Other Records

1. From Rev George Downing's Papers: Petition from his children, 1 Apr 1773.
Liveing Archive 154 LT13

Most benevolent Sr and Madm.
In your honours loyal and obedient Subjects donot assemble to present a petition for our own sakes but for your good profit and advantage the petition which we are now a going to present before your honour is this.
That it may please your honours to sell your old weatherbeaten mouse coloured horse. And buy 2 tolerable good ones that they may cost about 7 or 8 L each that the one may be a good strong staied sober beast to draw the shaize. You may easily judge by the price I do not speak of very fine horses. That the other may be a little pretty shaped beast that will neither throw you down nor jolt your guts out as you complain of the old weather beaten bane here I am afraid you would plead your pocket which ought to be considered. But your honours know you have a private purse that belongs to us take therefore that to buy the horses there will not be enough I know for to buy them both but what you sell ye old one for will go some way in it and each of us four will think it a great satisfaction to go part in so great and (good-struckout) useful a thing.
You're very dutiful and humble subjects.
Money already subscribed:
F. E. Downing L4-4s
Geo Downing L3-3s
Geo Bowles L2-2s
C Downing L1-2s
L10-11s
April ? 1773.
Petition to parents.

2. Letter from Rev George Downing: To Mary Alston on the death of her husband, 17 Oct 1800.
Liveing Archive 151a-b LT13
My dear Daughter
Our hearts have deeply asked for you, as well as for ourselves. You have lost a faithful tender and affectionate Husband, and we have lost a Son, who was the delight of our eyes, the solace of our hearts, and the stay and support of our old age. Blessed be God, that we do not sorrow, as those who have no hope. It is our duty, with all submission, to kiss the rod, and it is a happiness to reflect, that it is the rod of a Father, who loveth us better than we do ourselves, and who does not willingly afflict, but chasteneth us for our profit. God give you grace that you may ever profess your soul in calmness and patience which I am glad to hear you are enabled to do. As for the dear object of our affections, we have more reason to rejoice, then to weep, on his account, for as much as he now rests from all his labours, is taken from the evil to come, freed from every snare and temptation, and is entered into everlasting peace. The pretty babe is not of an age to be sensible of her irreparable loss. May God abundantly bless you both. It is a matter of great thankfulness, that, in the midst of your great affliction, you have such a dear, kind, and faithful friends, as Mr and Mrs Grimwood, to support and comfort you. Our most cordial love and fervent prayers attend our dear Frances.
^{I am,
My Dear,
your truly affectionate father
G Downing.
Ely
October 17, 1800}

3. From Rev George Downing's Papers: Memorial to Rev George Downing & Family Tomb St Mary Ovington, Abt 1809.
In Memory of the Rev George Downing M.A. 48 years Rector of this Parish/of the adjoinging Parish of Tilbury (juxta Clare) and 20 (29) years /a Prebentary of the Cathedral Church of Ely/ who departed this life 24 Jul 1809 aged 81 years.
Ref: Liveing Archive Ovington Church.

Liveing Archive 154 LT13.
The above plus:
His truly Christian deportment proved his meetness for the eternal intention [?] purchased for all believers by that divine saviour who was the supreme object of his love and adoration.
It was first written:
"His profound humility, exalted piety, unsullied Integrety, and universal benevolence's proved his meetness" etc.
Was added to the above by my request

4. From Rev George Downing's Papers: Verses and an extract from Sturms Reflections, Abt 1809.
Liveing Archive 155 LT13, 156a-b LT13, 157a-b LT13.
Some Transcribed by his daughter Maria Knottesford

5. George Downing: His signature.
Found on a document by Henrik Lindahl of Sweden

George married Catherine CHAMBERS [509] [MRIN: 78], daughter of Nathaniel CHAMBERS [9397] and Katherine WOOLLEY [9398], on 17 Jul 1758 in St James Westminster London. (Catherine CHAMBERS [509] was born about 1732, died on 18 Dec 1802 in Ovington ESS and was buried in Ovington ESS.)