History of the Jordan Family of Surry County, Virginia; Part 2; by Joseph Luther -- Sassytazzy's Genealogy Research

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Jordan Documents and Manuscripts

History of the Jordan Family of Surry County, Virginia -- Part 2

Assembled by Joseph Luther

Works in Progress, Jul 1987 & Jan 1990

COL. GEORGE JORDAN

Colonel George Jordan was one of Surry County, Virginia's most prominent citizens. He was in the House of Burgesses at intervals for nearly 30 years, serving in the sessions of 1646-47, 1658-59, 1674-76. He was a Justice in Surry County in 1652 and afterwards was Attorney General for Virginia from 1667 to his death in 1678.

Apparently, George Jordan arrived in Virginia in 1637. Greer's "Early Virginia Immigrants" says that George Jordan was imported 1637 by Capt. Henry Browne of James City County.

In 1673, the Surry Court granted George Jordan a certificate showing his right to have land (head-rights) for the transportation of 38 persons, among whom was Fortune Flood, his sister, who married John Flood; Arthur Jordan, his brother; Charles and William Jordan; John Cary, Robert Lee and William Thompson.

Colonel George Jordan lived near Four Mile Tree Plantation. At this plantation, is today found one of the oldest legible tombstones in Virginia: that of George Jordan's wife, Alice. It reads:
"Here lyeth the Body of Alyce Myles
daughter of John Myles of Branton
near Herreford Gent. and late wife
of Mr. George Jordan in Virginia who
departed this life the 7th of January 1650
Reader, her dust is here included who was
Witt and grace composed
Her life was Vertuous during health But
Highly Glorous in her death."

George Jordan married secondly, Elizabeth Coats on 31 March 1655. His only child to grow to maturity was Fortune who married Thomas Hunt and died without issue. Col. Jordan provided in his will that, "On the 15th day of every October, a Sermon of Mortality be had at my house, the day my daughter Fortune Hunt died. If the day come on Sunday, Holy Communion to be given. Whoever shall enjoy the land, be it one thousand generations, who possesses the land shall perform both Sermon and Prayer."

In 1657, Col. George Jordan may have seated his own plantation on the 350 acres obtained in part from Henry Browne but also from John Flood, at Pipsico Bay.

In 1664, William Thompson, former minister of Southwark Parish, gave George Jordan power of attorney: "William Thompson, of Surry County, Minister of God's Word, orders his loving friend, George Jordan, to receive, sue, and execute all business in court or otherwise."

George Jordan obtained his first recorded patent for land in Surry in 1675: 690 acres. [DB 1, pp 115; Nugent, pp 356]

Apparently, his second wife, Elizabeth Coates, had died before 1655, or so he decided to give up his plantation, for in that year he sold to Thomas Hunt his house and 400 acres in Surry County. This house was probably located just west of the present-day Eastover.

George Jordan made his will in 1678. In 1682, when he died, the most extensive estate yet recorded in Surry County appeared. In the first 30 years of Surry County's history, no person is mentioned more frequently in the records than George Jordan.

There were more than 100 persons involved in the settlement of George Jordan's will in 1682. Among these was his friend, William Thompson, former minister of the nearby Southward {? s/b Southwark ?} Church. For more on this Thompson line, see the related histories of Thompson, Swann, Dabney, and Anderson.

The will of George Jordan was made on 28 May 1678 and witnessed by Will Brown and Will Thompson. The will was recorded that same year. Probate was granted to Thomas Jordan, his nephew and son of Arthur Jordan, I. Witnessed and signed by Col. William Brown and Capt. Robert Spencer. [DB 1, pp 192]

George Jordan had 4 brothers and sisters, including:

1. Fortune Jordan b. ca 1623, d. 1669, md 1) ca 1645 Col. John Flood, being his second wife, and had two children, Jane Flood and Walter Flood; md 2) ca 1660 James Mills, by whom she had no children. Jane Flood married John Cary. Walter Flood married Anne, daughter of Col. Henry Browne of Pipsico {? s/b daughter of Lt. Col. William Browne ?}.

2. Mary Jordan, md 1) Arthur Bayley; md 2) Christopher Foster on 15 June 1677. By her first marriage, she had one son, Edward Bayley; by her second marriage, she had another son, Christopher Foster. A John Bailey (Bayley) had patented land before 1619 on Hog Island. His daughter Mary Bayley married Randall Holt before 1630 and their descendants held this land until the 19th century.

