on Amazon for $0.99
I wanted to offer it free, but Amazon requires a 99 cent minimum.
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In reference to Carson's (Romandog) quest, this is going to get a little complicated, so bear with me.
It will take several "parts", of which this is Part 1.
From the eBook I cited in Reply # 60, we know that a certain George Downing was the "eldest son and heir at law of Bernard Downing of Ballynease".
I might speculate that this 'George' could be your ancestor.
(from) Transcripts of Memorials of Deeds, Conveyances and Wills, 1708-1929, accessible through Family Search
Ref.: Deed Vol 303, img 309, Film# 8093377, p.595, Mem# 202373, dated 17 Oct 1774
"A Memorial of Indented Deeds of Lease and Release bearing date respectively the 17th and 18th days of October 1774 and made between George Downing Gent. Eldest son and Heir at Law of Bernard Downing late of Ballynease in the County of Londonderry Gent. of the one part and Samuel Strean of Magherafelt in the County of Londonderry Gent. of the other part whereby the said George Downing in Consid(eratio)n of 300 pounds ster did Grant Bargain Sell Assign Convey and make over unto the said Saml. Strean all that the North division of Ballynease commonly called Ballyneas Downing Cont(ainin)g by Est. 48 acres and 3 roods Arable and pasture and 8 acres and 1 rood of Bogg plant(atio)n measure be the same more or less in as full ample and beneficial a manner as the same had been theretobefore in the poss(essio)n of the said Bernard Downing the father of the said George Downing and his undertenants and as the same was then in the occupation and enjoyment of the said George Downing and his undertenants with all houses Edifaces buildings Rights members and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining Situate lying and being within the Manor or proportion of Vintners in the County of Londonderry aforesaid to have and to hold all and singular the said Lands and prem(is)es with their appurtenances tog(ethe)r with the Original Lease of the said prem(is)es under which the said George Downing derived his title thereto made by the Right Hon(oura)ble William Conolly Esquire deceased unto unto the said Bernard Downing unto the said Saml. Strean his heirs and assigns from the (blank) day of (blank) for and during the natural life and lives of the said George Downing and Bernard Mulholland eldest son of Bernard Mulholland of Moyagull in the County of Londonderry aforesaid and the survivor of them and for and during the natural life and lives of such other person and person as sho(ul)d from time to time forever thereafter be nominated appointed added or inserted in or to the term granted in and by the said Indenture of Lease pursuant to the Covenants therein Comprized for renewalls forever Subject to the yearly rent of 6 pounds 18 shillings with 6 pence in the pound receivers fees and the sum of 3 pounds 9 shillings upon the fall of each life and to the performance of the several Coven(an)ts in and by the said Deed ( ? ) and on the Lessees part to be done and performed and Subj(ec)t or liable to no other charge or Incumbrance whatsoever in which said Deeds there are other Covenants and Clauses and the same tog(ethe)r with this Memorial are witnessed by Charles Hill of Bellaghy in the County of Londonderry Gent. and Andrew Torrens of the City of Dublin Gent. –
George Downing (seal) Signed Sealed and Executed in the presense of us - Charles Hill - Andrew Torrens - The above named Andrew Torrens maketh oath and sayth he is a Subs(cribin)g witness to the Deeds of which the above writing is a Meml. and sayth he saw the same duly Executed by the above named George Downing and sayth he also saw the above named George Downing Execute the above memorial and that the name Andw. Torrens Subs(cribe)d as a witness to the said Deeds and Memorial is Dep(onen)ts proper name and handwriting and that he deliv(ere)d same to Mr. John McCabe Deputy Reg(iste)r at the Regrs. office in the lower Castleyard Dublin the 19th day of Novem(be)r 1774 at or near the hour of 11 o'Clock in the forenoon of said day - Andrew Torrens - sworn the 19th day of November 1774 - Jno McCabe Dep Regr."
Registered: 19th Nov 1774
It is virtually certain that George was alive when William Conolly of Dublin, Agent for the Vintner's Proportion, generated hundreds of leases in County Derry in 1734, his only prolific period.
George, and the other named "life", Bernard Mulholland, eldest son of Bernard Mulholland of Moyagull, were likely young boys at the time.
