The national Republican., 1866-04-13
Death ofThomas Downing, the 0ys-
termnn.

This well-known caterer and oysterman,
one Of the institutions" Of New York for
nearly fifty years, died yesterday in this city,
at the age Of seventy-fve years.
Mr.Downing was born in Accomac county,
Virginia, on the 2Tth Of January, 1891. He
was born slave. His masters family were
well known and much respected in that
county. The white meeting house was
named after the family, being known as the
downing Meeting House" The mother
Of Downing was woman well known and
much respected for her piety. Downing in
boyhood was sent TO the same school with
Henry A. Wise.
His parents were freed by old Captain
Downing. Subsequently relative Of Cap
tain Downing attempted TO set aside his will
and re-enslaye the people he had freed. This
person was killed by the colored people, who
resisted his attempt. They were thereafter
left in peace.
During the war of 1872 Thomas Downing
first came North, and for time was with the
army. After the war he went to Philadel-
phia, where, having no trade, he was a servant
in some Of the prominent families of the city,
whose respect and friendship he gained by
his faithful conduct.
He came to New York in June, 1919, and
began life as kdisominer, opening a shop
in Broad street and here he soon after set
up an eating house, which shortly became
famous with downtown merchants, for the
excellence Of his oysters and other eatables,
and the cleanliness Of his place.
One of the great events Of Mr.. Downing's
life occurred at the great fire in 1885, when
large part of the business part Of the city
was destroyed. Mr.. Downing, by his pres
ence Of mind, succeeded in saving property
valued at over u million of dollars. The
weather was so cold that the water froze
nearly as fast us it left the engines, and but
little could be done TO stay the rapid progress
OF the flames. Mr.. Downing discovered sew
eral barrels Of vinegar standing behind
fence in the direct course the fire was taking
from Exchange place to Wall street. These
barrels he opened and standing behind the
fence threw the vinegar upon the flames at
great personal risk until he had checked the
fire in that direction. lie was injured by
the fire. In lithograph of the cOnhagra-
ton, which was subsequently issued, he was
given the most prominent place. His SER
vices were also recognized by series of res
olutiOns which were adopted by meeting
OF prominent citizens.
In the early days of New York the lower
part OF the city was occupied by the leading
residents, many Of whom used to take their
families to Downng's, in Broad street, to eat
oysters. Ills name thus became warrant |
for good living, and he was for many years |
the chief caterer for parties, especially |
amongst the old residents.
Mr.. Downing raised large family Of child |
ren, to whom he gave II liberal education,
sending some Of them to Europe for that |
purpose. OnlytwO Of his children-George
T., the eldest, and Peter w, the youngest
survive their father.
Mr. Downing was connected with the
higher degrees of Masonry, was an Odd Eel |
low, and for great many years had been
vestryman of st. Philips Protestant Epsco.
pal Church His attachment to the old spot
IN Broad street, where his eating-house so
long stood, was very strong, and when the
property changed hands, year or two ago,
and he was obliged to remove, it caused him
much suffering
He lived useful, industrious, and honor
able and industrious life, and few Of our citi-
zens, in the humber walks of life, have been
more generally OF Justly respected.-N y.
EUeniud Post llh.