Joel Downing was born circa 1844 in Texas.³ He was the son of William T. Downing (Junior) and Charity Brown.² Joel, age 16, was enumerated in the household of his parents on the 1860 Federal Census for the Greenfield Post Office in Precinct 9, Hunt County, Texas.¹ Follow the link to see the census image.

Citations

1. [S945] William Downing household, 1860 U.S. Census, Prect 9 (Greenfield Post Office), Hunt County, Texas, population schedule, page 19 (346), dwelling #135, family #134; National Archives micropublication M653, roll 1298, viewed on Ancestry.com 6 April 2004 (image 7 of 12). PDN: Downing-TX-0005.
2. [S947] Wm Downing household, 1870 U.S. Census, Precinct 4, Hunt County, Texas, population schedule, page 4, dwelling #21, family #21; National Archives micropublication M593, roll 1593, viewed on Ancestry.com 6 April 2004 (image 5 of 74). PDN: Downing-TX-0006.
3. [S945] William Downing, 1860 U.S. Census, Hunt County, Texas. PDN: Downing-TX-0005. Gives age as 16 and born in Texas.