History of Todd County, Kentucky, ed. J. H. Battle, 1884, F. A. Battey
Publishing Co., 1884, Page 266 & 267.        (Fairview Precinct)

JOHN S. DOWNER, son of Benjamin Sr. and Elizabeth (Slaughter) Downer,
was born in Woodville, Culpeper Co., Va., June 19, 1809; married Miss
Elizabeth W. Cabaniss (daughter of George L. and Catherine Cabaniss),
at Princeton, Ky., November 19, 1832; died while on a visit to his son,
L. A. Downer, of Barren County, Ky., February 10, 1873.  Subject's
mother was a daughter of Col. John Slaughter, of Revolutionary days.
John S. was one of eleven children who arrived at maturity, and when
but a child was brought by his parents to Christian County, Ky.  At
an early age he evinced a fondness for horticulture; this culminated
in after years in his becoming an eminent pomologist and nurseryman,
in which capacity he did valuable service in correcting the nomenclature
of fruits, as well as producing and introducing new varieties.  Though
a great lover of flowers, and a thorough botanist, he gave most attention
to apples, peaches, and strawberries, of which the popular Charles
Downing and Kentucky strawberries are results of his labor.  He was a
ready and forcible writer, and was favorably known throughout the
United States by pomologists, and was highly esteemed among his own
people.  To him and wife were born four children, all now living.  The
eldest, Lerond A., married Miss Mary E. Bradley, and had six children,
viz.: Jennie, Maude, John S. Jr., Lela, Louis B. and Bert.  The second,
Preston E. (see sketch).  The third child and only daughter, Cloantha E.
married Aaron F. Williams an had five children, all girls, viz.: Bessie
(who married Thomas W. Long), Jennie (who married Thomas Rodman), Ida
D., Cloe and Sada.  His fourth was Robert W. (see sketch).  In religion
our subject was a Baptist, and during the rebellion was loyal to the
stars and stripes.

Downer Slaughter Cabaniss Bradley Williams Long Rodman
=
Princeton-Caldwell-KY Barren-KY Woodville-Culpeper-VA

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/todd/downer.js.txt