Dominicus Jordan Sr (bef. 1664 - abt. 1703)

Born before 1664 in Spurwink, Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Maine, Massachusetts Bay, New England [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Hannah (Tristram) Greenleaf — married 1681 (to 1703) in Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Maine

Descendants

Died about 10 Aug 1703 after about age 39 in Spurwink, Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland Co., Maine, New England

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Biography

Birth

Dominicus was born before 1664 at Spurwink (Cape Elizabeth), Maine ^[1] He was the fifth son of Robert Jordan and Sarah Winter Jordan.

Dominicus left Spurwink with his father's family at the beginning of King Phillip' War, 1675, when the settlement was attacked and their house destroyed by the Indians. Six years from that time he returned to Spurwink with his wife. It appears he selected a piece of land, and his father consented it should be his at a proper time.

Marriage

Dominicus married Hannah Tristram on 1 April 1681 at Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland County, Maine. Their children were:

1. Dominicus Jordan (1683 - 1749)
2. Samuel Jordan (1684 - 1742)

Death

Dominicus passed away on 10 August 1703 (killed by Indians), in Spurwink, Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland County, Maine.^[2]

Research Notes from The Jordan Family Memorial

In 1678 he administered upon the estate of Robert Tristram. In 1679 his father died, and by his father's will he came into possession, July 1, 1679, of one thousandacres of land at Spurwink. We may suppose that part of the six years prior to his return to Spurwinkwere passed at Winter Harbor, being only about twelve miles distant from Spurwink. Dominicus Jordan was a prominent man in the settlement, and in 1690 when Falmouth was devestated, Spurwink was again deserted, and remained unoccupied till the peace of 1698.

According to tradition, Dominicus was a man above the common size, and of great strength and endurance. The gun used by him was over six feet in length. This gun has been in the possession of his descendants (eighteen inches of the barrel having been cut off) until within a few years, and was presented to the Maine Historical Society by Captain Samuel Jordan of Deering, Maine. It was custom of Dominicus to keep his gun and ammunition close at hand all the time. The Indians feared him. In war he was their deadly enemy; in peace, friendly. While at work on his plantation which lay bordering on the Spurwink River, where he had a block-house on a flat piece of land, his gun was strapped to his back, ready for immediate use if necessary. He was called the "Indian Killer". In times of peace the Indians would call on him, and were hospitably received, while they exchanged their furs for such articles as they wanted. On the breaking of the hostilities in 1703, a party of Indians, appearing friendly, called on Dominicus, August 10th of that year to buy some goods. He did not suspect their treacherous design, and was waiting on them, when one, who had watched the opportunity unnoticed by Dominicus, struck the hatchet into his head. Death soon followed. His wife and family of six children, and his youngest brother Jeremiah, were made prisoners, and led through the wilderness to Canada. All were restored, except a daughter who remained with her masters in Canada.

Hon. John Stoddard of Northampton was sent in 1713, as a Commissary to Quebec, to negotiate for the redemption of prisoners taken from New England, a commission which he executed in an eminently satisfactory manner. His Journal, published in the N. E. Hist, and Gen. Reg. vol. v., is entitled, "A Journal of a Negotiation between the Marquis de Vaudreuil, Governor General of Canada, and John Stoddard and John Williams, Messengers, commissioned by his Excellency Joseph Dudley, Esq., Captain General and Governor of her Majesty's Government of the Massachusetts, &c, in New England." It appears to have been common with the French in Canada to bestow French names upon their English captives.

DEED FROM PRES. DANFOHTH TO THE TRUSTEES OF FALMOUTH.

