All Things DOWNING/DOWNEY in County Derry

[Kiltaglassan]

...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

[M_ONeill]

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!

[Romandog1947]

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

[M_ONeill]

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?

[Romandog1947]

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.

[M_ONeill]

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.

[Romandog1947]

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.   

[Romandog1947]

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.

[dukewm]

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.