William Downman of "Mount Sion", Richmond Co, m. Million Travers ca
1678. He d. testate 1711 or 1712 in North Farnham Parish; she d.
testate 1727.

Previous researchers have claimed that he was the son of William
Downman who d a pauper 1654 in Lancaster Co leaving a widow Dorothy,
dau. of John Nichols. No child is mentioned.
Ida J. Lee, _Abstracts of Lancaster County, Virginia, Wills 1653-1800_
(Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1973), p. 74: "DOWNMAN,
William. Inventory. 9 July 1654. Rec. 12 June 1655. By Dority Downman.
W.B. 2, p. 13. (Note, from W.B. 1, p. 145) Whereas Wm. Downman died
very poor, is not able to pay charges of administration, John Nichols,
on ye behalf of his daughter, ye wife and relict of sd Downman, the
Court orders that the estate be appraised. 6 Jany. 1654."

The will of Thomas Saxe shows cattle given to Dorothy Downman, Widow.
The will was probated in Lancaster County on 1 January 1654/5.
Source:  Fleet, _Virginia Colonial Abstracts_, Vol.1, from Lancaster
County Record Book #2, 1654 -1666, Page 11.
June 1655, record book 2, page 13, 'The Estate of William Downman is
debtor to me Jo Nicholes... the sume of 922 lb of tobo.' Witness: Tho.
Hacket, Ric Denham. Page 14 of record book 2, re: settlement of the
estate of Wm. Downman: "the widow hopes that the Court will be so
pleased to bestor her bed & that belongeth to upon her having not
anything to lie upon & she shall every pray for their worships
felicity." Signed Thomas hacket and Edwin Conniway, 12 June 1655.'

In the mid-1600s, Robert and Priscilla Downman in Barbados were
granted letters of marque by the King of Portugal. They also appear in
Virginia records. It is quite possible that they were the parents of
my William Downman; he named children Robert and Priscilla, but not
Dorothy or John, as one would expect if he were the son of Dorothy
Nichols.

Help, please?
Kathleen
The Book Doctor

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