Robert Jordan (1612 - bef. 1679)

Born Jan 1612 in Worcester, Worcestershire, England

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah (Winter) Jordan — married Jan 1644 in Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Descendants

Died before 1679 before age 67 in Portsmouth, Rockingham, Province of New Hampshire

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Robert Jordan migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See The Directory, by R. C. Anderson, p. 189) Join: Puritan Great Migration Project Discuss: pgm

Biography

Robert Jordan was born in Worcester, Worcestershire, England.

Birth

Robert Jordan was born in January 1612 and baptised^[1] on 12 Jan 1612, son of Edward Jorden, at Worcester: St Martin-in-the-Cornmarket, Worcestershire, England. He was one of a large family of 10 children. His father Edward ran a book shop in Worcester before he died of the plague in 1637.

Robert's siblings were:

Foulke^[2] ( born 1609 in Worcester)

Margaret^[3] (borm 1610 in Worcester)

Edward^[4] (born 1613 in Worcester)

Elizabeth^[5] (born 1615 in Worcester)

Mary^[6] (born 1616 in Worcester)

Margery^[7] (born 1619 in Worcester)

Thomas^[8] (born 1621 in Worcester)

John^[9] (born 1622 in Worcester) and

Dorothy^[10] (born 1624 in Worcester)

Education

Robert attended Oxford University^[11] matriculating (entering University) into Balliol College at the age of 19 in 1632 and graduating with a BA on 22 April 1634.

He may have intended to enter The Church of England but his name is not listed on the Clergy of the Church of England Database (CCEd) (https://theclergydatabase.org.uk/jsp/persons/index.jsp). There is therefore no record extant of his being ordained or working as a priest in the Church records in England.

Robert completed his BA at Balliol in 1634 and there is no university record of his staying on to study further. His father Edward died in 1637 and was buried^[12] on 22 Jun 1637 in Worcester, Worcestershire, England. Robert inherited^[13] (Note that there is a transcript of Edward's will available^[14].) £50 from his father and it seems probable that he used this to migrate to New England.

Edward Jordan, his wife Elizabeth (Broughton) and an Robert's elder sister (Elizabeth) all died of the Plague in 1637. England was about to enter a period of uncertainty in the mid 1630s when Robert completed his education. This period gave rise to the Republic in England, led by Oliver Cromwell and his son Richard, when the Royalists loyal to James I lost sway. Probably a good time to get away, particulaly for one with the Royalist allegiances he shared with Robert Trelawny.

Migration

Robert Jordan arrived in New England and Maine by 15 September 1640 when he was named by the Maine Court as an arbitrator in a dispute between George Cleeve and William Riall.^[15] Some genealogies date his arrival in 1639,^[16] and state that he came over to be an assistant to Thomas Purchase who was a relative,^[17] but they provide no documentary evidence to support these claims.

Robert moved to Richmond's Island to take over from Rev. Richard Gibson who had left to get married^[18] by June 1641.

It is noted here that Richard Gibson is also not listed on the CCEd records. Gibson had travelled out from Plymouth, England with John Winter on the Agnes arriving at Richmond's Island in March 1636. His presence on the Island had been requested by Edward Trelawny in a letter to his brother Robert from Boston on 10th October 1635.

There was considerable dispute about the extent of the land holdings between John Winter and Robert Trelawny on the one hand and George Cleves and Sir George Ferdinando on the other. The dispute appears to be about the exact interpretation of the land grant boundaries and is the subject of a considerable proportion of the Trelawny Papers^[18]. The land grant to Trelawny was made at Plymouth in England whereas a separate and overlapping grant was made in New England. Both Winter and Cleves came from Plymouth in England.

John Winter had evicted George Cleves from a house he had built on property that Winter belived to be within the Trelawny patent.

Robert Jordan appears to have been employed by John Winter^[18] to act for him in the court^[19] involved in settling the case between Winter and Cleves on 28 June 1641.

Robert Jordan then wrote to Robert Trelawny^[18] in June 1642 to support John Winter's position about the Cleves dispute.

