ESTHER LOUISA/ELIZA/McCLESKEY/WILLIAM F. SHARP, TN,AR,TX/OK
I hope someone out there can give me a lead or contact with descendants of this family!
My name is Ronald (Gene) Norris of Stilwell, OK. My mother is Marilyn Sue (Downum) Norris of Berryville, AR.
Since 1990, I have been working on my Downum Family. For these years, I have been searching for the family and descendants of Elizabeth W. Downum and her husband, David McCleskey.
In my research, I have the War of 1812 Pension information of James Downum, 1785-1854, who married Hannah Banker. Originally from Wayne and Mecklenberg Co., NC, they emigrated to Franklin Co., TN about 1808. The descendants lived in Franklin, Moore, and Lincoln Co., TN.
According to the birth record of James' war pension, Elizabeth Downum was born 24 Mar 1815. This surname has also been listed as Downam, Downem, Downen, Damron, and others. Later, I found a deed in Benton Co., AR, where the Downum families moved in 1851, listing Elizabeth W. McCleskey and David, her husband, where they sold their land originally owned by James and Hannah Downum, to her nephew, Lewis Butler Downum in 1878.
I had searched for them in Arkansas but could never find them. Recently, I located them in Texas, specifically, Hill, Ellis, and Collin Counties amond others.
I would be glad to share info within anyone directly related to David and Elizabeth.
Thank you.
Sincerely, Gene Norris