Enslaved of Branch Jordan, Slave Trader, Frederick County VA and Wilkinson County MS

Branch Jordan was born 1792 in Lunenburg County, VA and died 19 April 1864 in Frederick County, VA.  He was the son of Samuel Jordan (1744-1820) and Anis Comer (1752-1819.)  I've found no record of marriage for him.

*Note: Court documents show Samuel Jordan was a known wife beater.

*Also of note:  Branch Jordan was a known slave trader and cousin to Clement Townsend. The two did business together.

 

1830 Census Wilkinson Co, MS
1 Free White Person  M  30-39 [No others in household]

24 Slaves:
5 M under 10
2 M 10-23
1 M 24-35
9 F under 10
2 F 10-23
4 F 24-35

Branch Jordan moved from MS to Frederick County, VA where he purchased the Sulphur Springs in the early 1830s, however he lived in Winchester until he built at the Springs.  The house he lived in in Winchester was built by Judge Hugh Holmes and occupied own whole city block. It was later occupied by Judge Richard Parker who tried John Brown after Harper's Ferry.

 [There are some photos of the Sulphur Springs property on the Historic Jordan Springs]

"Some old citizens now living can tell incidents relating to the "slave-trader" as he was called. Jordan fitted up the basement with prison cages for the unruly negroes."

Source:  Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia, pg 299, by T.K. Cartmell

1840 Census Frederick VA
2 Free Colored Persons:
1 F 24-35
1 F 55-99

15 Slaves:
1 M 10-23
4 M 24-35
1 M 36-54
4 F under 10
2 F 10-23
3 F 24-35

1850 Census - District 16, Frederick, VA
had real estate valued at $30,000. Occupation: Farmer

1850 Slave Schedule - District 16, Frederick, VA
Number of Enslaved People:  14
70  M  B
40  F  B
38  M  B
36  F  B
31  F  M
20  M  M
19  F  B
16  M  M
12  M  B
8  M  M
4  M  B
4  F  B
3/12  F  B
1  M  B

1860 Census Dist 1 Frederick VA
Real Estate Value: $1500; Personal Estate Value $4573.  Occupation: Housekeeper
Living with Frances A Brady, age 24, female, mulatto and Sydney A Brandow age 14, female, mulatto.

1860 Slave Schedule  Dist 1 Frederick VA  pg 146 

Number of Enslaved People:  7
50  F  M
28  M  M
16  M  M
13  F  M
11  F  B
10  F  B
7  M  B

Just proceeding him:

Doc R. M. Jordan
1  49  M  B
1  48  F  M

Jane Jordan  
1  22  F  B

E C Jordan
1  17  F  B

 

Father of Branch:  Samuel Jordan:
1810 Census Lunenburg Co, VA
6 Slaves

1820 Census Lewiston, Lunenburg, VA
3 Slaves:
1 M 45+
1 F 14-25
1 F 45+