3. ARTHUR H. JORDAN, I b. 1629, d. 1698, md in 1654 to Elizabeth Bavin. My ancestor. See later.

4. William Jordan had children living at Gilsburn near Skipton in Craven, Yorkshire in 1677, according to the Colonel's will. In 1664, William Jordan, about to die, sold certain lands to Henry Briggs. His will was recorded in Surry on 20 March 1664-5. He is said to have wife Ann and 2 daughters.

5. Frances Jordan. Deed 100 acres on the James at Sunken Meadow, bounded between Benjamin Harrison and Charles Ford. 11 Mar 1652. [Nugent, pp 276] In 1654, Francis Jordan assigned to William Jennings this 100 acre patent. [DB 1, pp 59] This last conveyance apparently later became the basis of a dispute between Arthur Jordan and William Jennings.

6. Hannah Jordan married --- Hill.

ARTHUR JORDAN
1629 - 1698

Arthur Jordan was born in Herefordshire, England in 1629, d. 1698, md in 1654 to Elizabeth Bavin, daughter of Richard and Mary Bavin, or widow of Richard Bavin, Jr. Richard Bavin died in 1653. There {are} conflicting views on who Elizabeth Bavin was. There is a marriage contract between Arthur Jordan and Elizabeth Bavin in Southward {? s/b Southwark ?} Parish, Surry County, Virginia. On 11 March 1752, John Blackborne patented 100 acres next to Arthur Jordan for the transport of himself and Mary Bavin.

On 12 Apr 1654, Arthur Jordan recorded a statement in Surry County declaring, "whereas there is a marriage to be made and consumated between Arthur Jordan and Elizabeth Barwinn (aka Bavin), both of the parish of Southwark in ye County of Surry . . ." This was essentially a pre-marriage agreement concerning Mrs. Bavin's property. [DB 1, pp 149]

In 1663, Arthur Jordan and William Norwood defined the Spring Swamp boundary with reference to Blackborne's and Richard Bavin's land.

Arthur Jordan's first recorded patents for Surry land do not appear until 1681 (150 acres) and 1684 (250 acres). But it is clear that Arthur Jordan had previously gained substantial holdings. In 1655, he was mentioned as a Southwark planter and guardian to Elizabeth Hutton, whose lands he cared for. In 1662, William Jennings, who was at odds with the Jordans for years, protested Arthur Jordan's possession of a patent he himself claimed.

The will of Arthur Jordan, dated 24 Sep 1698, probated 3 Jan 1698/9 was witnessed by Nathaniel Harrison, Walter Flood and Thomas Flood. Arthur Jordan left legacies to his son GEORGE JORDAN, II (ancestor), his son River Jordan, and son and daughter Washington, and granddaughter Elizabeth Jordan and grandson Arthur Washington. [DB 4, pp 160]

In this will, Arthur Jordan left all his lands in Surry to George Jordan, II, as well as "other estate in Virginia and elsewhere" to George and River, to be equally divided."

This land lay east of Sunken Meadow, south of, but extending into, Flood's land, and running east toward Wareneck along the Spring Run, or northern branch, of Gray's Creek.

On 4 Jul 1699, the inventory and appraisement of the estate of Arthur Jordan was recorded. River Jordan was the executor. [DB 4, pp 169]

The children of Arthur and Mary {? Elizabeth ?} (Bavin) Jordan were:

1. Thomas Jordan (1655-1685) md 1) Jane Browne Spencer who was the widow of Robert Spencer; md 2) Lucy Corker (1658-1684). This Thomas Jordan was the nephew of Col. George Jordan and received most of his lands in Virginia. He was later, 1684, licensed to "keep an ordinary" in Surry County, with William Brown and John Morning as securities. [DB 2, pp 14] The inventory of his estate was executed by Lt. Col. William Brown and James Jordan on 12 Feb 1686, witnessed by John Moring, Will Noreman (Norwood?), Samuel Thompson, and Thomas Sowerby. [DB 2, pp 60] Samuel Thompson was the son of the Rev. William and Katherine Thompson of Southwark Parish. On 3 Jul 1694, a list of debts remaining due on "ye estate of Thomas Jordan, decd," included among others, Richard Jordan, Sr.; James Jordan; River Jordan. [DB 4, pp 1709] There is also a deed dated Sep 1688, from Lucy, widow of Thomas Jordan, to her daughter Phillis Jordan. Children of Thomas and Jane (Browne) Jordan were Jane and Mary, who married Francis Sowerby.

NOTE: There are conflicting views on the ancestry of Thomas Jordan who married Lucy Corker. Some say he is the son of Samuel Jordan, others say the son of Arthur Jordan.

