• General Notes

  Mary Jordan was the daughter of George Jordan and Mary Brown. The will of George Jordan is filed in Surry County Will Book 7 page 145, dated May 18, 1718 and probated August 20, 1718. He mentions his wife Mary and daughter Mary Anderson and legated to her a "large" bible. This Bible is later mentioned in James Anderson's will, and apparently goes to Georgia with Mary's son James Anderson, Jr.
  
  Mary acquiesed in the sale of James Anderson lands from his father in 1712 indicating that they married before that date. There are no known marriage records for this period. This sale was likely done because James' stepmother Mary was still young and of child bearing age and the estate was unlikely to revert to James Anderson any time soon. James held 104 acres of land in southern Prince George County along theNottoway River that he had obtained before 1710.
  
  George Jordan names his daughter Mary Anderson, wife of James Anderson in a 1715 deed to her. The deed covered lands that had been in the Jordan family since the 1650's, had passed out of the family temporarily and then had been re-acquired in 1688 by River Jordan and Priscilla Brown. Mary's father George bought 300 acres of it from his brother River in 1689 and probably move to and lived on this land. In1701 with the death of his brother River he gained another 200a of this parcel. River's widow Priscilla lived on the remainder. George held the 300 acres of land from 1689 to 1715 and it is very likely that he began construction of the home on it.
  
  It is interesting and extremely unusual that the 1715 deed was made directly to Mary Anderson in name, even though under law at the time it became her husbands to use. Perhaps there is a story there untold, possibly even a prenuptual agreement between James and her. Most likely though the explanation lies in what was going on in Virginia in 1715. Two items are of interest. First, on the North Carolina and Virginia border, the Tuscarora Indians were holding the Lt. Governor of North Carolina hostage and the Governor of North Carolina asked the Governor of Virginia to send a militia expedition against the Indians from the north. Second, the British fleet was at anchor in the James River, recruiting militia men to go on an expedition against Newfoundland to wrest it from the French. These demands on the militia undoubtedly drew James Anderson into service in one of these efforts as he was of the appropriate age and social status. My guess is that he took his new toys, the sword and gun given him in Thomas Andersons's 1711 will and shipped out for Newfoundland. James' uncle the Rev. Charles Anderson is recorded in William Byrd's diary as having reported the arrival of the fleet in theJames River.
  
  Mary, feeling abandoned on a primative estate along the Nottoway River on the southern limits of english settlement, probably packed her horse and rode east to daddy's new estate. There she groused at him about being left to suffer her fate at the hands of the Indians. He put up with it for a while, and then just to get her out of his hair, gave her the old lands north of the Blackwater River and away from the Indians. Since she was the daughter of a Jordan and a Brown it seems appropriate that she should receive it and the gift probably created goodwill in both families except amongst her brothers, who might have anticipated receiving the land themselves. By giving the deed to her directly, it allowed her to perfect the title in the absence of James and retain the title regardless of what became of James Anderson. It is this peculiarity of the arrangement that leads me to believe James was out of the colony, could not be communicated with, and with the possibility that he might not return.
  
  The land is in the western most corner of current Surry County and had a path running through it first noted in Virginia records as the point along the Blackwater River at which exploration parties crossed the river on the gravely bottom in the 1650's. Again in 1688 the land description includes mention of the path that crosses the Blackwater. There is now a state highway (route 606) and concrete bridge that cross at this point. It should be noted that the southern edge of this property is truly a black water swamp and that any home must have been located in the northern regions. Since her sons are later noted as carpenters, there is some likelihood that they were involved in building the home and first bridge at this location whereon they may have performed their apprenticeships. Examination of Surry County Court orders might find mention of any bridge building activity.
  
  The archeological records of old homes in Surry County include a description of a home razed at the end of the last century that was located at the junction of the road that crosses the Blackwater and the road that goes northwestward to the plantation of James's father Thomas Anderson in Prince George County. This home was in the northern portion of the estate. This old home had collapsed before it was examined, but sufficent remains existed that it could be described as a two story colonial home dating from before the revolution. As the property was not sold from the Anderson family until 1773, and the subsequent owner went into receivership; it is likely this was the home of the Anderson/Jordan family. How old it was is not determined and it possibly dates back to the time of River Jordan and Priscilla Brown.
  
  It had brick walls of double chimneys at each end creating eight fireplaces for the home. The wooden frame ground floor was divided into four rooms; two on each side of a center hallway connecting a front and back door. A stair case in the hall way took you to the second floor where the bedrooms were located with dormer windows protruding through the roof. The roof and 2nd floor beams were suspended from chimney wallto chimney wall. Similar homes of the period had on the first floor a sitting room for entertaining visitors; a work/den room for buiness affairs and weaving and spinning; a dining room; and a master bedroom. The second floor dormer area would have been divided in the middle by water closets and storage and would have created two bedrooms areas, one for the girls and one for the boys.
  
  The accouterments of the home can be determined by examining the complete estate listing in 1751 of James Anderson. From the estate list we know that to run the household his wifes had at their disposal:
  
  One negro Boy Aaron
  One negro child Ned
  one wench Cate
  (these probably worked in the house)
  
  One Negro man Peter
  one Negro man Robin
  (Peter and Robin probably worked on the farm)
  
  There were 11 old chairs and 3 tables distributed throught the house.
  