George Cleves fought this eviction through the courts, and finally received the court's backing, but John Winter did not concede defeat before his death in 1664. The matter was not helped by the death of Robert Trelawny in England in 1643. Trelawny had been a staunch loyalist and Cleves more a supporter of the English Republic.

In 1648, Robert Jordan petitioned the General Court to allow him, as administrator, to sell the property of Robert Trelawny, and settle up the estate of John Winter and Robert Trelwany both of whom had died by 1644.

Marriage

Robert Jordan married^[18] Sarah Winter in January 1644. By his marriage to Sarah and by the fact that he was the executor to her father John Winter, Robert inherited the proceedings of the Trelawny Plantation^[18] on Richmond Island. By his marriage to Sarah Winter, Mr. Jordan became one of the great land-proprietors and wealthy men of that region.

After their marriage, Robert and Sarah moved to the cattle property at Spurwink, on the mainland across from the Island. Robert and Sarah had 6 sons at Spurwink, based upon his willl (see below):

John Jordan (born 1645 at Cape Elizabeth)

Robert Jordan (born 1650 at Cape Elizabeth)

Dominicus Jordan (born before 1664 at Cape Elizabeth).

Samuel Jordan (born 1660 at Cape Elizabeth)

Jeremiah Jordan (born 1663 at Cape Elizabeth)

Jebediah Jordan (born 1664 at Cape Elizabeth)

These six sons were acknowledged in his will.

The family's stay at Spurwink probably came to an abrupt end with the start of the Indian Wars^[20]. in 1676. The family including children left their house and went to Great Island, in Piscataqua River (now New Castle), then a part of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Many other persons were at the same time driven from Falmouth and much of the fishing industry and agriculture in this part of Maine was destroyed at that time, including the Trelawny settlement on Richardson's Island.

Death

Robert Jordan died in 1679. His will was made at Great Island, in Piscataqua River, January 28, and proved July 1, 1679. He left his land to his sons among whom his estate was divided, according to the provisions of his will. No daughters are mentioned in his will. His wife Sarah survived him, and was living at Newcastle, in Portsmouth Harbor, in 1686.

Will of Robert Jordan

Will, in brief: (spelling of wordings mostly as transcribed at source)^[21][22] of Robert Jordan Senjor Gentleman : formerly of Spurwinke, & now resident on the Great Island in the Townshipe of Portsmouth, In New England:

to my wife Saraih Jordan now Living, the ould Plantation at Spurwinke, Contayneing one thousand Acres, vnto my sayd wife Saraih Jordan, one other farme Called Nonsuch, Contayneing two thousand Acres,

unto my sonn Dominicus Jordan one thousand Acres of Land, at Spurwinke

unto my sonn Jedediah Jordan, one thousand Acres of my Land at Spurwinke

unto my sonn Samuell Jordan by Reason of his posterity, Choyse of Eleaven hundred Acres of Land of my sayd Land at Spurwinke

unto my foure youngest sonns Namely Dominicus, Jedediah, Samuell & Jeremiah Jordan to each of them one feather bedd, & bowlsters

wife Saraih, & my two sonns John & Robert Jordan, to bee my Joynt executors

Major Nichoas Shapleigh of Kittery Mr Nathaniel ffryer, & Mr William Bickham Mrchants, to bee ouerseers.

Great Island 28th of Janvary 1678 : Mr Robert Jordan Senjor acknowledged this with in written...Allowed in Court, and recorded 7 July 1679.

From a reading of the will John (born 1645) and Robert (born 1650) are the eldest sons who are executors of the will with their mother Sarah. The four youngest sons are Dominicus (born 1645 - but must be an error), Samuel (born 1660), Jeremiah (born 1663) and Jebediah (born 1664).

Research Notes

Family History of the Jordan Family

The Family History of the Jordan Family was published ^[19] in 1892 and quotes from this document appear in many family histories. The document provides much information on the transition of the assets from Robert Trelawny to John Winter to Robert Jordan but has no information available on the life and siblings of Robert Jordan before his arrival at Richmond's Island. The Brown-Duncan Genealogy (below) provides an example of the perceived family history. As noted above, Robert Jordan did not complete training as a Minister of the Church of England. However, he was a graduate (B.A. of Oxford University) so the claim that he had not completed clerical or legal studies and lacked education seems ill founded.

