William Downing (1722 - 1788)

Born 24 May 1722 in Concord Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America

Ancestors

Husband of Eleanor (John) Downing — married 10 Oct 1741 in Uwchlan Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America

Descendants

Died 18 Mar 1788 at age 65 in Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA

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Biography

William was a Friend (Quaker)

William was born in 1722. He was the son of Thomas Downing and Thomazine Beer. He passed away in 1788. William grew up in the Concord, Sadsbury, and East Caln Townships in a strict Quaker environment.

History of Downingtown Chester County PA BY CHARLES H. PENNYPACKER, 1909 pgs 7-8 William, born 3 mo., 24, 1722; married 10 mo., 1741, at Uwchlan Meeting, Ellen John, born 2 mo., 26, 1718, daughter of Samuel and Margaret John, of Uwchlan.^[1] They received a certificate from Goshen, 4 mo., 20, 1748, to Sadsbury Monthly Meeting, and settled in Bart township, Lancaster County. He married again, 12 mo., 19, 1765, Margaret (Halliday) Miller, widow of Samuel Miller,of New Garden. By the first he had John, Samuel, Sarah, Mary, Jane, Hannah, Ruth, Thomas and William. Some of this family removed to Center County, Pennsylvania. His land warrant in Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania is dated 27 Sep 1769.^[2]

Part of his father's will states "And whereas I have already conveyed unto my son, William Downing, the Dwelling House where he now liveth with the water, corn, and grist mill and One Hundred and Fifty acres of Land in the township of Bart in the county of Lancaster and took Bond of Fifty Pounds from him which Bond I order my Executor to deliver to my said son William without money."

Sources

1. ↑ Pennsylvania, Chester, Goshen Monthly Meeting, Records of Marriages, 1827-1904. Swarthmore, Quaker Meeting Records. Friends Historical Library, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.
2. ↑ Warrant Applications, 1733-1952. Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania State Archives. Lancaster 1769

• History and Genealogy of the Harlan Family : and particularly of the descendants of George and Michael. Page 157.[1]
• History of Downingtown Chester County PA BY CHARLES H. PENNYPACKER, 1909 pgs 7-8 BY CHARLES H. PENNYPACKER, 1909 pgs 7-8
• Davidson, Jane L. S. A history of Downingtown. Downingtown, PA: Borough of Downingtown, 1982. Page 8.
• Haverford College; Haverford, Pennsylvania; Minutes, 1698-1814; Collection: Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Minutes; Call Number: B1.1. U.S. Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1994.