Richard Jordan Family Chronology – Isle of Wight and Surry Counties

           

Records from 1720 – 1780

 

See the Note on sources for a complete identification of sources.

 

Those records which appear to be genealogically significant are followed by my comments in blue italics. 

 

In general, references to other Jordan families are not included.  A few references to other Jordans are given below, where I judged them to be potentially confusing.

 

 

The Surry County court records are missing from 1719-1741. 

 

30 Jul 1723            Richard (x) Jordan a witness to bill of sale of a slave by William Land to Henry Harrison.  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 7, p475 abstracted by Hopkins]

Presumably this is Richard Jordan III.  Note that this is the first evidence of a signature for him.  There is only one other signature prior to his will, both of which were also signed by his mark.

 

22 Feb 1724/5       Land Patent:  Richard Jordan of Surry County, 40s, 390 acres of new land, on the north side of Johnachawcon Swamp beginning at a pine on the east side of a branch a corner tree of Thomas Andrews land… over the flax pond… 5 trees chopt inwards in a line of the said Jordans other land then by his own old lines…  [to] the branch first begun upon thence down the various courses of the run of the said branch…  [Virginia Patent Book 12, p180-1]

This patent runs along the northern border of the land that Richard Jordan II had patented in 1689, 35 years earlier, which is now owned by Richard Jordan III.  It is to the north and northeast of that 1689 patent.   The branch referred to was the western leg of the “great branch”.  The eastern leg was partly within the bounds of the patent.  Richard Jordan already owned the land to the south where the two branches ran together.

This patent was apparently occupied by two of his sons.  The westernmost part of this patent was described as William Jordan’s in an adjoining patent in 1748 [VPB 26, p409].  It was not actually titled to William Jordan until his father died in 1751.  The eastern portion of the patent was described as Benjamin Jordan’s in an adjoining 1764 patent. [VPB 36, p698]  The latter was evidently an old survey, as Benjamin Jordan had sold the land in 1756, five years after inheriting it.

 

15 Jun 1726           Deed:  Charles Jordan of Isle of Wight County to William Hux of Surry County, 9 shillings, land on both sides of Reedy Marsh…Cypress Swamp…  Signed: Charles (x) Jordan.  Elizabeth Jordan relinquishes her dower right.  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 7, p673]

This is not the son of Robert Jordan.  Rather this is the son of George Jordan, whose will of 1718 had left “all the land on Reedy Marsh” to his son Charles Jordan.  [Deed Book 7, p145]

 

15 May 1728         Richard (x) Jordan (signed by mark a processioner in Southwarke parish.  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 7, p825 abstracted by Hopkins]

He must have been a landowner to be a processioner, thus must be Richard Jordan III.  Two of the other ten names were adjoining landowners, the rest in the general area.

 

12 Dec 1728          William Jordan a witness to deed of William Rowlin to Jeremiah Ellis, for 200 acres on the north side of the Blackwater bounded by Stewarts Branch, the Myery Spring, Meriwether Cooke, Richard Bennett, and John Bynum. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 7, p936 abstracted by Hopkins]

This is probably the son of Richard Jordan III, since Ellis was a neighbor.  The land being sold is about 3-4 miles southeast of the Richard Jordan III land on Johnchecohunk Swamp.  Jeremiah Ellis also owned land adjoining Richard Jordan on Johnchecohunk Swamp (see next entry).

 

6 Feb 1728/9         Richard Jordan’s land on Johnchecohunk Swamp mentioned in deed of Jeremiah Ellis to Marmaduke Cheatham.  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 7, p938]

The land being sold adjoined Richard Jordan II’s 1689 patent to the west.

 

12 Jul 1732            Deed: Abraham Evans to Benjamin Jordan, 85 acres on the Blackwater Swamp near the old Horse Bridge and bounded by Benjamin Rogers, Samuel Magett, the Spring Branch and William Blunt. [Surry Deeds & Wills Book 9, p207 abstracted by Hopkins]

This is probably the son of Richard Jordan III.  This land was part of a patent to Abraham Evans located only about three miles southwest of the Richard Jordan plantation on Johnchecohunk Swamp.  Most of the later records for Benjamin Jordan appear to refer to this person, whose land bounded the Washingtons, Rogers, and the other persons mentioned in the subsequent records.  I did not find a sale of this land, but interested researchers may want to track down the sale, which may confirm his identity.   This land was still being described as Benjamin Jordan’s in 1762 (see below).

 

8 Nov 1734           William Jordan, Charles Binns, and Henry Hart witnesses to will of Henry Hart of Lawnes Creek parish. Recorded 21 November 1734. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 9, p938]

Probably the other William Jordan, who apparently lived in Lawnes Creek rather than Southwarke at this time.

 

5 Feb 1734/5         Will of James Bruton of Lawnes Creek parish, recorded 17 March 1734/5.  Mentions daughters Elizabeth, Mary Kae, and Ann Jurdin.  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 8, p573]

The only Ann Jordan we know of was the wife of the William Jordan who lived east of the Richard Jordan family on the other side of Cypress Swamp. (And who had earlier been in Lawnes Creek.)  The daughter Mary Kea may have been the wife of Charles Kea, who named a son Bruton.  James Bruton’s daughters were surely under 30, since he apparently did not marry until 1706. 

 

29 Nov 1735         Robert Jordan, Henry Sowerby witnesses to will of Elizabeth Andrews, recorded 18 November 1741.  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 9, p938]

This is the first mention of Robert Jordan II, who seems to be the son of Robert Jordan.  Elizabeth Andrews was the widow of Bartholomew Andrews, and had earlier been the wife of Nathaniel Roberts.  She was the same Elizabeth Roberts who had signed the 1692 deed to Robert House Jr.  Nathaniel Roberts’ will had  left her land just east of the Richard Jordan plantation on the north side of Johnchecohuk Swamp which was at this time apparently being occupied by his grandson Robert Jordan.

 

16 Jan 1735/6        Joseph Jordan, Robert Proctor, W. Clinch witnesses to deed of Henry and Mary Manwaring to William Carrel for 125 acres south of the Blackwater.  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 8, p557 abstracted by Hopkins]

First mention of Joseph Jordan.

 

20 Apr 1736          Deed:  Wm Blake Sr. of Nottoway parish in Isle of Wight to Samuel Tuder of Lawnes Creek Parish in Surry, 200a. in Surry County patented by John Maclood on 20 April 1682 [see above] in Lawnes Creek parish.. south side of the 3rd swamp… twixt Richard Jordan Jr. and John Bynham… by Bynham’s line… (bounded by  Nicholas Sessums, Richard Jordan,  Phillip Hainsford,  Richard Jordan Jr., and John Bynum… using the same metes and bounds description as MacClood’s original patent.)  Witness: Charles Binns, Benjamin Bell, John Bell  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 8, p582]

This deed is very deceptive.  This is the land patented more than 50 years earlier by John Maclood, which adjoined both Richard Jordan I and II at the time the patent was surveyed.  This deed is using the same land description as in the 1682 patent.  That is the persons named were the neighbors in 1682.  Nearly all these adjoining landowners are not only long dead but had sold these neighboring parcels in the 1680s and 1690s.  The survey used for the description is probably the same one obtained by John MacClood circa 1682.  The metes and bounds are accurate, so the survey is valid, but the adjoining landowners are long out of date.

 

9 Mar 1736/7         Joseph Jordan and William Baldwin witness a deed from John Phillips to Anthony Evans, both of Lawnes Creek parish, for 150 acres in Lawnes Creek.  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 8, p663]

A little odd that he would be a witness, given the location.  Perhaps he was at court on this day and served as a witness for Anthony Evans, who also owned land in Southwarke parish.

 

10 Jun 1737           Land Patent:  William Jordan, 350 acres in Surry County… beginning at a pine corner to said Jordan’s other land… a Spanish oake a corner tree of William Jordan's other land, thence NE by N 58 poles along sd Wm Jordan’s line…  adjoining Thomas Collier, John Collier, Daniel Duggard, and Chetam [Cheatam].  [Virginia Patent Book 17, p358]

The land adjoins both the 1689 patent of Richard Jordan II and the 1725 patent of Richard Jordan III  on their west sides.  The two corners mentioned are the two northwestern  corners of the 1725 Richard Jordan patent.  (Recall that Richard Jordan III was given the western part of the 1689 patent by his father.)  Both parcels  are now referred to as William Jordan’s.  Did he actually hold title, or was he merely occupying it?  There may be a deed proved at the General Court from his father, similar to the one mentioned elsewhere to his brother Joseph Jordan.  However, this is clearly the land left by Richard Jordan III to William Jordan in his will several years later.

 

19 Sep 1737          Implied Deed:  Richard Jordan to his son Joseph Jordan, 130 [200?] acres in the fork of two great branches of Johnchecohunk Swamp… by virtue of a writ of ad quod damnum.  [See entry of 12 July 1754 from Surry Deed Book 7, p156 as well as two later entries below].

In 1734 the Virginia legislature enacted a law to permit ad quod damnum writs to be used to break entails.  Land transferred in a will to a person “and his heirs” created an entail – a lifetime interest which could not be sold or devised, with the land passing automatically to the heir by succession at his own death.  The legal device of entail thus assured that it would pass intact through the line of succession.  Richard Jordan III apparently used the writ to break the entail on his land so that he could deed it directly to his son Joseph Jordan in fee simple.

This land is referenced in three later deeds, which help to clarify that it is one of the two parcels deeded to Richard Jordan III by his father in 1695.  The “fork of two great branches” referred to was inside the Richard Jordan patents of  1684 and 1689, and this land was apparently the central part of the 1689 patent (perhaps the original Smith patent), which would have bordered Robert Jordan to the south.  Note that this is the description used in the 1695 deed for 130 acres.  However, the acreage is uncertain, since the deed at 1754 implies it is the 130 acre parcel while the later deed by his widow implies it was the 200 acre parcel.  Note the possibility that both parcels were entailed and that there were two deeds recorded at the General Court on the same date.

