1786: James Jordan 345 acres

James Jordon–345 acres in Greenbrier County
on Sinking Creek

During his time in Greenbrier County, James Jordan lived on a 345-acre piece of land (the “home farm”) south-southwest of the present-day town of Cornstalk on one of the branches that feeds into Sinking Creek. He had obtained this land…

…by virtue of a certificate in right of settlement given by the commissioners for adjusting the titles to use protected lands in the District of Augusta, Botetourt and Greenbrier, and in consideration of the ancient composition of one pound fifteen shillings sterling (£1/15/-) paid by James Jordon into the Treasury of this Commonwealth.

We know this land was in his possession in August of 1786, when the survey was made. He held the land until August of 1805 when he and his wife Sarah, now living in Kanawha County, sold it to (Robert) Boyd Wallace of Greenbrier County for one dollar.

[scroll down to view transcript of the land patent]

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Written on the side: “James Jordon, 345 acres, Greenbrier, Ex’d”

Beverley Randolph Esquire Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia To all To whom these presents shall come Greeting: Know ye that by Virtue of a Certificate in right of Settlement given by the Commissioners for adjusting the titles to unpatented Lands in the District of Augusta, Botetourt and Greenbrier and in Consideration of the ancient Composition of one pound fifteen Shillings Sterling paid by James Jordon into the Treasury of this Commonwealth, there is granted by the said Commonwealth unto the said James Jordon a certain tract or parcel of Land, containing three hundred forty five acres by Survey bearing Date the twenty sixth day of August one thousand seven hundred eighty six, Lying and being in the County of Greenbrier on sinking Creek, Joining the Land of Sarah McCoy Including two old Surveys and bounded as followeth, to wit, Beginning at two white oaks at the foot of the Mountain and running thence South forty eight degrees East one hundred and fifty four poles to a black oak and red oak on a hill, and South sixty poles to two black oaks, South thirty one degrees West one hundred and sixty poles to a white oak and Spanish oak, South seventy three degrees West one hundred and fifty eight poles to a Cherry tree and hickory and North twenty four degrees West one hundred and sixteen poles to a hickory, Red oak and white oak, and North thirty five degrees East two hundred and eighty eight poles to the Beginning with its Appurtenances to have and to hold the said Tract or parcel of Land with its Appurtenances to the said James Jordon and his heirs for ever. In witness whereof the said Beverley Randolph Esquire Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia hath hereunto set his hand and caused the lesser Seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed at Richmond on the first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred ninety one and of the Commonwealth the fifteenth.

Beverley Randolph

James Jourdan & Sarah his wife – 345 acres in Greenbrier County
on Sinking Creek

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This Indenture made this 13th day of August in the year Eighteen hundred and five Between James Jourdan & Sarah his wife of the County of Kanawha & State of Virginia of the one part and Boyd Wallace of the County of Greenbrier and state afores’d of the other part Witnesseth that the s’d James Jurdan and Sarah his wife for & in Consideration of the Sum of one Dollar to them in hand paid by the s’d Boyd Wallace before the ensealing & delivering of these presents the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged have granted bargained & sold and by thes presents do hereby grant bargain and sell aleen & confirm unto the s’d Boyd Wallace his heirs or assigns one Certain or parcel of land Containing three hundred & forty five acres by patent bearing date the first day of July in the year 1791 lying and being in the County of Greenbrier on Sinking Creek Joining the land of Sarah M’Coy including two old surveys & bounded as followeth to wit Beginning at two white oaks at the foot of the Mountain and running thence S 48 E 154 poles to a black oak and red oak on a hill & S 60 poles to two black oaks & S 31 degrees W 158 poles to a Cherry tree & hickory & N 24 W 116 poles to a hickory red oak and white oak and North 45 degrees E 258 poles to the Beginning To have and to hold the aforesaid tract or parcel of land with all its appurtenances unto the s’d Boyd Wallace his heirs and assigns forever And the s’d James Jordan & Sarah his wife for themselves their heirs Ex’ers & admrs do covenant to and with the s’d Boyd Wallace his heirs Etc. the afores’d tract of land will warrant & forever defend against the Claim of them the s’d James Jordan & Sarah his wife have hereunto set their hands and affixed their Seal the day and year first above written.

Signed sealed and delivered
in presence of —

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Kenawha County august Court 1805 This deed from James Jordan & Sarah his wife To Boyd Wallace for three hundred and forty five acres of land lying in Greenbrier County was presented in Court and Acknowledged by the s’d James and Sarah his wife being privily examined according to Law relinquished her right of dower in the afores’d Lands which is ordered to be Certified to the County Court of Greenbrier

ACopy
Teste
Andrew Donally CK

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At a court continued and held for Greenbrier County the 28th of august 1805 This deed from James Jordan and Sarah his wife to Boyd Wallace was presented in Court and being Certified by the Clerk of the County of Kanawha to have been duly acknowledged in that Court the same is ordered to be recorded

ACopy
Teste
John Stuart CGC

Source: Greenbrier County Court Records transcribed by Theron V. Morrison