John Jordan was born circa 1775 probably in Greenbrier County, (West) Virginia and died before 1860 in (West) Virginia. He married (1) Elizabeth Newman, probably the daughter of Leroy Newman, in Greenbrier County (West) Virginia on October 17, 1798; and (2) Sinah Brumfield, daughter of James H. Brumfield, in Cabell County, (West) Virginia in 1812. Sinah was born circa 1795 and died on April 15, 1855 in Cabell County, (West) Virginia.[1]

John‘s 1798 marriage bond with Elizabeth Newman, signed by their fathers and including a statement by John’s father that he was of legal age to get married, can be found here.  Some researchers have mistakenly suggested that John was married a few years earlier to a woman named Catherine Blair. Follow this link to see analysis and documentation that refutes this assertion.

Evidence that John Jordan is the son of James and Sarah Jordan

  1. ✅ John‘s 1798 marriage bond includes a permission statement signed by his father, James Jordan Senr.
  2. 🌳 The 1801 Tax list of Kanawha County identifies James Senr., James Junr, William, and John as all living together in the area of the Mud River.
  3. 🌳 In March 1813, John received 150 acres of land on the Mud River from James Jordan Senior. This transfer was one of four gifts comprising most of the land James Senior had taken possession of when he first moved to Kanawha County. At least two of the recipients (Andrew and Jonathan), and perhaps all four (including James Jr. and John), were already living in their own homes on this land. These 1813 transfers probably indicate that James, who was getting on in years, was either beginning to pass his worldly goods on to his sons or was formally transferring ownership of land that he had already given them years before. Either way, these transactions provide solid evidence that all four recipients—James Jordan Jr., John Jordan, Andrew Jordan and Jonathan Jordan—were James Jordan’s sons.

Land Records

  • March 4, 1813 – John Jordan buys from James Jordan Senr. for one dollar 150 acres in Cabell County on the Mud River adjoining a survey of Mrs. Sanders and adjoining Andrew Jordan on the upper side.
  • March 27, 1820 – John Jorden and wife Sinah sell for $1000 to William Fullerton 140 acres on the Mud River plus an additional 40 acres in Cabell County.
  •  March 27, 1820 – John Jorden buys from William Fullerton and wife Jane for $1000 200 acres in Cabell County on Tyler’s Creek where John Jorden was living.
  •  April 15, 1821 – John Jorden Senr. and wife Siney sell for $5 to William N. Jorden 100 acres in Cabell County, part of a tract where John was living.
  • September 26, 1823 – William Brumfield and wife Elenor sell to John Jorden 100 acres in Cabell County adjoining the improvement of Abadiah Rias
  • October 15, 1825 – William N. Jorden and wife Clary sell for $1 to William Brumfield 100 acres in Cabell County, part of 200 acres on Trace Fork of Guyandotte which John Jordan purchased of William Fullerton.
  • December 6, 1833 – John Jorden and wife Sinah sell to William R. Heath 100 acres in Cabell County on Tyler Creek above the improvement made by Obadiah Bias.

Censuses in which John Jordan appeared

  • 1820 Cabell County, Virginia – John Jorden
    2 white males 26-45
    1 white male 45 and above (John Jordan)
    4 white females under 10
    2 white females 10-16 (possibly Sarah Elizabeth Jordan and ?)
    1 white female 16-26
    1 white female 26-45 (probably Sinah Brumfield Jordan)
    2 engaged in farming
  • 1830 Cabell County, Virginia – John Jerdon
    2 white males under 5 (possibly Morris Jordan and ?)
    1 white male 5-10 (possibly John M. Jordan)
    1 white male 20-30
    1 white male 50-60 (John Jordan)
    1 white female under 5
    1 white female 10-15
    3 white females 15-20
    1 white female 20-30
    1 white female 40-50 (probably Sinah Brumfield Jordan)
  • 1840 Cabell County, Virginia – John Jourden
    1 white male 5-10 (possibly Andrew H. Jordan)
    1 white male 10-15 (possibly Morris Jordan)
    1 white male 15-20 (possibly John M. Jordan)
    1 white male 60-70 (John Jordan)
    1 white female 20-30
    1 white female 40-50 (probably Sinah Brumfield Jordan)
    3 engaged in agriculture
  • 1850 District 10, Cabell County, Virginia – listed in the household of son John Jordan, dwelling 615, family 636
    John Jordan, age 27, male, farmer, value of real estate owned: $100, born in Virginia;
    Oney Jordan, age 26, female, born in Virginia;
    Lucinda Jordan, age 6, female, born in Virginia;
    Malinda Jordan, age 4, female, born in Virginia;
    Emily Jordan, age 3, female, born in Virginia;
    John Jordan, age 75, male, farmer, born in Virginia;
    Sinah Jordan, age 60, female, born in Virginia.