16 Jan 1737/8        Deed:  Joseph Clarke and wife Margaret Clarke, and Mary Mastin to William Jordan, 100 acres on Parsons Branch (being land formerly in the possession of John Ward who conveyed it to Richard Bennett who conveyed it to James Mastin decd, the father of the said Margaret and Mary.)  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 8, p783 abstracted by Hopkins]

This is probably the other William Jordan, for the land is several miles east of “our” William Jordan’s patent issued six months earlier.   Parson’s branch was on the east side of lower Cypress Swamp.  John Ward had acquired the land in 1703 from Phillip Burrow but none of the deed abstracts provide further detail.

It is conceivable that this William Jordan is a younger brother of Robert Jordan II, but I see nothing that would prove it.  His early appearance in Lawnes Creek would seem to argue against a connection, as does the complete absence of any record linking him to any other Jordan.

 

c1738                    By this time, all the other Jordan families of Surry County have left the area, mainly to Brunswick County.  All the Jordans left in Surry should be of the Richard Jordan family, with the single exception of a William Jordan.

 

3 Feb 1738/9         William Jordan witness to deed of Joseph Wall to Charles Kea for 150 acres on the north side of the Blackwater.  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 9, p28 abstracted by Hopkins]

This is probably the William Jordan who married Ann Bruton, and Charles Kea is probably his brother-in-law.

 

21 Feb 1738/9       Accounting of estate of Mary Tyas…several debits and credits…including Robert Jordan. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 9, p16]

Mary Tyas (or Tyus) was the daughter of Thomas Jordan.  She had married Francis Sowerby and, after his death, married John Tyus.  John Tyas lived quite near Richard and Robert Jordan.  Mary is the same person indicted for having a bastard child in 1699.

 

7 Mar 1738/9         William Jordan, James Washington, and John Andrews witnesses to deed of Richard Norcross to William Rowland for land south of the Nottoway River.  Recorded three days later.  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 9, p43 abstracted by Hopkins]

This is way, way south.  However, the witnesses may merely have been at the courthouse the day the deed was written. 

 

18 Mar 1738/9       Deed:  William Jordan to Henry Barnes, both of Southwarke parish,  175 acres (being half of a survey made by William Jordan for 350 acres patented on 10 June 1737.)  Signed:  William Jordan.  Witness:  Marmaduke Chetham (sic),  James Nicholson, Frances Person.  Recorded 21 March 1738/9.  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 9, p37 abstracted by Hopkins]

William Jordan, son of Joseph Jordan, is selling half of his 1737 patent to his next-door neighbor.

 

21 Mar 1738/9       Robert Jordan aged 32 years, deposed that he personally knew John Person deceased for 26 years before his death and recognized his handwriting… in a case regarding the legitimacy of John Person’s holographic will.  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 9, p51]   Also William Crips, age 62 and Sampson Laneer age 56 swear to the handwriting of John “Pearson”.  The will of John Person was written in his own hand 8 Aug 1721 and probated 21 Mar 1738.

This makes him born ca 1706/7, about the right age to have been a son of either Robert Jordan or of Richard Jordan III.  Later records suggest he was a son of Robert Jordan.  The significance of the deposition is that John Persons owned the land on the south bank of Johnchecohunk Swamp immediately opposite to the original Richard Jordan II plantation (part of which was left to both Robert and Charles Jordan).  Therefore this Robert Jordan must have been living on or near the Richard Jordan plantation.  A later record (see below) tells us that this was indeed the case.

He appears to have been a son of Robert Jordan I.  Under his father's will, Robert Jordan I inherited the "upper end" of the plantation, presumably meaning the northwestern, or upstream, portion.  (That is, the eastern part of the 1684 patent.) Charles inherited the adjoining downstream portion.  (That is, the land from the patent to Bartholomew Owen.)  If his brother Charles Jordan died without heirs (which apparently happened), Robert would also inherit the southeastern portion of the plantation, which his father had bought from Bartholomew Owen.  The two parcels adjoined one another.

In 1695 Robert Owen sold 110 acres of the same Owen patent to Joshua Proctor [D&W 5, p89]  describing it as adjacent to Richard Jordan.  This means Proctor's land bordered the Jordan plantation to the east, on the north bank of the Johnchecohunk Swamp.  Joshua Proctor left this land in his 1718 will to his son Nicholas Proctor.  When Nicholas Proctor sold the land on 16 April 1746, he described it as adjacent Robert Jordan [DB 4, p415].  

So it would appear that this same Robert Jordan owned the original  portion of the old Richard Jordan plantation which had been left to Charles Jordan with reversion to Robert Jordan.  This also made him an adjacent neighbor to John Persons.  

6 Jan 1740/1          Deed from Joseph King to John Thompson, 200 acres bounded by Samuel Thompson, Williams, Benjamin Savages branch, William Jordan and Benjamin Evans.  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 9, p317]

This is the “other” William Jordan.  The other names lived east of Cypress Swamp.

 

7 Sep 1741            Deed:  Samuel Tuder and wife Mary of Southwarke parish in Surry County  to William Dunn and James Bradley of York County, 200a. on the south side of the third swamp of the Blackwater in Surry County… (same description as in 1736, mentioning Richard Jordan and Richard Jordan Jr.)  Signed: Samuel (x) Tuder  Witness: Charles Binns, Frances Person  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 9, p374]

Hopkins abstracted this deed a little differently than the one in 1736, although the land description is the same one used when Tuder bought the land five years earlier.  Again, the land description is using the ancient survey done for the original patent of 1682.  Thus the neighbors are as of 1682.  The metes and bounds would have been accurate, so the survey would be a valid one regardless of the accuracy of the adjoining landowners.  Richard Jordan had sold the adjoining land in 1684.  All the named landowners were long dead, and no Jordans were living anywhere near this parcel in 1741. 

 

16 Sep 1741          An accounting of the estate of Henry Browne (apparently beginning in 1734) mentions debits and credits for scores of people, among them Benjamin Jordan and several of his neighbors.  [Surry Deeds & Wills Book 9, p362 abstracted by Hopkins]

This is probably the same Benjamin Jordan who bought land from Abraham Evans in 1732, for Henry Browne lived nearby.  A half-dozen of Benjamin Jordan’s neighbors are also among these names.

 

Dec 1741               Mathew Jordan a witness to will of John Wombell.  [Surry Deeds & Wills Book 9, p547 abstracted by Hart and by Davis]

Everyone involved was of Isle of Wight County, the will being recorded later in Surry as well.

 

The Surry Court Records resume December 1741.  All court records from 1719-1741 are lost.

 

 

19 Aug 1742          Debt suit:  Benjamin Harrison vs. Robert Jordan for £2:16s:6p due by bill, plaintiff failed to prosecute.  [Surry Orders 1741-1744, p51]

 

2 Apr 1743            Deed: William Jordan and wife Ann Jordan to William Smith, both of Surry County,  £16, 75 acres on the north side of Cypress Swamp on Parson’s Branch “whereon I now live” adjoining John Thompson and said William Smith.  Witness: John Moring, Mary Gray, Robert Gray.  [Surry County Deed Book 4, p108]

This is three-quarters of  the land he bought in early 1738.  This seems to establish that this is not the son of Richard Jordan III.  That William Jordan is living further west.  Hopkins abstracts this as having been signed by a signature, though other records for the same man indicate he signed by mark.

 

18 May 1743         Joseph Jordan on a case jury. [Surry Orders 1741-1744, p133]

 

19 May 1743         Debt suit:  William Wilkie vs. Joseph Jordan…  Jordan owes £32:17s:10p plus costs… to be discharged by payment of  £16:8s:11p with interest…  [Surry Orders 1741-1744, p135]

 

15 Jun 1743           Ordered that the road from Clayes Bridge [Branch?] to Bowling Alley Road be discontinued and that --- the labouring tithables belonging to Samuel Tudor, John Tyus, Joseph Newsom, Nicholas Proctor, Bartholomew Andrews and Robert Jordan…  be added to the company under the direction of James Davis… [Surry Orders 1741-1744, p140]

Robert Jordan is living on part of the old Richard Jordan II  plantation. [See the entry for 31 July 1747]  Clay’s branch was the creek just north of Johnchecohunk Swamp. 

 

20 Jul 1743            Suit:  Benjamin Harrison Esq vs. Joseph Jordan for £3:10s:5p:3f due by acct.   The court rules in Harrison’s favor.  Samuel Weldon, a witness for Benjamin Harrison against Joseph Jordan, is ordered paid 388 lbs tobacco for two days attendance at this court and for coming twice 50 miles and returning and for his ferriages at Bull Hill coming and returning… Thomas Cooper a witness for Joseph Jordan is ordered paid 125 lbs tobacco for 5 days attendance.  [Surry Orders 1741-1744, p147-8]

Same court:  William Wilkie vs. Joseph Jordan, in debt for £32:17s:10p… Jordan admits to debt… to be discharged by payment of  £16:8s:11p with interest of 5% from 28 December 1742.  [Surry Orders 1741-1744, p150]

 

17 Aug 1743          An accounting of the estate of Daniel Vasser lists debits and credits for a number of names, among them William Jordan.  [Surry Deeds & Wills Book 9, p447 abstracted by Hopkins]

19 Oct 1743          Joseph Jordan paid as a witness in the case of George Norwood vs. John Mooring.  [Surry Orders 1741-1744, p175]

 

15 Feb 1743/4       An accounting of the estate of William Fitchett lists debits and credits for a number of names, among them Joseph Jordan.  [Surry Deeds & Wills Book 9, p456 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

16 Mar 1743/4       Benjamin Jordan, son of Benj. Jordan and Mary born; baptized 20 May 1744. Godparents: William Rogers, Benj. Rogers, Eliza Rogers.  [Register of Albemarle Parish, Surry and Sussex Counties 1739-1778, Gertrude R.B. Richards (DAR, 1958), p13.]

