[Index]
Robert DOWNING (1810 - 1891)
Convict
Children Self + Spouses Parents Grandparents Greatgrandparents
Bartholomew Robert DOWNING (1844 - 1893)
Thomas Joseph DOWNING (1846 - 1915)
John A DOWNING (1848 - 1922)
Anne DOWNING (1851 - 1856)
Mary Ann DOWNING (1852 - 1939)
Michael Joseph DOWNING (1854 - 1939)
Catherine Cecila DOWNING (1857 - 1936)
Margaret Mary DOWNING (1858 - 1939)
Charles DOWNING (1859 - 1861)
Johanna May DOWNING (1861 - )
Ellen DOWNING (1865 - 1951)
Charles Edward DOWNING (1867 - 1950)
Matthew Sylvester DOWNING (1870 - 1936)
Frederick Simon DOWNING (1872 - 1948)
 Robert DOWNING (1810 - 1891)

+

Margaret QUILTY (1827 - 1905)
 Bartholomew DOWNING (1789 - 1869)











Bridget BURNS (1793 - 1890)











Robert DOWNING Margaret QUILTY
Robert DOWNING
Robert DOWNING Margaret QUILTY Robert DOWNING
b. 1810 at Co Kerry, Ireland
m. 20 Mar 1843 Margaret QUILTY (1827 - 1905) at Gobarralong, New South Wales, Australia
d. 13 Oct 1891 at Gadara, New South Wales, Australia aged 81
Near Relatives of Robert DOWNING (1810 - 1891)
Relationship Person Born Birth Place Died Death Place Age
Father in Law Thomas QUILTY abt 1786 Co Limerick, Ireland 05 Jun 1870 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 84
Mother in Law Anne HAYES abt 1798 Co Limerick, Ireland 02 Jan 1881 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 83

Father Bartholomew DOWNING 1789 1869 80
Mother Bridget BURNS 1793 1890 97

Self Robert DOWNING 1810 Co Kerry, Ireland 13 Oct 1891 Gadara, New South Wales, Australia 81

Wife Margaret QUILTY abt 1827 Co Limerick, Ireland 23 Jul 1905 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 78

Son Bartholomew Robert DOWNING 25 Dec 1844 Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia 27 Aug 1893 Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia 48
Son Thomas Joseph DOWNING 1846 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 17 Aug 1915 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 69
Son John A DOWNING 1848 New South Wales, Australia 07 Jun 1922 Temora, New South Wales, Australia 74
Daughter Anne DOWNING abt Jan 1851 Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia 11 Jun 1856 Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia 5
Daughter Mary Ann DOWNING 03 Nov 1852 Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia 11 Jan 1939 Jugiong, New South Wales, Australia 86
Son Michael Joseph DOWNING 25 Apr 1854 Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia 22 Aug 1939 Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia 85
Daughter Catherine Cecila DOWNING abt 1857 Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia 13 Jul 1936 79
Daughter Margaret Mary DOWNING abt 1858 Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia 05 Nov 1939 Albury, New South Wales, Australia 81
Son Charles DOWNING abt Aug 1859 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 28 Feb 1861 Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia 1
Daughter Johanna May DOWNING 24 Sep 1861 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia
Daughter Ellen DOWNING 14 Aug 1865 Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia 15 Apr 1951 Bondi, New South Wales, Australia 85
Son Charles Edward DOWNING 1867 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1950 Adelong, New South Wales, Australia 83
Son Matthew Sylvester DOWNING 1870 Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia 07 Apr 1936 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 66
Son Frederick Simon DOWNING 05 Mar 1872 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 12 May 1948 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 76

Brother John DOWNING abt 1810 Co Kerry, Ireland 17 Apr 1875 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 65
Brother Bartholomew DOWNING abt 1819 Co Kerry, Ireland 24 Aug 1885 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 66

Daughter in Law Rebecca GELLING 1846 England 08 Sep 1920 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 74
Daughter in Law Elizabeth Beatrice CONNOLLY 04 Dec 1861 Carcoar, New South Wales, Australia 21 Feb 1936 Temora, New South Wales, Australia 74
Son in Law Jeremiah Francis SHEAHAN 1850 31 May 1896 Newtown, New South Wales, Australia 46
Daughter in Law Elizabeth M CASSIDY 01 May 1859 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia abt 17 Feb 1923 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 63
Son in Law James THOM
Son in Law John MCDONALD
Son in Law William C NASH
Son in Law William THOM
Daughter in Law Lillian Frances A PEMBROOK 1868 16 Aug 1910 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 42
Daughter in Law Kathleen FENNELL 1889 1971 82
Daughter in Law Mary Josephine QUILTY 1869 Windowie, New South Wales, Australia 24 Aug 1954 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 85

