Philip B. Downing, a native of Newport and for many years an employee of the Boston Custom House, died at the Boston City Hospital Wednesday. He was born in Newport 77 years ago, a son of George T. and Serena L. Downing. His father was one of the best known colored men of his day, being associated with Charles Sumner. Colonel T. W. Higginson and other leading abolitionists, before the Civil war, in the interest of the abolition of slavery. The father was engaged in the hotel and restaurant