This is almost certainly “our” Benjamin Jordan, for the Rogers brothers were very adjacent neighbors.  (See also the entry at 15 May 1745 involving Benjamin Jordan and the two Rogers men.)  The only thing that is hard to explain is the entry being made in Albemarle parish, since he was still living just north of the border of Albemarle and Southwarke.   Just four days before the baptism in Sussex County, Benjamin Rogers was appointed an appraiser in Surry County.  Albemarle parish covered what was later Sussex County, which by now had attracted setters from both Surry and Isle of Wight.  We don’t know when he moved south of the Blackwater,  though he was “of Sussex County” in 1756 when he sold his inherited land.  Note that William and Benjamin Rogers were near neighbors to the land Benjamin Jordan had bought in 1732 (see entries below). 

It’s possible that the physical church building was at this time located closer to the Blackwater, which might explain why he found it convenient to attend there.

The same source indicates the birth of another son to apparently the same couple, Thomas Jordan, on 12 March 1744/5 (p73).  The godparents for this baptism were also neighbors of our Benjamin Jordan on the Blackwater.

 

16 May 1744         William Jordan appointed surveyor of the road, replacing Anthony Evans. [Surry Orders 1741-1744, p220]

This is apparently “our” William Jordan. Evans had evidently been appointed prior to the resumption of court records in late 1741, so we don’t know for certain what his district included but he was a near neighbor.

 

16 May 1744         Benjamin Jordan, William Rogers, James Nicholson, and Robert Judkins (or any three of them) appointed to appraise the estate of Joshua Proctor, deceased.  [Surry Orders 1741-1744, p221]  Appraisal recorded 20 December 1744 [Surry Deeds & Wills Book 9, p484 abstracted by Hart and by Davis.]

The court routinely chose near neighbors as appraisers, meaning that Benjamin Jordan must have been a neighbor of Proctor.  The appraisers were to have no interest in the estate they were appraising, thus we can be reasonably certain they were not relatives.  Joshua Proctor was apparently living on land he had bought in 1726 on the south bank of the Blackwater about four miles south of Johnchecohunk Swamp, just where Benjamin Jordan had bought the land from Evans.

 

7 Aug 1744            William Jordan, John Sharpe, and Robert Gray witnesses to will of Roger Williams of Southwarke parish. Type of signature not noted. [Surry Deeds & Wills Book 9, p497 abstracted by Hart ]  William Jordan gives oath to prove will in court 20 March 1744/5 [Surry Orders 1744-1749, p30]

 

21 Mar 1744/5       William Jordan on two case juries.  [Surry Orders 1744-1749, p32, 33]

 

15 May 1745         Benjamin Jordan and Joseph, Benjamin, and William Rogers witnesses to two deeds by Robert Proctor selling his land on the Blackwater.  [Surry Wills & Deeds Book 4, p294-296 abstracted by Hopkins]

The land being sold was originally a patent to James Bynum in 1714 on the south bank of the Blackwater, which included parts of both Cattail Branch and Wolfpit Branch.  This is about a mile from the land Benjamin Jordan had bought from Abraham Evans.  The other three witnesses were neighbors of Benjamin Jordan.  The three Rogers were brothers, sons of the William Rogers who died a couple decades earlier.

 

18 Jul 1745            William Jordan, John Jordan, and Arthur Smith are witnesses for Thomas Washington in a debt case against James Washington.  William Jordan ordered paid 275 lbs tobacco for 11 days attendance at court.  John Jordan ordered paid 611 lbs tobacco for 11 days attendance at court “and coming eight times 14 miles and returning”.  [Surry Orders 1744-1749, p69]

A very interesting record, though these appear to be unrelated Jordans.  Witnesses were paid a flat per diem if they lived within the county.  Only witnesses living outside the county were paid for mileage.  This John Jordan apparently is living only 14 miles from the courthouse, but outside Surry County – probably in Isle of Wight County.  James and Thomas Washington were brothers, the sons of Richard Washington (see above) and Elizabeth Jordan (daughter of Thomas Jordan) both living in Surry not far from the old Richard Jordan plantation.  The identity of William and John Jordan is unclear, but they are likely not descendants of Richard Jordan.

This may identify the mysterious William Jordan living on Parson’s Branch. The witness here obviously lived in Surry, and the only William Jordan this might be is him.  This implies he belongs somewhere in the Thomas Jordan family tree.

Thomas Washington was not deterred.  He continued to sue his brother until James Washington left the county and removed himself from the court’s jurisdiction.

 

18 Jul 1745            Benjamin Jordan on a case jury. [Surry Orders 1744-1749, p70]

 

16 Jan 1745/6        Suit:  William Wilkie vs. Joseph Jordan, dismissed by consent of the parties… Jordan personally appeared and agreed to pay the costs of the suit.  [Surry Orders 1744-1749, p115]

 

16 Jan 1745/6        Same court:  Suit of Arthur Washington vs. Thomas Washington for trespass.  Bartholomew Figures, Robert Jordan, Benjamin Jordan, and John Cooper witnesses for Arthur Washington.  Robert Jordan and Benjamin Jordan each paid 175 lbs tobacco for 7 days attendance.  [Surry Orders 1744-1749, p118]

Arthur Washington was another brother of Thomas Washington.  A very litigious family.

 

16 Apr 1746          Deed:  Nicholas Proctor and wife Priscilla to Christopher Moring Jr. £80, 300 acres on Johnchecohumk Swamp bounded by Joseph Newsom, David Flowers, Richard Proctor, and Robert Jordan (being all the land which said Nicholas Proctor bought from William Rogers and his father left him as by deed dated 15 July 1728).  [Surry Deed Book 4, p415 abstracted by Hopkins]

This is quite an important deed.  Recall that the will of Richard Jordan II left to his son Charles Jordan the land he had bought out of the Bartholomew Owen patent of 1673.  In 1695 Robert Owen sold 110 acres of his father’s patent to Joshua Proctor [D&WB 5, p89]  describing it as adjacent to Richard Jordan.  This means Proctor's land bordered the Jordan plantation to the west.  Joshua Proctor left this land in his 1718 will to his son Nicholas Proctor.  Now Nicholas Proctor is describing it as adjacent Robert Jordan.  (The other three names bordered on the north and east.  We can show that they had bought land adjacent the old Owen patent as well.) The rest of Proctor’s land was bought from William Rogers Jr. on 15 July 1728, part of a joint patent to William Rogers Sr. and Joshua Proctor (both sons-in-law of Bartholomew Owen).

So it would appear that this Robert Jordan now owns the land left to Charles Jordan.  If, as seems obvious, Charles Jordan died without heirs, then his land was to go to Robert Jordan.  This Robert Jordan in 1746 must therefore have been the son of that Robert Jordan who died in 1710.

We can’t ignore the possibility that both Charles and Robert Jordan died without heirs, but we can safely dismiss it.  If both had died without heirs, the will directed that the land go to the three youngest daughters (or their heirs) if any living heir existed.  Only if all three daughters were dead without heirs would the succession law give it to their brother Richard Jordan III.  Even if that were the case, there is no deed from Richard Jordan III to Robert Jordan for this land, and no Robert Jordan is named in the later will of Richard Jordan III. 

 

21 May 1746         Robert Gray appointed surveyor of the road in place of William Jordan.  [Surry Orders 1744-1749, p172]

 

16 Jul 1746            Joseph Jordan, William Jordan, and William Crews witnesses to a deed from Thomas Person to Henry Barnes.  Both Jordans signed. [Surry Deed Book 4, p460 abstracted by Hopkins]

The land being sold was part of the John Person plantation on the opposite bank of the Swamp from the old Richard Jordan Jr. plantation. Barnes had already bought part of William Jordan’s land on the north side and another part of Person’s patent on the south side.

 

3 Sep 1746            Robert Jordan (signed) one of 12 jurors who were “freeholders of the vicinage” who met on a plot on Deep Creek to view a proposed grist mill site.  [Surry Orders 1744-1749, p227]

22 Jan 1746/7        On a list of debits to the county for the year 1746:  Robert Jordan (as per account) 60 lbs tobacco.  [Surry Orders 1744-1749, p253]

 

19 May 1747         Joseph Jordan sworn to a grand jury.  [Surry Orders 1744-1749, p303]

 

16 Jul 1747            William Jordan (signed) on a jury to view a proposed site for a grist mill on the south side of Johnchecohunk Swamp on the land of Benjamin Harrison.  Returned 22 July.  [Surry Orders 1744-1749, p352]

This is clearly the son of Richard Jordan III, since the other William Jordan apparently signed by mark.  The site was also quite close to his own land. 

 

31 Jul 1747            A second jury assigned to determine damages to the landowners for the mill above,  reports that the one acre on which the mill will sit spans Johnchecohunk Swamp.  Benjamin Harrison (the landowner on the south bank) to be paid in compensation £1:15s and Robert Jordan (the landowner on the north bank) to be compensated £10.  Not returned until 18 May 1748, when receipts from both parties were presented. [Surry Orders 1744-1749, pp462-3]

It’s hard to tell exactly which parcel is Robert Jordan’s.  It could be either the land left in 1695 to Robert Jordan or to Charles Jordan (which were contiguous).  Or it could be a different parcel entirely.  Benjamin Harrison had bought 50 acres on the south side of the Swamp a month earlier, possibly for the purpose of building the mill, which was described as being in the mouth of the Swamp and descended from William Corker.  If this was part of the old William Corker patent, then Robert Jordan must also own a part of that patent, though how he would have come into possession of it is unclear.  However, when the deed in which Harrison later sold the mill does not clarify its location.  The land on which the mill sat may have been a different parcel altogether - the land opposite the Robert Jordan-Charles Jordan parcel on the north bank of the Swamp had changed hands numerous times, and it is possible the Harrison land was somewhere within that parcel rather than the land he had just purchased.  One possibility is that the mill was located near a road which crossed the Swamp at the edge of the land Richard Jordan II had left to his son Robert Jordan. (It seems logical that a mill would have been located reasonably close to a road.) If this is the case, then a look at the olds roads suggests that Robert Jordan II’s land was the same land left to Robert Jordan I.