Granddaughter Margaret Rebecca DOWNING 1868 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1955 87
Granddaughter Mary A E DOWNING 1870 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia
Granddaughter Sarah Blanche DOWNING 1871 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1934 63
Grandson Robert DOWNING 1872 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1935 Petersham, New South Wales, Australia 63
Granddaughter Ellen May DOWNING 1875 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 05 Feb 1943 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 68
Grandson Thomas E DOWNING 1876 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1935 Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia 59
Granddaughter Kathleen Beatrice DOWNING 1878 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1941 63
Grandson Frederick Philip DOWNING 1879 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1951 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 72
Grandson John DOWNING 1881 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1881 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 0
Granddaughter Josephine Maud DOWNING 1882 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 30 Jan 1901 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 19
Granddaughter Anne DOWNING 1883 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1883 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 0
Granddaughter Florence Alice DOWNING 1886 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1956 70
Granddaughter Mona Rebecca DOWNING 1888 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1975 87
Grandson John Gelling DOWNING 1889 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1940 Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia 51
Granddaughter Mary E DOWNING 1889
Grandson Albert E SHEAHAN 1877 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1878 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1
Granddaughter Katherine Aloysius SHEAHAN 1878 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1947 69
Granddaughter Mary Clare SHEAHAN 31 Dec 1878 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 05 Feb 1970 Jugiong, New South Wales, Australia 91
Grandson Robert Downing SHEAHAN 1883 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1951 68
Grandson John Phillip SHEAHAN 1885 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1959 74
Grandson Jeremiah SHEAHAN 1887 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1887 0
Grandson James Daniel SHEAHAN 1889 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1970 81
Granddaughter Margaret Jean SHEAHAN 1891 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1981 90
Granddaughter Bridget Lillian SHEAHAN 1893 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1952 59
Granddaughter Ellen Angela "Nell" SHEAHAN 03 Sep 1895 Jugiong, New South Wales, Australia 1980 85
Grandson William Francis Patrick SHEAHAN 03 Sep 1895 Jugiong, New South Wales, Australia 1975 80
Grandson Frederick James DOWNING abt 1880 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1949 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 69
Granddaughter Margaret Ann DOWNING abt 1880 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1961 81
Granddaughter Mary Ann DOWNING 1882 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1957 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 75
Grandson Robert William DOWNING 1884 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 17 Sep 1947 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 63
Granddaughter Adelaide Kate DOWNING 1888 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1896 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 8
Granddaughter Edith May DOWNING 1890 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 22 Aug 1923 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 33
Grandson John DOWNING 1892 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1892 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 0
Grandson Matthew Sylvester DOWNING 1893 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1955 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 62
Granddaughter Elizabeth DOWNING 1895 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia
Grandson Arthur DOWNING 1898 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1898 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 0
Grandson Michael Joseph "Dixie" DOWNING 1901 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 28 Jan 1939 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 38
Granddaughter Dorothy Lillian DOWNING 1896 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1982 86
Grandson Robert Matthew Sylvester DOWNING 1897 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1898 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1
Grandson Allan John DOWNING 1898 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 30 Jan 1951 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 53
Granddaughter Margaret Elizabeth DOWNING 1900 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia
Granddaughter Maud DOWNING 1902 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1919 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 17
Grandson Matthew Sylvester DOWNING 1903 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 21 Aug 1969 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 66
Granddaughter Josephine Frances DOWNING 1906 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 29 Aug 1957 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 51
Granddaughter Gertrude May DOWNING 07 Apr 1908 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 16 Sep 1990 82
Grandson Patrick Joseph DOWNING 1910 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1985 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 75
Grandson Robert Patrick DOWNING 1913 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1971 58