This indenture made the twenty-sixth day of July, Anno Domini one thousand six hundred eighty and four and in the thirty-sixth of the reign of our sovereign Lord Charles the Second by the grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King, defender of the Faith &c. Between Thomas Danforth Esq. President of his majestie's Province of Maine in New England on the one party, and Capt. Edward Tyng, capt. Sylvanus Davis, Mr. Walter Gendall, Mr. Thaddeus Clark, Capt. Anthony Brackett, Mr. Dominicus Jordan, Mr. George Bramhall, and Robert Lawrence Trustees on the behalf and for the sole use and benefit of the Inhabitants of the town of Falmouth within the abovenamed Province of Maine on the other party, Witnesseth That whereas the abovenamed Thomas Danforth by the governor and company of the Massachusetts colony in New England the now Lord Proprietors of the abovenamed Province of Maine at a general assembly held at Boston on the eleventh day of May 1681 is fully authorized and empowered to make legal confirmation unto the Inhabitants of the abovesaid Province of Maine of all their lands or proprieties to them justly appertaining or belonging within the limits or bounds of said Province, Now know all men by these presents, that the said Thomas Danforth pursuant to the trust in him reposed and power to him given as abovesaid by and on the behalf of the governor and company of the Massachusetts colony aforesaid hath given granted & confirmed and by these presents doth fully clearly and absolutely give grant and confirm unto the abovenamed capt. Edward Tyng, capt. Sylvanus Davis, Mr. Walter Gendall, Mr. Thaddeus Clark, capt. Anthony Brackett, Mr. Dominicus Jordan, Mr. Geo. Bramhall and Robert Lawrence Trustees as above expressed, all that tract or parcel of land within the township of Falmouth in said Province according to the bounds and limits of said township to them formerly granted by Sir Fernando Gorges Knight or by any of his agents or by the General Assembly of the Massachusetts with all privileges and appurtenances to the same appertaining or in any wise belonging all royalties reserved to his majesty by the charter granted to Sir Ferdinando Gorges Knight, as also those by said charter given to the said Ferdinando Gorges Knight, his heirs and assigns?together with the rivers, streams and coves contained within the limits or bounds of said townships always to be excepted and reserved. To have and to hold all the abovesaid tract of land by these presents granted and confirmed be the same more or less with all the privileges land, appurtenances to the same appertaining or in any wise belonging, excepting as is above excepted and reserved, to them the said Capt. Edward Tyng, Capt. Sylvanus Davis, Mr. Walter Gendall, Mr. Thaddeus Clark, Capt. Anthony Brackett, Mr. Dominions Jordan, Mr. George Bramhall and Mr. Robert Lawrence as trustees abovesaid forever, to the only proper use and behoof of the Inhabitants of said town that now are and to them that shall there survive and succeed from time to time and forevermore hereafter. And the abovenamed Thomas Danforth for and on the behalf of the governor and company of the Massachusetts colony, and for their successors and assigns doth further covenant promise and grant to and with the abovenamed Edward Tyng, Sylvanus Davis, Walter Gendall, Thaddeus Clark, Anthony Brackett, Dominions Jordan, George Bramhall and Robert Lawrence their heirs and assigns, Trustees as above expressed, that they the said Edward Tyng, Sylvanus Davis, Walter Gendall, Thaddeus Clark, Anthony Brackett, Dominions Jordan, George Bramhall and Robert Lawrence shall and may at all times and from time to time forever hereafter peacably and quietly have hold occupy and enjoy all the above given and granted premises without the let denial or contradiction of the governor and company of the Massachusetts colony or of any other person or persons whatsoever claiming aud having any lawful right, title or interest therein or in any part or parcel thereof by from or under the said Governor and company or by any of their assigns. They the abovenamed Inhabitants of the said town of Falmouth for the time being and in like manner that shall there be from time to time forever hereafter, yealding and paying in consideration thereof to the Governor and company of the Massachusetts colony or to the President of the said Province of Maine by them authorized and empowered for the time being or to other their agents and lawful assignee or assignees the quit rent to the said Governor and company due aud belonging according to the proposal made and mutually agreed upon at the General Assembly held in the abovesaid Province of York June 1681 viz. That the abovenamed Inhabitants of the said town of Falmouth for the time being and in like manner that shall there be from time to time forever hereafter, as an acknowledgment of Sir Ferdinando Gorges and his assigns right to soile and government do pay twelve pence for every family whose single country rate is not above two shillings, and for all that exceed the sum. of two shillings in a single rate, to pay three shillings per family annually in money to the treasurer of said Province for the use of the chief Proprietor thereof. And in case of omission or neglect on the part and behalf of the said Inhabitants, to make full payment annually in manner as above expressed and hath been mutually concerted and agreed unto it shall then be lawful for the sd. President of the sd. Province for the time being or for other of the agent or agents assignee or assignees of the Governor and company of the Masstts colony to leavey and make distress upon the estates of any of the Inhabitants for the time being within the limits and bounds of the sd. township as well for sd. quit rent as also for all costs and charges accruing and arising upon the same. And the estates so levied and distrained to bear drive or carry away with so much as it shall cost to convey the same to the treasurer of the Province for the time being or to such place as he shall order and appoint. In witness whereof the parties above named to these present Indentures have enterchangeably put their hands and seals the day and year first above written. Signed Sealed and delivered STLVANOS DAVIS (Seal) in presence of us. WALTER GENDALL (Seal) John Davis. TBADDEDS CLARK (Seal) Josh Scottow. DOMINICUS JORDAN (Seal)

I have laid out for Mr. Dominions Jordan, on North side of the Spurwink marshes, 637 acres of land, in the town of Falmouth, in the county of York, bounded as follows: Beginning at a white-oak tree, the South-West corner; Thence running North 456 rods to a spruce tree; Thence East 266 rods to a small white oak; Thence South 456 rods; Thence West 266 rods to the Beginning; containing 637 acres. Falmouth, 22 April, 1727. NICHOLAS COLE, Surveyor.