As a minor point, the mill was proposed to actually sit on Harrison’s land, although mills normally included an acre on either side of the watercourse.  Robert Jordan, to have been compensated so much, must have been significantly damaged – perhaps the flooding caused by the mill displaced a house or an orchard on his side of the swamp.  Normally, Robert Jordan would have been compensated only for the loss of one acre.

 

19 Aug 1747          Benjamin Jordan and William Rogers witness a deed from Moses and Mary Hill to Robert Tucker for land on the south side of Otterdam Swamp. [Surry County Deed Book 5, p145]

The land is just a couple of miles due west of the land Benjamin Jordan bought of Abraham Evans.  Note that William Rogers had witnessed the earlier deeds with Benjamin Jordan.

 

13 Nov 1747         Willm. Jordan and Joseph Jordan (both signed) on a jury to view a proposed site for a grist mill on Savages Run.  Returned on 18 November.  [Surry Orders 1744-1749, p404]

 

17 May 1748         William Jordan sworn to grand jury.  [Surry Orders 1744-1749, p454]

Same court:  William Jordan a witness for John Sharp, plaintiff, against John Thompson… ordered to be paid 150 lbs tobacco for 6 days attendance at court.  [Surry Orders 1744-1749, p459]

 

18 May 1748         David Hunter, merchant, petitions that Benjamin Jordan is indebted to him £2:14s:1:3f by account “and refuseth payment”…  the court deliberated and found for Jordan.  It  ordered that ”the plt take nothing by his petition and that the defendt. go hence… and recover against the plt his costs…”  Thomas Washington a witness for Benjamin Jordan. [Surry Orders 1744-1749, p462-3, 471]

 

20 Sep 1748          Thomas Cocke, Gent, vs. Joseph Jordan, dismissed for want of prosecution. [Surry Orders 1744-1749, p500]

 

15 Nov 1748         Joseph Jordan sworn to grand jury.  [Surry Orders 1744-1749, p509]

 

21 Mar 1748/9       Tithables of Joseph Newsum, Bartholomew Andrews, Robert Jordan, Christopher Mooring, & Samuel Tudor … lay open and keep in repair the road that formerly lead from Clays branch to the Bolling Ally Road.  [Surry Orders 1744-1749, p534]

This may be the road which crossed Johnchecohunk Swamp at Robert Jordan’s land and ran to what is now SR615.  It is apparently the same road referred to in the earlier road order.

 

18 Jul 1749            Suits:  Nathaniel Harrison, administrator of John Cargill deceased, vs. Joseph Jordan, defendant confesses to “damages by occasion of the nonperformance of that assumption” to a total of  £8:7s:2p and is ordered to pay.  Same vs. William Jordan for £3:9s:11p:3f due by account, defendant admitted to debt and ordered to pay.  Same vs. Benjamin Jordan for £3:1s:3p:1f  due by account, the defendant proved payment and the suit was dismissed.  [Surry Orders 1744-1749, p589-91]

 

18 Jul 1749            Joseph Jordan, William Jordan, and William Cooper witnesses to deed from Jacob Teder to James Bruce for 100 acres.  Recorded same day.  Both Jordans signed.  [Surry Deed Book 5, p431]

The brothers were at court on this date, apparently taking the time to witness a deed while appearing for their suits.  Jacob Teder was an adjoining landowner to their father, having bought this land a year earlier from Bartholomew Andrews. 

 

17 Oct 1749          Chancery Suit:  Thomas Person, executor of John Person deceased, plaintiff against George Wych and Sarah his wife defendants… the plaintiff has a material witness living in North Carolina [referring to Elizabeth Richardson] and one other in this county, Richard Jordan… William Clinch and Richard Hamlin directed to examine said Jordan.   [Surry Orders 1749-1751, p23] 

Note that this is the first sign that Richard Jordan III (if it is indeed him) is still alive since the processioning record of May 1728.  There are several more mentions of this suit but nothing else mentioning Richard Jordan.  It is perhaps possible that the court clerk mis-wrote the name, since Robert Jordan had given testimony earlier in a different case related to the same issue.

 

27 Dec 1749          Will of Richard Jordan, proved 19 November 1751:  “being sick and weak in body" to son William Jordan 300 acres on a great branch on south side to a line by a pond called the Corner Tree Pond and 100 acres on the north side of my old line of a new survey being of my own purchase...   to son Benjamin Jordan 250 acres adjoining Robert Jordan's and Bartholomew Andrews lines.  To son Joseph Jordan 250 acres lying between William and Benjamin. Executor: son William Jordan.  Signed by Richard (x) Jordan.  Witness: William Cooper, John Cooper.  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 9, p760 abstracted by Hart]

Richard Jordan has not appeared in any Surry record since 1728 (except for the indirect reference above), more than twenty years earlier.  He is evidently about 82 or 83 years old at his death.  It’s also interesting that (except for the implied deed in 1737) he has sold none of his land during his lifetime. 

For those that doubt his age, see the Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Volume V, No. 2, pp40-41 for an article regarding longevity in Surry County.

Note that the land distributed is almost exactly what he was known to have owned. He was given 330 acres by his father, bought the old John Fort 300 acres in 1709, and patented 390 acres in 1725.  (This gave him one contiguous parcel of roughly 1,020 acres.)  Less the 130 acres (or 200 acres, depending) sold to his son Joseph (see below), that leaves 890 acres.  The will devises a total of 900 acres, well within the margin of error of these old surveys.  This would appear to be yet another indication that he did not inherit the land of his brothers – that is, that Robert Jordan was the son of his brother Robert. 

21 Nov 1749         Debt suit:  Henry Browne vs. Joseph Jordan, continued.  [Surry Orders 1749-1751, p38]  Continued again in July 1750 [Surry Orders 1749-1751, p132]

 

16 May 1750         Two debt suits brought by Josiah Jordan, administrator of Abraham Ricks.  [Surry Orders 1749-1751, p87, 90]

This Josiah Jordan is a resident of Isle of Wight, as was Ricks.  He appears in the Surry records because the plaintiff had to bring suit in the county where the defendant resided.  The plaintiff was often, as in this case, a resident of another county.

 

16 May 1750         Debt suit:  Samuel Norwood vs. Joseph Jordan for £3 due by note, defendant not appearing, judgment for plaintiff.  [Surry Orders 1749-1751, p90]

 

21 May 1751         William Jordan appointed surveyor of an unidentified road in place of Marmaduke Cheatham.  [Surry Orders 1749-1751, p212]

Clearly this is “our” William Jordan.

 

22 May 1751         Debt judgment:  Henry Browne, administrator of William Browne, vs. Joseph Jordan… the court finds Joseph Jordan in debt for £17 but orders that the debt be discharged by payment of  £8:10s with interest at 5% from 9 May 1745.  [Surry Orders 1749-1751, p240]

 

17 Jul 1751            Benjamin Jordan on a case jury.  [Surry Orders 1749-1751, p268]

 

17 Jul 1751            Debt suit:  Benjamin Cocke vs. Joseph Jordan for £2:3s:5p, defendant not appearing.  [Surry Orders 1749-1751, p273]

 

21 Aug 1751          Benjamin Jordan ordered paid as a witness for John Washington vs. David Hunter… 425 lbs tobacco for 17 days attendance at court.  [Surry Orders 1749-1751, p299]

 

16 Oct 1751          David Hunter vs. Joseph Jordan suit dropped “for want of prosecution”.  [Surry Orders 1751-1753, p13]

Same court:  Joseph Jordan among those appointed to appraise the estate of Andrew Brown.  [Surry Orders 1751-1753, p14]

19 Nov 1751         Joseph Jordan sworn to grand jury.  [Surry Orders 1751-1753, p17]

Same court:  The last will and testament of Richard Jordan deceased presented by William Jordan the executor therein named who made oath thereto… proved by the oaths of  William Cooper and John Cooper the witnesses thereto…  Marmaduke Cheatham, William Rose, Joseph Newsum, and Edward Bailey or any three of them to appraise in current money the slaves and personal estate of Richard Jordan deceased…  [Surry Orders 1751-1753, p18]

 

19 May 1752         Joseph Jordan, Christopher Mooring Jr., and William Mayer witnesses to deed by Richard Hamlin to Sylvester Amiss for 270 acres on Johnchecohumk Swamp.  [Surry County Deed Book 6, p452 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

21 Jul 1752            Account current of estate of Andrew Browne recorded.  Auditors:  Joseph Jordan and John Collier.  [Surry Deeds & Wills Book 9, p804 abstracted by Hart]

 

18 Dec 1752          Joseph Jordan and Mary (x) Scarbrough witnesses to deed of gift from William Scarbrow to his brother Edward Scarbrough of Johnson County, North Carolina.  [Surry County Deed Book 6, p580 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

20 Mar 1752/3       An accounting of the estate of Col. Thomas Cocke lists debits and credits for several score names, among them William Jordan.  [Surry Deeds & Wills Book 9, p849 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

5 Jan 1754             William Judkins, Joseph Jordan, Robert Gray, and Thomas Oliver witnesses to deed by Augustine Curtis of Gloucester County to Anthony Evans of Surry.  [Surry County Deed Book 7, p116 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

12 Jul 1754            Deed [ Mortgage]: Joseph Jordan to Richard Cocke, both of Southwarke parish, £21:5s:4p, 130 acres being the land and plantation whereon sd Joseph Jrdan now lives, being in the fork of two great branches of Johnchecohunk Swamp… being the land which  he bought from his father Richard Jordan by virtue of a writ of ad quod damnum and a deed thereby executed… bearing date 19 September 1737 and proved in the General Court 21 October 1737...  Witness:  Benjamin Cocke Jr., John Thompson, Thomas Day.  [Surry Deed Book 7, p156 abstracted by Hopkins and by Valentine Papers, Vol. II, p699]

A writ of ad quod damnum normally refers to seizure or damage of land for some public purpose (a mill, a road, etc.).  In this case, it served another purpose.  In 1734 the Virginia legislature enacted a law to permit ad quod damnum writs to be used to break entails.  Land transferred in a will or gift to a person “and the heirs of his body” (or similar language restricting the heirs) transferred a lifetime interest rather than a fee-simple title.   Such a title “in tail” meant that the land could not be sold or devised in a will; the legal device of entail assured that it would pass intact through the line of succession from generation to generation.  In this case, the writ was apparently used by Richard Jordan III to break the entail on the land given to him as a deed of gift by his father in 1695.   This allowed him to sell that land to his son Joseph Jordan in fee simple.  This may indicate that Joseph Jordan was not his eldest son, since the eldest son would have inherited the land anyway.  It also explains why the deed was recorded at the General Court rather than in Surry County.

