Family
 Sarah Cory 1) 2) 3)Daughter of Francis Cory and Margaret Hopper. Born 26 Feb 1816 Hartland, Devon, England Born at Buckland Farm 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 1) 11) 12) Baptised 24 Mar 1816 Hartland, Devon, England 12) Died 20 Feb 1918 52 Richards Terrace, Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales 8) Buried 23 Feb 1918 Cardiff, Wales Interred at Cardiff Cemetery Feb 23rd Section X., no. 42. 8) Occupation: between 1825 and 1837; Apprenticed to Thomas Johns at Brownsham Farm 13) Residences: 1841 Eastcott, Morwenstow, Cornwall, England 1), between 1851 and 1871 Woolley, Morwenstow, Cornwall, England 4) 7) 5), 1881 Eastcott, Morwenstow, Cornwall, England 6), 1891 51 Elm Street, Roath, Glamorgan, Wales 9), 1901 146 Arran Street, Roath, Glamorgan, Wales 10), 2 Apr 1911 9 Upper Kingcraig Street, Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales 11) Notes: Sarah Downing, being Cardiff's only centenarian had numerous articles written about her. In the year of her centenary the Western Times said the following: "Tomorrow will be the hundredth birthday of Mrs Downing, of 52 RIchards-terrace, Roath. Many happy returns of the day to the dear old lady. Mrs Downing was born on February 26th 1816, at Beckland, Harland and now resides with her daughter, Sarah Harding. A few days ago we had the opportunity of meeting this remarkable old lady at her home, and found her most ready and willing to engage in a quiet chat. Though her sight is naturally little defective and her hearing somewhat dull, she is nevertheless quite happy and takes no little interest in passing events. Her memory also is wonderful. It carries her back to the days when her father had only five shillings a week to keep himself and four little ones. And she remembers the time when he used to be billeted out for the winter on some farm or other. There were no school attendance officers in those days and so, when Sarah was nine, her father ran no risk in having her bound parish apprentice at Brownsham Farm. It may be that the strenuous open air life of those days explains her longevity. Sarah stayed on the Brownsham farm until she was a romping ruddy faced lass of one and twenty. On attaining her majority she removed to Woolley, near Mornwestow, Cornwall, and there Cupid began to weave a tale. It seems but yesterday to the grand old lady since the joyful day in March of 1837, when she promised to love, honour, and obey John Downing, of that parish. That chapter of felicity continued unbroken until 1890, when death came and closed the book. After her husband's passing, Mrs Downing removed to Cardiff, and there she has since remained. THOUGHTS OF HOME But though she is many miles from her native village it became apparent, as we talked with her, that her mind often wanders back to Devon. Still she speaks of the Brownsham farm days and of how they used to go via Newberry Hill to Hartland Church, and heading the "butifulst" bells ring from the old tower. There was then only one carriage driven to church - that from the Abbey. And the impressions of fifty years at Morwenstow have naturally a very prominent place in her thoughts. The name of Morwenstow at once reminded us of the celebrated Hawker, the eccentric and clever Vicar of that remote parish and Mrs Downing was delighted to recall her early association with this world-famed clergyman. In common, however with the majority of the West Country folk, her inclinations were away from the Anglican Church towards Methodism, and consequently for long years she was identified with the people called "Bible Christians" in one of the neighbouring villages (Eastcott). She knows nothing of United Methodists to-day, but she is pleased at any time to have a talk with a "Bible Christian" minister. "Yes," she said, "our ministers at home were good men, and they were greatly beloved by the people. They had to work very hard. Journeys in the circuit were very long, and difficulties very many, but that always seemed happy and were read to sing and shout for joy." Samuel Crocker, Thomas Woolridge, William Courtice and Samuel Pollard (sneior) were among the many who made a deep impression on the religious