George Downing (politician) facts for kids

George Downing (born 1584, died around 1659) was an early English settler in County Londonderry, Ireland. He arrived when London companies were helping to settle and build new towns there. George Downing served as a Sheriff in Derry during the 1620s. He was also a member of the Parliament of Ireland in 1634, which was like being a representative for the people.

Who Was George Downing?

George Downing came from the Downing family in Norfolk, England. He was born in 1584. Later in his life, he received support from a man named Philip Skippon. This suggests he was the same George Downing who was an uncle to both Skippon and Calybute Downing.

Starting a New Life in Ireland

In 1611, George Downing married Jane Rookwood in Hackney, England. Her sister was married to James Higgons, a grocer from London. Higgons hired Downing to help him with a big project in Ireland. This project was called the Londonderry plantation. It was a plan for London companies to develop land and build towns in Ireland.

In 1617, Higgons agreed to lease a large area of land. This land belonged to the London Fishmongers' Company. George Downing moved onto this 3,210-acre property. By 1619, he officially took control of the land for Higgons. Downing himself also received some ownership of parts of the estate.

A Leader in Derry and Parliament

Even though George Downing lived in Ballykelly, he quickly became important in the new city of Derry. He was chosen as one of Derry's two Sheriffs in 1624 and again in 1626. A Sheriff was a key official, often involved in law enforcement and local government.

After his first wife passed away, Downing married a daughter of Bishop George Downham. Bishop Downham was part of a group that looked into how the London Companies were managing the plantation. Downing supported the criticisms made by this group.

Sir Thomas Phillips controlled the town of Newtown Limavady, near Ballykelly. In 1634, Downing was elected by Limavady to serve in the Irish Parliament. This Parliament met in Dublin that year. In 1640, Sir Thomas's son, Dudley Phillips, took over Downing's role as Limavady's representative. Downing had helped Dudley Phillips when the Crown rented out the London Companies' lands.

Serving in the Military

When the Irish Rebellion of 1641 began, George Downing became an officer. He served in a military company that was part of the Derry army. This company was formed by Alderman Henry Finch. Downing was among the officers who signed a letter supporting Sir Audley Mervyn, who was the Governor of Derry, in 1645.

A Job in Customs

In March 1648, the English Parliament gave George Downing an important job. He was made the Comptroller of Customs for the Port of Londonderry. This meant he was in charge of collecting taxes on goods coming into the port. This was a job that paid well and was meant to be for life.

At the time, a Royalist soldier named Sir Robert Stewart was blocking sea access to Derry. This made the customs job less valuable for a while. However, the fact that Downing got this job suggests he had powerful friends in London. Philip Skippon might have been one of these friends. Skippon even asked the Fishmongers' Company to let Downing keep his leased lands.

Downing's customs job did not last long. In October 1648, Sir Charles Coote captured Robert Stewart. In January 1649, Parliament decided that Coote should control the fort of Culmore and the customs of Londonderry. This meant Downing lost his job. Soon after, Royalist forces began a four-month siege of Derry and Culmore. This caused great hardship for the people living there.

His Final Years

In 1657, Oliver Cromwell gave Derry a new official charter. George Downing was listed first among the twenty-four main leaders of the city. However, there isn't much other information about his involvement in Derry's city life during the 1650s.

In 1654, records show he was a co-lessee of a small part of the Fishmongers' estate with his son-in-law. In 1658, the Fishmongers' Company received another request for Downing to be left alone on his land. This request was made by "Major Cruso," likely John Cruso, a military expert and friend of Philip Skippon.

Family and Legacy

George Downing died sometime between June 24, 1659, and June 26, 1660. On June 24, 1659, he attended a meeting of the leaders of Limavady. By June 26, 1660, someone else was elected to take his place.

In 1664, his widow traveled to London to explain her poverty. She was worried about the Fishmongers' Company leasing its Irish land to Sir Randal Beresford. She was Downing's third wife. It seems his only child who grew up was a daughter named Mary. Mary married James Higgons junior, and after his death, she married Captain Nicholas Lane.