Biography of John Jordan
b. 1764, d. 1850 Buried at Friendship, NY
JOHN JORDAN was born 6 March, 1764. Several Jordan cousins and I have failed to learn where he was born or who his parents were. However, by 15 Sep 1785, he was near or in the town of Goshen, Orange County, NY for that day he married a young lady, not yet quite 16 years of age. She was Julia Swartout born 18 November, 1769, daughter of Jacobus Swarthout whose line has been traced back to Groningen, Holland, Netherlands in 16th century.
On 14 December, 1786, John and Julia found themselves parents of a son whom they named Michael. Michael according to the 1855 Steuben Co, NY census stated that he had been born in Orange County. The first federal census was taken in 1790 and no where in the state of New York or neighboring states can John Jordan and family be found. By census time in 1790, they would have been a family of four because Michael was joined by brother, William, on 1 Mar 1788.
Julia's father, Jacobus, is counted among those citizens in Warwick, Orange Co, NY but no where can John and Julia and their two boys be found. New Jersey did not mandate a federal census in 1790, but the Jordan couple cannot be found in that state in any of the many sources available.
By 1800 federal census, John and family have purchased land in Cherry Valley, Otsego County, NY. Examination of real estate records in Otsego County reveal that John paid taxes on land as early as 1799; land assessed at $300.00; personal $82.00 total taxes paid amounting to $.92.
By 1805, the Jordan family has grown in size and included not only Michael; age 14 years; William age 12 years but also
Jesse born 3 Jul 1790
James born 21 Sep 1791
John b 17 Sep 1792
Andrew b 25 Sep 1795
Elizabeth (Betsy) b 18 Oct 1797
Isaiah b 22 Jul 1799
Sally (Patty) b 4 May 1801
Jacob b 13 May 1803
Julia Margaret (Peggy) b 1 Jul 1805
An unnamed son born 1 Jun 1807
By 1810, John has been left a widower, his beloved wife, Julia, most probably dying in childbirth in 1807. He appears living yet in Cherry Valley in Otsego County but no mate listed in 1810 census. The years roll by with the older girls carrying for their younger sibling. During the year of 1815, the three oldest boys, Michael, William, and Jesse migrated to the County of Steuben in New York State. The three families are noted in 1820 residing in the town of Wayne. Living with Michael is 16-year-old Isaiah who accompanied his older brother. Isaiah eventually married and migrated on to town of Wirt in Allegany Co, NY.
John and James had married, John in 1815 and James about 1820. In 1821, John's son, Andrew was married. By 1824, land records and church records for Allegany County prove that sons John and James left Otsego County and made their homes in the town of Cuba in Allegany County, NY. Andrew had married and he migrated to town of Wirt, Allegany Co, NY to live "acrossed the road" from his brother Isaiah.
In 1824, John's son, Jacob married Phoebe Mulford. According to Ashbury Methodist Episcopal Church records, they were married 10 November, 1824; Jacob listed as being from Cherry Valley, Otsego County and Phebe from Watervliet, Albany Co, NY. This marriage was most probably performed in Cherry Valley by traveling minister inasmuch as Phebe was at time of marriage residing with her oldest sister, Betsey Mulford Sutliff, in Cherry Valley.
Jacob and wife by 1830 were residents in town of Wirt, Allegany County, purchasing land adjacent to his brother Isaiah and across the road from his brother, Andrew.
Betsey and her husband, Sebastion Weller married in 1813, lived for a while at Bowman's Creek in Otsego County, but their eventual home was found in Salt Springville, Otsego County, NY. This left two girls, Sally (Patty) and Julia Margaret (Peggy) still at home with their father, John.
As the year 1831 arrived, daughters Sally (Patty) had married John S. Dygert, son of a German Palatine and lived in Canajoharie, Montgomery Co, NY and Julia Margaret had married Charles Phelps and moved to town of Pike, Wyoming Co, NY where they were residing when 1830 census taken.
John Jordan now was alone after these two daughters married. He appears in the 1840 census for Cherry Valley, Otsego County, NY but in transaction dated January 12, 1848, John sold to John Gillett for $3000.00 the land he owned in Otsego County totaling 111 acres and 28 perches. This land was Lot 40 in Livingston Patent. At time of sale, John's land was entirely free of debt.
He left Otsego County to live out remainder of his life in Pike, Wyoming Co, NY with his youngest daughter, Julia Margaret, and her husband Charles Chauncy Phelps. He died at their home on 26 Jan, 1850. His body was removed to town of Friendship, Allegany County, where he was buried in burial lot owned by his son, Jacob Jordan in Mt Hope Cemetery. His tombstone is marked "Father."
My father, Herbert Wesley Jordan and I visited this cemetery site many times prior to his death in 1993. Rest In Peace, Beloved Father!!