At the time this photo was taken (1864), Samuel Downing was over 100 years old and one of only six known survivors of the Revolutionary War. He was photographed by the famed Civil War-era photographer Matthew Brady. He is my great-great-great-great-grandfather (my grandfather's mother's mother's father's father ;-).
NoviceGenealogist, Miss History, bluj11822@yahoo.com, and artistgal added this photo to their favorites.
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NoviceGenealogist 78 months ago | reply
George Washington Downing was my fourth great-grandfather. He had George Wesley Downing, who had Clarence Downing. Clarence had my great grandfather Lester and his twin brother Leslie. Lester married my great grandmother Grace Landphier whose roots can be traced back to the Mayflower, and English royalty. Grace and Lester had 4 children, one being my grandmother Olivia Mae Downing (11/9/1922-4.4.1992). Olivia married my grandfather Harry William Hamilton, they had 3 children the eldest being my father.
Miss History 61 months ago | reply
cool! I had wondered if there were any photographs of revolutionary war vets. amazing to see.
artistgal 57 months ago | reply
He is a great grandfather of mine!
son George Washington Downing
Son Franklin Perry Downing
Son Elton Birdeen Downing
son Arthur Eldred Downing
Daughter Leta Mae Downing(Paine) - ME
The descendants of George Washington Downing have been having family reunions in upstate NY since 1906. In 1976 we published a Downing Spirit of 76 family history starting with Samuel Downing and stories of him. In July 2006 we celebrated 100 years of continuous reunions with a special reunion in Pratts Falls, NY. The 7th and 8th generation were published as a sequel to the 1976 book
Are you related to David Ellsworth? -- was born in NY state but lived in Washington, most recently Stanwood WA until he passed away recently at about age 66
GStrader 38 months ago | reply
I love seeing a photo of a patriot! I am so glad he lived long enough to be photographed.