life of the neighbourhood, and Mrs. Downing speaks in highest praise of their labours. Mrs Downing speaks in gratified terms of all the love that is showered upon her. "I receive," she said, "nothing but love and kindness, God has been very good to me, Jesus is with me always." There are times when she grows just a bit weary, and then she finds herself longing for "Home," but she is not impatient. "The Lord knows best. When He wants me He will send for me, and then, I shall be quite ready to go." Mrs Downing is still hale and hearty, able to get about and reads a newspaper every day. A hundred milestones on the highway of Life. They span a long and tortuous journey. May the old lady's last few miles be pleasant ones to tread." Devon Yearbook the following: "Earlier in the year, on February 26th, another native of Devon attained her hundredth birthday. This was Mrs. Sarah Downing, who was borin in 1816 at Beckland, in the parish of Hartland, and now lives with her daughter (Mrs Harding) at Roath, Cardiff. Although she cannot get out of door, she is able to move without aid. Her only infirmities are deafness and defective sight; otherwise she is well and hearty, and bears but little indication of her years. Her father, Francis Cory, was a farm labourer in receipt of only five shillings a week wages, and yet he managed to bring up four children, one son and three daughters. "He was billeted out for the winter with one farm or another." Sarah was baptized on March 24th 1816, by the Rev. William Chanter who himself lived to the age of 92, and, when she was 9 years old, she was bound parish apprentice at Brownsham Farm until she was twenty-one. She remembers going up Newberry Hill on her way to church, and hearing the "beautifullest" bells ring from the old tower; they were then new, having been recast in 1826. The only "carriage folks" who attended the church came from Hartland Abbey. On attaining her majority she moved to Wooley, in the adjoining parish of Morwenstow, and on March 26th 1837, she was married by the eccentric vicar, the Rev. R. S. Hawker, to John Downing, a farm labourer of that parish. During the half-century and more that she lived in Morwenstow, she was connected with the sect of dissenters then known as the "Bible Christians" but now incorporated in the "United Methodist Church." Since the death of her husband, in 1890, she has lived in Cardiff with two of her children, but prior to that date she had never, so far as she recollects, travelled by railway, for her home was eight miles from the nearest railway station. Altogether she has had six children, three of whom are still alive. There are thirty-seven grandchildren, a very large number of great-grandchildren and two or three great-great-grandchildren, making up five generations - a truly remarkable family." A similar article appeared in a Cardiff magazine, also in that year, probably based on the same interview: "Mrs Downing who lives with her daughter, Mrs Harding, at 52 Richards Terrace, Roath, Cardiff, was born on February 26th, 1816 at Hartland, North Devon, so that by the time this month is out she will have passed her hundreth year. We saw this remarkable old lady in her home a few days since and found her most ready and willing to engage in conversation. Her sight is defective and hearing somewhat dull, but apart from these drawbacks, she appeared wonderfully well, and manifested no little interest ih passing events. When about 20 years of age, on the occasion of her marriage, she removed from Hartland to Morwenstow, North Cornwall, where she resided for more than 50 years. The name Morwenstow at once reminded us of the celebrated Hawker, the eccentric and clever Vicar of that remote parish, and Mrs Downing was delighted to recall her early association with this world-famed clergyman. In common. however, with the majority of the West Country folk, her inclinations were away from the Anglican Church towards Methodism, and consequently for long years she was indentified with the people called "Bible Christians" in one of the neighbouring villages [Eastcott]. She knows nothing of United Methodists of today,but is pleased at any time to have a talk with a "Bible