The Down Family of Concession 4 Brighton Township

Richard Down came to Canada from Plymouth England in 1843 with his parents Richard and Elizabeth (Hewitt) Down. In 1846 he married Fidelia Maybee and her parents gave the young couple 20 acres in Lot 26, Concession 4 Murray Township. (In 1852, Brighton Township was formed from part of Murray and Cramahe Townships and the farm address became Lot 26, Concession 4 Brighton Township.)

After the death of his father in 1847, Richard purchased 80 acres from Esli Terrill giving them the 100 acres they felt they needed to have a useful farm. The original log home was replaced with a frame house that still stands and the holding was named “Vinegar Hill” because it resembled a landmark in Cornwall England. As the family grew, the north half of Lot 26 was purchased and cleared.

Eight children were born into this family. Richard Henry, Abraham (Harriett Roberts), Alfred, John Wesley (Mary Ann Mutton), Elizabeth (Ransom McMaster), Samuel (Altha McMaster), Mary Jane (Robert Gainsforth) and William (Hannah Clement). A great many of the descendants of these siblings remain in the Trenton, Wooler area. Richard Henry left to homestead in Western Canada and Alfred (Fred) moved to Michigan and then to the West Coast.

My Family History

• Surname List


• Index of Individuals


• InterneTree


• Sources

Family Photos

• Catherine C Redden (31 KB)
  
• Descendents of Wesley Down and Margaret Barrie (52 KB)
  
• Andrew and Meaghan Redden (66 KB)
  
• Ian Thomas Redden (10 KB)