"Down, a county of Ireland, in Ulster, 42 m. long and 34 broad; bounded E by the Irish sea, W by Armagh, NW by Antrim, and S by Carlingford bay and the ocean; divided into 60 parishes, and sends 4 members to parliament.  It is in general fertile; has numerous bleach-greens; and in the rough parts many horses are bred. Copper and lead are found; also a black marble susceptible of a high polish, slate, coal, freestone, and crystals.  Pop. 329,348. Chief rivers, Lagan and Newry."
[From The New London Gazetteer (1826)]

The county town is Downpatrick, and the largest town is Bangor.

The county colours, as used on flags at inter-county sporting events, are red and black.

Down contains both the southernmost point in Northern Ireland (Cranfield Point) and the easternmost point on the island of Ireland (Burr Point).

Co. Down, a maritime county, in Ulster province. Greatest length, N. E. and S. W., 51 miles; greatest breadth, N.W. and S.E., 38 miles; comprising an area of 967 square miles or 612,495 acres, of which 514,180 are arable, 78,317 uncultivated, 14,355 in plantations, 2,211 in towns and 3,432 under water. On the coast are Carrickfergus Bay, Strangford Lough, or Lough Cone, Killough, Dundrum and Carlingford Bays; and at a short distance from it are the Copeland Islands, on the lesser of which is a lighthouse, showing a fixed light; there are also four others, namely, at Hawlbowling Rock, off Carlingford Bay, showing a fixed light; on the South Rock, off the Ards, with a light revolving every minute and a half; at Ardglass Harbour; and one revolving light at St. John's Point. The surface is hilly, rising into mountains in the South; the highest, Slieve Donard, being 2,809 feet above high sea level. The fishery districts are Donaghadee, Strangford, Newcastle and Carlingford, together comprising 139 miles of maritime boundaries, which had, in 1853, 1,468 registered fishing vessels, employing 4,642 men and boys. The population in 1841 amounted to 361,446; of which 323,807 were in the rural, and 37,639 in the civic district. According to the census of 1851, the total  population of the county was 328,754, being a decrease of 32,692.

The county is divided into eleven baronies - Ards Lower and Upper, Castlereagh Lower and Upper, Dufferin, Iveagh Lower and Upper, Kinalarty, Lecale, Mourne and Newry Lordship; and contains seventy parishes &c. It is in the diocese of Down and Dromore, with a small portion in that of Connor. The county returns two members to Parliament; constituency, in 1859, 11,367. The Assizes are held at Downpatrick, where the County Prison is. There are Bridewells at Newry and Newtownards. Quarter Sessions are held at Downpatrick, Hillsborough, Newtownards and Newry; Petty Sessions in twenty-four places. The County Infirmary is in Downpatrick; and the District Lunatic Asylum, to which the county can send 124 patients, is at Belfast. The Union Workhouses are at Downpatrick, Banbridge, Kilkeel, Newry and Newtownards. The head quarters of the Constabulary force, consisting of 255 men, officers included, are at Hillsborough; those of the six districts, comprising forty-three stations, at Newtownards, Downpatrick, Rathfriland, Newcastle, Banbridge and Ballynahinch. There are twenty-four Coast-Guard stations, consisting of 17 officers and 149 men.

• Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum - The Marquis of Londonderry, K.P., P.C. (1845), Mountstewart and Chesham Place, London.

• High-Sheriff (1861-62) - Alexander John R. Stewart, Esq., Ards House, Cashelmore.

• Members for the County - Lord A. Edwin Hill (1845), Norwood Park and

• 24 Belgrave Square, London; Lieutenant-Colonel W. B. Forde (1857), Seaforde, Clough and Carlton Club, London.

• Chairman of Quarter Sessions (1829) - Theophilus Jones, 18 Harcourt Street, Dublin.

• Deputy Lieutenants

• Annesley, the Earl of, The Cottage, Castlewellan.

• Bailie, J., Ringdufferin, Killyleagh.

• Bangor, Viscount, Castleward, Strangford.

• Bateson, Sir R., Bart., Belvoir Park, Belfast.

• Batt, R., Purdysburn, Belfast.

• Browne, Major P., Janeville, Killough.

