Margaret Jordan

Also Seen as Margaret Brashears, daughter of John Brashears and Mary Pitt.

MARGARET BRASSEUR (daughter of ROBERT) (?) was born 07 Sep 1642 in Nanesmond Co, VA, and died 07 Oct 1708 in Nanesmond Co, VA. She married THOMAS JORDAN, JR. Abt. 1658 in Isle of Thanet, Kent Co, Eng, son of THOMAS JORDAN. He was born 1634 in VA, and died 08 Oct 1699 in Chuckatuck, Nanesmond Co, VA.

"Margaret Brashare was descended from French Huguenot Protestants but joined the Society of Friends in 1658 when she was only sixteen years old. She married Thomas Jordan in 1660, and soon after her husband, Thomas, also converted to the faith. Both Thomas and Margaret suffered much for their faith."

Notes for MARGARET BRASSEUR:

Margaret Brashear was born in 1642 in Nanesmond Co., VA to Robert Brashear and is identified as a sister of John Brasseur according to Quaker records in Nanesmond County. Their family is reasonably well documented in the Records of Society of Friends, Lower Virginia Meeting, Record Books 1673-1727 in Quaker Records of VA, by W. W. Renshaw. The Edward Pleasants Valentine Papers also has information on the family. The writings include persecutions the Quakers suffered by refusing to support the established Anglican Church. Thomas & Margaret Jordan lived their entire married lives in Chuckatuck Parish, Nanesmond Co, VA.

Thomas & Margaret's son reported that his mother became a Quaker at age 16 in 1658. He said his father "in ye yeare 1660 he received ye truth and Abode faithful in it." His father was probably influenced by his wife's membership, since he joined shortly after they married. They had ten sons. Some served the society (Quakers) as ministers and leaders. Thomas Jordan was probably the most influential Quaker in lower Virginia, being a man of position and substance. In spite of his position, he suffered greatly for his faith. Some of the sufferings are found in the Chuckatuck record:

(I suffered first) by six weeks imprisonment for being taken at a meeting in my own house, and released by the King's proclamation. (secondly) for being taken at a meeting at Robert Lawrence's and bound over to the court of Nanesmond for refusing to swear according to their wills and against the commands of Christ; and was sent up to James towne a prisoner for upwards of ten months. Presently Blake (sheriff) took away my three servants and left my wife in a distressed condition with a young child sucking at her breast that to help herself the child did hurt it selfe with crying. The servants were kept abut nine weeks and returned by the Governor's order. (third) there was taken by John Blake, high sheriff, of Nanesmond County, two feather beds and two feather bolsters and furniture to them, with other goods which did amount to 3907 lbs tobacco and also a servant man who had three years to serve. (fourth) taken by John Blake & by distress by Thomas Goodwin, sheriff, ten head of cattle and delivered to William Stinton of James Towne. The suffering of these goods did amount to 3,907 lbs. by appraisement. The servant - 1,800; in all 5,607 the chattels I have no account of

/s/ Thomas Jordan Chuckatuck, first day of ye 7 mo. 1661 (1 Sept 1661, March was 1st month. )

Margaret also suffered: "despoiling and confiscation of her goods against her will: Margaret Jordan, the elder widow, on the 25th day of the first month 1701 (25 Mar 1701), had 120 lbs. of tobacco taken by distress from her for Priests dues."

/s/ George Norsworthy, sheriff

MEMORIAL SERVICES

Thomas and Margaret (Brasseur) Jordan's memorial services included listing their sufferings because of his religious beliefs. Thomas' memorial was on "8 10 mo 1699 (8 Dec 1699) and he was buried "ye twelfe day of ye said mo on ye third day of ye week in ye yr 1699 (12 Dec 1699)."

Margaret's memorial was held on 7 of the 10 mo 1706 (7 Dec 1706) and presented by her son, Benjamin. He said she was a daughter of Robert Brashare and was born in 1642, 7 mo (Sept, 1642). Benjamin related confinement by the sheriff for her religious beliefs. He said she was a good wife, mother, neighbor, minister, etc. During her 63rd year, she became ill and was ill for 3 years before her death. "She died at 6 o'clock att night in remarkable quietness on the 7th day of the 10 mo in the yr 1706 (7 Dec 1706)."

Notes for THOMAS FLEMING JORDAN, JR.:

After becoming a Quaker in 1660, he was imprisoned and fined several times for being a Quaker.

GENEALOGIES OF VIRGINIA FAMILIES, Vol. III, The Hunnicutts of Prince George.

