William Jordan (1785 - abt. 1840)

Born 1785 in Virginia, United States [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Frances (Jones) Jordan — married 7 Oct 1803 in Campbell, Virginia, United States

Husband of Phoebe (Carter) Jordan — married 1810 in Bedford, Bedford, Virginia, United States

Descendants

Died about 1840 at about age 55 in Lawrence, Kentucky, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Brianne Skaggs [send private message]

Biography

Birth

William Jordan was born about 1785. Some say he was born in Campbell County, Virginia, which may very well be true, since that is the location of his first marriage in 1803.

According to https://www.familytreedna.com/public/Jordan-Surname-Project/default.aspx?section=yresults, he resided in Campbell County, KENTUCKY, which may be possible, but while later census records show him living in Kentucky, I have not seen records of him in Campbell County, KY.

Siblings

Probably Covey Jordan (https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Jordan-231) and Pleasant Jordan (https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Jordan-186) were brothers or half-brothers. Support:

• William and Covey both married Carters.
• William was a neighbor to David Carter. David Carter's sister (or sister-in-law) married Covey, and David Carter's widow was Covey's second wife.
• William's grandson (son of George Jordan) was named Covey.
• Covey and Pleasant were said to be brothers by a witness several years after their death.
• William and Pleasant were neighbors.
• DNA indicates that William is related to Pleasant, and they are both related to Jonas Jordan (who was likely their grandfather).^[1]
• All three moved from Virginia to the Lawrence County, Kentucky, area.

Other possible brothers: Alex Jordan (mentioned in deposition below) and George Jordan of Bedford County, VA, (with whom William and Pleasant share DNA).

Pleasant's granddaughter applied for citizenship to the Cherokee tribe, and here were the findings of that investigation:

[Pleasant's] "...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.

"Two other witnesses declared that the Applicant Sarah Ann Ball was the ...daughter ...Susannah Short, nee Susannah Jordan. That this Susannah Jordan Short was the daughter of Pleasant Jordan of Lawrence Co., Ky. and this Pleasant Jordan was known to have been Cherokee blood related. One witness further stated that Thompson Ball was a soldier in the Civil War in Co. G. of the 14th Ky. Vol. Inf. This same witness said that Pleasant Jordan had a cousin Jesse Jordan who lived with Pleasant a few years and Jesse was known to be from the Branch of Jordans who were of Cherokee Blood. These witnesses were neighbors of Pleasant Jordan.

"They said Pleasant married a Miss Burchett & her family was opposed since Pleasant was mixed blood. They said Pleasant & Miss Burchett (Anna) had to run off to Ohio to be married. This is a true statement since that is where you will find their marriage record today.

"They also claimed that Pleasant's brother was "Cove" of Lawrence Co., Ky.

"Sarah Ann Ball's testimony in 1887 stated that Pleasant spoke the Cherokee language and did not speak English fluently."^[2]

CAVEAT: The theory that Pleasant, Covey and possibly William had a Cherokee mother breaks down a bit when you look closely at the text of the application. It says that Pleasant was of Cherokee blood, but in another spot it says, that Pleasant's COUSIN, Jesse Jordan, "...was known to be from the Branch of Jordans who were of Cherokee Blood." If it is true that both Pleasant and his cousin were of Cherokee descent, it is likely that their GRANDMOTHER, rather than their mothers was a Cherokee Indian.

Grandparents

William is likely the grandson of Jonas Jordan (https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Jordan-3422 ), to whom he and Pleasant are related, according to DNA evidence.^[3]Jonas’ other proven descendants lived in Bedford County, where William lived. Jonas had at least three sons: Benjamin, Absalom and Jonas, Jr. William is likely the son of one of them, or of another unnamed son of Jonah. William named one of his sons Benjamin. Pleasant named one of his sons Absalom.

Jonas Jordan was married to Winifred Morris / Maurice. Is it possible that he also had a relationship with a Cherokee woman?

Parents

Some say William is the son of William and Lucy Stith Jordan, but this is not proven. He is not mentioned in the will of William. Furthermore, DNA indicates that they are not related.^[4] I am removing William & Lucy (Stith) Jordan as the parents of William Jordan, until evidence is presented that he is their son. -- A. Tuinstra

1. Even 'though William is probably not be the son of William and Lucy (Stith) Jordan, he may be a son of a different William Jordan. Someone said that "A William Jordan, Sr. provided bond" for the younger William's marriage to Frances Jones in 1803. I haven't seen evidence for this, but if it is true, it could indicate a father-son relationship.