• Coates, James, Eastwood, Kilkeel.

• Corry, Isaac, Newry.

• Crawford, W. S., Crawfordsburn.

• Crommelin, S. A. D., Carrowdore Castle, Donaghadee.

• Douglass, Chas., Gracehill, Lurgan.

• Dufferin and Clandeboye, Lord Clandeboye, Holywood.

• Forde, Lieut-Col. W. B., M.P., Seaforde.

• Gordon, R., Florida Manor, Killinchy.

• Hall, Roger, Narrow-water Castle.

• Johnson, Sir W. G., College Square North, Belfast.

• Ker, D. S., Montalto, Ballynahinch.

• Maxwell, Robert P., Groomsport, Donaghadee.

• Maxwell, J. W., Finnebrogue, Downpatrick.

• Meade, John, Burrenwood, Castlewellan.

• Montgomery, A. H., Tyrella House, Clough.

• Montgomery, Hugh, Rosemount, Greyabbey.

• Mulholland, Andrew, Springvale, Ballywalter.

• Nugent, Major A., Castleward, Strangford.

• Reilly, J. T., Scarva House, Scarva.

• Roden, Earl of, K.P., Tollymore Park.

• Stewart, A. J. R., Ards, Cashelmore.

• Ward, R. E., Bangor Castle, Bangor.

Magistrates

• Allen, J. R., Mountpanther, Clough.

• Allen, Wm. J. C., Belfast.

• Andrews, John, Comber.

• Anketell, W. R., Ballynahinch.

• Annesley, Earl of, D.L.

• Bailie, J., D.L., Ringdufferin, Killyleagh.

• Bangor, Viscount, D.L., Castleward, Strangford.

• Barron, W. N., Kinghill House, Rathfriland.

• Bateson, Sir R., Bart., D.L., Belvoir Park, Belfast.

• Bateson, T., Belvoir Park, Belfast.

• Beauclerk, Aubrey De Vere, Ardglass Castle, Ardglass.

• Batt, R., D.L., Purdysburn, Belfast.

• Binney, Rev. R., Bangor,

• Black, William, Newry.

• Bowen, G. E., Laurencetown House, Banbridge.

• Bradshaw, H., Culcavey Cottage, Hillsborough.

• Bradshaw, Rev. Joseph, Milecross, Newtownards.

• Brady, D. C., Newry.

• Browne, Major P., D.L., Killough.

• Brush, George, Dromore.

• Burrowes, Waldron, Lagan Lodge, Dromore and Kingstown, Dublin.

• Charley, William, Lambeg.

• Cleland, James, Rubane, Kirkcubbin.

• Cleland, John, Stormont, Belfast.

• Coates, Jas., D.L., Eastwood, Kilkeel.

• Coates, William, Glentoran.

• Corry, Isaac, D.L., Newry.

• Cosby, William, Hillsborough.

• Coulson, Robert, R.M., Omagh.

• Cowan, Andrew.

• Crawford, Major James S., Redemon, Crossgar.

• Crawford, John S., Crawfordsburn.

• Crawford, T., Ballydown, Banbridge.

• Crawford, W. S., D.L., Crawfordsburn.

• Crommelin, Nicholas D., Carrowdore Castle, Donaghadee.

• Crommelin, S. A. D., D.L., Carrowdore Castle, Donaghadee.

• Delacherois, Daniel, Manor House, Donaghadee.

• Delacherois, Nicholas, Ballywilliam, Donaghadee.

• Despard, P. H., Killough.

• Dolling, R. H., Derry.

• Donegal, the Marquis of, K.P., G.C.H., Ormeau, Belfast.

• Douglas, Charles, D.L., Gracehill, Lurgan.

• Downshire, Colonel, the Marquis of, K.P., Hillsborough Castle.

• Dufferin and Clandeboye, Lord, D.L., Clandeboye, Belfast.

• Doyne, James Livingstone, Moira.

• Dunbar, Geo., Woburn, Donaghadee.

• Dungannon, Viscount, Brynkinalt, North Wales.

• Dunville, Wm., Richmond Lodge, Belfast.

• Echlin, Rev. J. R., Carnavon, Wales.