Personal Property Tax Lists in which John Jordan appeared

Children of John Jordan and Elizabeth Newman [2]

1. William Newman Jordan, was born on October 15, 1800, in Virginia and died on October 14, 1860 in Lykins County, Kansas.  He married (1) Clarissa/Clara Blake, daughter of Isaac Blake and Margaret Jordan, in Cabell County, (West) Virginia, on May 6, 1821.  Clarissa was born on June 8, 1805 and died in Mason County, (West) Virginia on October 23, 1848.  William married (2) Delilah Amos on April 16, 1850. Delila was born circa 1822 in Virginia and died between 1893 and 1900 probably in Kansas.

William is found in the censuses of 1840-MasonVA, 1850-MasonVA, and 1860-LykinsKS.

Children of William Newman Jordan and Clarissa Blake

1.1 Virginia Pevenia Jordan was born in 1824 in Virginia and died in 1904 in West Virginia.  She married George W. Rece in Mason County, (West) Virginia, in 1841.  George was born in 1816 and died in 1902.  Both Virginia and George are buried in Rece Cemetery, Cabell County, West Virginia.

1.2. James L. Jordan was born circa 1825 in Virginia.  He married Eliza Kilgore on January 28, 1847, in Cabell County, Virginia.  James died after 1881 and before 1890 in Kansas.

1.3. Leah Margaret Jordan married Josiah Taylor on September 24, 1846, in Mason County, Virginia.  She died after 1891 probably in West Virginia.

1.4. John Pike Jordan was born in 1832 in Virginia and died in 1906 in the state of Washington.  He married (1) Sarah E. Arthur on April 14, 1852, in Virginia and (2) Cynthia Arthur on December 8, 1866, in West Virginia.  John is buried in Union Cemetery, Sedro-Woolley, Skagit County, Washington.

1.5. Elizabeth J. Jordan was born circa 1834 in Virginia.  She married Samuel Mossman on November 22, 1853, in Mason County, (West) Virginia.  Elizabeth died between 1881 and 1890 in West Virginia.

1.6. Mary Marcissa Jordan was born in January 1842 in Virginia and died on February 20, 1930, in Ona, Cabell County, West Virginia.  She married (1) Samuel Sturgeon in Mason County, Virginia, on February 13, 1855.  Samuel was born in 1833 in Monroe County, Ohio.  He fought in the Civil War and was wounded in 1864 in Lynchburg, Virginia, for which he received an invalid pension after the war.  Samuel died on May 20, 1868, in Mason County, West Virginia, and is buried in Apple Grove, Mason County, WV.  Mary married (2) Hooper B. Stevens in Gallia County, Ohio, on July 4, 1871.  Hooper was born in Maryland in July 1819 and died in 1900 in West Virginia.  Both Mary and Hooper are buried in Arthur Cemetery, Cabell County, West Virginia.

1.7. Morris De Kalb Jordan was born circa 1843 in Virginia.  He died a bachelor in Miami County, Kansas, on January 19, 1890.

1.8. Jeremiah Blake Jordan was born circa 1846 in Mason County, Virginia and died on December 7, 1886, in Buffalo, Putnam County, West Virginia.  He married Eliza R. Knight, daughter of Abner and Susanna Knight, on December 7, 1871, in Cabell County, West Virginia.  Eliza was born on July 16, 1854, in Cabell County, Virginia, and died after 1910.

