| Birth: | About. 1766 in County Down, Ireland |
| Death: | 15 Feb 1836 in Pocahontas County, VA (now WV) |
| Sex: | M |
| Father: | |
| Mother: | |
| Burial: Millstone Run, Pocahontas County, VA (now WV) |
| Census: 1810 Pendleton County, VA (now WV) |
| Census: 1820 Bath County, VA |
| Census: 1830 Pocahontas County, VA (now WV) |
| Occupation: Tailor |
| Religion: Elder in Presbyterian Church |
| Spouses & Children |
| Miriam McNeel (Wife) b. May 1778 in Pocahontas County, VA (now WV) | |
| Marriage: | 30 DEC 1796 in Bath County, VA |
| Children: | |
| |
| Notes |
From the "History of Pocahontas County, West Virginia"; 1981; Pocahontas Co. Historical Society
John Jordan, the ancestor of the relationship of that name in Lower Pocahontas, was a very worthy native of Ireland. By occupation he was a tailor, and when he once met a fellow member of the craft after a prolonged separation his friend was very demonstrative in the pleasure of the meeting afforded him. In his joyful exhilaration, as a special manifestation of his delight, he struck his friend Jordan on the back of his hand with a side blow of his own. this friendly lick was so powerful as to inflict a bruise so serious in its effects as to necessitate amputation of the arm just below the elbow. Nevertheless he learned to use a hoe or an axe to a good purpose in after life.
Mr Jordan came to this region as a traveling merchant, dealing in Irish linens and other portable merchandise. He was a "hard money" man in his financial preferences, and converted all paper money he received into silver and gold. Miss Miriam McNeel, daughter of John McNeel, the Levels pioneer, found out in some way that the young merchant had about a half bushel of coin, and it seemed to occur to her mind that if a person disabled as he was could bake that much money, he could certainly take good care of her. To the surprise of her friends that a nice sensible girl as she was should fancy a cripple, she did not discourage the attentions of the hustling young Irishman, and they were happily married.
At that period of our local history a young man's recommendation was his ability to clear land, split rails, and grub, but to marry a cripple in store clothes was not to be thought of.
After their marriage Mr Jordan continued to prosper in making a living, and purchased some servants to wait on the girl that had made such a surprising venture as to marry him. He settled on the Millstone Run, between Hillsboro and Locust, opening up a property now in possession of Isaac McNeel, whose wife Miriam Nannie Beard is a grand-daughter of the pioneer merchant. There were five sons and three daughters: John, Jonathan, Isaac, Abram, Franklin, Jane, Nancy, and Martha.
John Jordan, the pioneer, was one of the original ruling elders of the Oak Grove Presbyterian church. His house was open to Methodist and Presbyterian ministers without any apparent discrimination, and for years was one of the main preaching places for Methodist ministers. He donated the site for the Methodist church near his residence. This church was destroyed by fire about sixty years ago. In its time this was the most comfortable building of the kind in Pocahontas in possession of that sect. In his death Mr. Jordan was greatly mourned, for many felt they had been bereaved of a true and useful friend. He was buried near the ruins of the Millstone Run Church, and his grave seems to have been nicely cared for. A neatly carved stone (the handiwork of the late John Bruffey) marks the place where a good man rests in hope. His life's duty is done, and with tears of genuine affection he was tenderly laid under the trees, planted by the unseen hand of the God he served.
1810 Pendleton County, VA Census - John Jordan Head of Househould
Census Coding = 3001010100
Male No. 1 age 26 to 45 born between 1765 and 1784
Male No. 2 age 0 to 10 born between 1800 and 1810
Male No. 3 age 0 to 10 born between 1800 and 1810
Male No. 4 age 0 to 10 born between 1800 and 1810
Female No. 1 age 16 to 26 born between 1784 and 1794
Female No. 2 age 0 to 10 born between 1800 and 1810
1820 Bath County, VA Census - John Jordan Head of Household
Census Coding = 21000112110
Male No. 1 over 45 born before 1775 - John (Father)
Male No. 2 age 10 to 16 born between 1804 and 1810
Male No. 3 age 0 to 10 born between 1810 and 1820
Male No. 4 age 0 to 10 born between 1810 and 1820
Female No. 1 age 26 to 45 born between 1775 and 1794
Female No. 2 age 16 to 26 born between 1794 and 1804
Female No. 3 age 10 to 16 born between 1804 and 1810
Female No. 4 age 10 to 16 born between 1804 and 1810
Female No. 5 age 0 to 10 born between 1810 and 1820
1830 Pocahontas County, VA Census - John Jordan Sr Head of Household
Census Coding = 00110000100000010000100000
Male No. 1 age 60 to 70 born between 1760 and 1770
Male No. 2 age 15 to 20 born between 1810 and 1815
Male No. 3 age 10 to 15 born between 1815 and 1820
Female No. 1 age 50 to 60 born between 1770 and 1780
Female No. 2 age 10 to 15 born between 1815 and 1820