The land is apparently the eastern part of Richard Jordan II’s patent of 1689, which included the “two great branches”.  (The westernmost branch was the border of the Thomas Smith patent which Richard Jordan II later renewed, adding the land to the east which included the easternmost branch.)  Richard Jordan II had made a deed of gift of this land to his son and his heirs, thus creating the entail.  Note that he had also entailed the land left to his sons Charles and Robert as well.

From a later record, this 1754 instrument appears to have been a mortgage rather than a sale. 

 

21 Jan 1755           Joseph Jordan, George Dawson, and Joseph Cheatham witnesses to two deeds by Henry Barnes, one for 90 acres of John Person’s patent to John Barnes, the other for 200 acres of William Jordan’s patent to William Barnes.  [Surry County Deed Book 7, pp182-3 abstracted by Hopkins]

Note that the earlier deed by William Jordan was apparently for half the patent, or about 175 acres.  Yet Barnes is now selling 200 acres.  William Jordan apparently did not distribute the other half of the patent in his will, so he may actually have sold the entire thing to Barnes.

 

30 May 1755         William Jordan, James Cheatham, and Joseph Cheatham witnesses to deed by John Person of Southampton County to Marmaduke Cheatham for part of the John Person patent. 

 

15 Dec 1755          Joseph Jordan a witness to deed by William and Agnes Wiggans to James Adams for land on Johnchecohumk Swamp, part of a Jophn Persons patent of 1754 (see below).  [Surry County Deed Book 7, p250 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

4 Apr 1756            Jesse Jurden, Jane Jurden, and Howell Barker mentioned as grandchildren in will of William Cooper, recorded 20 November 1759.  Executor:  William Cooper.  Sons: John, William, and George.  Daughters:  Elizabeth Barker, Mary, Hannah, and Sarah.    [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 10, p215 abstracted by Hart]

These children may be Joseph Jordan’s.  William Jordan hand named a Jesse Jordan, son of Joseph Jordan, in his will.   Note that a William Cooper had witnessed the will of Richard Jordan III in 1749 and proved it in 1751.  William Cooper had bought part of a patent to John Person just south of Johnchecohunk Swamp in 1744, and Joseph Jordan had witnessed William Cooper’s sale of part of that land in early 1757 (DB 7, p288) and witnessed another deed for land adjoining William Cooper the same year (DB 7, p354).  Cooper’s daughter may have been one of Joseph Jordan’s wives – perhaps the Hannah mentioned in the will.
 

29 Jun 1756           Joseph Jordan and Samuel Clements witness to will of Thomas Johnson.  Appraisal by Joseph Jordan, Jonathan Ellis, and Henry Johnson recorded 21 February 1757.  [Surry Deeds & Wills Book 10, p123 and p128 abstracted by Hart]

 

14 Sep 1756          Deed:  Benjamin Jordan of Sussex County, to John Barnes of Surry County, £22:10s, 250 acres in Southwarke parish bounded by Robert Jordan and the White Oak Branch.   Signed:  Benjamin Jordan.  Witness:   Joseph Jordan, William Barnes, Henry Barnes, and Benjamin Barnes.  [Surrey County Deed Book 7, p288 abstracted by Hopkins]

Benjamin Jordan is living south of the Blackwater in what is now Sussex County. He is selling his inherited land, evidently the eastern part of the 1725 patent to his father (and apparently the eastern part of the 1689 patent to his grandfather as well).  This would have bordered Robert Jordan on the north side of Robert’s land. There is no release of dower noted.

A 1764 patent to James Bradby for land bordering the east side of the 125 Richard Jordan III patent mentions this land as Benjamin Jordan’s (Virginia Patent Book 36, p698).  From this patent, it is clear that the 250 acres devised in Richard Jordan’s will to his son Benjamin Jordan included part of his own 1725 patent.  Specifically, the southeastern portion of that patent.  White Oak Branch seems to be  the left hand fork of the “Great Branch”, the stream running south into Johnchecohunk Swamp which bisected Richard Jordan II’s old plantation and which had earlier formed the eastern boundary of the Smith patent.

Note that, as far as we know, he has not sold the 85 acres bought in 1732.  There seems to be no record of a later sale of that land.

 

11 Jan 1757           Joseph Jordan a witness to deed of William Cooper to Henry Howard for 250 acres bounded by Hog Pen Branch, Michael Casely, and Richard Washington.  [Surry County Deed Book 7, p286 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

14 Feb 1757          Deed:  William Marriott to Henry Davis, 350 acres on the north side of the Blackwater Swamp and bounded by Robert Gray’s Mill Branch, Henry White, William Jordan, Nicholas Judkins, and Anthony Evans.  [Surrey County Deed Book 7, p297 abstracted by Hopkins]

This seems to be the “other” William Jordan.

 

21 Feb 1757          Joseph Jordan, Jonathan Ellis, and Henry Johnson appraisers of estate of John Barnes, recorded this date.  [Surry Deeds & Wills Book 10, p129 abstracted by Hart]

 

20 Jun 1757           Joseph Jordan, Christopher Moring, and John Barnes witnesses to a deed from Henry Barnes to Benjamin Barnes for 90 acres on the south side of Johnchecohunk Swamp.  [Surry County Deed Book 7, p335 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

21 Jun 1757           Joseph Jordan, Christopher Moring, and John Barnes witnesses to a deed of gift from Richard Wiggins to his son James Wiggins for 70 acres on the south side of Johnchecohunk Swamp, part of the land Richard Wiggins now lives on.  [Surry County Deed Book 7, p334 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

16 Aug 1757          Recording date of an undated deed witnessed by Joseph Jordan, from John Justice Sr. to John Justice Jr. for land bounded by Richard Ellis, William Cooper, and the Spring Branch.  [Surry County Deed Book 7, p354 abstracted by Hopkins]

Joseph Jordan mentioned among many names in an accounting of the estate of Capt. Nicholas Cooke. Recorded this date. [Surry Deeds & Wills Book 10, p140 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

29 Oct 1757          Joseph Jordan, William Duell [Dewell], and Benjamin Barnes witnesses to will of John Barnes.  Recorded 16 May 1758.  [Surry Deeds & Wills Book 10, p140 abstracted by Hart]

 

20 Dec 1757          Joseph Jordan, Christopher Moring, and Henry Barnes appraisers of estate of John Cennon [Cannon].  Same appraisers for estate of Joanna Cannon, same date.  Both inventories recorded on 21 March 1758.  [Surry Deeds & Wills Book 10, p134 and p135 abstracted by Hart]

 

18 Jan 1758           Will of William Jordan, proved 16 May 1758.  …to cousin Henry Jordan, son of Joseph Jordan, 300 acres being the plantation whereon I now live lying on the north side of [Johnchecohunk] Swamp by estimation 300 acres, also one feather bed and furniture [and other household goods] also my working tools, also hogs belonging to the sd plantation, four cows, all the sheep…to cousin Steven Jordan son of Joseph Jordan all the remainder part of my lands, two cows [and household goods]... to cousin Jesse Jordan son of Joseph Jordan pistols and holsters, one iron pott, one feather bed and furniture also two cattle… to brother Joseph Jordan my horse [and misc. goods]  Brother Joseph Jordan executor.  Signed:  William Jordan.  Witnesses: Richard (x) Wiggins, James (x) Wiggins.  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 10, p140]  Inventory recorded 20 June 1758, appraisers Jonathan Ellis, Henry Barnes, and Stephen Collier [p150]

At this time, William Jordan owned the northwestern portion of his father’s 1725 patent and the western leg of the 1689 patent to his grandfather (having inherited parcels of 300 and 100 acres).  From a later deed, he apparently left Stephen Jordan the 100 acre parcel.  He had apparently sold the remaining 175 acres of his own patent of 1737 – his deed to Barnes may have been for the entire patent.  He evidently has no wife or children of his own.  With his brother Benjamin having moved to Sussex County, he is probably providing for the elder sons of his brother Joseph.

This is obviously the son of Richard Jordan III.  Note that both Henry Barnes and Jonathan Ellis were adjoining landowners.  Notice also the later references to Stephen Collier.

 

1 Feb 1758            William Barnes and wife Hannah Barnes of Brunswick County, to Henry Collier of Surry County, £20, 200 acres in Southwarke parish bounded by said Collier, William Jordan, Marmaduke Cheatham, Daniel Duggar, and Stephen Collier.  Witness: Joseph Jordan, John Bilbro, and Stephen Collier. [Surrey County Deed Book 7, p391 abstracted by Hopkins]

This is the 200 acres described as part of William Jordan’s 1737 patent which Henry Barnes had sold to William Barnes three years earlier.  This seems to clearly indicate that William Jordan had sold more than the 175 acres we can account for. Note also that both Henry Barnes and Daniel Duggar(d) had old patents adjoining William Jordan’s patent of 1737.

