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Alexander Jordan (abt. 1805 - 1839)

Alexander "Alex" Jordan
Born about [location unknown]
Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of — married [date unknown] [location unknown]
Descendants descendants
Died at about age 34 in Nacogdoches, Republic of Texasmap
Problems/Questions Profile manager: Richard J private message [send private message]
Profile last modified | Created 22 Sep 2010
This page has been accessed 974 times.

Contents

Timeline

About 1805? Primary evidence for the birthyear and birthplace of Alexander Jordan has not been seen by the manager of this profile, but according to Dusty Holman, Alexander was born about 1805 in Cherokee Nations East Tennessee.[1] Additionally, Michael Beidler, a registered tribal citizen of the Cherokee nation and Wikitree member, said, "I am able to trace my indigenous ancestry as far back as the early 1800s to the Ross's Landing area of Chattanooga, Tennessee. White man John Jordan and Cherokee Nancy (nee Love) were "Old Settlers" who emigrated from the original Cherokee Nation to northwestern Arkansas in advance of President Andrew Jackson's forced removal of my tribe."[2] (Note: John Jordan is believed to be the brother of Alexander Jordan.)

Per researcher Amanda Blaker, Alexander's first known residence was Terrapin Creek, Alabama.[3][4] (Note: Ross's Landing and Terrapin Creek are only about 100 miles apart.)

Prior to 1830, Alexander and his brother John moved to the northeast corner of Arkansas. Here are some facts about the history of that area:

1816: "...Major William Lovely purchased 3 million acres from the Osage to provide a hunting ground to Cherokees who were immigrating to Arkansas, often referred to as the "old settlers," and create a buffer between the Osages and early Cherokees. The land came to be known as "Lovely's Purchase." Lovely didn’t actually have authority to make this transaction, but very similar terms were approved two years later."[5]

1817: "The Cherokee “old settlers” move to Arkansas where land was offered to the Cherokees in exchange for land owned by them in Tennessee and Georgia."[6]

About 1825?: Alexander married Nancy Cordray Rogers (~1813 - >1860) Their children were:

  1. Mary Elizabeth (Jordan) (1824? - 1902)
  2. Andrew Vann Jordan (1831 - 1862)
  3. Emily Jane (Jordan) Hensley (1833 - 1886)
  4. Catherine Martha (Jordan) Ivey (~1834 - <1869)
  5. Alexander Jordan (1836 - 1913).

1827: "Lovely County is created by the Territorial Assembly...."[7]

1828: "The Cherokee “old settlers” cede lands in Arkansas for present-day Cherokee Nation in present-day Oklahoma. Lovely County is extinguished and its land becomes part of Washington County in the state of Arkansas and the Cherokee Nation west of the state line. Washington County is created and its county seat is established at Washington Court House, renamed Fayetteville the next year."[8]

1829: "In the summer of 1829, Moses Alberty, a white man with an Indian family, and Blueford West returned from exploring the western country, with which they were much pleased. They, together with Andrew Vann and Alexander Jourdan, all influential citizens with considerable white blood, began their preparations to remove in the autumn. However, a great majority of the tribe were opposed to removal, and resorted to all manner of devices to intimidate those who desired to go. Upon the execution of the treaty of 1828 with the Cherokee, the white people of Lovely County who faced removal from the country given to the Indians waxed indignant, and at a meeting of citizens at their court house on May 27 adopted resolutions of protest. However, Congress provided preemption rights elsewhere for those forced to remove, and Governor Izard issued a proclamation on September 27...."[9] (Note: Alexander Jordan named one of his sons Andrew Vann Jordan. Was he named after the Andrew Vann mentioned above?

1829: “Alexander Jordan (#60) enrolled three from Terrapin Creek, Alabama on September 21, 1829.” (This would be him, his wife Nancy Rogers, and his daughter Elizabeth “Betsy” Jordan) “…Lucy Rogers, shown as Indian, lived on Terrapin Creek…” (Lucy was Nancy’s mother) [10]

October 1831: Alexander Jourdan was paid on account of improvements abandoned in the Cherokee Nation East. [11]

1834: Wanted ad for the murderer of John Jordan is posted in the newspaper. "John Jordan, a white man, imigrated from Alabama to I.T. in 1829 with his family of 5 and four slaves. Trying to identify the family of his Cherokee wife..... John Jordan was murdered by a John M. Ward on April 6, 1834 in Vineyard, Ark. A $250.00 reward was offered by Alexander Jordan and was posted in the Arkansas Advocate on April 25, 1834. I assume that Alexander was a brother to John Jordan, Alexander was married to Nancy Rogers of the Cordery family, and his family is documented in Emmett Starr's book. I do not know if it is connected to his murder, but on Dec. 20th of 1833 John Jordan along with Edward Hicks, Andrew M. Vann, C. Vann; and John Shepard wrote to the Cherokee Commissioner complaining of the treatment of the emigrants by the "Arkansas" Cherokees. This letter made its way through the command chain to the President of the U.S. and resulted in a modification of the 1828 treaty."[12]