2. GEORGE JORDAN, II (1657-1718) md) MARY BROWNE. Ancestor. See later.

3. James Jordan (1659-1697) md) Ann Rawlings and the widow, Mrs. Ann Sowerby. This is noted in a statement regarding the will of Thomas Sowerby in 1696. [DB 4, pp 110] Ann Jordan's will is dated 1697 and names John Rawlings, Sr.; Eliza Rawlings; the wives of John Sowerby, Thomas Sowerby, and Richard Rose; "my son Edward Evans." [DB 4, pp 146] River Jordan and Richard and Eliza Washington were granted administration of the estate of James Jordan in 1697. [DB 4, pp 149] This inventory and appraisement was returned 4 Nov 1697 by River Jordan and Richard Washington. [DB 4, pp 169]

4. River Jordan married Priscilla Browne, daughter of Col. William Browne. In 1689, River Jordan of Southwark Parish, Surry County sold to his brother George Jordan, II 830 acres on the "north side of the main black water swamp." This land had originally been granted to Thomas Hunt. River Jordan died in 1699. River Jordan's will is dated 2 Dec 1699. Gives land to George Jordan, eldest son of George Jordan; to Arthur Jordan, son of George Jordan; to Thomas Jordan, son of George Jordan, to William Brown, son of William Brown, Jr., to Mary and Elizabeth Jordan, daughters of George Jordan. Wife, Priscilla, was executor and witnesses were William Browne, Jr., Grace Barker, and Patrick Leshley. Will probated 4 Mar 1700. [DB 4, pp 220] The estate was inventoried and appraised on 2 Sep 1701 by John Barker and Thomas Blunt. [DB 4, pp 226] Apparently, his wife, Priscilla, later remarried (by 1719) secondly to Thomas Blunt and thirdly to William Thomas. [Vol. 1715-1730, pp 191; Valentine, pp 2274] See notes on George Jordan, III following.

His will of 1700 leaves his plantation to his unborn child: "If the child should die in minority, then after my wife's decease . . . my plantation . . . to George Jordan, eldest son of George Jordan (his brother) . . . and the Plantation where I live with all adjoining (lands, etc) to Arthur Jordan, son of George Jordan, a neck of land adjacent said father's land up the swamp to the Spring Branch."

5. Elizabeth Jordan (ca 1663-1735) married in 1682 Richard Washington, son of John and Mary (Flood) Washington. They had 12 children. Their fourth child, Elizabeth was born in 1689 and later married Sampson Lanier. This family became the source of the Lanier and Harris families of Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

GEORGE JORDAN, II
1657 - 1718
SON OF ARTHUR JORDAN

George Jordan, II, son of Arthur and nephew of Lt. Col. George Jordan was born in 1657 in Surry Co., Virginia. He married Mary Browne, daughter of Henry Browne, who died in 1705 in Surry County. He was in the Surry County Militia in 1687. George Jordan made his will in Surry on 18 May 1718 and it was probated on 20 August 1718. In the will, George Jordan mentions his wife Mary; his sons: George, Arthur, Thomas, James, River, and Charles; as well as his daughters Mary Anderson and Elizabeth Baley. George Jordan died in August 1718 in Surry County, Virginia. George and Mary (Browne) Jordan had 9 children:

1. George Jordan, III, b. 1678 in Surry Co., md Patience Warren. Probably died in Edgecombe or Granville Co., North Carolina. Their children included: Thomas, Mary, Elizabeth, and James Jordan. On 17 Jun 1719, George Jordan, III conveyed to William Thomas 200 acres of land "on the north side of the Blackwater Swamp" in Southwark Parish, Surry County, "being part of a tract of 836 acres granted by pattent & is now in the Tennue or occupation of the forsd." This deed goes on to note, "William Thomas in right of his wife Priscilla which sd land he the sd George Jordan hath or ought to have from Priscilla and after the death of said Priscilla. Said land River Jordan decd. by his will devised unto the sd. Priscilla during her life, the reversion thereof descends to the sd George Jordan as heir at Law to sd. River Jordan the devisor. [Vol 1715-1730, pp 191]

2. ARTHUR JORDAN, II, d. 1752 in Northampton Co., North Carolina. Married Sara ___ and had 8 children including George, III, Arthur, III, John, THOMAS (ancestor), Henry, Benjamin, Elizabeth, and Fortune. On 20 Jul 1725, Arthur Jordan of Lawns Creek Parish, Surry County, sold to Henry Harrison 120 acres in the same parish, adjoining lands of Henry Harrison. "It being the same land on which George Jordan the father of the said Arthur Jordan lived on at the time of his death and now n the tenure of sd. Henry Harrison, sd. land the sd. Arthur Jordan hath should or ought to have by and after the decease of Mary Jordan mother of sd. Arthur which sd. land with appurtenances, George Jordan deceased later father of sd. Arthur Jordan, by his last will dated 13 May 1718 devised to sd. Arthur Jordan." [Vol 1715-1730, pp 588[ On 15 Mar 1738, Arthur Jordan of Brunswick County sold to Thomas Cocke of Surry County, 200 acres on the north side of the backwater swamp, adjoining the lands of James Anderson. [DB 3, pp 28]