  For the dining room they had:
  
  Tea Kettle, Sugar Box, Canisters, Tea pott, 2 Dishes, 2 Basons, 12 plates, 6 spoons, 3 Dozen and 9 Spoons, 11 Dishes, Basons & 15 Plates, 3 Porringers, a pepper box, some old pewter, a tin bucket and other tinware, some napkins, Bagg and tablecloth, Butter Potts Muggs etc. and two Bowles Cupps and Saucers, a parcel of table Kives and Forks, 3 glasses and 4 small bottles, 2 pair of fire tongs Grid iron and an old cutting knife, One pewter flaggon and three old candlesticks, some Pepper Allspice Allum and Ginger, 5lb of Sugar.
  
  for James' den they had:
  
  3 Dozn Pipes, Two pair of money scales hone razor and straps, Two Lancetts Pen knife scissars waffers and ink, One Black Wallnut Desk, a parcel of old books, Some Trupers Arms, known to be a sword and gun from his father and a pair of pistols and holster that he had bought.
  
  for Mary's sewing room they had:
  
  1 Linnen Wheel, 3 spinning wheels and 5 pair of cards, a loom, 3 stays and harness, 17 Ells of Ozenbriggs & 4 Ells, 13 yards of white Linnen,186lb of cotton and some cotton & Flax thread, 3 yards of cotton, sheets and one blanket, 24lb of stitch Cotton and 28lb of Flax, 24lb of feathers 4lb of mean feathers, 3 Wallet 5 Baggs, 20lb of wool.
  
  for the bedrooms they had:
  
  1 Bed Bed Stead Hide Rug Blanket and pair of Sheets, 1 Bed Ditto with Pillers, 1 Bedstead, One Bed Bedstead and Covering, One Bed Ditto, One Bed Ditto, 6 Chests, All his wearing cloaths 6 coats 7 Jackets Breeches Shirts stockings & shoes, a walking cane Shoe thread & a small box, 2 pair of shoes.
  
  There would have been an external kitchen building and animal shed/barn. The adult slaves would have slept in the kitchen where the warmth of the hearth would serve them, and the young slave children would have slept on bedrolls on the floor of the main house where they could have been at the beck and call of the family to service the fireplaces,etc.
  
  for the Kitchen they had:
  
  One large Still & a parcel of Beef and Bacon, a skimmer and Flesh Forks, one iron spit and one duck spit, 1 large Copper Kettle, 1 Brass Ditto 2 Small Ditto, 1 Bace Mettle Skillet, 5 Iron Potts Hooks and Racks, 2 frying pans and Box Iron, 2 Bushels of salt, 19 cyder casks & a parcel of old Barrels, Hoggsheads, baskets, etc., 4 sifters and a case of bottles.
  
  In the barn/shed they had:
  
  Three saddles; two mens and one womens, a parcel of Bridles Houssing and Holkers, a pair of Horse Teams Buckles Buttons etc., 9lbs of Tallow, a cart and wheels, harrow and gear, 6 Wedges, 4 Harrow Teeth and some old Iron, 8 new Hoes, a parcel of files and a set, a parcel of fodder and nubbins, 1 grindstone, pales, a tub & a sifter, one crosscutt Saw and 2 pair of Stilliards, a parcel of carpenters and coopers tools (including a joining lathe), 2000 Ten penny nails and some small Ditto, Some upper and sole leather, a parcel of rope and old traces, 4 hides in Tan, and a parcel of corn, 3 bushels of wheat and eight bushels of Pease, a parcel of Lime and 4 raw hides.
  
  In pens around and about the barn/shed they had:
  
  10 geese, One old Horse & one mare and one colt, 6 year old cattle, 12 Cowes, 15 young cattle, 11 sheep, 6 fat Hogs, 29 Hogs & 6 Piggs.
  
  I guess they didn't have a stereo, TV, computer, radios, microwave, VCR, snow blower or all terrain vehicle: gosh, it must have been quiet in the house:) This was probably made up for by the noise of traffic on the road outside which would have been a major route in the 1715-1750 period for people moving into southern Virginia. Mary's neighbor to the east was her aunt Priscilla now Thomas and her neighbor to the west was Jane Brown now Cocke her first cousin once removed. The word neighbor here has a diffrent meaning since they would have been at a 1 to 2 mile distance. However time also was measured differently in those days such that an afternoons walk to visit your neighbor would have been quite normal.
  
