William's given name is uncertain as no records, other than family tradition, have been located. It is believed that he was born in North Carolina, very likely Halifax County. The exact year of his birth is unknown.
William was supposedly the husband of Sarah Downs but there are no sources or documents to show the name of Sarah Downs' husband and the father of her three sons.
This William supposedly died before 1810, in Georgia, possibly Morgan County, but there are no sources or documents to prove when or where William died.
NOTE: William Downs is not a son of Henry Downs Jr. as William is from the area of Halifax County, North Carolina and Henry Downs, Jr. was living over 242 miles away in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. There are currently no known documents that show a family relationship between William Downs and Henry Downs. Henry Downs, Jr. came to Anson County, North Carolina about 1760. Mecklenburg County, North Carolina was formed from Anson County, North Carolina. William is not named as a child in Henry Downs' will. Henry Downs' will dated 10th April, 1797, regarding his children reads as follows: " . . .equally divided among my four children viz Jane Robinson, Thomas Downs, Samuel Downs & Milly Bruster . . ." Henry Downs' will is recorded in Mecklenburg Co., NC, Will Book C, page 22. On-line at: North Carolina, Wills and Probaate Records, 1665-1998. Database - Ancestry.com; Wills and Estate papers (Mecklenburg County), 1663-1978; North Carolina Division of Archives and History.
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