Christian" minister. "Yes" she said "our ministers at home were good men, and were greatly beloved by the people. They had to work very hard, journeys in the circuit were often long, and difficulties very many, but they always seemed happy and were ready to sing and shout for joy". Samuel Crocker, Thomas Woolridge, William Courtice and Samuel Pollard(senior) were amongst the many who made a deep impression on the religious life of the neighbourhood, and Mrs Downing speaks in highest praise of their labours. Our aged friend came to Cardiff to reside with her son a quarter of a century ago, and was then regarded as being in a somewhat feeble state. There are two sons and a daughter (Mrs Harding) living, the eldest of the family reside in America, and is fast approaching his 80th year, but to his mother he is still "my boy in America".She speaks in gratified terms of all the love that is showered upon her. "I receive" she said "nothing but love and kindness, God has been very good to me, Jesus is with me always". There are time when she grows just a bit weary, and then finds herself longing for "Home", but she is not impatient. "The Lord knows best, when He wants me He will send for me, and then I shall be quite ready to go"." Married 26 Mar 1837 Morwenstow, Cornwall, England 14) (52 or 53 years married) to:  John Downing 1) 2) 15) 3)Son of John Downing and Mary Pooley. Born 1803 Welcombe, Devon, England 4) 5) 6) 7) 16) 17) 1) Baptised 14 Aug 1803 Welcombe, Devon, England 17) Died 1890 Morwenstow, Cornwall, England, 86 or 87 years 18) Occupation: between 1840 and 1881; Agricultural Labourer 7) 5) 6) 3) 4) 1) 15) Residences: 1841 Eastcott, Morwenstow, Cornwall, England 1), between 1851 and 1871 Woolley, Morwenstow, Cornwall, England 4) 7) 5), 1881 Eastcott, Morwenstow, Cornwall, England 6) Aprentice: Apprenticed to James Haynes 1811 Hartland, Devon, England 16) Notes: John Downing was employed by Parson Robert Stephen Hawkes, the Vicar of Morwenstow, on Globe Farm, for many years. John lived in Eastcott, Morwenstow, before later moving to Wooley c1845 where he lived with his wife until c1875. John and Sarah were boarding with a farmer, William Johns in 1881. William Johns was possibly Sarah’s cousin (via her grandmother). Children: 1. Mary DowningBorn ± 1834 2. John Downing 19) 20) 21) 22)Born 30 Jan 1838 Morwenstow, Cornwall, England 23) 24) 25) 19) 26) 27) 28) 29) 30) 31) 21) 2) 15) 3) Died 13 Aug 1919 Berlin Township, Wayne, Pennsylvania, USA, 81 years, death cause: Chronic Myocarditis 31) 2) Buried after 13 Aug 1919 South Canaan Bible Protestant Cemetery, South Canaan Township, Wayne, Penns 31) Occupations: 1851 Kerswill, Parkham, Devon, England; Farmer's Servant on John Littlejohn's farm 27), 1860 Milton Cottage, Morwenstow, Cornwall, England; Servant 15), 1861 Poughill, Cornwall, England; Agricultural Labourer 25), 1871 Stamford Hill, Poughill, Cornwall, England; Farmer 19), 1881 Downrowe, Whitstone, Cornwall, England; Farmer of 203 Acres 21), 1890; Farmer 22), 1900 Canaan, Wayne, Pennsylvania, USA; Naturalised Farmer of 93 Acres 29), 1910 South Canaan, Wayne, Pennsylvania, USA; Retired Old Gent 30) Residences: 1841 Eastcott, Morwenstow, Cornwall, England 28), 1881 Downrowe, Whitstone, Cornwall, England 21), 1861 Poughill, Cornwall, England 25), 1871 Stamford Hill, Poughill, Cornwall, England 19), 1851 Kerswill, Parkham, Devon, England 27), 1900 Canaan, Wayne, Pennsylvania, USA 29), 1910 South Canaan, Wayne, Pennsylvania, USA 30) Arrival: 29 Sep 1888 New York, USA 32) 29) 30) Departure: 4 Dec 1907 Southampton, Hampshire, England 23) Destination: 4 Dec 1907 New York, USA 23) Arrival: Sailed on SS Oceanic from Southampton to US. Arrived at Ellis-Island from Southampton on the Oceanic. His last residence was stated as Cardiff so presumably he had been there visiting his mother. 