Did Jonas perhaps have a son named William, who in turn was the father of the 1784 William? (Jonas' own father is believed to be a William, so the name is in the family.) So potentially it would be William and Rachel (Meador) Jordan --> Jonas and Winnifred (Maurice) Jordan --> ????William Jordan???? (b. about 1750) --> William Jordan (b. 1784).

2. William could be the son of Benjamin Jordan (https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Jordan-15602). Benjamin was a son of Jonas Jordan. Benjamin’s will has not been found, so his children (if any), are unknown.

Support for this theory: William named one of his sons Benjamin.

3. Could William be the son of Absalom Jordan (https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Jordan-15584) and Mary Ann Hudson? Absalom was a son of Jonas Jordan, so the DNA connection is there. Absalom DOES mention a son named William in his 1826 Bedford County will. This son is of the right age and location. The son of Absalom is probably the William who married Sally Pearson in Bedford County, in 1807. Could Sally Pearson be a third wife of the 1784 William? However, Absalom's will does NOT mention Pleasant and Covey. He is more likely an uncle. Pleasant named one of his sons Absalom.

4. The other known son of Jonas Jordan was Jonas Jordan, Jr. (https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Jordan-3414) He left a will and named his children, none of which were named William, Pleasant or Covey.

Marriages

"On 7 October 1803, when he was in his late teens, he married Frances K. Jones (1790–1804) in Campbell County, Virginia. She bore him one child, a son whom they named William."^[5] Frances Jones was the daughter of Publius Jones. A William Jordan, Sr. provided bond. (Must be the father of or close relative to William).^[6]

According to William's descendant, Warren Jordan, William and Frances had more than one child: "They had a son William born 1804. No one knows the death year for Frances Jones. I believe she also had a son Samuel born 1807 and possibly a daughter Delilah born 1809."

1. William Jordan 1804
2. Samuel Jordan 1807

There was a marriage in Bedford County between a William Jordan and Sally Pearson, on 23 Dec 1807. ^[7] Might this be the same William?

"In 1810, when he was in his mid-twenties, he married Phoebe Carter (1785–1880) in Bedford County, Virginia. She bore him twelve children, seven sons and five daughters...." ^[8]

1. Mahala Jordan 1810–1840
2. Benjamin W Jordan1811–1880
3. Eleanor Jordan 1815–1850
4. Susan Jordan 1817–1876 Proof: 1850 Census
5. John Jordan born about 1820, Virginia. Married Druda Kozee, acc. to https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/w/h/i/Beverly--Whitney/GENE2-0001.html.
6. George Jordanborn about 1822 Proof: 1850 Census
7. Robert Jordan 1826 Source: "The Cooksey and Jobe Families of Lawrence County, KY" by Lennie Melvin Carter.
8. Eliza Jordan 1826 Proof: 1850 Census

^{[9] [10]}

• Amanda Jordan, born about 1839 - may be a granddaughter
• Clarinda Jordan, born about 1845 - may be a granddaughter

Editing Notes from A. Tuinstra:

I am removing Delila Jordan as a child of William until further evidence is provided. There was a Delilah Jordan, however, who was the daughter of Jonas Jordan, as proved in the 1850 Census. -- A. Tuinstra

I removed Hiram Jordan as a child William and Phoebe. Hiram was their nephew, the son of Jonas Jordan, as proved in the 1850 Census.

I removed Jeremiah Jordan as a child of William and Phoebe. Jeremiah was their grandson, son of Benjamin W. Jordan.

I removed Absolem Jordan (b. 1814) as a child of William and Phoebe. I found no evidence of an Absolem Jordan who was born in that timeframe. There was an Absolem Jordan who was born about 1834, the son of Pleasant and Anna (Burchett) Jordan. All other Absolem Jordans seem to be born much earlier or later.

I removed Lydia Jordan (b. 1824) as a child of William and Phoebe. I found no evidence of an existence of a Lydia.

I removed David C. Jordan (b. 1837) as a child of William and Phoebe. David was the son of Jesse and Sarah (Adkins) Jordan.