Niece Anne Mary QUILTY 27 Sep 1847 Tarcutta, New South Wales, Australia 03 Aug 1907 Carlton, New South Wales, Australia 59
Nephew Timothy QUILTY 08 Oct 1850 New South Wales, Australia 28 Apr 1926 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 75
Niece Ellen M QUILTY 1862 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1917 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 55
Nephew John QUILTY 1864 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 28 Jul 1942 Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia 78
Nephew Patrick QUILTY 1865 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1922 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 57
Nephew Thomas QUILTY 1867 28 Jun 1932 Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia 65
Niece Mary Josephine QUILTY 1869 Windowie, New South Wales, Australia 24 Aug 1954 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 85
Nephew Edward Patrick QUILTY 1871 Windowie, New South Wales, Australia 17 Oct 1945 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 74
Niece Margaret Vincent QUILTY 1875 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1943 68
Nephew James Joseph QUILTY 1877 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1959 West Wyalong, New South Wales, Australia 82
Niece Catherine "Kate" QUILTY 1878 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 04 Dec 1959 Turramurra, New South Wales, Australia 81
Nephew Michael Sylvester KENNELLY 1839 Co Limerick, Ireland 1911 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 72
Niece Annie KINEALY 1847 Co Limerick, Ireland 09 Feb 1923 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 76
Niece Johanna KENNELLY abt 1854 12 Jul 1888 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 34
Nephew Jeremiah KENNELLY abt 1855 05 May 1861 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 6
Niece Ellen KENNELLY 1858 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 09 Sep 1951 Chatswood, New South Wales, Australia 93
Niece Margaret KENNELLY 1859 Lacmalac, Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1935 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 76
Nephew James KENNELLY 1861 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1943 82
Nephew Jeremiah KENNELLY 1866 Lacmalac, Tumut, New South Wales, Australia abt 15 Jun 1895 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 29
Nephew John MCNAMARA 1841 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 1923 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 82
Nephew Thomas MCNAMARA 1843 New South Wales, Australia 1908 65
Nephew James Joseph MCNAMARA 1845 New South Wales, Australia 1923 78
Nephew Michael MCNAMARA 1847 Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia 1922 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 75
Nephew Hugh MCNAMARA 24 May 1850 Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia 17 Jul 1907 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 57
Niece Anne MCNAMARA 1852 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1910 58
Nephew George MCNAMARA 1854 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1918 64
Niece Mary MCNAMARA 1856 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia Feb 1906 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 50
Nephew Edward O'MARA 1844 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 29 Aug 1881 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 37
Nephew Thomas Chrysostom O'MARA 1847 1891 44
Nephew Timothy O'MARA abt 1851 18 Sep 1862 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 11
Nephew James O'MARA 1854 1925 Granville, New South Wales, Australia 71
Niece Catherine Mary O'NEILL 25 Feb 1852 Yass, New South Wales, Australia 27 Aug 1887 35
Niece Mary Johanna O'NEILL 21 Aug 1868 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 24 Dec 1870 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 2

Brother in Law Thomas QUILTY 25 Dec 1818 Co Limerick, Ireland 29 Dec 1893 Windowie, New South Wales, Australia 75
Sister in Law Ellen QUILTY 1820 Co Limerick, Ireland 06 Sep 1888 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 68
Sister in Law Mary QUILTY abt 1822 Shanagolden, Co Limerick, Ireland 05 Mar 1897 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 75
Sister in Law Johanna QUILTY abt 1824 Co Limerick, Ireland 31 Oct 1881 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 57
Brother in Law Michael QUILTY abt 1829 Co Limerick, Ireland 1892 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 63
Sister in Law Ann QUILTY 27 Dec 1831 Co Limerick, Ireland 24 Mar 1915 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 83
Brother in Law Edward QUILTY abt 1838 Co Limerick, Ireland 17 Jan 1862 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 24
Events in Robert DOWNING (1810 - 1891)'s life
Date Age Event Place Notes Src
1810 Robert DOWNING was born Co Kerry, Ireland
1830 20 Immigration New South Wales, Australia Note 1
20 Mar 1843 33 Married Margaret QUILTY (aged 16) Gobarralong, New South Wales, Australia Downie
25 Dec 1844 34 Birth of son Bartholomew Robert DOWNING Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia
1846 36 Birth of son Thomas Joseph DOWNING Tumut, New South Wales, Australia
1848 38 Birth of son John A DOWNING New South Wales, Australia
abt Jan 1851 41 Birth of daughter Anne DOWNING Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia
03 Nov 1852 42 Birth of daughter Mary Ann DOWNING Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia
25 Apr 1854 44 Birth of son Michael Joseph DOWNING Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia
11 Jun 1856 46 Death of daughter Anne DOWNING (aged 5) Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia
abt 1857 47 Birth of daughter Catherine Cecila DOWNING Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia
abt 1858 48 Birth of daughter Margaret Mary DOWNING Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia
abt Aug 1859 49 Birth of son Charles DOWNING Tumut, New South Wales, Australia
28 Feb 1861 51 Death of son Charles DOWNING (aged 1) Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia
24 Sep 1861 51 Birth of daughter Johanna May DOWNING Tumut, New South Wales, Australia
14 Aug 1865 55 Birth of daughter Ellen DOWNING Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia
1867 57 Birth of son Charles Edward DOWNING Tumut, New South Wales, Australia
1869 59 Death of father Bartholomew DOWNING (aged 80)
1870 60 Birth of son Matthew Sylvester DOWNING Gilmore, New South Wales, Australia
05 Mar 1872 62 Birth of son Frederick Simon DOWNING Tumut, New South Wales, Australia
1890 80 Death of mother Bridget BURNS (aged 97)
13 Oct 1891 81 Robert DOWNING died Gadara, New South Wales, Australia
Note 1: per 'Andromeda' Sentenced 7 years
Personal Notes:
Robert Downing arrived in Tumut in 1839 from County Kerry, Ireland. After arriving he was employed by J. A. Broughton on Mundongo Station worked there until 1842.