12 Dec 1907 Ellis Island, New York, USA 24) Notes: John was living as a farmer's servant on John Littlejohn's fam in 1851. This is probably because the Littlejohns family were friends. In 1861, William Littlejohns was a lodger with John and Sarah Downing (1861 census). He would subsequently work on his father's and his own farms. John emigrated to the United States in 1888. As a farmer, in a remote parish, with the agricultural depression of the 1880s, emigration to the United States must have seemed encouraging. John followed his eldest son William Petherick Downing who had migrated in 1883. Around these years the remainder of the family with the exception of Lucy Ann and Emily also left for the United States and settled in Pennsylvania at various locations. He subsequently returned to the UK to visit his family on several occasions. In 1912 he visited his mother Sarah in Cardiff. He was accompanied by his eldest son William Petherick Downing, his daughter, Mrs Emma Brown and her infant child. This visit was featured in the Cardiff press and in The Hartland and West Country Chronicle at the time. Sarah was 97 years old at the time. 3. William DowningBorn ± 1841 Morwenstow, Cornwall, England 4. Richard DowningBorn ± 1844 Morwenstow, Cornwall, England 5. Ann DowningBorn ± 1847 Morwenstow, Cornwall, England 6. Margaret DowningBorn ± 1849 Morwenstow, Cornwall, England 7. Elizabeth DowningBorn ± 1855 Morwenstow, Cornwall, England | |||
Sources
1) Source: 1841 England Census Record for Sarah Downing. Reference: Database online. Class: HO107; Piece 151; Book: 7; Civil Parish: Moorwinstow; County: Cornwall; Enumeration District: 6; Folio: 17; Page: 4; Line: 19; GSU roll: 241273. (Data from secondary evidence)2) Source: Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1964 Record for John Downing. External Link
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=5164&h=600980379&indiv=try. Reference: Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Pennsylvania, USA; Certificate Number Range: 082001-085000 (Data from direct source)
3) Source: Available Birth, Marriage and Death Records. Reference: John Downing birth record (Data from direct source)
4) Source: 1851 England Census Record for John Downing. Reference: Database online. Class: HO107; Piece: 1897; Folio: 39; Page: 13; GSU roll: 221048. (Data from secondary evidence)
5) Source: 1871 England Census Record for John Downing. Reference: Database online. Class: RG10; Piece: 2214; Folio: 55; Page: 10; GSU roll: 834867. (Data from secondary evidence)
6) Source: 1881 England Census Record for John Downing. Reference: Database online. Class: RG11; Piece: 2269; Folio: 61; Page: 9; GSU roll: 1341545. (Data from secondary evidence)
7) Source: 1861 England Census Record for John Downing. Reference: Database online. Class: RG9; Piece: 1512; Folio: 62; Page: 5; GSU roll: 542824. (Data from secondary evidence)
8) Source: England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007 Record for Sarah Downing. Reference: Database online. (Data from secondary evidence)
9) Source: 1891 Wales Census Record for Sarah Downing. Reference: Database online. (Data from secondary evidence)
10) Source: 1901 Wales Census Record for Sarah Downing. Reference: Database online. Class: RG13; Piece: 4973; Folio: 41; Page: 19. (Data from secondary evidence)
11) Source: 1911 Wales Census Record for Sarah Downing. Reference: Database online. (Data from secondary evidence)
12) Source: England, Devon Parish Registers "Sarah daughr of Francis, labourer of Hartland, and Margaret Cory, baptized 24th March 1816". Reference: Hartland (Data from secondary evidence)
13) Source: Hartland Parish Registers APPRENTICE: Sarah Cory, aged 9 years, MASTER and ESTATE: Thomas JohnsDate: 1825. Reference: 1201A/PO 456 (Data from direct source)
14) Source: Cornwall, England - Parish Register Transcripts John Downing married Sara Cory at Morwenstow on 26 March 1837. Both of the parish. Witnessed by Richard Baker and George Tape. Both marked their names as opposed to signed.. Reference: Record 216643 in the Marriages database
15) Source: Cornwall, England, Parish Registers, 1538-1900 Record for Anne Petherick and John Downing. External Link
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=9848&h=48860&indiv=try. Reference: Morwenstow: Marriages, 1837-1903 (Data from direct source)
16) Source: Hartland Parish Registers APPRENTICE: John Downing, aged 7 years, MASTER and ESTATE: James HaynesDate: 1811. Reference: 1201A/PO 298 (Questionable reliability of evidence)