Children of William Newman Jordan and Delilah Amos

1.9. Nancy Adeline Jordan was born circa 1853 in Virginia and died on June 24, 1908 in Sedro-Woolley, Skagit County, Washington.  She married John Chester Richards on January 12, 1870, in Miami County, Kansas.  John was born on March 27, 1851 and died on June 17, 1901.  Both Nancy and John are buried in Union Cemetery, Sedro-Woolley, Skagit County, Washington (Nancy under the name of Adeline Richards Davidson).

1.10. Clarissa Ann Jordan was born on September 14, 1855 in Virginia and died on June 2, 1936 in Liberal, Seward County, Kansas.  She married Robert Kyle Jones in Miami County, Kansas on September 20, 1873. Robert was born in August 1855 in Arkansas and died in 1929.  Both Clarissa and Robert are buried in Liberal Cemetery, Seward County, Kansas.

1.11. William N. Jordan was born on November 26, 1858 in Missouri and died on November 4, 1930 in the state of Washington.  He married Elizabeth (last name unknown) circa 1881. Elizabeth was born in July 1865 in Kansas and died in 1944 in the state of Washington.  Both William and Elizabeth are buried in Union Cemetery, Sedro-Woolley, Skagit County, Washington.

1.12. Douglas A. Jordan was born in 1860 in Kansas Territory and died on May 17, 1878, in Ottawa County, Kansas.  He is buried in Highland Cemetery, Ottawa County, Kansas.

2. James Y. Jordan was born circa 1804 in Virginia.  He married Elizabeth (last name unknown). Elizabeth was born circa 1814 in Virginia.

James is found in the censuses of 1830-MasonVA, 1840-MasonVA, and 1850-MasonVA.

Children of James Y. and Elizabeth Jordan

2.1. John H. Jordan was born circa 1830 in Virginia.

2.2. Caroline Jordan was born circa 1833 in Virginia.

2.3. William M. Jordan was born in July 1836 in (West) Virginia and died on August 9, 1901.  He married Mary F. Taylor on February 13, 1870 in Mason County, West Virginia.  Mary was born in 1847 in (West) Virginia and died on March 21, 1922.  Their marriage license gives Mary’s parents’ names as William and Elzemintia Taylor, her death record names them as Jack Taylor and Minnie Scott.  Both William and Mary are buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Mason County, West Virginia.

2.4. Clara Jordan was born circa 1837 in Virginia.

2.5. Albert Jordan was born circa 1839 in Virginia.

2.6. Margaret Jordan was born circa 1840 in Virginia.

2.7. Charles H. Jordan was born on June 1, 1841 in Mason County, (West) Virginia and was killed by gunshot/pitchfork on March 2, 1874 at 25-mile Creek in Mason/Putnam County, West Virginia.  He married Louisiana Reece, daughter of George W. Rece and Virginia P. Jordan, on December 2, 1864 in Putnam County, West Virginia. Louisiana was born in 1842 in (West) Virginia and died in 1914.  She is buried in Rece Cemetery, Cabell County, West Virginia.

2.8. Mary Jordan was born circa 1844 in Virginia.

2.9. Ann E. Jordan was born circa 1846 in Virginia.

2.10. James Y. Jordan was born circa 1849 in (West) Virginia.

3. Sarah Elizabeth Jordan???[3]

Children of John Jordan and Sinah Brumfield [4]

4. John M. Jordan, was born circa 1823 in Virginia.  He married (1) Ona “Oney” Ashworth. Ona was born circa 1823 in Virginia and died circa 1852.  John also married (2) Martha Jane Morrison in Cabell County, (West) Virginia, on June 8, 1853 by Rev. Benjamin L. Perry. Martha Jane was born circa 1835 in Virginia.

John is found in the censuses of 1850-CabellVA, 1860-PutnamVA, 1870-PutnamWV, and 1880-PutnamWV. He is also possibly in the censuses of 1830-CabellVA and 1840-CabellVA in the household of John Jerdon/Jourden.

Children of John M. Jordan and Ona Ashworth

4.1. Lucinda Jordan was born circa 1843 in Cabell County, (West) Virginia.  She married Job Burns in Cabell County, (West Virginia) on December 26, 1859.  Job was born circa 1838 in Cabell County, (West) Virginia, the son of David and Aba Burns.