1836: Alexander was involved in a court case in Nacogdoches County.1836-1839 many records of deeds in the Nacogdoches County archives. Sells 1/4 Leonard Williams league to David Gage. [13]

1838-39: "Remaining eastern Cherokees forced to leave homes in Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina and move west to Cherokee Nation."[14]

1839: Captain of Mounted Rangers, escorted Shawnee out of Texas. [15]

1839: Alexander was killed on 3 Dec 1839 in Nacodoches, Texas aged ~34.

1841: JB Reed appointed guardian of the minor heirs of John Jordan. David Gage security. [16]

1843: David Gage sues DW Reaves, husband of Elizabeth Jordan, joint administrator of estate of Alexander Jordan. [17]

1844: JB Reed appointed administrator of the estate of Alexander Jordan. David Gage security. [18]

1845: JB Reed admin of estate of Alexander Jordan sues Nancy, wife of Alexander. [19]

1848: Senator David Gage introduces senate bill, that is passed, requiring the transfer of Alexander Jordan’s estate from Nacogdoches to Rusk County. [20]

1848: law is enacted requiring all documents related to the estate of Alexander Jordan be transferred to Rusk County. [21]

1856: settlement is reached in lawsuit between the heirs of John Jordan; JB Reed attorney, vs the heirs of Alexander Jordan in Rusk County. [22]

1870: In the 1870 Rusk County Census, Elizabeth (Betsy) Jordan (daughter of Alexander) stated that she was 46 years old and born is Georgia. [23]

Death of Alexander Jordan

Per the Court of Inquiry of December 8,1839, Alexander was murdered by Bluford Mitchell. See below.

Handwritten Court Records, Synopsis

2022-12-08 This summary was provided by a 4th great-grandson (not the Profile Manager), as transcribed from the handwritten court records:

Alexander Alex [Jordan-755] had been drinking in a bar all day. I think Alexander Alex [Jordan-755] offered to buy Bluford Mitchell a drink, Bluford refused." Not 100% sure of that. They got into an argument. Alexander Alex [Jordan-755]'s friends tried to get him on his horse to get him away. But Alexander Alex [Jordan-755] was too drunk to ride. I think Mitchell laughed at Alexander Alex [Jordan-755] because he couldn't get on his horse.

Alexander Alex [Jordan-755] staggered up the street with his Bowie knife in hand and stabbed Mitchell in the hip. About 1.5"deep 1"wide. Alexander Alex [Jordan-755] didn't carry a gun. After Alexander Alex [Jordan-755] stabbed Mitchell in the buttock with a Bowie knife, Alexander Alex [Jordan-755] turned and walked away.

Mitchell asked someone to give Mitchell a gun. A man named Sims tried to give Mitchell a knife, but Mitchell wouldn't take the knife, so Sims gave Mitchell a pistol. Mitchell took the pistol and advanced toward Alexander Alex [Jordan-755] who turned to face Mitchell. Alexander Alex [Jordan-755] fell down and as he was falling Mitchell shot him in the chest. Jordan died the next day of the gunshot wound. Mitchell and Sims both had to post an $8000 bond to get out of jail on murder and accessory charges. (Note: It took a lot of hogs to equal an $8,000 bond in 1839.)

It seems Bluford Mitchell was a no account [sic] and outlaw. Bluford Mitchell had been in a lot of trouble with the law. Richard Sims was fairly affluent it seems.

Hopefully, this story is to be continued, as further attempts are being made to transcribe the court records. Richard Jordan, Profile Manager, 2023-01-16.

Court of Inquiry, EXCERPTS

On Friday morning December the 8th 1839 the court of inquiry met according to agreement. Present: Chief Justice Rusk, Mr. Hart commissioner of the county and Bennett Blake assistant justice of Nacogdoches [Texas].

The witnesses were called and answered to their names. Bluford Mitchell being called on for his voluntary statement. Bluford Mitchell said he was not guilty of the charge [murder].