Brown-Duncan Genealogy

Excerpt from Hazel M. Standeven's Brown-Duncan and Associated Families : Kittery Maine Piscataqua and New Castle, N.h. 1981:^[17]

Rev. Robert Jordan b. ca 1615, son of Edward Jordan of Worcester, Worcestershire, England. Was at Oxford 1632 but left in 1637 upon the death of his father - and probable termination of personal funds. Thought to be related to Thomas Purchase, a Pejepscot Patentee, with Jordan arrived in 1639, as assistant to Purchase. Served as the Chaplain and a Lawyer to the Trelawny Plantation at Richmond Island (Portland, Maine vicinity). Was later a resident of Spurwink (Cape Elizabeth). He married January 1644 Sarah Winter, daughter of John Winter, an agent of Trelawny. On May 20, 1645, John Winter empowered Jordan to act as Commissioner and Justice of the Plantation. He was constantly in trouble with the Bay Colony authorities whenever he overstepped bounds. Agressively ambitious, he made many political enemies. The fact that he had not completed Clerical nor Legal studies served to spur animosity for his foes in other colonies. His lack of education raised some question to the validity of baptisms, marriages, and court decisions that he had administered. He moved often, caught between raiding-Indians and Massachusetts authorities who imprisioned him whenever they could. He was a frequent "visitor" and was under the protection of Major Shapleigh at Kittery and Eliot. He died 1679, a wealthy man. His wife Sarah died after 1687."