• Fenton, S. G., Belfast.

• Filgate, Fitzherbert, Hillsborough.

• Forde, Lieut-Col. W. B., D.L., M.P., Seaforde.

• Fluton, J. W., Lisburn.

• Gordon, Rev. J. C., Delamont, Downpatrick.

• Gordon, R. F., Hollymount, Downpatrick.

• Gordon, R., D.L., Florida Manor, Killinchy.

• Gordon, Robt., Highlands, Seaforde.

• Gordon, R. A., Summerfield, Dundonald.

• Gracey, Thomas, Ballyhossett, Ardglass.

• Greer, James, Corbally, Ardglass.

• Greer, William, Portaferry.

• Greg. Thomas, Ballymenoch, Holywood.

• Gregg, William, Lisburn.

• Grimshaw, Robert, Belfast.

• Halliday, Alex. H., Carnmoney, County Antrim.

• Hall, Major, Moygannon, Warrenpoint.

• Hall, Roger, D.L., Narrow-water, Warrenpoint.

• Hamilton, C. T., Tamnaharry.

• Hancock, John, Lurgan.

• Harrell, David, Downpatrick.

• Harrison, Henry, Holywood.

• Hastings, John, Downpatrick.

• Hayes, R., Millmount, Banbridge.

• Henry, T. G., Newry and Mourne Abbey.

• Heron, Denis Caulfield, Q.C., 7 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin.

• Heron, R., Ardigon, Killyleagh.

• Higginson, H. T., Carnalea House.

• Hill, Lord Edwin, M.P.

• Hore, Walter, Saintfield.

• Houston, John B., Orangefield, Belfast.

• Innes, A. C., Dromantine, Newry.

• Irvine, Hill, Dromalane, Newry.

• Jocelyn, Hon. John, Bryansford.

• Johnston, H. T., Hollypark, Killinchy

• Johnston, Rev. G. H., M.D., Ballywillwill, Castlewellan.

• Johnson, Sir W. G., D.L., Belfast.

• Kennedy, Henry, Cultra, Holywood.

• Keogh, Lieut-Col. John H., Resident Magistrate, Dundrum, Clough.

• Keown, W., Ballydugan House, Downpatrick.

• Ker, D.S., D.L., Montalto, Ballynahinch.

• Kilmorey, Earl of, Mourne Park, Rostrevor.

• King, Arthur, The Lodge, Seaforde.

• Leslie, E. F., Donaghadee.

• Leslie, Francis Charles, Ballyward.

• Lowry, Thomas K., LL.D., Q.C., Ballytrin House and Dublin.

• Lurgan, Lord, Brownlow House, Lurgan.

• Lyle, Godfrey C., Bangor.

• McClenahan, James Martin, Rathfriland.

• McClure, Thomas, Belmont, Belfast.

• McLeroth, Thos., Killynether House, Newtownards.

• McMaster, J. W., Gilford.

• McMinn, A., Herdstown, Donaghadee.

• Magennis, Roger, Ballely, Dromore.

• Maguire, Denis, Newry.

• Maxwell, J. W., D.L., Finnebrogue, Downpatrick.

• Maxwell, Robert P., Groomsport, Donaghadee.

• Miller, H. R., Ballyatwood.

• Moore, J. S., Shannon Grove, Kilkeel.

• Montgomery, A. H., D.L., Tyrella House, Clough.

• Montgomery, Lieut-Colonel Fras., Newtownards.

• Montgomery, Hugh, D.L., Rosemount, Greyabbey.

• Mulholland, A., D.L., Springvale, Ballywalter.

• Mulholland, John, Craigavad, Holywood.

• Mulholland, St. Clair K., Eglantine House, Hillsborough.

• Murland, S., Woodlawn, Castlewellan.

• Nicholson, Rawden H., Stranmore House, Gilford.

• Nicholson, R., Balloo, Bangor.

• Nugent, Major A., D.L., Castleward, Strangford.

• Parsons, William, Greyabbey.

• Pollard, George A., Rostrevor.

• Posnett, George, Brynkinalt, Wales.

• Potter, R., Ardview, Killinchy.

• Price, Wm. Blackwood, Tonaghnieve, Saintfield.