 

16 Apr 1759          Joseph Jordan, Stephen Grantham, and John Davis witnesses to will of Henry Barnes, recorded 15 April 1760.  [Surrey County Deeds & Wills Book 10, p221 abstracted by Hart]

 

19 Jun 1759           Joseph Jordan mentioned in accounting of estate of Bartholomew Andrews.  [Surry Deeds & Wills Book 10, p200 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

20 Jul 1759            Deed:  Elizabeth Andrews, widow of Bartholomew Andrews, to Richard Hamlin of Southampton County, 100 acres… bounded by the north side of Johnchehawkin Swamp, Jordans Road, Clays Branch, Bruce and the Rooty Branch. Witness: Joseph Jordan, Henry Johnson, and James Gray. [Surrey County Deed Book 7, p471 abstracted by Hopkins]

Jordan’s Road may have been what is now SR611.  No such road is mentioned in any other deeds.  However, Bartholomew Andrews’ land (see 1695 deed to his father) was the land earlier owned by Robert and Margaret House, which adjoined the original Richard Jordan II patent of 1684 and which now adjoins Robert Jordan II.  The widow is selling part of this land.  The rest of the parcel is owned by Robert Andrews.

 

16 Oct 1759          Deed:  Thomas Sowerby, Henry Barnes and Sarah Barnes, executors of John Barnes decd, to William Dewell, £23:15s, 250 acres bounded by Robert Jordan and the White Oak Branch.  [Surrey County Deed Book 7, p480 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

1761                      Accounting of estate of William Judkins, decd, recorded 17 Feb 1770 mentions many names, including James Jordan.  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 10a, p74 abstracted by Hopkins]

This probably refers to the James Jordan, son of the “other” William.

 

17 Feb 1761          Joseph Jordan, Henry Johnson, and James Davis appraisers of estate of Elizabeth Andrews.  Recorded 17 March 1761.  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 10, p238 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

16 Jun 1761           Joseph Jordan mentioned in account of estate of James King.  [Surry Deeds & Wills Book 10, p257 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

14 Aug 1761          Deed:  John Vasser of Northampton County in North Carolina to James Jordan of Surry County, £13: 2s, 70 acres on the south side of Cypress Swamp.  Witness: Anselm Bailey Jr., Charles Thompson, and William (x) Jordan.  [Surrey County Deed Book 8, p100 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

20 Oct 1761          Margaret Jordan granted administration of estate of Robert Jordan, decd.  [Surry County Order Book 1757-63, p306]

17 Nov 1761         Inventory and appraisal of Robert Jordan, by John Magget, James Davis, and William Davis,  recorded 18 May 1762.  [Surry County Will Book 10, p287 abstracted by Hart] 

Obviously, we want to identify what happened to the land owned by Robert Jordan at his death.  The language of the will of Richard Jordan II back in 1695 had created an entail on the land.  That is, the heirs did not hold title but rather a lifetime interest.  After their deaths, the land would automatically pass to the heir as determined by the succession law as applied to the language of the will.  In order to sell the land, or to devise it in a will, the heir would have to appeal to the General Court to break the entail. 

There appear to be two records (see below) which suggest that the land was inherited by a William Jordan.  He must therefore have been the eldest son of Robert Jordan II.  

 

30 Apr 1762          Will of Marmaduke Cheatham, recorded 17 June 1766, witnessed by Joseph Jordan, Henry Jordan, and Mary Jordan (their signatures not noted).   [Surry County Will Book 10, p416 abstracted by Hart]

 

18 May 1762         Inventory of Robert Jordan recorded.  Value: £36:10s:11p.  Appraisers:  John Maggett, James Davis, Wm. Davis.  [Surry Will Book 9, p287 abstracted in the Valentine Papers, Vol. II, p701]

 

9 Aug 1762            Deed:  John Ruffin to Nathaniel Sebrell, £150, 300 acres on north side of main Blackwater Swamp (being land said Ruffin bought from Richard Hamlin on 14 April 1754 and it was land Richard Washington, decd, devised to said Hamlin) and bounded by the bridge that goes over to the Widow Evens land (now Benjamin Jordans) and the Hog Pen Branch.  Land was recently in court by said John Ruffin against Thomas Washington, the grandson of the said Richard Washington.  [Surrey County Deed Book 8, p139 abstracted by Hopkins]

See 12 July 1732 for Benjamin Jordan’s purchase of 85 acres from Anthony Evans.  This helps to more precisely place the land he was apparently living on after 1732.  There does not appear to be a deed for Benjamin Jordan selling this land, though he has been in Sussex County since 1756.

 

16 Dec 1762          Deed:  William Jordan to John Lane, £15:5s, 50 acres on the south side of Cypress Swamp bounded by William George Jr., the said Jordan, and Mr. John Spratley, decd.  Signed William (x) Jordan.  [Surrey County Deed Book 8, p158 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

4 Jan 1763             Will of Sylvester Amiss, recorded 17 January 1764.  Wife: Mary, executrix.  Daughters: Elizabeth Amiss, Mary Jordan, and Sarah Amiss.  [Surry County Will Book 10, p346 abstracted by Hart]

As a later record shows, Mary Amiss was married to Henry Jordan.

 

15 Mar 1763          Accounting of estate of John Barnes, decd, mentions Benjamin Jordan, William Jordan and several other neighbors.  (This is the John Barnes who died in 1758.)  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 10, p314 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

16 Aug 1763          Accounting of estate of Elizabeth Andrews, decd, mentions Joseph Jordan among others.  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 10, p333 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

16 Feb 1764          Will of William Jordan, recorded 21 August 1764.  Wife: Ann.Jordan, a life estate. Current and residual estate to son James Jordan. £5 each to daughters Mary Savidge and Jane Savidge.  Wife Ann and son James Jordan executors.  Signed: William (x) Jordan.  Witnesses:  Wm. Magget, Henry White, John Judkins, Jr. [Surry County Will Book 10, p361 abstracted in Valentine Papers, Vol. II, p701]

This is the William Jordan who was earlier in Lawnes Creek parish, and who had for several years lived east of Cypress Creek in Southwarke parish.  He seems unlikely to be related to these other Jordans, but where he fits is unclear.  The record noted above suggests that he belongs somewhere in the Thomas Jordan line.  There are several mentions of the son, James Jordan herein.  In 1779 he sold his inherited estate as a resident of Dobbs County, North Carolina [see entry below]

 

10 Dec 1764          Deed:  James Jordan to John Lane, £16, 100 acres on south side of Cypress Swamp and bounded by John Sprately deceased, land said Lane bought from William Jordan, decd, Henry White, Nicholas Judkins, decd, and William George.  Signed:  James Jordan.  [Surry County Deed Book 8, p237 abstracted by Hopkins]

See 16 December 1762 for the deed of the adjoining 50 acres from William Jordan. This is mentioned as the land of John Lane, formerly William Jordan in a1775 deed (see Deed Book 10, p469).  This is the “other” William Jordan.

 

1765                      Accounting of estate of William Marriott, decd, recorded 18 Aug 1767 lists many names, including John Jordan.  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 10, p481 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

19 Aug 1766          Deed: Thomas Duell and wife Elizabeth Duell to Henry Charity (Charete)… 125 acres in Southwarke parish on east side of Great Branch and bounded by William Jordan and Robert Andrews.  [Surry County Deed Book 8, p315 abstracted by Hopkins]

This is quite an important deed, in that it essentially proves Robert Jordan III’s eldest son was named William Jordan.  The entry above at 16 October 1759 was the purchase of 250 acres adjoining Robert Jordan and White Oak Branch (one of the Great Branches) by William Dewell.   On 21 April 1761 William Dewell sold 125 acres of this land to Thomas Dewell (DB 7, p65).  Now, when Thomas Dewell sells the land, he describes it as adjacent William Jordan and a great branch.  This is not the recently deceased William Jordan, for his land was a couple miles to the west.

Additionally, when Henry Charity resold this land in 1769 he describes it as bounded by the great branch, Robert Andrews, and Stephen Soresby (DB 8, p431).  Note the deed below which indicates that William Jordan had sold this land to Stephen Soresby.

Further proof is in the adjoining landowner.  Robert Andrews, the other adjoining landowner, was the only son of Bartholomew Andrews.  His grandfather had purchased this land in 1695 from Robert House, when it was described as adjoining Richard Jordan II on the west side.  Those older deeds make it clear that Robert Andrews was living on the land adjoining what was left to Robert and Charles Jordan in the 1695 will of Richard Jordan II.

 

16 Jun 1766           Deed:  Joseph Jordan to Anselm Bailey, merchant, £17:15s, 430 [130?] acres on north side of Johnchehawkin Swamp (being the land Joseph Jordan lives on).  Signed: Joseph Jordan.  Witness: Benjamin Bailey, Samuel (x) Flowers, John Bailey.  [Surry County Deed Book 8, p319 abstracted by Hopkins]

Hopkins does not indicate that there was a release of dower by a wife.  This seems likely to have been a mortgage or a lese rather than a sale.  Anselm Bailey sold this less than four years later to Stephen Soresby.   The deed should be checked to see if this was a mortgage or a deed, as well as to determine whether this was 430 acres or 130 acres.   This deed makes sense if it were for 130 acres, for then the later sale of Hannah Jordan’s dower interest and the sale from Joseph Jordan to Sorsby would be consistent.

 

21 Jul 1767            Deed:  Lewis Pulley and wife Elizabeth Pulley, Henry Jordan and wife Mary Jordan, and Sarah Amiss to James Gilchrist, 270 acres in Southwarke parish on Johnshehawkin Swamp… adjoining William Rose and Bartholomew Andrews.  Recorded 18 August 1767.  [Surry County Deed Book 8, p343 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

                              Elizabeth, Mary, and Sarah are the daughters of Sylvester Amiss selling his land (see 4 January 1763).  Interestingly, this is yet another very old land description, Rose and Andrews both being long since deceased.

 

12 Jan 1768           Stephen (x) Jordan, James (x) Dewell, Thomas (x) Dewell witnesses to a deed from Henry Charity to Peter Valentine for 50 acres on east side of Great Branch and bounded by the Peny Branch and William Dewell… part of a tract… which he bought from Thomas Dewell (in 1766) [Surry County Deed Book 8, p374 abstracted by Hopkins]

This is the eastern part of the tract Charity had earlier purchased from Thomas Dewell.   See above comments regarding the western half of this tract.
 