The original Townland of Ballynease has apparently been subdivided at some time, probably after the 1831 Census, into three separate Townlands. Ballynease-Helton is the northernmost of the three, and lies just S and upstream of the Town of Portglenone with a small border on the River Bann. Ballynease-Macpeake borders the River Bann to the south of Ballynease-Helton and Ballynease-Strain borders the west side of Ballynease-Macpeake, also lying south of Ballynease-Helton.
The "North division of Ballynease commonly called Ballyneas Downing" in this Deed is probably now the Townland of Ballynease-Helton in the Civil Parish of Ballyscullion, containing 385 acres.
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Next, the full transcript of; (in two parts)
The Will of John Downing of Dreenan, dated 26 Aug 1782, names in order:
wife, Hester
son, Stafford
brother, James
brother, George
brother, William
brother, Stafford
("in case any one or more of my said brothers should die without leaving lawful issue", indicates they were all probably unmarried in 1782) his/their 1/4th shall be divided share and share alike
mother, unnamed
sister, Margaret Downing, otherwise O'Neill
children of sister,Margaret, unnamed
"natural" son, John
"natural" son, Francis
to wit :
"to my beloved wife Hester one third of all the issues and profits now and hereafter arising out of my freehold lease of the half of Dreenan . . . "
. . . "and also the sum of £100 sterling to be paid by my Executor at a convenient time after the dispersal or auction of my goods and chattels out of the amount of which said hundred pounds is to be
paid likewise a bond for the sum of £200 sterling now in my hands payable to my son [?] Stafford Downing"
"Thirdly I will and bequeath to my brother James Downing and his heirs lawfully begot or to be begotten
one fourth part of my lands in lease of Dreenan aforesaid except the farm of Carrabrack said forth part subject to such annuities as shall be hereinafter mentioned and subject also to pay half yearly
a fourth part of my said wifes dower & likewise a fifth part to all fines of renewal that shall hereafter become due on said lease
Fourthly I leave and bequeath to my brother George Downing and his heirs lawfully begotten or to be begotten one other fourth part of my said lands of Dreenan aforesaid except said farm of
Carrabrack subject to every article that my said brother James is hereby bound to perform on his part provided that my said brother George shall deliver to me or my order an Instrument in writing
given him by me at his marriage of the part now in his actual possession . . . "
"Fifthly I will and bequeath one other fourth part of my said lands at Dreenan except said farm of Carrabrook to my brother William Downing and his heirs lawfully to be begotten subject also to
every article clause and condition to which my said brother James is already herein bound to do and perform on his part
Sixthly I will and bequeath to my brother Stafford Downing and to his heirs lawfully begot or to be begotten one other fourth part of my said lands of Dreenan except said farm of Carrabrook
subject likewise to every article clause and condition that my said brother James is herein already bound to do so and perform on his part and in case any one or more of my said brothers
should die without leaving lawful issue I order that his or their fourth part or parts shall fall equally to my surviving brother or brothers share and share alike and to the heirs of such surviving
brother or brothers . . . "
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Part 2 of the Will of John Downing of Dreenan (3rd part in a series)
"Seventhly I will and bequeath my dear mother to be paid half yearly in two equal payments during her natural life the sum of £10 yearly the same to be paid equally by each fourth part already
bequeathed with full power for her or her order to distrain and drive for the same half yearly in case of non-payment thereof the first of said payments to become due on the 1st day of May
or 1st day of November after my decease.
Eighthly I will and bequeath to my sister Margaret Downing otherwise O’Neill six pounds sterling yearly and half year during her natural life with full power for her or her order to recover and
she for the same in like manner as my said mother is hereby enpowered to … for the sum already bequeathed to her and after her death I leave and bequeath the sum of £100 sterling to the children
of my said sister to be paid equally among them at the discretion of my executor after one year after the death of my said sister . . . "
Ninthly I will and bequeath to John Downing and Francis Downing my two natural sons and their lawful issue equally between them the aforesaid farm at Carrabrook situate in the lands of Dreenan
subject to the yearly rent of £5 sterling to be paid half yearly to the Right Honourable Thomas Conolly or his Agent in part of the … rent of the aforesaid lease of the half town of Dreenan and in case
one of them shall die without issue lawfully begotten said farm of land is to go to the survivor of them and his lawfully issue and in case both shall die without lawful issue said farm of land is to . . .
equally among my said brother and lawful issue I order the sum of £5 to the poor of the Parish of Maghera aforesaid to be paid out of my chattels by my Executors I order all my just debts
and funeral charges to be paid out of my chattels by my Executors and my Legacies also to be paid by my Executors all the residue and remainder of my goods chattels effects wearing apparel
I leave to my said sons John and Francis Downing share and share alike.