• Quinn, Jas., Dromore House, Dromore.

• Read, A. H., Donnybrook, Ballymackey.

• Reilly, J. T., D.L., Scarva House.

• Richardson, Jonathan, M.P., Lisburn.

• Richardson, Jonathan Joseph, The Island, Lisburn.

• Robinson, James, Lisburn.

• Roberts, John, Collin.

• Ross, David, of Bladensburg, Rostrevor.

• Ruston, John F., Hilltown, Rathfriland.

• Scott, Thomas, Rathfriland.

• Senior, Colonel H., Glassdrummond, Annalong, Kilkeel.

• Skinner, Captain C. G. McG..

• Stannus, Walter T., Lisburn.

• Stewart, Alexander J. R., D.L., Ards, Cashelmore.

• Stewart, Alexander, Ballyedmond, Rostrevor.

• Stone, Guy, Barnhill, Comber.

• Tennent, J. T., Belfast.

• Tennent, R. J., Rushpark.

• Tennent, Sir J. E., Tempo Castle, Tempo, London.

• Thelluson, Ernest, Isle of Man.

• Thomson, Robert, Castleton.

• Thomson, John, Lowwood, Belfast.

• Trevor, E. H., Lisnagade, Loughbrickland.

• Verner, Thomas Captain, Belfast.

• Vesey, Wm. M., Bagnalstown.

• Ward, Robert, D.L., Bangor Castle.

• Waddell, Robert, Moira.

• Walkington, Thos., Oakland Cottage, Ballinderry.

• Waring, Major Henry, Newry.

• Waring, Richard, Newry.

• White, John, Divernagh, Newry.

• Resident Magistrates

• Watson, Wm., Aghavilla Lodge, Warrenpoint.

• Waugh, William, Banbridge.

• Wylie, John J., Loughbrickland.

County Officers

• Clerk of the Crown (1832) - Clotworthy Macartney, 38 Upper Gloucester Street, Dublin.

• Deputy Clerk of the Crown - Jas. K. Jackson, Belfast.

• Clerk of the Peace (1831) - R. Craig Laurie, Myra Castle, Downpatrick.

• Deputy Clerk of the Peace - John A. Ward, Downpatrick.

• Crown Solicitor(1830) - Maxwell Hamilton, 5 Kildare Street, Dublin.

• Sessional Crown Prosecutor - J. M. Magee, Newry.

• Treasurer (1841) - A. H. Montgomery, Tyrella, Clough.

• Secretary to Grand Jury (1835) - Robert Gordon, Downpatrick and Highlands, Seaford.

• Solicitor to Grand Jury - James Murland, Downpatrick.

• County Surveyor - Henry Smyth, C.E., Downpatrick.

• Sub-Sheriff - Wm. M. Nelson, Downpatrick.

• Sheriff-s Returning Officer - Andrew Craig, 19 Upper Ormond Quay, Dublin.

• District Registrar, Court of Probate for Antrim and Down - John M.

• Higginson, Belfast.

• Coroners - George Tyrell, M.D., Banbridge and John A. Ward, Downpatrick.

• Agents for Lloyds - Robert Boyd, Belfast; Leonard Waterson, Warrenpoint; Wm. Russell, Strangford.

• Head Stamp Distributor at Downpatrick - C. Knox.

• Head Stamp Distributor at Newry - Andrew Jennings.

Militia

• North Down Royal Rifles {77}

• Colonel - Marquis of Londonderry, K.P.

• Lieutenant Colonel - Fras. O. Montgomery, late Major 45th Foot.

• Major - Octavius Latouche, late 14th Foot.

• Captains - Craig John; Keown H., late Captain 15th Light Dragoons;

• William Matthew Forde; Gilbert H. Howe; John Harrison; Edward

• George Moore.

• Lieutenants - Alexander Allan Hunter; I. A. M. E. Stacpoole; James

• Trail Hall; Brown, James Greer; Henry L. Muloch; James W. Ievers.

• Ensigns - Thomas Henshaw, W Shirley Cordner.

• Adjutant - Captain G. Conyngham Stewart, late Captain 75th Foot.

• Quartermaster - Joseph Henshaw, late 65th Foot.

