Edward Jordan was the son of [I have no idea]. He is my fifth great-grandfather.

Some biographical information appeared in Landon Covington Bell’s, Cumberland Parish, Lunenburg County, Virginia, 1746-1816, Vestry Book 1746-1816, (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1994), that was originally published in 1930, seen below.

…the Edward Jordan who in 1748 secured a grant for 654 acres of land on Couches Creek.

This paragraph goes on to describe another Edward Jordan, who I’ll call Captain Edward Jordan (see his page), a younger man, and assumed by the author, Landon Bell, to be the son of “my” Edward. Despite the assertion that these two Edwards are related, there is no documentary evidence of such. No son named Edward is mentioned in the wills of neither Edward nor his wife Elizabeth. However, a grandson named Edward is mentioned.

Marriage

Edward married Elizabeth McConnico (1720-1794) in 1747.

Children

  1. William Jordan. Born 05 Oct 1748 in Lunenburg County, VA; married Sarah J. Wood in 1769; died on 24 Jul 1822, in Williamson County, Tennessee. William continues my line of Jordans.
  2. Samuel Jordan. Born in 1750 in Lunenburg County, VA; death date unknown but it was after 1794 as he is mentioned in his mother’s will of that year.
  3. Benjamin Jordan. Born around 1752; died in 1794.
  4. Elizabeth Jordan. Born in 1765; married Presley Hightower (1754-1820); died in 1881 at the age of 116 (per The History of the Walker Family and the Times They Lived By Terry W Drake). Children: Frances, Francis, Presley (mentioned in his grandfather’s will), Jordan, Mary.

Note: there is a large gap between the births of Benjamin and Elizabeth. Are there more children? A string of miscarriages? Or is Elizabeth’s birth year incorrect?

There is no evidence that this Edward had a son named Edward. A grandson named Edward is mentioned in his will.

Occupation

Residence

Edward appears numerous times in titheable lists for Lunenburg County. Tithes were collected to support the growth and well-being of the Anglican parishes. Even if the colonists were Presbyterians, these dissenters from the Church of England had to obey the laws of the colony or be fined and jailed.
Most of the following records come from Landon C. Bell, “Sunlight on the Southside: Lists of Tithes, Lunenburg County, Virginia 1748-1783,” (Clearfield: 2010).

1748

Edward received a land grant in Lunenburg County Va on April 5, 1748, for 654 acres on Couches Creek.

1749

List of Titheables; Edward Jordan, 2 tithes, 11 crs hds (10 Jun 1749)

1750

List of Titheables; Edward Jordan listed with 2 tithes (1750, 1751, 1752) *name spelled Jordain

1764

List of Titheables, Edward Jordan Sr.
Benjamin (son)
William (son), 5 tithes, 135 land (10 Jun 1764)

1769

List of Titheables; Edward Jordan 6 tithes, 260 land (Jun 1769)

List of Titheables, Edward Jordan Sr.
Benjamin Jordan, overseer, 6 tithes

1772

List of Titheables, Edward Jordan Sr., 6 tithes (1772)
Henry Blagrave
Henry Pamplin & Samuel Jordan, overseers, 17 tithes

1775

List of Titheables, Edward Jordan Sr. listed (May court 1775)

1779

Edward Jordan appears in an Ancestry.com Virginia Early Census Index for 1779 in Lunenburg County, Virginia – no township listed.

1782

Edward does NOT appear in the first US census listing heads of household for Halifax County, VA, or for ANY county in Virginia. The records are incomplete so maybe his was lost or burned. Or perhaps he and his wife lived with one of their children at that time as he was about 62 years old in 1782. Appearing for Halifax County are Benjamin Jordan and Robert Jordan. Benjamin Jordan’s household is comprised of five whites and five blacks. Source: Halifax County, Virginia, Heads of Families, US Census, 1782, p. 23, https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1790m-02.pdf. Robert Jordan’s household is made up of six whites and nineteen blacks. Source: Halifax County, Virginia, Heads of Families, US Census, 1782, p. 24, https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1790m-02.pdf. Other Jordans appearing in the 1782 census are Matthew Jordan for Charlotte County (which was established on November 27, 1764 from Lunenburg County) with seven whites and one black and Charles Jordan, also for Charlotte County, with two whites and four blacks.