Sources

1. ↑ Baptism: "Worcestershire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812"
   Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service; Worcester, England, UK; The Diocese of Worcester Parish Registers
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 62085 #4700317 (accessed 19 November 2023)
   Robert Jorden baptism on 12 Jan 1612, son of Edward Jorden, in Worcester St Martin-in-the-Cornmarket, Worcestershire, England.
2. ↑ Baptism: "England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975"
   Original data: England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013; FHL Film Number: 886612, 886614
   Ancestry Record 9841 #118127448 (accessed 21 November 2023)
   Fowlke Jorden baptism on 12 Jan 1609, son of Edward Jorden, in Saint Swithin, Worcester, Worcester, England.
3. ↑ Baptism: "England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975"
   Original data: England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013; FHL Film Number: 886612, 886614
   Ancestry Record 9841 #59075091 (accessed 21 November 2023)
   Margret Jorden baptism on 28 Nov 1610, daughter of Edward Jorden, in Saint Swithin, Worcester, Worcester, England.
4. ↑ Baptism: "Worcestershire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812"
   Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service; Worcester, England, UK; The Diocese of Worcester Parish Registers
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 62085 #4700371 (accessed 21 November 2023)
   Edward Jordan baptism on 15 Dec 1613, son of Edward Jordan, in Worcester St Martin-in-the-Cornmarket, Worcestershire, England.
5. ↑ Baptism: "Worcestershire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812"
   Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service; Worcester, England, UK; The Diocese of Worcester Parish Registers
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 62085 #4700400 (accessed 21 November 2023)
   Elizabeth Jordan baptism on 16 Apr 1615, daughter of Edward Jordan, in Worcester St Martin-in-the-Cornmarket, Worcestershire, England.
6. ↑ Baptism: "England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975"
   Original data: England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013; FHL Film Number: 886612, 886614
   Ancestry Record 9841 #167485521 (accessed 21 November 2023)
   Mary Jorden baptism on 22 May 1616, daughter of Edward Jorden, in Saint Swithin, Worcester, Worcester, England.
7. ↑ Baptism: "England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975"
   Original data: England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013; FHL Film Number: 886612, 886614
   Ancestry Record 9841 #113609225 (accessed 21 November 2023)
   Margery Jorden baptism on 21 Jan 1619, daughter of Edward Jorden, in Saint Swithin, Worcester, Worcester, England.
8. ↑ Baptism: "Worcestershire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812"
   Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service; Worcester, England, UK; The Diocese of Worcester Parish Registers
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 62085 #4700558 (accessed 21 November 2023)
   Thomas Jordan baptism on 9 Jul 1621, son of Edward Jordan, in Worcester St Martin-in-the-Cornmarket, Worcestershire, England.
9. ↑ Baptism: "England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975"
   Original data: England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013; FHL Film Number: 886612, 886614
   Ancestry Record 9841 #131678178 (accessed 21 November 2023)
   John Jordan baptism on 1 Feb 1622, son of Edward Jordan, in Saint Swithin, Worcester, Worcester, England and died on 2 Mar 1628.
10. ↑ Baptism: "Worcestershire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812"
    Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service; Worcester, England, UK; The Diocese of Worcester Parish Registers
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 62085 #4700642 (accessed 21 November 2023)
    Dorothy Jorden baptism on 5 Dec 1624, daughter of Edward Jorden, in Worcester St Martin-in-the-Cornmarket, Worcestershire, England.
11. ↑ The Members of the University of Oxford, 1500-1715:
    Alumni Oxonienses 1500-1714. Edited by Joseph Foster. Oxford: University of Oxford 1891. British History Online, accessed December 6, 2023, British History Online. Name: Robert Jordan.
12. ↑ Burial: "National Burial Index For England & Wales"
    FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 8 December 2023)
    Edward Jorden burial (died in 1637) on 22 Jun 1637 in Worcester, Worcestershire, England.
13. ↑ Will: "England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858"
    The National Archives; Kew, Surrey, England; Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Series PROB 11; Class: PROB 11; Piece: 174
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 5111 #849446 (accessed 8 December 2023)
    Will of Edwardi Jorden, granted probate on 2 Aug 1637. Died about 1637 in Worcester, Worcestershire, England.
14. ↑ Transcript of Edward Jordan's Will Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/tree/167466105/person/332261391101/media/e0972bd2-3351-4280-b394-4bebbd77ec1f) Ancestry.com accessed 8 December 2023
15. ↑ Province and Court Records of Maine (Portland, Maine Historical Society, 1928) vol 1, p 79. HathiTrust Note The Great Migration Directory identifies this as the first New England record.
16. ↑ Passenger List: "U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s"
    Place: Maine; Year: 1639; Page Number: 163
    Ancestry Record 7486 #1310573 (accessed 21 November 2023)
    Name: Robert Jordan; Arrival Year: 1639; Arrival Place: Maine; Primary Immigrant: Jordan, Robert; Source Publication Code: 1262; Annotation: Date and place of settlement or date and place of arrival. Names not restricted to the Order of Founders and Patriots of America.; Source Bibliography: COLKET, MEREDITH B., JR. Founders of Early American Families: Emigrants from Europe, 1607-1657. Cleveland: General Court of the Order of Founders and Patriots of America, 1975. 366p.;
    Household Members (Name):
    Robert Jordan.
17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1} Standeven, Hazel M. Brown-Duncan and Associated Families : Kittery Maine Piscataqua and New Castle N.h. H.M. Standeven, 1981. p 57.
    Ancestry.com: Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Image (accessed 8 December 2023)
    Robert Jordan.
18. ↑ ^{18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5} 'James Phinney Baxter - The Trelawny Papers': Collections of the Maine Historical Society - Second Series download .pdf file on Wikimedia 1884. Now Republished by Sagwan Press on 21 August 2015 (582 pages) ISBN-10 1298894042
19. ↑ ^{19.0 19.1} The Jordan memorial : family records of the Rev. Robert Jordan and his descendants in America Tristram Frost Jordan Archive.org.
20. ↑ The Indian Wars (King Phillip) Wikipedia contributors, "King Philip's War," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, [[1]] (accessed November 20, 2023)
21. ↑ Will of Robert Jordan Maine Genealogy link
22. ↑ Sargent, William M., https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89J3-NPV Maine wills, 1640-1760, (Portland : Brown Thurston & Co, 1887) , pages 57-59, Registry of Deeds, 3, 44. link on FamilySearch.org, and Archive.org.

See also:

• Robert Charles Anderson. "The Great Migration Directory, Immigrants to New England, 1620 - 1640." New England Historic Genealogical Society (2015) p. 189.