• Surgeon - John S. Armstrong.

• Assistant-Surgeon - R. H. Cross.

• Facings - Scarlet.

• Agents - Borough, Armitt & Co.

• Royal South Down Light Infantry {112}

• Colonel - Marquis of Downshire.

• Lieut-Colonel - William Brownlow Forde, late 67th Foot.

• Major - Peter Rutledge M. Brown, Captain unat.

• Captains - Charles A. Forde, Thos. Waring, F. W. Norman, late Lieut.

• 91st Foot; George Shuldham Peard, late Captain 20th Foot; John

• White, Douglas Hamilton, late Captain 1 Lanark Militia; Henry B.

• Hunt, Andrew N. Davoren.

• Lieutenants - Stapleton Hawker, Richard R. Nelson, Edward Lloyd

• Trevor, Robert M. Borthwick.

• Ensigns - Desmond Fitzgerald, Craven Goeing, Charles A. Kinahan,

• Joseph Baldwin.

• Adjutant - James Balcombe, late Captain 57th Foot.

• Quartermaster - John Magroarty.

• Surgeon - George Croker.

• Assistant-Surgeon - J. R. Kirkpatrick, M.B.

• Facings - Blue.

• Agents - Cane & Co.

• Constabulary Officers

• County Inspector - Michael B. Kelly, Hillsborough.

• Sub-Inspector's Stations - Banbridge, Henry L. H. Owen;

• Hillsborough, P. D. Ireland; Ballynahinch, Augustus W. Stafford;

• Downpatrick, Richard Singleton; Newcastle, Castlewellan, F. W.

• Janus; Newtownards, Louis John Anderson; Rathfriland, W. Wray.

• County Jail, Downpatrick

• Board of Superintendence meet on the last Saturday in every month.

• Local Inspector - David Harrel.

• Governor - George F. Echlin.

• deputy-Governor - J. Waterworth.

• Chaplain - Very Rev. T. Woodward, Dean of Down.

• Presbyterian Chaplain - Rev. Wm. White.

• Roman Catholic Chaplain - Rev. B. Macauley.

• Physician - John K. Maconchy, F.R.C.S.I.

• Apothecary - S. K. Parkinson

Bridewells and Keepers

• Newry - John Matthews.

• Newtownards - Alexander M. Matthews.

• County Infirmary, Downpatrick

• Treasurer - William Keown, Ballydugan.

• Surgeon - John K. Maconchy.

• Apothecary and Registrar - Samuel K. Parkinson.

Barony Cess Collectors

• Ards Lower - J. Boal, Newtownards.

• Ards Upper - T. Gracy, Ballyward.

• Castlereagh Lower - Peter Barry, Tullygirvan, Saintfield.

• Castlereagh Upper - Robert Morrow, Legacurry Mills, Lisburn.

• Dufferin - Alexander Martin, Killyleagh.

• Lower Iveagh, Upper half - Daniel Munro, Drumbane, Moira.

• Lower Iveagh, Lower half - John Patterson, Backnamullagh, Dromore.

• Upper Iveagh, Upper half and Upper Iveagh, Lower half - Wm. Rowan,

• Moneyslane, Rathfriland.

• Kinalarty - Matthew Blackwood, Drumnakelly, Seaforde.

• Lecale, Upper half - James Roney, Ballykindler, Clough.

• Lecale, Lower half - Robert Cultra, Ballybranagh, Downpatrick.

• Mourne - P. McKay, Drumcrow, Kilkeel.

• Newry - J. Sloan, Finards, Ardaragh.

Coast Guard Stations and Officers.

• Inspecting Officers - Captain Geo. A. E. Ridge, R.N. (1856), Newcastle

• Lieutenant J. B. Hockley, R.N. (1855), Strangford.

• Annalong - Wm. Morrow (1821)

• Ardglass - Rivoire Maingay, late E.I.C.S.

• Cranfield Point, Kilkeel - Lieutenant Chas. A. Petch, R.N.

• Newcastle - Lieutenant W. H. Goslin, R.N. (18540

• Roddens, Ballywalter - Wm. Withercombe, Esq. (1860)

Source: http://www.lennonwylie.co.uk/index.htm