  Patrick Joseph Anderson
  
  ---------------------
  Mary Anderson from George Jordan
  07/01/1715 300 acres Surry County
  This Indenture made this first day of July in the first year of our Sovereign Lord George by the grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King defender of the faith Etc. and in the year of our Lord God One thousand seven hundred and fifteen between George Jordan Senr and Mary his wife of the County of Surry of the one Part and Mary Anderson wife of James Anderson of the aforesaid County of the other Part. Witnesseth that the said George Jordan and Mary his wife for and in consideration of five shillings of Lawfull money of England in hand Paid by the said Mary Anderson the receipt whereof and he himself there withfully satisfied contented and paid he the said George Jordan and Mary his wife doth hereby acknowledge and for other good causes and considerations him hereunto moving Hath given granted bargained and Sold Demised Leased and to form letten and by these presents doth grant bargain and sell demise and lease and to form lett unto Mary Anderson and the heirs of her body one certain tract or parcell of land containing three hundred acres by estimation be the same more or less situate lying and being in the County of Surry and is bounded as followeth {Viz} beginning at the mouth of the spring branch on the North side of the Blackwater Swamp thence up the said branch about half a mile so thence a straight course Westerly to the first branch of Wintico so thence down the said branch to the Blackwater Swamp so down the said Swamp to the place began at with all houses edifaces buildings barns yards gardens orchards fields lands fences woods underwoods wasy waters watercourses swamps marshes meadows pasturage feedings and all other proffitts commoditys and advantages whatsoever to the said tract of three hundred acres of Land or to any part or parcell thereof belonging or any ways appertaining together with priviledges of hawking and hunting fishing and fowling to have and to hold the said demised premises unto the said Mary Anderson and the heirs of her body from the day of the date hereof for and during the full term and time of three years to be fully compleated and ended yeilding and paying therefore yearly on the tenth day of September to the said George Jordan his heirs or assigns one ear of Indian Corn if it be lawfully demanded upon the premises to the intent and purpose that by virtue of these presents and of the statute for the transferring uses into possession and that the said Mary Anderson may be in actuall and peicable possession of the premises before granted and maybe thereby the better enabled to accept of a grant or conveyance of the reverting and inheritances therof to her and the heirs of her body for ever. Inwitness whereof of the said George Jordan and Mary his wife hath set their hands and seales the day and year above written
  
  Signed Sealed and Delivered
  In Presents of the mark of
  John Avery George |G| Jordan
  Tho Eldridge sealed with a wafer
  At a Court held at Southwark for the
  County of Surry July the twentieth 1715
  This day appeared in Court the above named George Jordan and did acknowledge the above specified contents to be his real act and deed which is ordered to be recorded and is recorded by
  /s/ Ar: Allen Cl Cura
  
  Mary Anderson from George Jordan
  07/03/1715 300 acres Surry County
  This Indenture made this third day of July in the first year of our Sovereign Lord George by the grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King defender of the faith Etc. and in the year of our Lord God One thousand seven hundred and fifteen between George Jordan Senr and Mary his wife of the County of Surry of the one Part and Mary Anderson wife of James Anderson of the aforesaid County of the other Part. Witnesseth that the said George Jordan and Mary his wife for and in consideration of five shillings of Lawfull money of England in hand Paid by the said Mary Anderson the receipt whereof and he himself there withfully satisfied contented and paid he the said George Jordan and Mary his wife doth hereby acknowledge and for divers other good causes and considerations him hereunto moving Hath given granted bargained and Sold Remised and Released and by these presents for himself and his heirs and assigns Doth grant bargain and sell Remise and Release unto the said Mary Anderson she being in full and peiceable possession and seizure by Virtue of a Lease of the presents hereafter mentioned by the said George Jordan and Mary his wife To the said Mary Anderson bearing date two days before the Date of this presents all the Right Title Interest possession Claim and Demand of him the said George Jordan and Mary his wife of in or to one certain tract or dividend of land containing three hundred acres of land be the same more or less situate lying and being in the County of Surry and bounded as followeth {Viz} beginning at the mouth of the spring branch on the North side of the Blackwater Swamp thence up the said branch about half a mile so thence a straight course Westerly to the first branch of Wintico so thence down the said branch to the Blackwater Swamp so down the said Swamp to the place began at with all houses edifices buildings barns gardens orchards yards fields lands fences woods underwoods ways waters watercourses swamps marshes meadows pasturage feedings and all other feedings commoditys and advantages whatsoever to the said tract of three hundred acres of Land or to any part or parcell thereof belonging or any ways appertaining together with priviledges of hawking and hunting fishing and fowling to have and to hold the said granted premises and every part thereof with their and every of their appertanances unto the said Mary Anderson and the heirs of her body for ever to the only proper use and behoof of the said Mary Anderson and the heirs of her body for ever to be held to be held of our Sovereign Lord the King his heirs and Successors as of his manner of East Greenwich in the County of Kent in free and Common Acreage Yeilding and Paying the Quitrents gue and Lawfully Accustomed to be paid for the same being one shilling for every fifty Acres. In witness whereof of the said George Jordan Senr and Mary his wife hath hereunto set their hands and seales the day and year above written
  
  Signed Sealed and Delivered
  In Presents of the mark of
  John Avery George |G| Jordan
  Tho Eldridge sealed with a wafer
  At a Court held at Southwark for the
  County of Surry July the twentieth 1715
  This day appeared in Court the above named George Jordan and did acknowledge the above specified contents to be his real act and deed which is ordered to be recorded and is recorded by
  /s/ Ar: Allen Cl Cura
  
  DEATH: Also shown as Died BET. 1733 - 1740
  

Details of Mary's family with James Anderson