Downing Vault

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

The vault,a rectangular building of sandstone construction with gabled finish to the slated roof is placed in the graveyard on the north side of the church. The entrance elevation is on the east side.

Drainage from parapet gutters is by means of outlets on the east side directed into cast iron downpipes.

The west elevation breaks forward and is pedimented above a recess containing a marble inscription framed within plain architraves raised at the corners as plain square stops. Above this the main gabled face terminates in projecting shoulders. The projecting base is chamfered.

The south side is finished at roof level by a plain stone frieze moulded at the top. At the centre a recessed marble inscription is surmounted by a hood moulding. A base has not been provided.

The east elevation is similar to that of the west but lacks an inscription and instead is pierced by an entrance door of iron construction with sunburst motif at the centre. A plaque set in the wall face above is inscribed “IID 1776”.

The north side is similar to that of the south and also contains a recessed marble plaque..

Inscriptions:

West side

“In this place are deposited the remains of Adam Downing Esquire, descended from an ancient family in Devonshire and honourably allied in this kingdom, being married to Ann, the daughter of John Jackson of Coleraine, Esq. He gave early and signal proofs of his courage at the siege of Derry and battle of the Boyne, where he commanded an independent company, in consequence of which he was appointed by the government in the year 1715, one of the commissioners of the army. Soon after he was made lieutenant colonel of Militia Dragoons, and on the 18th January in the same year, deputy governor of this county. He was an active magistrate, a humane landlord, a hospitable neighbour and pleasing companion. His door was always open to receive his friends, his purse to relieve the poor and distressed. He died 15th December 1719 on the 53rd year of his age.

Universally beloved universally lamented. Sacred to the memory of a man so respectable this marble is erected by John Downing his eldest living son who wishes to be thought worthy of such a Father to inherit his loyalty and public spirit in the time of the Scotch Rebellion in the year of 1745 raised at great expense an independent company of the most reputable men to serve in the defence of his King and Country.

Here lies his Daughter Margaret Relict of Captain James Hand.

As also Ann his beloved wife Daughter of the Rev. Simon Rowan a pious and learned clergyman many years Rector of this Parish.This amiable woman after a tedious illness returned to her Rest on the 2nd Feb. 1776 aged 65.

Titles and wealth a transient honour claim.

But virtue only gives a lasting faith.

”South side“

n affectionate memory of Catherine Jamison Downing Nesbitt who died 26 February 1886 aged nearly 86 years.

”North side“

Within this are deposited the remains of several descendants of Adam Downing.

The first of his family interred here Dawson Downing of Rowansgift in this county was interred here on the 14th July 1807.

The Revd. Alexander Clotworthy Downing Rector of the Parish of Leckpatrick, also in this County, eldest brother of the said Dawson Downing having died at an advanced age was interred here on the 13 April 1812.

Tamison Downing widow of the said Rev. Alexander Clotworthy Downing died at the age of 80 and was interred here on the 2nd November 1817.

William Downing son of the above Dawson Downing died at age 26 and was interred here on the 25 March 1845”

Historical information

The chronological history of the Downing family may be deduced from the extensive information provided on the inscribed panels
As stated on the main face the family originated in Devonshire.
The mausoleum is described as late 18th century by James Stephens Curl. He mentions that it celebrates these Devonshire worthies who were related to the Earls of Clancarty whose connection with the Dawson Downings can be found in Burke’s peerage.
Information supplied by the church historian states that Downing street, London was designed by a George Downing and that Downing College, Cambridge was founded by another member also named George.
In fact both are the same person, Sir George (1624-84) was given a Baronetcy under Charles II and a grant of land at Whitehall on which he built Downing Street about 1680. Prime Ministers have occupied No. 10 since 1731.
In 1717 Sir George’s will provided for the founding of Downing College, Cambridge that received its charter in 1800.
In Bellaghy the Downing vault stands in front of Ballyscullion Church. The church was completed in 1794 on the site of a building of 1625.
Secondary sources

Ordnance Survey Memoirs, Parish of Londonderry 1, 1830, 1834, 1836, vol. 6,page 46..

Curl, J.S., The Londonderry Plantation, 1609-1914, 186, page 372.

Lewis, Samuel, Topographical Survey of Ireland, 1837, vol.1 pp. 165,201.

Morton, H .V., In Search of London, 1951, page 206.

Pascoe, Lee, Jenkins, Encyclopaedia of Dates and Events, 1968, year 1717.

Rankin, P.J., Earl Bishop of Derry, UAHS, 1972, page 40.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
H-. Alterations detracting from building

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
V. Authorship
Z. Rarity

Evaluation

The vault is of special architectural and historic interest. It is a well-proportioned essay in neo-classical style constructed of ashlar sandstone and includes fine attention to detail.