4.2. Malinda Jordan was born in February 1846 in (West) Virginia and died before 1930.  She married Taylor Burns in Putnam County, West Virginia, on February 1, 1866. Taylor was born in December 1845 in (West) Virginia and died before 1910.

4.3. Emily Jordan was born circa 1847 in (West) Virginia.

4.4. Mary A. Jordan was born circa 1850 in (West) Virginia.

4.5. Oney M. Jordan was born circa 1852 in (West) Virginia.

Children of John M. Jordan and Martha Jane Morrison

4.6. John C. Jordan was born in June 1854 in Cabell County, (West) Virginia. He married Elizabeth (last name unknown), who was born circa 1860 in (West) Virginia.

4.7. Eliza Mariah Jordan was born on July 12, 1856 in Cabell County, (West) Virginia.

4.8. George V. Jordan was born in October 19, 1858 in Cabell County, (West) Virginia.

4.9. Martha E. Jordan was born circa 1861 in (West) Virginia.

4.10. Morris C. Jordan was born circa 1863 in West Virginia.

4.11. Charles G. Jordan was born circa 1866 in West Virginia.

4.12. William Henry Jordan was born on September 15, 1869 in West Virginia and died on October 10, 1905.  He married Emma J. Rice, daughter of William Rice, circa 1891. Emma was born in May 1872 in Ohio and died in 1928.  William and Emma are buried in Sycamore Cemetery, Putnam County, West Virginia.

4.13. Mattie Jordan was born circa 1873 in West Virginia.

5. Morris Jordan was born circa 1828 in Virginia and died before 1870.  He married Rebecca Brown. Rebecca born in September 1834 in (West) Virginia and died March 31, 1907 in Milton, Cabell County, West Virginia.

Morris is found in the censuses of 1850-CabellVA and 1860-CabellVA. He is also possibly in the censuses of 1830-CabellVA and 1840-CabellVA in the household of John Jerdon/Jourden.

Children of Morris Jordan and Rebecca Brown

5.1. Mary A. Jordan was born circa January 1850 in (West) Virginia.  She married (1) Mathias Jenkins, son of Henry and Martha Jenkins on November 18, 1866 in Barboursville, Cabell County, West Virginia. Mathias was born circa 1841 in Putnam County, (West) Virginia and died before 1873. Mary also married (2) Preston T. Nicholas, son of J.S. and L. Nicholas, on November 13, 1873 in Cabell County, West Virginia. Preston was born circa 1846 in Cabell County, (West) Virginia.

5.2. Susan Caroline Jordan was born on September 19, 1851 in Milton, Cabell County, (West) Virginia, and died March 8, 1931 in Milton, Cabell County, West Virginia.  She is buried in Milton Cemetery, Cabell County, West Virginia.  Susan married (1) Sylvester Barnett on December 17, 1868 in Cabell County, West Virginia. Sylvester was born circa 1846 in Milton, Cabell County, (West) Virginia, and died before 1880.  Susan also married (2) James Chapman on October 2, 1887 in Cabell County, West Virginia. James was born in September 1850 in (West) Virginia and died before 1910.

5.3. John Gilbert Jordan was born on September 8, 1853 in Cabell County, (West) Virginia.  He married Dora Newman on May 12, 1879 in Cabell County, West Virginia. Dora was born circa 1857 in Cabell County, (West) Virginia.

5.4. Emaline Jordan was born on September 8, 1855 in Cabell County, (West) Virginia.  She married James P. Williams on March 25, 1886 in Cabell County, West Virginia. James was born on March 1, 1845 in Summers County, (West) Virginia, and died on October 21, 1929 in Milton, Cabell County, West Virginia.  He is buried in Milton Cemetery, Cabell County, West Virginia.

5.5. Thomas Jefferson Jordan was born on June 11, 1858 in Cabell County, (West) Virginia, and died on September 9, 1926 in Cabell County, West Virginia.  He married Lucetta Millirons, daughter of Ephram Millirons and Emma Powell, on September 11, 1879 in Cabell County, West Virginia. Lucetta was born in December 5, 1857 in Lawrence County, Ohio, and died on January 13, 1941 in Milton, Cabell County, West Virginia.  She is buried in Milton Cemetery, Cabell County, West Virginia.

