Tags
Bellaghy, Castle Dawson, Dawson Downing, George Alexander Fullerton, Rowesgift, Sir George Downing 1st Bt.
Researching my maternal family tree I came across a fascinating ancestor (1775-1848) – he is my 1st cousin 5x removed.
In the mid 1700’s Dawson Downing of Bellaghy, Co. Londonderry married Catherine Fullerton only child of Amy Frisby and George Fullerton – who was said to have gone to Virginia to fight and died there. George’s brother Alexander Fullerton of Ballintoy Castle, Ballintoy, Co. Antrim then looked after his sister-in-law and heiress niece Catherine.
Catherine and Dawson has two sons – the eldest George Alexander Fullerton Downing b.1774, and David Fullerton Downing. Their mother Catherine died when George was ten years old, his great-uncle Alexander Fullerton made him his heir.
In 1794 Alexander Fullerton died and under the terms of the settlement both young men assumed the name & Arms of Fullerton by Royal licence. This was announced in ‘The London Gazette’ Dec 6 1794.
They were now known as George Alexander Downing Fullerton & David Fullerton Fullerton, but only George inherited.
All the present day descendants of George are aware of the name change – but it is possible David’s present day descendants are not. George left for Oxford, England and never returned to live in Ireland. While it is felt that David may have stayed in Ireland as the present day descendants of his brother George were not aware of his existence. (Credit to Jill Thorn also a descendant of his who now lives in Florida, USA).
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- ID: I09002
- Name: George Alexander DOWNING 1 2
- Sex: M
- Birth: 30 NOV 1775
- Death: 1847 in England
Father: Dawson DOWNING b: 1739 in of Bellaghy & Rowesgift, Co. Londonderry, Ireland
Mother: Catherine FULLERTON
Marriage 1Mary Anne PEACOCK
Sources:
- Title: Genealogical and Heraldic History of Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland
Author: Sir Bernard Burke
Publication: Vol I. London 1875
Repository:
Text: GEORGE ALEXANDER DOWNING, having inherited a considerable property from his great uncle, assumed by Royal Licence, 6 Dec. 1794, in compliance with that gentleman’s testamentary injunction, the surname and arms of FULLERTON, and became of Tockington Manor and Gallintoy. He was b. 30 Nov. 1775 and m. Mary Anne, dau. of James Peacock, and d. 1847, leaving three sons and five daus.
- Title: 2011 July 14 email from Jill Thorn
Text: George Alexander Downing b.1775 Ireland – d.1847 England. Aged 16 he was a Gentleman Commoner at Wadham College, Oxford 1791. B.A. 1795 – M.A. 1798 [Wadham College] Aged 19 he inherited from his great-uncle Alexander Fullerton of Castle Ballintoy, Co. Antrim great wealth, and a change of name by Royal Licence announced in ‘The London Gazette’ dated Dec. 6th 1794. [handwritten note copy of announcement ]. Married Mary Anne Peacock, only 2 of their children left Fullerton descendants –
Alexander George Fullerton b.1808 d.1907 and David Fullerton b.1820 d.1892.
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Will of George Alexander Fullerton [late of Westwood in the county of Hants but lately residing at 37 Wimpole Street proved 13/09/1847.) He left £200,000 in personalty, including an annuity of £1200, over and above the annuity to which she was entitled in their marriage settlement, to his wife Mary Ann Fullerton.
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/person/view/20554
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In 1830 George Alexander Fullerton owned three sugar plantations in Jamaica (bequethed to him by his great-uncle Alexander Fullerton).
They were named Ballintoy, Hopewell and Penny’s. He owned 417 slaves who farmed these estates for him and was most likely an absentee landlord as he resided in England.
After the Act of Emancipation in 1833 he made claim for compensation to the British Government for roughly £20 per capita – a total of £9,324 (nearly £1 million at the time in today’s terms).
Please see:
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/claim/view/11321
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/search/
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Note by ED:
I am not proud of this ancestor of mine. The history of slavery worries me and I feel great sympathy for the people who were enslaved and suffered so much.
Recently I received an email from a descendent of Alexander Fullerton (of Jamaica) who claims he is a direct descendent and is a mulatto (his description not mine). How sad.
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B. Robert Downing said:
Hi Jack,
I am a Downing. Potentially descended from the father of Sir George Downing, and related to the Downing’s and McLaughlin’s of Londonderry. I find this all very interesting. I have done extensive, yet not exhaustive research into the downing family and I have a number of questions that you might or might not be able to help me with. If you have time please send me an email.
Thanks!
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Jack Hammersley said:
Hi Robert, thank you for your message! I will send you an email shortly. Where do you live?
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Sharon Fullerton Rychcik said:
My maiden name is Fullerton and I’m also related to Downing, Fullerton and Peacock on Heritage DNA. We must be related. Keep in touch cousin. I like learning more about my heritage. I know I’m 50% Irish/Scottish/Welch, but I want to know more. Bye for now. Sharon.
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Jack Hammersley said:
Hi Sharon, good to hear from you! Please join our Facebook group named ‘Downing Family of Bellaghy’ – you are most welcome! https://www.facebook.com/groups/449344511902647/
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Jenni said:
did you ever find that email from the descendant of A Fullerton in jamaica?
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Jack Hammersley said:
Hi Jenni, unfortunately not – I did reply to him but he never responded!
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Jenni Cromie (Brabham, McClure, Wilson, Mollison, Fullerton) said:
Hi Jack,
I am not sure where you fit into the family tree but I am also a direct descendant of Alexander Fullerton (the original from Jamaica) from his illegitimate daughter Elizabeth. She was in truth described by her English brother -in-law as a mulatto, but she was also beautiful. As far as we can tell , he had two illegitimate children Alexander and Elizabeth as his wife Ann was unable to have children of her own (no excuse though!).
He did the right thing though and left money for one in his will and sent Elizabeth to the UK to be educated and left her what equates to over 2 million pounds in todays money. For her own reasons she never touched this money and it was left intact (probably because it was from slavery family lore tells) and handed onto the next generation, many of whom became explorers and early settlers in Australian politics, using the said money. Elizabeth married and English gentleman, Crawford Mollison and the descendants were English and Australian from then on.
I have plenty of photos and family tree info if you wish to communicate. I found your article very informative!!
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Jack Hammersley said:
Dear Rod & Jenni, thankyou for your message regarding the Fullerton family. I will reply ASAP by email. Where do you live?
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Cromie Jenni said:
We are Aussies but living in Canada at present but we go back every year.
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Jack Hammersley said:
Great! Sent you an emai!
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Jack Hammersley said:
Thank you, I sent you an email. Did you receive it?
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