17) Source: England, Devon Parish Registers "John S of John and Mary Downing August 14th 1803". Reference: Welcombe (Data from secondary evidence)
18) Source: Western Times "Western Times 25 February 1916Grand Old LadyTomorrow will be the hundredth birthday of Mrs Downing, of 52 Richards-terrace, Roath. Many happy returns of the day to the dear old lady. Mrs Downing was born on February 26th 1816, at Beckland, Harland and now resides with her daughter, Sarah Harding.A few days ago we had the opportunity of meeting this remarkable old lady at her home, and found her most ready and willing to engage in a quiet chat. Though her sight is naturally little defective and her hearing somewhat dull, she is nevertheless quite happy and takes no little interest in passing events.Her memory also is wonderful. It carries her back to the days when her father had only five shillings a week to keep himself and four little ones. And she remembers the time when he used to be billeted out for the winter on some farm or other.There were no school attendance officers in those days and so, when Sarah was nine, her father ran no risk in having her bound parish apprentice at Brownsham Farm. It may be that the strenuous open air life of those days explains her longevity.Sarah stayed on the Brownsham farm until she was a romping ruddy faced lass of one and twenty. On attaining her majority she removed to Woolley, near Mornwestow, Cornwall, and there Cupid began to weave a tale. It seems but yesterday to the grand old lady since the joyful day in March of 1837, when she promised to love, honour, and obey John Downing, of that parish. That chapter of felicity continued unbroken until 1890, when death came and closed the book.After her husband's passing, Mrs Downing removed to Cardiff, and there she has since remained.THOUGHTS OF HOMEBut though she is many miles from her native village it became apparent, as we talked with her, that her mind often wanders back to Devon. Still she speaks of the Brownsham farm days and of how they used to go via Newberry Hill to Hartland Church, and heading the "butifulst" bells ring from the old tower. There was then only one carriage driven to church - that from the Abbey.And the impressions of fifty years at Morwenstow have naturally a very prominent place in her thoughts. The name of Morwenstow at once reminded us of the celebrated Hawker, the eccentric and clever Vicar of that remote parish and Mrs Downing was delighted to recall her early association with this world-famed clergyman.In common, however with the majority of the West Country folk, her inclinations were away from the Anglican Church towards Methodism, and consequently for long years she was identified with the people called "Bible Christians" in one of the neighbouring villages (Eastcott). She knows nothing of United Methodists to-day, but she is pleased at any time to have a talk with a "Bible Christian" minister."Yes," she said, "our ministers at home were good men, and they were greatly beloved by the people. They had to work very hard. Journeys in the circuit were very long, and difficulties very many, but that always seemed happy and were read to sing and shout for joy."Samuel Crocker, Thomas Woolridge, William Courtice and Samuel Pollard (sneior) were among the many who made a deep impression on the religious life of the neighbourhood, and Mrs. Downing speaks in highest praise of their labours.Mrs Downing speaks in gratified terms of all the love that is showered upon her. "I receive," she said, "nothing but love and kindness, God has been very good to me, Jesus is with me always." There are times when she grows just a bit weary, and then she finds herself longing for "Home," but she is not impatient. "The Lord knows best. When He wants me He will send for me, and then, I shall be quite ready to go."CAN READ STILLThere are two sons and a daughter (Mrs. Harding) living; the eldest of the family resides in America, and is fast approaching his 80th year, but to his mother he is still "my Boy in America."There are two cousins of the centenarian residing in Hartland:- Mr. George Williams and Mrs. T Thorne. Their mother was Mrs. Ann Cook, daughter of William Cory (of Ashmansworthy, Woolsery). Mrs