James Jordan was born in Richmond county, NC, the only son of John & Rachel(Terrell)Jordan. His father moved to Georgia by 1784, and James youth was spent in first Wilkes County, until Dec 10, 1790 and on that date the Georgia Legislature formed Elbert Co. from part of Wilkes that lay north of the Broad River. In the 1801 Elbert County Tax Digest, John Jordan paid tax on land located on Picken's Creek, and his land was next to William Terrell's.
James did not sign up for a draw in the 1805 Georgia Land Lottery. James Jordan Sr, of Capt. Oliver's District signed for two draws in the 1807 Land Lottery, certified Aug 26, 1806. He did not win a prize. His F/I/L Luke White won Lot 120, Dist 20, in Wilkinson County.
James married Obedience (Beady) White on Nov. 26, 1807 in Elbert. Rev. Thomas Maxwell was the minister. Rev. Maxwell's son, Elijah married Elizabeth Jordan, sister of James. Rev. Thomas Maxwell listed James and his sister's names and birth dates in his Family Bible.
Oct 19, 1815, Elbert Co Ga deed Bk 'P', page 192:Thomas Maxwell to James Jordian, 100 acres on waters of North Beaverdam Creek.
In the 1816 Elbert County Tax Digest, James Jordan of Captain White's District paid taxes on 190 acres of Third Class land, located on the waters of Beverdam Creek next to that of Jesse Ginn, originally granted to Robert Pullum. Total tax was 50 and 3/4 cents. Land was on the south bank of the North Fork of the Beaverdam Creek, near present day Bowman. James on several occasions either mortgaged or sold the 190/192 acres, but always had it back. His eldest son, Stephen White Jordan got the land after his father's death.
There were three James Jordans in the 1820 Elbert County census, one was James, son of Fountain, and he married Rosanna Terrell, daughter of Jeremiah Terrell, and the other James (parents unknown) who married Tabitha Murrah in 1809.
This James Jordan was ours.
1820 census of Elbert Co Ga.: James Jordan
3 males to 10
2 males 10-16
1 male 26 -45
1 female 26-45
1820 Ga. Land Lottery: James Jordan Jr. of White's District of CS. Won Lot # 224, Section10, Irwin County.
James registered for a draw in if the 1827 Ga Land Lottery. This land was in Carroll, Coweta,Troup, Muscogee and Lee Counties.
Obedience Jordan registered the " Orphans of James Jordan" in the 1832 Georgia Land Lottery. The two oldest sons were not listed, as both were of age and could register themselves.
James & Obedience were the parents of nine children:
Stephen White Jordan (1808-1890
Sarah " Sallie" Jordan (1810-1818)
John Woodson Jordan (1812-1876)
James Nelson Jordan (1814-1885)
Little Berry Jordan ( 1815-1894)
Joshua R Jordan ( 1819-1976)
Elizabeth Caroline Jordan (1821-1897)
Levi Houston Jordan (1824-1865)
James Benajah Houston Jordan( Oct 23,1826-?) Born after his father's death.
James, Obedience and Sarah are all buried in the old part of the Holly Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.
James was my (Ron Holley's )3rd great-grandfather.