DEED OF DIVISION BETWEEN THE HEIRS OF DOMINIONS JORDAN.

Whereas Dominicus Jordan late of Falmouth in the County of York & Province of the Mass. Bay in New England Yeoman deceased, died seized and possessed of a certain tract or parcel of land situate lying & being in the township of Falmouth aforesaid, and in that part thereof commonly called Spurwink, as by a plan thereof taken by John Small in 1751, and also by a plan thereof taken by Nicholas Cole, about twenty-six years ago both of which are recorded with these presents. And whereas no legal Division of said upland has hitherto been made between the several heirs thereof, Now Know all men by these presents, That we Nathaniel Jordan of Falmouth aforesaid Gentl. son of the said Dominicus Jordan deceased, Dominicus Jordan and Nathaniel Jordan Jun., both of Falmouth aforesaid, Grand Sons of the aforementioned Dominicus Jordan deceased, Robert Mitchel of Falmouth aforesaid Cordwainer, assignee of Samuel Jordan of Biddeford in the said County of York Gent1, deceased who was also a son of the aforementioned Dominicus Jordan deceased, and Joseph Calef of Boston in the County of Suffolk and Province aforesaid Tanner, and Hannah his wife, daughter of the aforementioned Dominicus Jordan deceased. And also the said Calef assignee to Elizabeth Scammon late of Biddeford aforesaid deceased who was also a daughter of ye aforesaid Dominicus Jordan. To the intent that each one of us the above mentioned owners of the upland may possess and enjoy his part or share thereof, in severally, do hereby covenant, and agree to make a division thereof in manner following viz. That he the sd Nathaniel Jordan his heirs and assignes shall and may from henceforth, have and enjoy in severalty and in full satisfaction one hundred and forty-three (143) Acres in both plans of his part or share in sd upland, that part thereof discribed and attested to him in the aforesaid John Small's plan also his proportional part or share of sd upland in the aforementioned Nicholas Coles plan, on the North Side of Spurwink River after what is allotted to him in John Smalls plan aforesaid is deducted out. To have and to hold said part and portion to him the sd Nathaniel Jordan his heirs and assignes in severalty, to his and their own proper use, benefit & behoof forever. That the said Dominicus Jordan and Nathaniel Jordan Jun. their heirs and assigns, shall and may from henceforth have, enjoy in severalty and full satisfaction of their parts or shares in said upland, That part thereof described and alloted to the sd Dominicus Jordan in the aforesaid John Smalls plan, as also their proportional part or share of said upland in the aforementioned Nicholas Coles plan. To have and hold the same part and proportion to them the said Dominicus Jordan and Nathaniel Jordan Jun. (2d) their heirs and assigns in severalty to their own proper use, benefit and behoof forever. That the said Robert Mitchel Assignee of Samuel Jordan, his heirs and assigns shall and may henceforth have and enjoy in severalty and full satisfaction of his part and share in said upland, that part thereof described and allotted to the said Robert Mitchel, in the aforesaid John Small's plan, as also his proportional part or share of said upland in the aforementioned Nicholas Coles plan. To have and to hold the same part and proportion, to the said Robert Mitchel, his heirs and assigns in severalty, to their own proper use benefit and behoof forever. That the said Joseph Calef his heirs and assigns, shall and may henceforth have and enjoy in severalty and full satisfaction of his part or share in said upland described and allotted to the said Joseph Calef in the aforesaid Nicholas Coles plan. To have and to hold the same part and portion, to him the said Joseph Calef his heirs and assigns in severalty to their own proper use, benefit and behoof forever. That the said Elizabeth Scammon her heirs and assigns shall and may henceforth have and enjoy in severalty and full satisfaction of her part or share in said upland discribed and alloted to said Elizabeth Scammon in the aforesaid Nicholas Coles plan. To have and to hold the same part and portion to her the said Elizabeth Scammon her heirs and assigns in severalty, to their own proper use, benefit and behoof forever. In witness whereof they have hereunto set their hands and seals the sixteenth day of October, in the twenty-eighth year of his Majesties' Reign, Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and fifty-four. Signed Sealed and delivered NATHANIEL JORDAN (Seal) in presence of us: DOMINICUS JORDAN (Seal) Eze. Gushing, NATHANIEL JORDAN (Seal) Mary Gushing, ROBERT MITCHEL (Seal) Ebenezer Holyoke, JOSEPH CALEF (Seal) Christo Strout. E. WINTER CALEF (Seal)

Sources

1. ↑ The Jordan Memorial by Tristram Frost Jordan, page 131.
2. ↑ Find A Grave Memorial# 105478111

• http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~dearle/genealogy/JORDAN.html
• Bradbury, Charles. History of Kennebunk Port (James K. Remich, Kennebunk, 1837) Page 53-. "...the St. Francoise Indians... attacked all the principal settlements in Maine, August 10th, 1703..."