Family Group Sheet
NameJames Franklin Downing, GGG Uncle
Birth21 Oct 1824, Montgomery Co., Kentucky
Death27 Aug 1891, Lafayette Co., Missouri
FatherDennis Downing (1801-1837)
MotherMary McCormick (1802->1880)
Other spousesSusan A. Snedegar
Marriage11 Feb 1846, Bath Co., Kentucky
SpouseCynthia Ann McCormick, 1C4R
Birth10 Oct 1824, Montgomery Co., Kentucky
Death9 Apr 1851, Bath Co., Kentucky
FatherSamuel Newton McCormick (1799-1870)
MotherJane McClelland (1800-1865)
Children
1 MWilliam Washington Downing, 1C3R
Birth26 Nov 1846, Bath Co., Kentucky
Death12 Jun 1916, Aullville, Lafayette Co., Missouri
SpouseAnna America Dyer
Notes for James Franklin Downing
James F. Downing was a Judge of the County Court in Grundy Co., Missouri, from 1859-1864.
A sketch in The United States Biographical Dictionary, 1878, reported:
“JUDGE JAMES FRANKLIN DOWNING - AULLVILLE.
Among those who early came to Missouri, and stood by her in her days of adversity and now enjoy her prosperity, is the man whose name heads this sketch. James Franklin Downing was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, October 21, 1824. His father, Dennis Downing, was a native of the same state and county, and was born in 1801. His grandfather, James Downing, was born in Virginia in 1765, and his great-grandfather, James Downing, was born in New York about 1740, and was of Welsh descent; he moved to Virginia and from there to Kentucky, and was killed by the Indians.
Dennis Downing was raised on a farm in Kentucky, and received a common school education. In 1821 he married Miss Mary McCormick, wo was born in 1802, and was the daughter of William McCormick, a native of Virginia, but of Irish descent.
The subject of this sketch when quite small, moved with his parents to Indiana and remained there until 1837, when his father died, and he removed with his mother to his native state, stopping in Lewis county for a year, after which they went to Montgomery county. There he remained for three years, when he removed to Bath county. His education was received at the common schools.
In 1854 he emigrated to Grundy county, Missouri. In 1865 he removed to Johnson county, of the same state, and in 1868 located in LaFayette county, Missouri, where he has since resided. He has been what his father was through life, a farmer.
In 1846 he married Miss Cinthian McCormick, who was born October 10, 1824, and was the daughter of Samuel McCormick, a native of Montgomery county, Kentucky, born in 1800. Her mother was a McClellan and of Welsh descent. Mrs. Downing died in Bath county, in 1849, leaving three children, two of whom died in infancy. The surviving son, William W., was born November 26, 1846, in Bath county, Kentucky.
In February 1852, Mr. James F. Downing married Miss Susan Snedgar, who was born March 28, 1828, and was the daughter of Christopher Snedgar, of Bath county, Kentucky, who was born in 1803. Her mother was a Conyer, of Virginian birth and Irish descent.
By this marriage they have had eight children, seven of whom are living, whose names and births are recorded as follows: Josephine, born December 29, 1852, in Bath county, Kentucky, now the wife of John W. Prince; Statira, born March 26, 1857; George W., born September 20, 1859; Richard B., born February 21, 1863; John P., born August 7, 1865 – all four being born in Grundy county, Missouri; Arthur, born February 10, 1868, in Johnson county, and Barton, born May 7, 1870, in Fayette county, Missouri. Surrounded by this large and happy family, Mr. Downing and wife may truly be contented. They, with their daughters, are members of the Christian church.
Mr. Downing was judge of the county court of Grundy county from 1859 to 1864. In 1862 he was commissioned by the Gamble government of Missouri, captain of the enrolled militia of the state.
Judge Downing belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and has served for some time as treasurer of his lodge. In politics he is a consistent Democrat. Such are the outlines of a useful life. Whatever his hand found to do, he did well, and he now enjoys the fruits of his labors.”
A sketch in The United States Biographical Dictionary, 1878, reported:
“JUDGE JAMES FRANKLIN DOWNING - AULLVILLE.
Among those who early came to Missouri, and stood by her in her days of adversity and now enjoy her prosperity, is the man whose name heads this sketch. James Franklin Downing was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, October 21, 1824. His father, Dennis Downing, was a native of the same state and county, and was born in 1801. His grandfather, James Downing, was born in Virginia in 1765, and his great-grandfather, James Downing, was born in New York about 1740, and was of Welsh descent; he moved to Virginia and from there to Kentucky, and was killed by the Indians.
Dennis Downing was raised on a farm in Kentucky, and received a common school education. In 1821 he married Miss Mary McCormick, wo was born in 1802, and was the daughter of William McCormick, a native of Virginia, but of Irish descent.
The subject of this sketch when quite small, moved with his parents to Indiana and remained there until 1837, when his father died, and he removed with his mother to his native state, stopping in Lewis county for a year, after which they went to Montgomery county. There he remained for three years, when he removed to Bath county. His education was received at the common schools.
In 1854 he emigrated to Grundy county, Missouri. In 1865 he removed to Johnson county, of the same state, and in 1868 located in LaFayette county, Missouri, where he has since resided. He has been what his father was through life, a farmer.
In 1846 he married Miss Cinthian McCormick, who was born October 10, 1824, and was the daughter of Samuel McCormick, a native of Montgomery county, Kentucky, born in 1800. Her mother was a McClellan and of Welsh descent. Mrs. Downing died in Bath county, in 1849, leaving three children, two of whom died in infancy. The surviving son, William W., was born November 26, 1846, in Bath county, Kentucky.
In February 1852, Mr. James F. Downing married Miss Susan Snedgar, who was born March 28, 1828, and was the daughter of Christopher Snedgar, of Bath county, Kentucky, who was born in 1803. Her mother was a Conyer, of Virginian birth and Irish descent.
By this marriage they have had eight children, seven of whom are living, whose names and births are recorded as follows: Josephine, born December 29, 1852, in Bath county, Kentucky, now the wife of John W. Prince; Statira, born March 26, 1857; George W., born September 20, 1859; Richard B., born February 21, 1863; John P., born August 7, 1865 – all four being born in Grundy county, Missouri; Arthur, born February 10, 1868, in Johnson county, and Barton, born May 7, 1870, in Fayette county, Missouri. Surrounded by this large and happy family, Mr. Downing and wife may truly be contented. They, with their daughters, are members of the Christian church.
Mr. Downing was judge of the county court of Grundy county from 1859 to 1864. In 1862 he was commissioned by the Gamble government of Missouri, captain of the enrolled militia of the state.
Judge Downing belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and has served for some time as treasurer of his lodge. In politics he is a consistent Democrat. Such are the outlines of a useful life. Whatever his hand found to do, he did well, and he now enjoys the fruits of his labors.”
Notes for James Franklin & Cynthia Ann (Family)
Marriage of James Downing & Cynthia McCormick on 9 Feb1846 in Bath Co. marriage records.
Census
1850 census of Bath Co., Ky, Wyoming precinct, p. 58, lists as family #57:
James Downing, 25; Cyntha A., 25; Washington, 4; Martha J., 1. James and Cyntha are recorded as born in Montgomery Co., Washington and Martha in Bath Co.
James Downing, 25; Cyntha A., 25; Washington, 4; Martha J., 1. James and Cyntha are recorded as born in Montgomery Co., Washington and Martha in Bath Co.