5.6. Rebecca Jane Jordan was born in April 1859 in Cabell County (West) Virginia.  She married John F. Rowsey on January 9, 1881 in Cabell County, West Virginia. John was born in January 1856/57/58 in Cabell County, (West) Virginia, and died on August 7, 1923 in Cabell County, West Virginia.  He is buried in Milton Cemetery, Cabell County, West Virginia.

5.7. Sarah Jordan was born circa 1862 in (West) Virginia.

5.8. Morris H. Jordan was born on August 1, 1863 in Milton, Cabell County, West Virginia, and died on November 17, 1945 in Huntington, Cabell County, West Virginia.  He married Ella B. Mount, daughter of Samuel Mount and (first name unknown) Enoch on June 18, 1885 in Cabell County, West Virginia. Ella was born on January 21, 1863 and died on November 28, 1927 in Milton, Cabell County, West Virginia. Both Morris and Ella are buried in Milton Cemetery, Cabell County, West Virginia.

6. Andrew H. Jordan, was born on April 17, 1834 in Virginia and died on August 29, 1892.  He is buried in Milton Cemetery, Cabell County, West Virginia.  He married Celicia Reynolds, daughter of Simon and Jane Reynolds. Celicia was born circa 1837 in Virginia.

Andrew is found in the censuses of 1860-CabellVA, 1870-LincolnWV, and 1880-CabellWV. He is also in the census of 1850-CabellVA in the household of Morris Jordan and possibly in the census of 1840-CabellVA in the household of John Jourden.

Children of Andrew H. Jordan and Celicia Reynolds

6.1. John C. H. Jordan was born circa 1852 and died on December 19, 1854 in Cabell County, (West) Virginia.

6.2. Delila J. Jordan was born on October 6, 1854 in Cabell County, (West) Virginia.  She married John O. Day on July 3, 1873 in Cabell County, West Virginia. John was born circa 1850 in Hamilton County, Ohio.

6.3. Lucy Jordan was born on November 1, 1856 in Cabell County, (West) Virginia.

6.4. Edna Jordan was born circa 1862 in (West) Virginia.

6.5. Mary Ann “Jane” Jordan was born on January 8, 1865 in Cabell County, West Virginia.

6.6. Bascom Jordan was born in May 1872 in West Virginia.

6.7. Frank Jordan was born circa 1875 in West Virginia.

6.8. John D. Jordan was born circa 1879 in West Virginia.

Sources

1 Year and location of John‘s birth is taken from the 1850 census of Cabell County, Virginia, which is consistent with the other censuses in which he appeared: 1820 (1775 and before), 1830 (1770-1780), and 1840 (1770-1780). The 1798 note accompanying a marriage bond written by his father points to a birth year of 1777. Year and location of death inferred from census records. Burial location not known. Sinah‘s birth and death dates taken from Cabell County (West Virginia) Death Records.
NB: Some researchers have suggested that John was first married to Catherine Blair of Greenbrier County in 1795. This is unlikely given a preponderance of evidence in marriage, tax and land records (see analysis for more details).
2 Vitals for children and grandchildren of John Jordan and Elizabeth Newman are taken from the International Genealogical Index; the Obituary of Clarissa Blake Jordan; West Virginia Marriage Records; Kansas and West Virginia Death Records; Tombstones and Find-a-Grave; the will of William Newman Jordan with resultant lawsuits through 1890; and cited U.S. Censuses.
3 While it’s not certain, there is some reason to believe, based on information provided by Cameron Heath, that John and Elizabeth had a daughter named Sarah Elizabeth Jordan, born about 1810.
4 Vitals for children and grandchildren of John Jordan and Sinah Brumfield are taken from Cabell County (West Virginia) Birth Records, Cabell County Marriage Records, Cabell County Death Records, Tombstones in Milton (Cabell County, WV) and Sycamore (Putnam County, WV) Cemeteries; Find-a-Grave; West Virginia Death Certificates; and cited U.S. Censuses.