Shortly after their arrival they settled between Jugiong and Gobarralong and in 1842 moved to the Gilmore Creek where they settled a property which was later owned by William Rivers. In 1848 Robert held a property of 6,400 acres on the Gilmore Creek.

1850 Robert Downing and his brother-in-law Thomas O'Mara acquired from Timothy O'Mara a property known as Portion 62 of 4,300 acres at Rosebank on the Gilmore Creek. He continued to acquire land to graze his cattle and sheep and owned freehold properties in five separate parishes.

In 1843 Robert Downing married, his wife being then sixteen years old. They had a family of fourteen children. Mrs. Downing was born in Ireland, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Quilty. She arrived in Austraha with her parents on the Alquis in 1839. There are many descendants of this fine pioneering family still residing in the Tumut district and scattered throughout the state.

Robert Downing was also known as Downey. He was a very successful breeder of cattle and sheep and was active in commercial life and in any project that would benefit the district.

During the gold rush at Reedy Creek (Batlow), in the sixties he purchased the Reily's Crossing Hotel at Upper Adelong from R. M. Reily. In 1850 he built the Killarney Hotel located near the old Gilmore Railway Station and conducted it for a period of twelve years. Selling out in 1862 he purchased the fine grazing property at Gadara. For over 100 years some of the descendants of Robert Downing have carried on the butchery business in Wynyard Street, Tumut.

Matthew Downing, a son, whilst conducting the butchers shop advertised in the Tumut and Adelong Times of 7 August 1903 the following meat prices; Loin roast beef 6d., rib roast 5d., corned round 5 1/2d., ribs corned beef 5d., beef steak 5d., rump steak 6d., sausages 6d., corned beef 33/- for 100 lb., hind quarter mutton 5d., forequarter mutton 4 1/2 d., loin chops 5d. and side mutton 5d. Mention is made of these prices to indicate the cost of living at the time.

Robert Downing died at his home at Gadara on 13 October 1891 aged 81 years. His wife died on 23 July 1905 aged 78 years
Source References:
73. Type: Book, Abbr: Pioneers of Tumut Valley, Title: Pioneers of the Tumult Valley , The History of Early Settlement, Auth: H.E. Snowden, Publ: Tumut & District Historical Society Incorporated, Date: 2004
- Reference = 43 (Name, Notes)
76. Type: Web Page, Abbr: Find a Grave, Title: Find A Grave, Locn: https://www.findagrave.com/
- Reference = https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/209490055/robert-downing (Name, Notes)
- Notes: A VENERABLE COLONIST GONE.
One by one the old inhabitants of the Tumut district are passing away. On Monday last, at his residence, Gadara, Mr. Robert Downing, senior, departed this life. Deceased, who was an octogenarian, was one of the oldest settlers of the Tumut, having lived in the district well nigh 60 years. Mr. Downing was one of the early pioneers, who reclaimed a wild bush country, and made a home for the present inhabitants. He successfully followed grazing pursuit, and by industry and thrift, and by straightforward and sterling dealing, acquired valuable and extensive properties in the Gilmore district, becoming a large landed proprietor. In the early days Mr. Downing took much interest in local politics, and in all matters relating to the advancement of Tumut. He espoused the cause of the late Sir James Martin, when the later represented Tumut, and Sir James held the deceased in high esteem. He was a very hardy, active man, and even during his last illness he could not be persuaded to take perfect rest. The Rev Fathers Slattery and Campbell administered spiritual consolation to the aged invalid. The deceased leaves a widow and family of seven sons and five daughters. The funeral was very largely attended, and Father Campbell conducted the obsequies. |

Freeman's Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1932) Saturday 24 October 1891
77. Type: Book, Abbr: Tumut Pioneer Cemetery, Title: Tumut Pioneer Cemetery, Auth: Gay Stuckey and Pam Archer, Publ: Tumut Family History Group, Date: 1989
- Reference = page 26 # 113. (Name, Notes)
- Notes: DOWNING Robert, died 13 Oct 1891 aged 80 years; also
DOWNING Margaret, relict of above, died 23 July 1905 aged 78 years. (Left side of monument)
DOWNING Anne, died 11 June 1856 aged 5 years 4 months; also
DOWNING Charles, died 28 Feb 1861 aged 1 year 6 months. (Front of monument).
DOWNING Lillian Frances, wife of Mat DOWNING, died 16 Aug 1910 aged 42 years. (Right side of monument)
DOWNING John, died 17 Apr 1875 aged 65 years; also
DOWNING Bartholomew, died 24 Aug 1885 aged 66 years. (Back of monument).
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