If someone can provide evidence that William and Phoebe had children with these names, they can be added back. -- A. Tuinstra

"William and Pheba arrived in Lawrence County, Kentucky around 1824. William probably died before 1840 as he is not listed in the census records. Pheba is listed in the 1850 and 1860 census records of Lawrence Co. In 1860, she lived next to James and Nancy Cooksey Carter and James and Sarah Skeens with her daughter Susannah and her son George. The 1826 land records of Lawrence County show that William and Pheba purchased 30 acres of land from Hiram Jordan for $1.00 per acre. -- 'The Carter Family'"^[11]

1810 U.S. Census: Greenup, Kentucky

• William Gerdin, age 26-44. Estimated birth 1766-1784 (Not sure if this is him.)
• One male age 10-15. Estimated birth 1795-1800.
• One female under age 10. Estimated birth 1801-1810.
• One female 16-25. Estimated birth 1785-1794.
• Four other free persons

1820 Census - Greenup County, KY

• William Jordon, Sr., 26 thru 44
• 2 Males - Under 10
• 1 Male - 16 thru 25
• 2 Females - Under 10
• 1 Females - 10 thru 15
• 1 Females - 26 thru 44

• William Jordon, Jr., 26 thru 44 (Not sure if this is him. There is also a William Jordon in this age category living in Russell County, Virginia, in the same town as Covey Jordan. That is probably him.)
• 1 Females - 26 thru 44
• 2 Males - Under 10
• 3 Females - Under 10

1830 Census Records

1830 Census: Lawrence County, Kentucky

• Wm. Jourdon. Note: One of his neighbors was David Carter, whose sister married Covith Jordan. Another neighbor was Pleasant Jordan.

1840 Census: Lawrence County, Kentucky

William Jordan is not found, so he probably died prior to 1840.

1850 Census - Lawrence County, KY

Dwelling 568

• Phebe Jordan, 65, born about 1785, Virginia. (Widow of William Jordan.)
• Susan Jordan, 33
• Geo Jorden, 28
• Elisa Jordan, 25
• Amanda Jordan, 11
• Clarinda Jordan, 5

Notes from Warren Jordan

I am not computer smart. I do not know how to post links. Google, Descendants of William Jordan Jr. 1785. It will tell you William Jordan Jr. 1785 first married Frances Jones. They had a son William born 1804. No one knows the death year for Frances Jones. I believe she also had a son Samuel born 1807 and possibly a daughter Delilah born 1809. Then Frances dies. William Jordan Jr. then marries Pheobe Carter in 1810 and they have 8 more children, some born in Virginia and some born in Kentucky. A Samuel Jordan is listed in the home of William Jordan Jr. and Pheobe Carter in 1818. This does not mean Samuel was born in 1818 or 1813 as some people say. See 1850 Appomattox, Virginia census where he is listed as 43 years old which would put his birth year close to 1807. William Jordan Jr. 1785 is son of William Jordan Sr. 1750-1817 and Lucy Stith. I do not know anything about a William "Whitesides" Jordan. I do not know where the name Whitesides came from. I'm thinking that since Samuels mother died when he was only 2 or 3 years old, he may have stayed with Frances father Publius Jones and Elizabeth Word in Virginia. William 1804 and Delilah 1809 could have done the same. Someone with more skills than I could see how many males and females under 10 lived with PUblius jones in 1810. I don't recall if Publius Jones lived in Campbell, Bedford or Charlotte, Virginia. Publius died in 1811. He also had a son Publius who died in 1817. The Jordans and Stiths moved from Virginia to Kentucky in the early 1800s. William Jordan 1750-1817 is said to be burien in Breckinridge, Kentucky. His son William Jordan Jr. 1785-1837 is also said to be buried there. I cannot find them. Publius Jones 1765-1811 is said to be buried at the Omohundro Cemetery (where?). Publius also went by the name of T.C. Jones. The T.C. stood for Turnip Creek Jones. I have more info but being 100% disabled I am almost give out. But I must say this. In a book compiled by Thomas Mcadory Owen, Alabama Biographer he states, Samuel Jordan died in Montgomery, Alabama about 1860 of yellow fever. At the time he was living in Macon co. Ala. one county east of Montgomery. Since Samuel was last listed in 1850 Appomattox census and shortly therafter moved to Macon, Alabama, I can't find him on a census in Ala. I find his wife Sarah Dabney Walker Jordan listed in 1855 census as head of house hold. Looks like Samuel died between 1850-1855. Sarah dies 1865. I cannot find their graves. I have found their childrens graves in Macon, Chilton and Bibb counties. I hope this gets posted and read. Since they don't want me to leave a phone number, and it is so hard for me to get my story out on these pages you can reach me on facebook Warren Jordan Montgomery, Alabama. You will not find any info on Samuel Jordan 1807 in the Alabama Archives. Thank you for putting up with me. Just had my 4th heart surgery over Christmas. Wish I was smarter. Warren Hill Jordan 7924.

