George married Mary Ann YELLAND in Jun 1874 in Thorverton, Devon, England. Mary was born about 1850 in Tiverton, Devon, England; died on 13 Feb 1926 in Thoverton, Devon. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In 1861 census Thomas and his family are in Ford Farm in Buckland Brewer, with 140 acres. In 1881 census he is a dairyman, living on Dunsford Rd. in Exeter, Devon with his family. In the 1891 and 1901 censuses he is a merchant's clerk living at Wisteria Cottage in Exeter. [Colleen Evans [[email protected]], Downing family tree.]

Lola Passmore Falconer noted that her father, Alfred Passmore, recalled a visit to his family in Toronto by a Tom Downing, who was called "Cousin Tom" by Alfred's aunt, Mary Ann Passmore. This was almost certainly Thomas Fortescue Downing, and the visit must have occurred between about 1865 and 1890. Cousin Tom was described by the young Alf Passmore as being "like John Ridd from 'Lorna Doone', because he was tall and broad, and he seemed to fill a door-way."

Thomas married Jane MOASE on 22 Dec 1847 in Parkham, Devonshire, England. Jane was born in 1827 in Morwenstow, Cornwall, England; died in 1893 in St. Thomas, Devon, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Jane was a Wesleyan local preacher [Colleen Evans [[email protected]], Downing family tree.]

Notes:

In the baptismal records of the Parish of Parkham, James was listed as a yeoman, living with his wife Elizabeth, in Goldsworthy. The Parkham Parish baptismal registers show the children being born in Goldsworthy.

In 1841 census, James and his family were living at West Goldsworthy Farm in Parkham, Devon. The 1842 tithe map of Parkham shows James leasing Goldworthy Barton, Bartons Goldworthy and Hunger Road farms from Rev. John Thomas Pine Coffin. James and his family lived and farmed on part of Goldworthy Barton, and sub-leased the rest of it and the other properties to tenant farmers. In the 1851 census his acreage was 150. In the 1861 census he was living at Thortridge in Buckland Brewer, Devonshire. His wife was on the neighbouring property with their son and a very large family. [Colleen Evans [[email protected]], Downing family tree.]

James married Elizabeth ASHTON about 1822 in Parkham, Devonshire, England. Elizabeth (daughter of John ASHTON and Sarah CLEMENTS) was born about 1802 in Parkham, Devonshire, England; died in UNKNOWN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

According to Graham Tithecott, Elizabeth was baptized at St. James Church, Parkham, on 18 Nov., 1802. Her first name was shown as Betty.

The 1871 census showed Elizabeth living with her daughter Eliza and son-in-law William Shelton in London.