Hello
Is this the downing family in 1841?
Wellington Watling st
William Downing 50 Ag lab Shropshire
Mary 40 Shropshire
Sarah 14 (I suggest formerly Nichols) Shropshire
So Sarah must be Ann's sister.
Like you I can't see a death for William
But the only marriage in Wellington for a Mary Nichols is to a William Stones 20 Feb 1837 ,no mention of marriage status.
There is a death for a William Stones in Wellington Sep 1849 age 67 so born 1782 .
As for the Nichols ,as you say there is a Sarah born 1827.
Let's assume that Ann is illegitimate and born to a Mary something in Wellington 1820/1821
So we have
Anne Holland d of Mary 13 Mar 1822 servant Horton Wood
Ann Eaton 19.4.1818 d of Mary Oakengates labourer
Ann Day born 21.12.1821 d of Richard and Mary bapt 11.2.1827 Ketley ?
At a guess I'd assume Martha Nichols born 1845 Watling St Shropshire with Sarah and Edward Haywood is Sarah's daughter.
Which suggests neither mother are keen to take their children to be baptised at the church.
The only Thomas Nicklass in Wellington in 1861 is born 1815 the parish clerk and postman but he's born Ireland.
But it occurs to me could Edward Nicholls not exist? Could it be that Mary never did marry before Mr Downing and started life as Mary Nichols ,perhaps baptised 15.9.1797 d of Rebecca Nichols and George Crocket at Madeley?
Rebecca had a large family without marrying-William 27.12.1791,Rebecca 6.10.1792,George Crockett 5.8.1794,Benjamin 3.7.1796,Lydia 24.11.1799,Sarah 16.11.1801,and John 24.6.1804
John Ison and William Ison are brothers born 1810 and 1799 sons of John and Hannah Ison nee Owl who married 20.4. 1795 at Wellington.
Sorry I'm just not getting anywhere.
Ciderdrinker