Thomas Sims said he never had any difficulty with the murder victim [Jordan]. It was under the excitement of the moment. The individual that was cut was unarmed and as he was again approached Thomas Sims gave him arms for self defense. Thomas Sims said Jordan and I were like brothers. Jordan took me to his sisters room that day and we were like brothers. Jordan took me to his sisters room on that day and we were like brothers and I expected that we would always live like brothers.

H Crutchen sworn:

H Crutchen said that W. Boyd and H Crutchen were going down the street and as they came to the bar. H Crutchen saw Jordan approach with his knife in his hand, his hand on the point. Bluford Mitchell did not know Bluford Mitchell was cut at the time. Jordan staggered up against Bluford Mitchell. Mitchell turned and asked Thomas Sims for a gun. Thomas Sims gave Mitchell a knife. Mitchell gave it back and asked for a gun. Thomas Sims gave Bluford Mitchell a pistol. Bluford Mitchell went to Thomas Sims for the pistol 3 or 4 steps. Jordan was walking off. Bluford Mitchell approached Jordan and Jordan turned around. He had heard the pistol cock. I [H Crutchen] heard the report of the pistol. Jordan fell. I [H Crutchen] knew nothing of the difficulty previous. There was no struggle at the cutting, not more than a moment or two till the shooting. When Jordan fell he was drunk. Jordan was walking off, he turned around and as he turned the pistol fired. H Crutchen heard the shot and saw Jordan fall. H Crutchen knew nothing of the previous difficulty. There was no struggle at the cutting not more than a moment or 2 from that to the shooting. When Jordan fell he was walking off. He turned and as he turned the pistol fired.

Thomas Boyle sworn.

On Monday afternoon Dec. 7th at about 3 or 4 o'clock I was returning home with Mr. Dowd. I saw a gent on horseback. I saw Bluford Mitchell leaning against the horse. My attention was drawn to him. I saw Bluford Mitchell put his hand behind his back and walk up the street to Thomas Sims who was standing on the side of the street and he asked Sims, did you see that and asked Sims for a gun. Thomas Sims handed him a bowie knife. I heard someone call out don’t. Bluford Mitchell walked 3 or 4 steps returned and handed Sims the knife back and asked for a gun. Sims opened his coat and handed Bluford Mitchell a pistol. Mitchell looked at it, carried it in a downward position and cocked it and walked 8 or 10 steps took, deliberate aim and fired and Jordan fell.

{Somebody?}

On Monday afternoon I was sitting on the steps at the farm store. I saw Mitchell conversing with Mr. Yancy who was on horseback. Jordan approached Mitchell with his knife. I saw Jordan take it from his belt and cover it with his hand. I did not see Jordan cut Mitchell, but I saw Jordan make a motion toward Mitchell. I saw Mitchell go to Sims with his hand on his hip. Sims handed him a bowie knife. Next I saw Sims hand Mitchell a pistol. Jordan was staggering to [?] horse. I saw him fall. I saw Sims give Mitchell the knife and Mitchell give it back to him and I think Sims gave him the pistol. Yancy's horse was opposite the bar about the middle of the street.

F Floyd sworn

F Floyd did not see the transaction. About an hour previous to the circumstance F Floyd was with Mr. Sims. Mr. Sims invited me to go the bar to drink. We meet Mitchell who said we had better turn our course as Sims might be insulted. There was a man abusing him [?]. He did not know his name. Jordan stepped out. Mitchell said that was the man. I said that was Jordan he must not hurt him. He said he would not. That he did not intend any harm. That they had had a difficulty earlier because Jordan was abusing Sims.

Sims was with Mitchell and in sight of him up to within 5 minutes of the explosion of the pistol.

Johnston Markham sworn

On Monday 7th December Mr. Jordan was at the bar with others. Bluford Mitchell came in with 3 or 4 of his friends. Jordan said "heres old Mitchell". Mitchell said "this is old Bluford". Mitchell said you have the advantage of me. Mr. Dowd introduced them or said this is Jordan. Jordan asked them to drink. Mitchell said that they had came in for that purpose and would pay themselves. At that time Jordan said something about Sims. Mr. Dowd said if he had hard feelings at Sims to call for Sims and he would give him satisfaction. Jordan asked Mr. Dowd if he would take it up. Dowd said no. Jordan then turned to Mitchell and said "god damn you do you take it up". Mitchell said if he wanted he would. Jordan said I can whip you. Asked some person if he could. He opened his breast. I knew he was in the habit of carrying a bowie knife. I was expecting a difficulty but did not interfere. Then they made it up, shook hands several times. Mitchell said he did not want a quarrel but if Jordan did he would take it up. Mitchell then went to the bar. Jordan told him again several times that he could whip him. Jordan insisted on fighting him.