Cook was buried in Hartland Churchyard at the end of November, 1900 aged 87. Her brother, Jon Cory, died at Ashencherry," January 15th, 1907, aged 81 years.The following entries in the old lady's family bible are of interest:-Francis Cory (her father) born 1790Francis Cory, died at Morwenstow Feb. 27, 1870" , buried at Hartland, Mar. 2, 1870Margaret (her mother), born March 1st, 1795" died Feb. 8th, 1866" buried Feb. 11th, 1866Sarah, daughter of Francis and Margaret Cory, born (at Beckland) Feb. 26th 1816All were born at Hartland.The following entries are contained in the Hartland Church registers:-Baptism - 1816, Mar. 24th, Sarah, daughter of Francis and Margaret Cory. Rev. W. Changer.Burial - Feb. 11th, 1866, Margaret Cory, aged 70 years.Morwenstow parish registers have the entry:-Marriage - 25th March, 1837, John Downing to Sara Cory. Rev. R. S. Hawker.Mrs Downing is still hale and hearty, able to get about and reads a newspaper every day.A hundred milestones on the highway of Life. They span a long and tortuous journey. May the old lady's last few miles be pleasant ones to tread!". Reference: 25 February 1916, Page 11. (Questionable reliability of evidence)
19) Source: 1871 England Census Record for John Downing. Reference: Database online. Class: RG10; Piece: 2215; Folio: 5; Page: 2; GSU roll: 834867. (Data from direct source)
20) Source: Cornwall, England - Parish Register Transcripts Kilkhampton Bible Christian: Lucy Ann Downing, daughter of John (farmer) and Ann, of Poughill, baptised at parent's houes 4 February 1869. Reference: Record 96981 in the Baptisms Nc database (Data from secondary evidence)
21) Source: 1881 England Census Record for John Downing. Reference: Database online. Class: RG11; Piece: 2271; Folio: 84; Page: 3; GSU roll: 1341545. (Data from direct source)
22) Source: Bristol, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1935 Record for William Ball. External Link
https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=61686&h=786865&indiv=try. Reference: Bristol Archives; Bristol, England; Bristol Church of England Parish Registers; Reference: P/St JC/R/2/c (Data from direct source)
23) Source: UK, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960 Record for John Downing. Reference: BT26: manuscript for SS Oceanic (Data from secondary evidence)
24) Source: Ship Manifests SS Oceanic Manifest (Data from secondary evidence)
25) Source: 1861 England Census Record for John Downing. Reference: Database online. Class: RG9; Piece: 1513; Folio: 3; Page: 1; GSU roll: 542824. (Data from secondary evidence)
26) Source: England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Record for John Downing. Reference: Database online. (Questionable reliability of evidence)
27) Source: 1851 England Census Record for John Downing. Reference: Database online. Class: HO107; Piece: 1895; Folio: 456; Page: 10; GSU roll: 221046. (Data from secondary evidence)
28) Source: 1841 England Census Record for John Downing. Reference: Database online. Class: HO107; Piece 151; Book: 7; Civil Parish: Moorwinstow; County: Cornwall; Enumeration District: 6; Folio: 17; Page: 4; Line: 21; GSU roll: 241273. (Data from secondary evidence)
29) Source: 1900 United States Federal Census Record for John Downing. Reference: Database online. Year: 1900; Census Place: Canaan, Wayne, Pennsylvania; Roll: T623_1495; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 129. (Data from secondary evidence)
30) Source: 1910 United States Federal Census Record for John Downing. Reference: Database online. Year: 1910; Census Place: South Canaan, Wayne, Pennsylvania; Roll: ; Page: ; Enumeration District: ; Image: . (Data from secondary evidence)
31) Source: Monuments "John Downing1838-1919His wifeAnn Downing1841-1933". Reference: South Canaan Bible Protestant Cemetery; South Canaan, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, USA (Data from secondary evidence)
32) Source: New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 Record for Jno Downing. Reference: Database online. Year: 1888; Arrival: New York, United States; Microfilm serial: M237; Microfilm roll: M237_525; Line: 32; List number: 1335. (Data from secondary evidence)