The Downey Family in America is first noted in 1780 with the birth of James to  father John Downey and Margaret Ballentine in Kentucky Co. Virginia, later  called Kentucky. No records have been found when the parents first came to  America, but research continues through several decendents on Rootweb.com.   Kentucky Co.Va, separated into three counties in which one was Lincoln, that  later separated into several more county's and one was Mercer Co. where the  Downey family lived. Looking at the history of the times with the American  Revolution, Indian Wars, exploration and hunting one could project why John  Downey only had one child. James Married and had twelve children and his  oldest William Carson Downey is our great, great grandfather. James wife,  Elizabeth Carson's father came from Co. Cork, Ireland. Nancy Hanks, mother of  Abraham Lincoln also came from Mercer Co. during that same period of time.  More history to follow...