Court of Inquiry, FULL TEXT

Research Notes

1. Alexander Jordan may be related to Pleasant Jordan. From https://www.ancestry.com.au/boards/localities.northam.usa.states.kentucky.counties.clark/5 245.1.1.2.1.1.1/mb.ashx:

"Pleasant (Absalom Pleasant) Jordan married Anna Burchett on April 10, 1821 in Lawrence Co.,Ohio.

"His mother was a full blooded Cherokee according to one of the witnesses on the Cherokee Application of Sarah Ann Ball. Pleasant was said to have left his home on Waldron's Ridge at Ross's Landing,(near present day Chatanooga, Tn) as a young man and came to Lawrence Co., Ky.

"The witness was G.W. Vann who was a Cherokee Freedman. He was living in Oklahoma in 1890 when he gave his deposition. He claimed he knew Pleas Jordan & his brother Alex back in the East and that he lived about a mile from them."[24]

2. Alexander may be related to Andrew Jordan and Armistead Jordan, who served in the Texas Rangers with him. Like Alexander, Armistead was from Alabama, and also lived in Arkansas, as well as Texas.

Sources

  1. https://www.allthingscherokee.com/cherokee-genealogy-queries-may-2004/
  2. Wikitree Treehouse Answer on September 28, 2022.
  3. Shadburn, Don L., Unhallowed Intrusion; A History of Cherokee Families in Forsyth County, Georgia. United States, WH Wolfe Associates, 1993, pg. 199.
  4. Comment on Alexander Jordan's profile. Posted January 25, 2023.
  5. "Map of the Month: Lovely County. FayettevilleHistory.com. https://www.fayettevillehistory.com/maps/2016/02/lovely-county.html. Accessed 1/29/23
  6. "Map of the Month: Lovely County. FayettevilleHistory.com. https://www.fayettevillehistory.com/maps/2016/02/lovely-county.html. Accessed 1/29/23
  7. "Map of the Month: Lovely County. FayettevilleHistory.com. https://www.fayettevillehistory.com/maps/2016/02/lovely-county.html. Accessed 1/29/23
  8. "Map of the Month: Lovely County. FayettevilleHistory.com. https://www.fayettevillehistory.com/maps/2016/02/lovely-county.html. Accessed 1/29/23
  9. Indians and Pioneers: The Story of the American Southwest Before 1830." GoogleBooks. https://archive.org/stream/indianspioneerst000985mbp/indianspioneerst000985mbp_djvu.txt
  10. Shadburn, Don L.. Unhallowed Intrusion: A History of Cherokee Families in Forsyth County, Georgia. United States, WH Wolfe Associates, 1993, Page 199 and 201.
  11. Senate Documents, Otherwise Publ. as Public Documents and Executive Documents 14th Congress, 1st Session-48th Congress, 2nd Session and Special Session · Volume 12.
  12. Exerpt of post by Barbara Jordan Straw at https://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/jordan/5710/
  13. Blake, Robert Bruce, R. B. Blake collection, 1528-1941.|R. B. Blake collection|Robert Bruce Blake collection|Blake research collection|Blake collection|Archives from the Office of the County Clerk of Nacogdoches, Tex., 1744-1837), volume 55: page numbers 324-329, Digitized by FamilySearch International, 2009 at https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1622062 (26 Jan 2022).
  14. "Map of the Month: Lovely County. FayettevilleHistory.com. https://www.fayettevillehistory.com/maps/2016/02/lovely-county.html. Accessed 1/29/23
  15. Stephen L. Moore. Savage Frontier Volume 2: Rangers, Rifleman, and Indian Wars in Texas, 1838-1839, University of North Texas Press, Mar 20, 2006.
  16. Probate Records, 1837-1914 (Nacogdoches County, Texas); Author: Texas, County Court (Nacogdoches County); Probate Place: Nacogdoches, Texas. Jordan John.
  17. https://archives.sfasu.edu/repositories/2/archival_objects/172930
  18. Probate Records, 1837-1914 (Nacogdoches County, Texas); Author: Texas, County Court (Nacogdoches County); Probate Place: Nacogdoches, Texas, Jordan Alexander.
  19. https://archives.sfasu.edu/repositories/2/archival_objects/175871
  20. Journals of the Texas Senate, 3rd legislative session
  21. Hans Peter Mareus Neilsen Gammel, Cadwell Walton Raines, 1898, Laws of Texas 1847-1854, page 383.
  22. https://i2j.uslandrecords.com/TX/Rusk/D/default.aspx, search Rusk County records for Elizabeth Pope for the settlement
  23. Year: 1870; Census Place: Precinct 4, Rusk, Texas; Roll: M593_1603; Page: 439B; Family History Library Film: 553102
  24. PatFannin47. "Re: Jordans of Clark Co, Ky." Message Boards > Localities > North America > United States > States > Kentucky > Counties > Clark.19 June 2010. https://www.ancestry.com.au/boards/localities.northam.usa.states.kentucky.counties.clark/5 245.1.1.2.1.1.1/mb.ashx. Reposted by jonilynnlusk, 20 July 2017 on Ancestry.com
  • entirefamily.ged (From MyFamily.com when computer information was lost, prior to 1997. I am in the process of recreating all Sources. It will take a while, this is 25 years worth of information) Hope to get it done before I die. Debbie Johnson Ferguson
  • Oklahoma and Indian Territory, U.S., Dawes Census Cards for Five Civilized Tribes, 1898-1914:[25]