DNA findings

After DNA tests were done I received info that I am listed in the JG08 Jordan project and linked to Thomas Jordan of 1634. After much reading about Thomas 1634 and his 10 sons, I had to ferret out which son I was descended from. After following hints of DNA connecting surnames I believe I am connected to William 1785 and his first wife Frances Jones. Most trees have Samuel as being born 1813 or 1818 and his mother is Phoebe Carter. As shown on 1850 Appomattox census Samuel is listed as 43 years old which puts him born closer to 1807. William 1785 did not marry Pheobe until 1810. He married Frances in 1803. I believe William and Frances are parents of William lll 1804, Samuel 1807 and most likely Delila 1809-10. No one knows the death year for Frances Jones but i believe it was after the birth of Delila.

Notes

I did not know my ancestors ever lived in Kentucky until I read stories about William and Pheobe moved to Kentucky. I found this out by reading up on William 1785 mother, Lucy Stith from Stith Valley stories. I am not computer smart so I don't know how to add sources so I tell you where to look. Actual sources for Campbell and Appomattox counties were destroyed during the war of 1812 and again by fire in 1892. (Lisa Murray, 6 October 2018.)

Research Notes

The purported middle name Whitesides appears unsourced.

^[12]

William was born about 1785. He passed away about 1845.

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.familytreedna.com/public/Jordan-Surname-Project?iframe=yresults
2. ↑ 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
3. ↑ https://www.familytreedna.com/public/Jordan-Surname-Project?iframe=yresults
4. ↑ https://www.familytreedna.com/public/Jordan-Surname-Project?iframe=yresults
5. ↑ Ancestry.com
6. ↑ Marriages of Campbell County, Virginia, 1782-1810. Ancestry.com
7. ↑ http://genealogytrails.com/vir/bedford/marriages_excerpt_1801_1810.html
8. ↑ Ancestry.com
9. ↑ Edmund West, comp., Family Data Collection - Individual Records. Provo, UT, MyFamily.com, Inc., 2000. Page: Birth year: 1785; Birth city: Campbell; Birth state: VA. URL: http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=genepool&h=4314420&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt Unable to access 24 May 2019.
10. ↑ jjinkerson1, comp., “William Jordan, Jr.,” b1785 Jinkerson Family Tree, Ancestry.com. URL: https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/70627117/person/150055119504/facts?_phsrc=RoC411&_phstart=successSource Accessed 24 May 2019.
11. ↑ Beverly--Whitney , comp., “User Home Page Genealogy Report: Descendants of William Jordan, Jr.,” Genealogy.com. URL: https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/w/h/i/Beverly--Whitney/GENE2-0001.html Accessed 24 May 2019.
12. ↑ Profile created by Jacob Jordan through the import of jmj_20190107.ged on Apr 21, 2021.

• Ancestry.com. Public Member Trees. Original data - Family trees submitted by Ancestry members. Note: This information comes from 1 or more individual Ancestry Family Tree files. This source citation points you to a current version of those files. Note: The owners of these tree files may have removed or changed information since this source citation was created.
• Beverly--Whitney , comp., “User Home Page Genealogy Report: Descendants of William Jordan, Jr.,” Genealogy.com. URL: https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/w/h/i/Beverly--Whitney/GENE2-0001.html Accessed 24 May 2019.
• Carter, Lennie W., The Carter Family, The Genealogy and Family History of the Virginia Carters & their Migrations in Lawrence County, Kentucky, Book 4-A.
• https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/j/o/r/Larry-E-Jordan/GENE30-0009.html
• jjinkerson1, comp., “William Jordan, Jr.,” b1785 Jinkerson Family Tree, Ancestry.com. URL: https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/70627117/person/150055119504/facts?_phsrc=RoC411&_phstart=successSource Accessed 24 May 2019.
• Kentucky. Kentucky Birth, Marriage and Death Records – Microfilm (1852-1910). Microfilm rolls #994027-994058. Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort
• Edmund West, comp., Family Data Collection - Individual Records. Provo, UT, MyFamily.com, Inc., 2000. Page: Birth year: 1785; Birth city: Campbell; Birth state: VA. URL: http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=genepool&h=4314420&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt Unable to access 24 May 2019.
• Marriages and death records of two children in Lawrence co.ky