3. James Jordan, d. 1746 in Brunswick County, Virginia, married Agnes . . . On 18 Mar 1723, James and River Jordan of the Isle of Wight County sold 80 acres on Stoney Run in Southwark Parish, "sd tract is the 1/2 and lower most and outmost part of the land given to the sd. James Jordan and River Jordan by their decd. father George Jordan's last will, the other half of the sd. devise being likewise sold by the sd. James Jordan and River Jordan to Joseph Wytherington, and adjoining lands of John Jarratt, new line of marked trees made and agreed to between the sd. John Moring and Joseph Wytherington and lands of George Norwoods. This land also bordered that of their brother, Thomas Jordan. In 1725, Thomas Jordan, James Jordan and River Jordan of the Isle of Wight County sold to Benjamin Chapman Donaldson 122 acres of land in Surry County, "late in the tensure and occupation of William Hux." This land adjoined that of William Blackburn, George Harwood and Nathaniel Harrison. [Vol. 1715-1730, pp 586] James Jordan bought land on the south side of Fountains Creek in what is Brunswick County on 3 Feb 1731/2 [Bk 4, pp 155] His will is dated 29 Sep 1745 [WB 5, pp 1683], recorded 22 Jul 1755, in Brunswick County. Wife was executrix and James Spence was surety.

4. River Jordan, II, moved to Northampton Co., NC.

5. Charles Jordan, On the 15 of June 1726, Charles Jordan conveyed to William Hux "a tract of land on both sides of Reedy Marsh in Southwark Parish," adjoining the lands of John Moring, George Norwood, Christopher Morings and Jane Avery. [Vol. 1715-1730, pp 63] An undated record of the appraisal of the estate of Charles Jordan, decd. was noted in Isle of Wight County. [OB 1746-1752, pp 13]

6. Elizabeth Jordan, md Edward Bailey.

7. Jane Jordan, md Daniel Harris in 1725 in Northampton Co., North Carolina.

8. Mary Jordan, md. James Anderson, Sr.

On 7 Mar 1703, George Jordan of Southwark Parish, Surry County, "for the love, good will and affection which I have and bear towards my loving friend William Norwood . . ." conveyed to him 80 acres in Southwark Parish being part of the 670 acres George Jordan received from River Jordan in 1701. [DB 4, pp 226] On this same date, George Jordan gave, in similar language, 258 acres of the same tract to George Norwood. [DB 4, pp 299] On the same date, George Jordan conveyed to William Blackburn 167 acres of the same tract. [DB 4, pp 300]

On 1 Jul 1715, George and Mary Jordan sold to their daughter, Mary Anderson, wife of James Anderson, 300 acres in Surry County, for the sum of 5 shillings. [DB 4, pp 241]

In his will of 13 May 1718, GEORGE JORDAN, II left land to all of his children. In 1704, his holdings totaled 620 acres. Arthur received his father's plantation. George, Jr. received his land at "Tuskahora Branch," THOMAS JORDAN received land at "Sunken Marsh, called Stoney Run," James and River Jordan received "the remaining part of the land on Sunken Marsh and Stoney Run. Charles received "all land on Reedy Branch." His daughter, Mary Anderson, received the "large Bible." Daughter Elizabeth Bailey received 10 shillings. Son Arthur Jordan received 20 shillings. This will was witnessed by Howell Edmunds and James Masengall and recorded 20 Aug 1718. [Vol 1715-30, pp 141]

The estate of George Jordan was inventoried and appraised, as recorded 18 Feb 1718 by Thomas Bently, Charles Briggs, and Howell Edmunds. Mary Jordan was executrix.

These sons of George Jordan, II left descendants in Surry, but in the 1782 Census only two Jordan households are listed and they were not large. Not one building associated with the Jordans survives in Surry County, Virginia.

ARTHUR JORDAN, II
ca 1680 - 1752

ARTHUR JORDAN, II, was born ca 1680 in Surry Co., Virginia. He married Sara ___ and moved to Northampton County, North Carolina with his sister, Jane who had married Daniel Harris. He died in Northampton County, North Carolina in 1752. He owned land in that part of Brunswick County, Virginia from which Greensville County was formed. He is probably buried in Greensville County, Virginia on the old family property there, as this burial site is mentioned in deeds involving Thomas and Drury Jordan, his descendants.

