Manganese, Mines and Poetry

Hugh Downman, Poet and Physician 1740-1809

Hugh Downman was reputedly born in Newton House, Newton St Cyres; he was however baptised in Alphington in 1740. After attending Exeter School, he entered Balliol at Oxford and was ordained in 1763. A couple of years later he changed careers, and went to Edinburgh to study medicine. He was later awarded an MD by Aberdeen University.

He was appointed physician to the Devon and Exeter Hospital in 1771. Later that year he married Frances Andrew, daughter of John Andrew MD, a senior Exeter hospital physician, and his wife, Isabella (sister of 1st Viscount Courtenay). That same year he published the first of six volumes entitled “Infancy”, a guide to child care written as a poem. Clearly more of a poem than a practical handbook, he extolled the value of letting nature take its course, recommending breast feeding, and not giving medication to babies.

Dr Hugh Downman,

by his distant cousin John Downman ARA (1796

In 1779, on the grounds of ill-health, he gave up his hospital appointment, and took to writing more poetry and plays, although he returned to medical practice about ten years later.

In about 1791 he formed a literary society in Exeter, known as "The Society of Gentleman". This group of self-styled intellectuals met every few weeks over a meal to discuss philosophy, science and literature, often submitting contributions in essay form. Initially there were just nine members, it was later enlarged to 12. Other members included Rev Richard Hole of Farringdon, William Jackson, Exeter Cathedral organist, Rev Richard Polwhele, Bartholomew Parr Jr (physician), John Sheldon (anatomist and balloonist), Rev John Swete (Oxton), Rev John Hayter, (Chagford), Rev Gilbert Burrington, (Chudleigh), John Codrington, Exeter apothecary, General John Graves Simcoe, Captain Sebastian Emmett and William Kendall, poet. The society prospered for about 12 years, but was closed down when Downman's health again began to fail in 1808.

By a codicil to his will dated 9 June 1804 “...whereas a Mine of Manganese since the making of my said will has been and now is working on my estate called Ford in the parish of Newton St Cyres…” Hugh Downman directed that any proceeds should go to his widow.

He died in Exeter in 1809, his widow in 1822. They had no children.



Mining had taken place in and around Newton St Cyres on and off since Roman times. First Lead was extracted, later Silver and finally Manganese. Some of the shafts were 26 fathoms (over 150 feet) deep. The mines were located along a geological fault line running East to West from Huxham (near Stoke Canon) to Woodley (South-west of Newton St Cyres).