Background
He married Rozetta J. Seaman (1796–1824), daughter of Assemblyman Henry O. Seaman (1769–1826), and their son was Thomas B. Downing Doctor of Medicine (1812–1839).
He married Rozetta J. Seaman (1796–1824), daughter of Assemblyman Henry O. Seaman (1769–1826), and their son was Thomas B. Downing Doctor of Medicine (1812–1839).
He ran a tavern and livery stable. At the time of his death, he was a justice of the Municipal Court of Brooklyn. He was buried at the Jackson Cemetery in Wantagh, New New York
Downing was a member of the New York State Assembly (Kings Company) in 1830, 1831, 1832 and 1833. He was a member of the New York State Senate (1st Doctorate) from 1835 to 1838, sitting in the 58th, 59th, 60th and 61st New York State Legislatures.