16 Jan 1769           Joseph Jordan, John Cheatham, and William Bailey witnesses to a deed from Benjamin Barn(e)s of Pet (sic) County in North Carolina to Stephen Collier for 90 acres in Southwarke parish on south side of Johnshehawkin Swamp and bounded by the land of John Barnes, decd, Persons Branch, Michael Casely, Wiggans Branch, and James Adams. [Surry County Deed Book 8, p391 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

21 Mar 1769          Deed:  Joseph Jordan and wife Joanna Jordan, to Stephen Sorsby, £49, 294 acres bounded by the White Oak Branch and the Wolf Pit Branch.  Signed:  Joseph Jordan, Joanna (x) Jordan.  Witness:  Lewis Pulley, John Lucas, Henry Watkins.  [Surry County Deed Book 8, p400 abstracted by Hopkins]

Could this be an abstractor’s error?  It would appear that the wife’s name was “Hannah.”   “Joanna” and “Hanna” (or “Johanna”) might look very similar when handwritten.  If the wife was really Joanna, we are hard pressed to explain his leaving a “beloved wife” named Hannah only eighteen months later.

The description fits the land he inherited from his father, just north of Robert Jordan’s old plantation, since the branches named are the two forks of the great branch.  Except it was 250 acres back then.  This implies that the earlier deed to Anselm Bailey was a mortgage, since this appears to be the same land.

5 Sep 1770            Deed:  Richard Cocke to Stephen Sorsby, £30:4p, 130 acres in Southwarke parish in the branches of Johnshehawkin Swamp (being land bought by Joseph Jordan and (sic) Richard Jordan on 21 October 1737).  [Surry County Deed Book 10, p71 abstracted by Hopkins]

This must have been a sale of the mortgage rather than the land itself.

 

18 Sep 1770          Deed:  Henry Jordan and wife Mary Jordan, and Stephen Jordan, to Elizabeth Peter, all of Southwarke parish, £62, 403 acres on north side of Johnshehawkin Swamp (being  the land Henry Jordan now lives on).  Signed:  Henry (x) Jordan, Mary (x) Jordan, Stephen (x) Jordan.  No witnesses given.  [Surry County Deed Book 10, p77 abstracted by Hopkins]

Henry had inherited 300 acres, and Stephen 100 acres, from their uncle William Jordan.  They are apparently selling that land as a single parcel.

 

11 Oct 1770          Will of Joseph Jordan, proved 20 November 1770.  To son Richard Jordan my best gun, son William Jordan my other gun, wife Hannah Jordan the majority of the estate for her lifetime, then to be divided among “all my children” at her death.  The land to be sold and just debts paid.  Land to be laid out for Hannah and “small children” and after her death to be equally divided among “all my children”.  Executors: son Stephen Jordan and Joseph Cheatham.  Witness:  John Presson Jr., James (x) Wiggans, Martha (x) Casely.  [Surry County Will Book 10a, p114]

See the sale of land a year later by the widow.  Note that Richard and William were not mentioned in William Jordan’s will, and may be the younger sons.  Henry and Jesse, who were mentioned there, are not mentioned here.  “All my children” suggests there may have been daughters as well.

 

15 Jan 1771           Inventory of estate of Joseph Jordan by appraisers Jonathan Ellis, Stephen Collier, and John Presson.  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 10a, p120 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

20 Aug 1771          Deed:  Stephen Sorsby to James Jordan and Margaret Jordan, £10, 100 acres (for their natural lives) on south side of Johnchickawkin Swamp near the spot called “James Cheatham’s clearing”. [Surry County Deed Book 10, p137 abstracted by Hart]  

Considering the other deeds, Margaret Jordan must be the widow of Robert Jordan, and James Jordan probably her son.

 

20 Aug 1771          Deed:  Margaret Jordan, widow of Wm. Jordan, to Stephen Sorsby, £20, (whereas Stephen Sorsby has title to 334 acres sold to him by William Jordan, decd, and wife, Rachel Jordan) … she sells her right of dower in the said 334 acres.  Signed:  Margaret (x) Jordan.  No witnesses noted.  [Surry County Deed Book 10, p137 abstracted by Hart]  The Valentine Papers abstracts this deed as “Margaret Jordan widow & relict of Wm. Jordan late of Surry County” selling her dower interest and mentions “reference being had to a deed acknowledged in the General Court by Wm. Jordan & Rachel his wife”.

This may confirm the earlier record that Robert Jordan’s eldest son was William Jordan.  There is no deed in Surry from William Jordan to Stephen Sorsby, but the Valentine Papers abstract suggests the deed was recorded at the General Court.   Since both deeds above were dated and recorded on the same day, they probably both refer to the same Margaret Jordan.

This appears to be a self-conflicting piece of evidence.  At this point, essentially all the Jordan land had been sold except for the land left to Robert Jordan I (and presumably inherited by Robert Jordan II).  In fact, Stephen Sorsby had acquired nearly all the land near Johnchecohunk Swamp that had ever been in Jordan hands, except for the part owned by Robert Jordan II.  (Stephen Soresby had bought directly or indirectly all the land of Joseph, and Benjamin Jordan, and the eastern pat of William Jordan’s.)  Furthermore, the only Jordan left in Surry who owned as much as 334 acres was the heir of Robert Jordan II, whoever that was, who owned about 340 acres less whatever had been taken for the mill in 1747. 

The problem is that this deed identifies Margaret as the widow of “Wm. Jordan.”  This seems likely to be an error on the part of the clerk when he copied the deed, since we have no record of any William Jordan whose widow she might be, much less any William Jordan who owned any land at all.  If she was the same person as Margaret, the widow of Robert Jordan II, then this record makes perfect sense.  If that were the case, then Robert Jordan II’s eldest son was William Jordan as suggested by the earlier deed.  In order to break the entail on the land (established by the 1695 will of Richard Jordan II), he would have had to do so at the General Court, thus explaining why he and his wife Rachel would have recorded the deed at the General Court rather than in Surry County.  The widow Margaret would still have a dower interest, and that’s what she’s selling here. 

Note that this explanation is consistent with the earlier indication (see the deeds above by William and Thomas Dewell) that Robert Jordan’s land was inherited by a William Jordan.

 

17 Sep 1771          Deed:  Henry Duggar, Joseph Cheatham and Ann Dugger to Stephen Sorsby, £28:8s, 170 acres in Southwarke parish bounded by Elizabeth Peter and Stephen Sorsby (being land left by Joseph Jordan in his will dated 20 November 1770 (sic) to be sold and was bought by Henry Duggar the other party to this deed.)  [Surry County Deed Book 10, p145 abstracted by Hart]

Huh? When did Duggar buy this land? It would be worthwhile reading the original copy of this deed.  At any rate, this nearly completes Soresby’s acquisition of a huge tract on the north side of Johnchecohunk Swamp.  Soresby now owns essentiually all the land which was ever in the hands of a Jordan.

 

19 Nov 1771         Undated will of Jordan Clary recorded.  Charles Clary, executor.  Brothers: James; John and Barnes (not of age); William and Charles.  Mother: unnamed.  Sister: Sucky Clary.  Mentions Hannah Jordan, daughter of Mathew.  Witness: William Nelson, John Davis, Dempsey Marlow.   [Surry County Will Book 10a, p174 abstracted by Hart]

This appears to refer to the daughter of the unrelated Matthew Jordan, whose Isle of Wight will in 1785 names a daughter Hannah Jordan and a daughter Elizabeth Clary (Will Book 10, p1).  It therefore seems unlikely that Hannah is the same person as the widow of Joseph Jordan.

 

20 Jan 1772           Stephen Sorsby, Faith Ellis, and James Jordan witnesses to will of William Dewell of Southwarke parish, recorded 25 May 1773. Signatures not noted. [Surry County Will Book 10a, p299 abstracted by Hart]

This seems to be the probable son of Robert Jordan II.

 

21 Apr 1772          Ordered that the church wardens bind out William Jordan orphan of Joseph Jordan decd. and Perry Jordan a Bastard of Martha Jordan.  [Surry County Order Book 1764-74, p290 from Valentine Papers, Vol. II, p710]

William Jordan was not mentioned as a son of Joseph Jordan in his brother William Jordan’s will in 1758, but was mentioned in his father’s will in 1770.  He is considerably younger than his brothers, suggesting that his mother Hannah may have been a second wife.  The son Richard Jordan, also not mentioned in William Jordan’s will may not have been bound at this time out because he was at or near 14 (thus old enough to bind himself).

It’s not clear to me which Martha Jordan is the mother of Perry Jordan.

 

29 Jul 1772            A deed from William and Lucy Harrison to Duncan Rose mentions adjoining landowners Benjamin Jordan, Henry Barnes, William Andrews Jr., Elizabeth Andrews, Kenneth MacKenzie, William Andrews Sr., and Clays Branch.  [Surry County Deed Book 10, p409 abstracted by Hart]

This obviously refers to the land Benjamin Jordan inherited.  Since he had sold it in 1756, this may be an old, out-of-date land description perhaps copied into the deed from some older deed.  Henry Barnes and Elizabeth Andrews, no longer owned the adjoining land either.

 

24 Aug 1772          Joseph (x) Jordan a witness to a deed from Benjamin Ellis to Richard Blunt for 5 acres on north side of Blackwater Swamp adjoining Joseph Parke and said Blunt… [Surry County Deed Book 10, p223 abstracted by Hart]

Who is this? Possibly a son of Benjamin Jordan?