1783

List of Titheables, Edward Jordan Sr., 7 – 4 (1783)
Edward Jordan listed among those taking lists on the final list of taxpayers in 1783

Death of Edward Jordan

Will

EDWARD’S WILL Written 4 Sep 1790 Signed Edw. Jordan (wit. Samuel Hedgpeth, Nancy(x) Bain, Holland Hedgpeth; proved 28 Feb 1791) Will book 2 pg 431 Halifax Co Va

In the name of God, Amen, I Edward Jordan of Halifax County am at this time sick, and weak of body but of perfect sense and memory, but calling to mind the uncertainty of this life, do think fit and proper to make this my last will and testament. It is my will that first, my just debts and funeral expenses should be paid and the remainder of my estate I give as followeth:

Item, I give unto my son William Jordan one shilling sterling and no more.

Item, I give unto my grandson Edward Jordan one hundred acres of land, the plantation I now live on after I and my wifes decease t him and his heirs. Also I give unto my grandson Edward Jordan one father bed and furniture to him and his heirs.

Item, I give unto grandson Presly Hightower one negro girl Tilly after I and my wife’s death (sic) to him and his heirs.

Item, I give unto my loving wife Elizabeth Jordan, all the remainder of my estate consisting of negroes and stock of all kinds and household furniture & c. to her to be disposed of as she pleaseth.

In witnes I have set hereunto my hand and seal this 11th day of September 1790. Signed and sealed in the presence of us: SAMUEL HEDGEPETH, NANCY BAIN, HOLLAND HEDGEPETH his EDWARD X JORDAN mark The last will and testament of Edward Jordan, deceased, was exhibited in court and proved by witnesses thereto subscribed and ordered to be recorded Teste: Geo. Carrington, Clerk At Court held for Halifax County, Feb 28, 1791

Death of Sarah McConnico Jordan

Will

Her will was written Oct. 4, 1794

In the name of God Amen I Elizabeth Jordan of the County of Lunenburg being of sound mind and memory Thanks be to God for the same I do make and ordain this my last will and testament in the manner and form followeth, Viz after all my just debts are paid.

Item I give and bequeath to my grandson Edward Jordan, 1 fether bed and furniture and six head of neat cattle and a pine chest and a waggon and 2 horses and 2 negroes by name Milly and Carter and their increase to him and his heirs and assigns forever and all my stock of hogs, and 2 large basons and 3 small basons and six knives and faulks and one washing, and one pale and pigan and two half bushels and one pine table and one crosscut saw and a large pot and all my (ale?) iron and all my chears and gun and a rum hoghead.

Item I give and bequeath to my Grandson Pressley Hightower one negro girl named Tilley to him and his heirs or assigns forever and one fetherbed and furniture.

Item I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Frances Hightower one fether bed and furniture and one pine chest with draws and one tea kittle and remainder of my Puter and stays and horness and one small pot.

Item I give and bequeath to my three sons Benjamin, Samuel and William all the residue not above mentioned of my estate to them and their heirs forever to be equeally divided amonst them.

I do hereby constitute and appoint Edmund Cook and Peter Cousins of this my last will and testament in witness whereof. I Elizabeth Jordan to this my last will and testament I set my hand and affix my seal 4 Oct 1794.
Signed Elizabeth Jordan + her mark Probated 18 Jan 1795.

Sources

  • Landon Covington Bell, Cumberland Parish, Lunenburg County, Virginia, 1746-1816, Vestry Book 1746-1816, (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1994)
  • Landon C. Bell, “Sunlight on the Southside: Lists of Tithes, Lunenburg County, Virginia 1748-1783,” (Clearfield: 2010)
  • Landon Covington Bell, The Old Free State: A Contribution to the History of Lunenburg County and Southside Virginia (Richmond, Va.: The William Byrd Press, Inc., 1927). Volume I is not available online except by purchase. Volume II is free online to read at Hathi Trust Digital Library.
  • Terry W. Drake, The History of the Walker Family and the Times They Lived, (Bloomington, IN: Xlibris Corporation, 2017)