I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint William Forrester and Captain James Spotswood Exors of this my last Will and Testament and appoint Anthony Forrester and Mr Samuel Downing
overseers of said will . . .
. . . in case all my brothers shall die without lawful issue then in such case the freehold lands of Dreenan are to go to the above named William Forrester and his heirs."
Executors: William Forrester, Capt. James Spotswood
Witnesses: (unkn) Duff, James Alexander, Robert Forrester
In the first Codicil, dated 22 Nov 1794, John revoked and disannuled "that part of said will wherein it is mentioned that Francis Downing is to have an equal share in said farm of Carrobrack
and I do hereby leave and bequeath the whole of said farm of Carrobrack for my said natural son John Downing issue lawfully begot and leave bequeath to my said natural son Francis Downing £0 1s 1d."
Witness: Samuel Downing
In a second Codicil, dated 1 Feb 1797, John left "the two daughters of Neil O’Neill £20 my brother George’s daughter £10 my brother William’s daughter £10 and John Lyttle’s three children £21
and my natural son John Downing 20 guineas in addition to the whole of Carrobrack as formerly bequeathed to him.
Lastly I order the house and farm I now live in to be part of my brother James fourth of my freehold except Carrobrack and that my said brother James is to have his division £10 yearly less than
Mr Dawson Downing Samuel Downing William Forrester John Spotswood shall value it at he never having got any lands from me since his marriage."
Witness: William Carmichael, my servant
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Part 4 in a 4-part series
Now we have established that John Downing of Dreenan, died after 1 Feb 1797 (date of 2nd Codicil), had brothers named George, James, Williaraaram, and Stafford, and a named sister, Margaret, who married a Mr. O'Neill (probably Neil O'Neill).
Although he mentioned a son, Stafford, first, he was awarded just 200 pounds, while his four brothers were to equally inherit the rights to John's "half" of Dreenan, and his "natural" sons, John and Francis, inherit the farm at Carrabrook.
To me, this implies Stafford may have been the son of his wife, Hester, by an earlier marriage, as adoption was basically non-existant.
I might also suggest that the four brothers named by John are the four principle Lessees in the 1798 renewal of "Stafford's Lease", because it's unlikely that there would be another family group matching all four given names in the same small area and time frame.
HOWEVER, it's possible that those four given names were replicated in the next generation by one of those four brothers.
Let's say George, James, William, and Stafford, the four brothers mentioned in John's 1782 Will, were all born by about 1745. Remember, George was almost certainly born by 1734.
They would all have been at least 53 years old at the 1798 renewal. On the other hand, perhaps George (or any other brother) named his own four sons after his own brothers, and they were all born between, say 1760 to 1775.
That next generation would certainly have been old enough to act as principle Lessees and obviously younger farmers at the time.
But if we refer back to the renewals of "Stafford's Lease", we see that the 7th renewal, of 1 Jun 1800, names James, George, Stafford, John and Sarah, indicating that William had passed away, probably as an older man.
And he is replaced by a 'John' Downing and a 'Sarah' Downing. We know from John's Will that his "beloved" wife was Hester, not Sarah. But we also know John was still living in Feb 1797, so it's likely he joined his other brothers after William died.
I think it's very reasonable to attach all FIVE of these known Downing brothers to "Stafford's Lease.
My tree does not have wives for any of the five except John.
As for your unattached Elizabeth Sharon Downing, b. 1798, daughter of George (and Elizabeth), let's speculate further.
You say there were children named:
1. John, bap 21 Oct 1789
2. Jane and John, bap 16 Apr 1791
3. William, bap. 2 Dec 1792, and
4. Stafford, bap. 6 Sep 1794
all baptized at St. Lurach's, Maghera. St. Lurach's was Church of Ireland place of worship for folks from Dreenan, and Rev'd Alexander Clotworthy Downing was Rector there from 1785 to 1793, so he certainly would have performed the baptisms of all except Stafford.
Yes, it's probable that the eldest John died in infancy and when the twins came along in 1791, they named the boy John.