Name: Alex Jordan Spouse: Nancy Jordan Child: Alexander Jordan

  • Millennium File: Heritage Consulting. Millennium File [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2003. Original data: Heritage Consulting. The Millennium File. Salt Lake City, UT, USA: Heritage Consulting. Ancestry Record 7249 #10079388
  • Alexander Jordan:Birth Date: 1805, Death: 3 Dec 1839, Nacodoches, Texas, USA. Spouse: Nancy (Nannie) Rogers, daughter of Robert Rogers & Lucy Cordery Children: Elizabeth Jordan; Andrew Vann Jordan; Eliza Jane Jordan; Catharine Jordan.




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Comments: 11

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Source for Terrapin Creek, Alabama residence—-

Shadburn, Don L.. Unhallowed Intrusion: A History of Cherokee Families in Forsyth County, Georgia. United States, WH Wolfe Associates, 1993, Page 199.

posted by Amanda Blaker
I believe this Alexander is the Alex Jordan who was a brother to Pleasant (https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Jordan-186), as asserted by witness G.W. Vann in the Cherokee membership application. The age is about right, and both are said to have lived in Tennessee, and have relations to the Cherokee tribe. I am going to connect Alexander and Pleasant as brothers for now.
posted by A. (Morman) Tuinstra
edited by A. (Morman) Tuinstra
Added: =Handwritten Court Records=. Best! Richard Jordan, Profile Manager.
posted by Richard (Jordan) J
Oh, wow! That is interesting! Thank you! Are you in contact with the descendant who provided these records? Have they taken a DNA test?
posted by A. (Morman) Tuinstra
Private message reply. Thank you.
posted by Richard (Jordan) J
I just created and added the full text of the Court Inquiry. Free Space Page:
posted by Richard (Jordan) J
I am skeptical of this. Alexander and John Jordan were living in Alabama and left for Arkansas Territory in 1828. I have found no record at all giving a place of birth or year of birth. There was an Andrew Jordan and Armstead Jordan who served in his Ranger company in Texas. I cannot find what happened to Andrew. Armstead, born in Alabama in 1823, married the year after Alexander died, and he relocated to Hot Springs, Arkansas. I believe these were either brothers of nephews, as the name's Andrew, Alexander, and John are found in all of the families. There was an Elizabeth Jordan who married in 1840 in Nacogdoches. I believe this was his sister that was spoken of in the court case. She married a G.K. or G.R. Black. Appx how old was the Vann who gave the testimony in 1890 regarding living next to Alex Jordan back East? There was a 62 year difference between when this Alexander Jordan was known to be living in Terrapin Creek, Alabama and when this testimony was given. Is there any other proof that these are his siblings, other than the testimony?
posted by Amanda Blaker
Hi Amanda,

You may be right. However, the part of Tennessee that people claim they are from (Chatanooga area) is near the border of Alabama, so I wouldn't be surprised if they may have lived in both.

If I remember correctly, Alexander applied for Cherokee membership, and he was rejected, but his wife was accepted? (I'll have to double-check.)

I did a little research on George W. Vann, and it seems he was a "standing witness" for Cherokee membership. That is, he was a witness (possibly a paid witness) for many people. So he may not be the most reliable.

I'll post other tidbits I have found shortly.

posted by A. (Morman) Tuinstra
I will disconnect Alexander from Pleasant's family for now since the evidence connecting them isn't very strong.
posted by A. (Morman) Tuinstra
I also started a profile for Armistead Jordan: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Jordan-21537
posted by A. (Morman) Tuinstra
Jordan-6554 and Jordan-755 appear to represent the same person because: Same name, birthdate and spouse
posted by A. (Morman) Tuinstra

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