Arthur and Sara Jordan had 8 children:

1. George Jordan, III

2. Arthur Jordan, III, md 2) 1781 in Brunswick County, Virginia to Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, d. 1793. On 6 Mary 1750, Arthur and Elizabeth Jordan of Northampton County, NC sold 100 acres of land in Isle of Wight County, VA, part of a tract granted to John Turner in 1686. [Bk 8, pp 367]

3. John Jordan married Mary ___. In 1755, they sold 200 acres on the south side of Fountains Creek in Brunswick County to Samuel Bass. [DB 6, pp 32]

4. THOMAS JORDAN, b. ca 1700, died 1768 in Brunswick County, Virginia. (Ancestor) See later.

5. Henry Jordan, d. 1782, left 2 children: Stephen & Mary.

6. Benjamin Jordan.

7. Elizabeth Jordan

8. Fortune Jordan, md Samuel Jordan in Greensville County, Virginia.

This Arthur Jordan, Sr. deed land from Alexander Southerland, which was proved by the oaths of his sons -- George Jordan, John Jordan, and Arthur Jordan on 4 Sep 1746. [OB 3, pp 99]

THOMAS JORDAN
ca 1700 - 1768

Thomas Jordan was born around 1700. His will was recorded in Brunswick County in August 1771. [WB 4, pp 77 & 418] The name of his wife is not known. He had at least 11 children who were named in his will:

1. Thomas Jordan, Jr.

2. Burrell Jordan, md Amy Curtis DuPree.

3. DRURY JORDAN, SR., b. ca. 1730, md Mary ___.

4. Hannah Jordan

5. Jenney Jordan

6. Mary Jordan, b. 1725, married 1 Oct 1763 to George Reeves. Their daughter, Charlotte, married General James Robertson, the famous "father of Nashville." The Jordan descendants lived close to the Robertson family in West Nashville, along the Harpeth River.

7. Charlotte Jordan

8. Sara Jordan

9. William Jordan, b. 1748, md 1769 to Sallie Wood and died 24 Jul 1822 in Triune, Tennessee.

10. Lucy Jordan

11. George Jordan

The will of this THOMAS JORDAN was recorded Aug 1771. Witnessed by Haley Dupree, Robert Dupree, and John Dupree. [OB 11, pp 388] The estate of Thomas Jordan, deceased, was inventoried and appraised in Sep 1768 [OB 11, pp 72] and administered by James Jordan Johnson in June 1781 [OB 13, pp 91].

In 1739, Thomas Jordan bought 425 acres on the south side of the Meherrin River, adjoining Robert Hix, Jr. This Thomas Jordan was a merchant of Prince George County, who sold this land in the next year.

On 20 Aug 1745, Thomas Jordan was granted 200 acres in Brunswick County, on the south side of the Meherrin River, part of John Morings tract.

In 1769, Thomas Jordan, Jr. and Drury Jordan of Northampton Co., NC sold 135 acres in Brunswick County, Virginia on the south side of the Meherrin River, except for the family burial place. Sold to Simon Turner. This land included 50 acres of the 200 acres that had been granted to Thomas Jordan, Sr. in 1745. The other 85 acres was apparently land that had originally been granted by patent to John Moring in 1724 and later obtained by Thomas Jordan. [DB 9, pp 503]

In 1770, Drury Jordan, Sr., and his wife Mary of Brunswick County, Virginia sold 150 acres on Fountaine's Creek, branch of Meherrin, to Micajah Webb, adjoining Joseph Harrison. [DB 9, pp 522]

In 1777, Thomas Jordan sold Drury Jordan 108 acres in Brunswick County. [DB 13, pp 81]

The Census data and other records of Brunswick County show the following individuals who must include the RELATIONS of Thomas and Drury Jordan:

1. Thomas Jordan, wills of 1768, 1771, and 1784.

2. John Jordan, md Mary Winfield, 1778, probably a son of Thomas.

3. Selah Jordan, dau. of Thomas, md Joseph Ellis, 1776.

4. Mary Jordan, md Thomas Williams, 1788.

5. Rebecca Jordan, md Wm. H. Kennedy (Cannaday) 1791. Family appears in Nashville area.

6. Mary Jordan, md Thomas Crowder, 1795.

7. James Jordan, will, 1796.

8. Abigail Jordan, will, 1809: widow of James.

9. Edward Jordan, will, 1837.

{END OF MANUSCRIPT NOTES}

Source: Prepared by Joseph Luther, Jul 1987 & Jan 1990

Online transcription by Susan Shields Sasek -- items in curly brackets { } are my notes.

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