 

18 Dec 1772          Bill of Sale:  Henry (x) Jordan to James Dewel, £8:10s, livestock and household goods.  Witness:  Joseph Cheatham, George Gray.  [Surry County Deed Book 10, p229 abstracted by Hart]

 

22 Dec 1772          Deed:  Hannah Jordan to Stephen Sorsby, both of Southwarke Parish, £15, her dower interest in “about” 200 acres in Southwarke parish in the fork of the two great branches of Johnshehawkin Swamp on the north side thereof the same being purchased by Joseph Jordan of Richard Jordan by a deed recorded in Gen. Court 21 October 1737 and 130 acres of the above mentioned land being mortgaged by the said Joseph Jordan to Richard Cocke Sr. on 15 September 1761 and the other part of the land was to be sold as stated in the will of Joseph Jordan).  Signed:  Hannah (x) Jordan.  Witness:  Lewis Collins, John Stewart.  [Surry County Deed Book 10, p249 abstracted by Hart and in Valentine Papers, Vol. II, p700] 

The mortgage to Richard Cocke was in 1754, not 1761.  And Cocke apparently had sold the 130 acres (or the mortgage on it) to Stephen Sorsby in 1770.   

This abstract implies that the 1737 deed, and therefore the land entailed, was the 200 acre parcel from 1695 rather than the 130 acre parcel.  I’d like to see the original of this. 

 

11 Dec 1773          Martha (x) Jordan, John Stewart, Levi Cooper witnesses to deed by Stephen Sorsby and wife Martha Sorsby, and Elizabeth Sorsby, to James Kee  for 300 acres on south side of Johnshehawkin Swamp (…formerly belonged to Thomas Sorsby, who willed it to his son, Alexander Sorsby, who willed it to his mother Elizabeth Sorsby for her lifetime and it was to then descend to Stephen Sorsby of North Carolina who sold it to said Stephen Sorsby on 21 May 1771) bounded by the Great Branch and the Wolf Pit Branch.  [Surry County Deed Book 10, p283 abstracted by Hart]

This is on the opposite bank of the Swamp from Robert Jordan’s old land.  Is she the mother of Perry Jordan?

 

ca 24 Feb 1778      Appraisal of Thomas Emery, decd, by Stephen (x) Jordan, Peter Johnson, Jr., and James (x) Sheffill. Recorded 24 February 1778. (Hopkins gives the date as 28 September 1777, but Hart gives that as the date of the will itself.  Apparently both the will and appraisal were recorded on the same date.)  [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 10a, p483 abstracted by Hopkins and by Hart.]

 

1 Feb 1779            Deed:  James Jordan of Dobbs County in North Carolina to John Lane of Surry County, £60:16s:1p, a slave, livestock, household goods, and “all the estate devised to me by my father William Jordan, decd.”  Signed:  James Jordan.  Witness: Ethelred (x) Gray, Thomas (x) Burgess. [Surry County Deed Book 11, p37 abstracted by Hopkins]

This is clearly the son of the William Jordan who died in 1764.

 

15 May 1779         Deed from Henry Howard to Thomas Howard for land on north side of Ellis Branch bounded by Washington, Henry Jordan, Michael Casely, John Tillott, George Cooper, and Jesse Sheffield.  Witness:  Benjamin Bilbro, David (x) Bishop, Stephen (x) Jordan, Perry (x) Jordan.  [Surry County Deed Book 11, p101 abstracted by Hopkins]

This may refer to the land below.

 

28 Mar 1780          Deed:  Stephen Collier and wife Vien Collier to Henry Jordan, 100 acres (being land said Jordan now lives on) bounded by Nathaniel Sebrell, School House Branch, Birch Island Road, John Collier, and William Rose.  Witness: J. Kea.  [Surry County Deed Book 11, p128 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

28 Mar 1780          Deed from Stephen Collier and wife Vien Collier to John Tillot, 67 acres bounded by School House Branch, Henry Jordan, Thomas Howard, Birch Island Road, and John Collier.  Witness: James Kea. [Surry County Deed Book 11, p126 abstracted by Hopkins]

The deed to Henry Jordan is for land less than a mile south of the original Richard Jordan II plantation.  There is a third deed (p130) recorded on this date but dated 28 October 1779 to John Collier for 380 acres on the south side of Johnshehawkin Swamp bounded by Tom’s Branch, Nicholas Branch, the Great Branch, Casely, William Rose, and James Kea which appears to adjoin the two parcels deeded above.  This third deed describes the land as bought from Parson, part of “Parson’s new patent.”  This apparently refers to a large parcel patented by John Parsons in 1736, then renewed in 1742 by Thomas Parsons, and renewed again by John Parsons (Junior) in 1758, which included all the named watercourses.  [see Patent Book 31, pp158-162 for the final patent]  This patent was also very close to the land Benjamin Jordan had bought in 1732.

 

3 Jul 1781              Will of Anthony Adkins, proved 28 August 1781.  Stephen Jordan, executor.  Sons (3), none are 21, James (youngest). Daughters (5).  Brother-in-law: Stephen Jordan.  Brother: James.  Friend: Frederick Cooper.   [Surry County Will Book 11, p203, abstracted by Hart]

It’s not clear which of the two possible relationships this was.

 

26 Nov 1782         Stephen Jordan granted administration of estate of Henry Jordan, decd. [Surry County Order Book 1775-85, p138 from Valentine Papers, Vol. II, p710]

 

1782                      Surry County state census (may be incomplete)
Ann Jordan – 3 whites, 1 black
Ann Jordan – 4 whites, no blacks
Stephen Jordan – 7 whites, no blacks
Perry Jordan – 3 whites, no blacks

 

20 May 1783         Will of John Little of Southwark Parish, dated 20 May 1783, recorded 28 September 1784.  Jesse Little and James Brown, executors.  Wife: Martha.  Grandson: John Little.  Granddaughters: Mary Savedge (sic) and Anne Kea.  Daughter: Sarah Brown.  Grandchildren: Sarah, Samuel, Jesse and Elizabeth Little.  Son: Jesse.  Son-in-law:  James Brown.  Mentions: Randolph Fitchett.  Witnesses: Samuel Judkins, John Evans Judkins, and James Judkins. [Surry County Will Book 12, p37 abstracted by Hart]

Mary Savidge may not be the same person named as a daughter in the will of William Jordan (see 16 February 1764) but Anne Kea may be related to his sister-n-law.  James Bruton’s will (see 5 February 1734/5) indicates that he, not Little, was the father of Ann Jordan.

 

19 Jun 1783           Will of William Browne, recorded 27 June 1786.  Names wife Dolly, daughter of Josiah Jordan and widow of John Hay, Wife’s daughter Peggy Hay.  [Surry County Will Book 12, p115, abstracted by Hart]

This refers to Josiah Jordan of Isle of Wight, an unrelated Jordan, who left a will in 1786 naming his daughter Dolly Brown.

 

27 Aug 1783          Mary Jordan orphan of Henry Jordan, decd. came into court and made choice of Lewis Pully for her guardian. [Surry County Order Book 1775-85, p160 from Valentine Papers, Vol. II, p710]

Lewis Pully had married Elizabeth Amiss and was Henry Jordan’s brother in law and the uncle of this Mary Jordan. (see 21 July 1767)

 

1784                      Surry County census (may not be complete)
Margaret Jordan – 4 whites

26 Jul 1785            The court divided the county into what became 37 precincts.  Jordan’s Precinct was defined as “from the fork of the road near the late Doctor Campbell’s quarter, thence to Jordan’s Bridge” and possibly included the old Richard Jordan plantation.  [Surry Order Book 1775-1785, p443 from the Surry County website] 

 

25 Dec 1785          Marriage Bond:  Perry Jordan and Bethsheba Harper, in Southampton County.  Consent by John Harper.  Bondsman:  John Rogers.  Returned 29 December 1785 by John McLemone.  [Valentine Papers, Vol. II, p715]

 

Aug 1786               Deed from William Rose to Benjamin Rose of 60 acres bounded by James Kea, John Collier, Randall Jordan, Rogers and Drewry Dewell. [Surry County Deed Book 12, p92 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

8 Jan 1787             Deed from Samuel Rose of Halifax County, North Carolina as heir to his brother William Rose, decd, to William Lamb of Sussex County for 75 acres bounded by Collier, Jordan, and Nathaniel Sebrell.  [Surry County Deed Book 12, p241 abstracted by Hopkins]

This is apparently referring to Henry Jordan’s land (now owned by James or Randolph Jordan), though it may refer to whoever now owns Benjamin Jordan’s old land.  Nathaniel Sebrell had bought land adjoining the parcel that Benjamin Jordan had bought in 1732 (see entry for 9 August 1762)  Also see the two deeds above for Dewells. 

 

1787                      Surry County tax lists:
Randal Jorden, Lewis Pulley – 2  (Pulley under 21)

 

1790                      Surry County tax lists:
Margaret Jordan – 100 acres
Est. Henry Jordan (estate of ) – 98 acres
Mary Jordan – 66 2/3 acres, 1 black taxable
Randolph Jordan –  no land, listed as a taxable of William Kae.
Perry Jordan – no land, 1 black taxable

Sussex County 1789 tax lists:
John Jordan – 1 male over 21, 2 blacks over 16
William Jordan – 1 male over 21
William Jordan – 1 male over 21 (double-counted?)
Jesse Jordan – 1 male over 16 (this list does not differentiate over 21 vs. over 16)

 

10 Sep 1792          Deed:  Randolph Jordan to John Stiles, £50, 70 acres in Surry County adjoining John Collier decd, John Tillot, Nathaniel Sebrell, William Lamb, and William Rose. Said land descended from Henry Jordan to James Jordan and from the said James to the said Randolph Jordan as heir at law.  [Surry County Deed Book 1, p21 abstracted by Valentine Papers, Vol. II, p700]

 

27 Jun 1797           Bathshaba Jordan granted administration of estate of Perry Jordan, decd. [Surry County Order Book 1795-1800, p171]  Inventory dated 15 July 1797 by Bathshaba Jordan, recorded 27 February 1798. Appraisers:  Michael Carsely, Edmund Carsely, John Stiles. [Surry County Will Book 1, p254, abstracted by Hart.  Also see Valentine Papers, Vol. II, p710]