More noteworthy, the forenames John, William, and Stafford repeat three of the names of the sons of 'John' named in the 1782 Will.
Remembering that George, son of Bernard, was almost certainly alive by 1734, it's reasonable to speculate that he had married and named a son after himself, who could have married an 'Elizabeth', and been the parents of the children baptized in the 1790s, all grandchildren of George the elder.
HOWEVER, that doesn't necessarily place Eliabeth Sharon in that family group. Nor is it certain that George the younger was the son of George the elder, but perhaps the son of one of the other brothers, John excluded.
It is possible that George the younger, father of the four surviving children baptized at St. Lurach's was one of the Principle Lessees in the 6th Renewal, but I think it's more likely that was George the elder, due to William's subsequent death.
On the other hand, using the same rationale that repetitive names in different family groups in the same small area at the same time, is unlikely. I think it is highly likely that your Elizabeth Sharon may have been a younger sister to the aforemention siblings baptized at St. Lurach's.
So, to summarize my theory, I DO believe that your Elizabeth Sharon, b. 1798, was the granddaughter of George the elder, eldest son of Bernard of Ballyneas Downing, now Ballynease-Helton.
The fact that Elizabeth, and her husband Robert Henry, named four of their children John, Jane, William, and Stafford, is strong circumstantial evidence of a connection to the St. Lurach's children, her likely siblings.
That's just my take on it. I would caution against publishing ANYTHING without corroborating verification.
Note: my eBook only covers Downing deeds up to 1825. The Family Search resource mentioned earlier is a terrific source and probably has more information on deeds afterwards that may help.
Forward Into the Past,
Rick
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Thanks for writing that up, Rick!
First of all, it's interesting that we have an O'Neill/Downing marriage prior to 1782. If we presume, based on the names of some of John's children that he and Margaret were in the 'Stafford' Downing line, then that is conceivably another origin point for 'Stafford' O'Neills. I've mentioned before how the Ballymacpeake Stafford O'Neills seem slightly more remote from the other 'Stafford' family branches, including my own. I've often wondered if they could have been a slightly more distant branch of cousins from the 'four daughters' Stafford families.
Another small, circumstancial thing I notice here is that the Ballymacpeake Stafford O'Neills had a number of 'Neal O'Neills' born in their line, a first name which is entirely absent in my Rocktown branch.
Secondly, regarding the 'natural' sons of John Downing. I have read before that in these kind of legal contexts the phrase 'natural' when used regarding children often means illegitimate (or at least, born out of wedlock, whether they are accepted by the father or not is another matter). It doesn't seem there's full consensus on this, as others argue it just means 'biological son' with no other implication. I think it could work either way in this case, I just wanted to raise the possibility that things could be flipped, with Stafford being the 'legitimate' son of Hester and John and Francis being illegitimated, but accepted children of John.
As to Stafford only getting 200 pounds while John and Francis get the farm; it could indeed show that John and Francis were the more important children, but I have also seen cases where older, established children (who may already be set up with a situation of their own) get less, while younger children who have yet to 'get on the ladder' so to speak, get more. Again, I think things could go either way with this will, but I think it's something to note.
Another possibility comes down to where the young Stafford was at the time of the will. My 3x great McChrystal grandfather only got a small sum of money on his father's passing despite being the eldest child, while his sister got the family farm, but this was because my 3x great grandfather was away with his own family working in England at the time and. The Griffiths valuation revisions show he took over the farm from his sister a few years later on his return.
I'll leave it there for now, but I hope to write up a little something soon on some parallel research that's been going on into the history of the O'Neills of the area. It might shed some light on some of the kinds of O'Neill families the Downings might have been marrying into.
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Extra sidenote: If there is indeed another earlier O'Neill/Downing marriage in the Stafford line prior to 1782, then it perhaps provides a slot for one Stafford O'Neill I've never been able to place: Stafford D (possibly Dennison) O'Neill. (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68039448/stafford-d.-oneill)
He was born around 1774 in Ireland and later emigrated to America. He married an Esther (surname unknown) and lived in New York state, eventually settling in Fallsburg, NY.
I messaged a descendant of his a few years ago, but they sadly had no details on where he came from or his life before moving to America.
Looking at the info you've posted above, Rick, I find myself wondering if he could have been a child of John's sister Margaret? She was clearly married before 1782, so the timescales potentially fit...
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Follow Up to my 4 part series (Reply Numbers 61-64)
You may have noticed in the 2nd part of the Will of John Downing of Dreenan, that;
1. one of the witnesses was Robert Forrester, who was also one of the "lives" inserted into "Stafford's Lease" upon the 6th renewal in Feb 1798.
2. the witness who signed for John's first codicil of 1794 was Samuel Downing.
John of Rowesgift was the son of Col. Adam Downing, who had a brother named Samuel (the elder), of Lemnaroy.
Samuel had two sons, Adam and John.
John had a son, Samuel, and two daughters, Mary and ELIZABETH, b. c.1742. Elizabeth married James DOWNING (father unknown) in 1766.
This Elizabeth died before 12 Apr 1782 (date of an Indenture wherein she is described as "late wife deceased".
Ref: Deed Vol 345, img 37, Film# 8093709, p.59, Mem# 232063, dated 12 Apr 1782
That deed essentially transfers the rights to acreage in Lemnaroy, originally granted to Samuel the elder, his son Adam, and three others, by William Conolly in 1734, then held by James and his son John,
back to Elizabeth's brother, Samuel. She and her father John being deceased, apparently James felt the land should be returned to it's original caretakers.
That deed was witnessed by Dawson Downing of Rowesgift, son of John of Rowesgift.
3. Going back to the 2nd codicil of John's 1782 Will, dated 1 Feb 1797, you'll also notice that Dawson Downing, Samuel Downing, William Forrester (father of Robert?), and John Spotswood, are apparently appointed as appraisers to assess the valuation of the house and farm John currently occupied, upon his death.
Dawson and Samuel were 2nd cousins, both being great grandsons of Col. Adam's father, George Downing (d. before 18 Feb 1698 - date of the Will of Nicholas Downinge).
John Spotswood was a frequent witness to many Indentures to which John Downing of Rowesgift was a Principle.
It's obvious that these Downings interacted with each other on a regular basis and it seems to put John of Dreenan into the loop.
Knowing that John of Dreenan had a connection to Dawson and Samuel, it could be speculated that James, who married Elizabeth, granddaughter of Samuel the elder, was a son of Bernard, and one of John's four brothers.
We know George was the eldest, and I have ESTIMATED he was a young child at the time of his father's (presumed) 1734 lease. The birth order of the other four sons and their known sister, Margaret, is not known, and could be over a significant time period.
It's not that much of a stretch to consider James was born in the late 1730s, or even a little later. That would put him in his twenties when Elizabeth married in 1766, certainly plausible.
To speculate further, it's possible that James and Elizabeth's son, John, married sometime about 1795, give or take a few years, and had a daughter they named in honor of her mother, born in 1798; or
James and Elizabeth had another son, George, who married an 'Elizabeth', and they produced a family with forenames including John, Jane, William, Stafford, and perhaps Elizabeth, honoring several of James' brothers.
(Just to illustrate the multitude of potential branches upon which ELIZABETH SHARON DOWNING may be attached)
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In reply to Mike's Reply # 65, who wrote: [Secondly, regarding the 'natural' sons of John Downing. I have read before that in these kind of legal contexts the phrase 'natural' when used regarding children often means illegitimate (or at least, born out of wedlock, whether they are accepted by the father or not is another matter). It doesn't seem there's full consensus on this, as others argue it just means 'biological son' with no other implication.]
I agree, I think the most likely scenario was that John and Francis were the ELDER illegitimate sons of John, born before he married Hester, and Stafford was the legitimate heir born after their marriage.
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While I am not descended from the Downey/Downings to my knowledge, I do have ancestors that claim their residence at Rowesgift. This line of my ancestry are the Diamonds. I don't know for sure how they first connected to the Rowesgift location, but there is a Nicholas Diamond who was born ca 1810 who married Ann Downey.
Has anyone run into any of these Diamonds in your Downey/Downing research? Apparently there are still Diamonds that live in the vicinity of Rowesgift.
BTW, I purchased the kindlebook provided on Amazon by dukewm. Thank you so much for this wealth of information. The only Diamond that I have knowledge of that is connected to a Downey, would not have been of age to inhabit Rowesgift until 1830 or so and I didn't find deeds that transferred ownership or rents into that period of time.