More About THOMAS FLEMING JORDAN, JR.:

Religion: 1660, Quaker

Children of MARGARET BRASSEUR and THOMAS JORDAN are:

Two early children have been seen - Elizabeth and Margaret (born prior to Thomas). Is there supporting evidence?

• i. THOMAS3 JORDAN III, b. 06 Mar 1659/60; m. ELIZABETH BURGH, 06 Dec 1679, Her parent's home.
• ii. JOHN JORDAN, b. 17 Aug 1663; m. MARGARET BURGH, 09 Dec 1688, Her parent's home.
• iii. JAMES JORDAN, b. 23 Jan 1664/65; m. ELIZABETH RATCLIFF, 29 May 1788, John Copeland's house.
• iv. ROBERT JORDAN, b. 11 Jul 1666; d. 03 Oct 1728; m. (1) DOROTHY CARY; m. (2) CHRISTIAN TEBERER, In Robert Jordan's father's home.; m. (3) MARY BELSEN, In John Scott's home.More About ROBERT JORDAN: Occupation: Quaker Minister Religion: Quaker More About CHRISTIAN TEBERER: Widow of: William Oudeland
• v. RICHARD JORDAN, b. 06 Aug 1670; d. 29 Dec 1739; m. REBECCA RATCLIFF, 22 Aug 1706.
• vi. JOSEPH JORDAN, b. 08 Sep 1672; d. 1752; m. married Holia Christian AKA Philochristi Akehurst More About JOSEPH JORDAN: Residence: Moved to North Carolina
• vii. BENJAMINE JORDAN, b. 18 Sep 1674; d. 12 Feb 1715/16; m. SARAH.More About BENJAMINE JORDAN: Occupation: Quaker Minister
• viii. MATTHEW JORDAN, b. 01 Jan 1675/76; d. Bet. 1747 - 1748; m. (1) DOROTHY, 06 Sep 1699, Quaker General Meeting at Chuckatuck; d. Bef. 17 May 1702; m. (2) SUSANNA, 17 May 1702. More About MATTHEW JORDAN: Residence: Isle of Wight, VA More About DOROTHY: Residence: Nanesmond Co, VA
• ix. SAMUEL JORDAN, b. 15 Apr 1679; d. 1760; m. ELIZABETH FLEMING, 08 Oct 1703.
• x. JOSHUA JORDAN, b. 31 Aug 1661; m. SARAH ELIZABETH SANBORNE.

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Margaret Brashier (also spelled Brashare and Brasseur) was one of the first known converts to Quakerism in the Virginia colony. She was born in 1642. She became a Quakeress when she was sixteen in the year 1658. Soon after her marriage in 1660, her husband, Thomas, also converted to the faith: "in ye yeare 1660 hee received ye truth and Abode faithful in it."

Notes for Margarett Brasseur:

Margaret's father, Robert, was a french huguenot and he received a patent of 1,200 acres on April 12, 1653 on the southern branch of the Nansemond River. Margaret was born in the new world. The patent of land was received for transporting nine colonists and his family.

Quaker

MyHeritage Family Trees Family tree (ELH.FBK) in Family site (BackupMyTree), managed by Esther Leonard

Birth: July 17 1642 - Isle of Wight Co, VA Death: Dec 7 1708 - Chuckatuck Parish, Nansamond CO, VA

Parents: Robert Brassier, Elizabeth Florence Brassier (born Fowke)

Siblings: Benjamin (Benois) Brassieur/brashear "the Clift", Mary Brassieur, John Braddeur, Thomas Brasseur, Perside "persie" Cobreath (born Brasseur), Robert Brasseur, Katherine "cabell" Clare (born Brassieur), Martha Brasseur, Mary Brasseur

Husband: Thomas Fleming Jordan

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In 1669, 27 year old Margaret Brasheur (one of many spellings) married 35 year old Thomas Jordan, Jr. (1634-1699). She was the daughter of Robert Brasheur, a French Huguenot immigrant who had settled in Nansemond and had also become a Quaker. On 12 April 1653, Robert Brasheur received a land patent for 1200 acres on the southern branch of the Nansemond River resulting from transporting himself, his wife, and his children, together with nine other would-be colonists to Virginia (headrights).

Margaret was born September 1642 in Nansemond Co., VA (see attached map for location). This county no longer exists.

At the age of 16, Margaret became a Quaker (Society of Friends) and was "united with The Truth". She was no doubt responsible for leading her husband, Thomas Jordan, Jr., "into the light". At the time Margaret became a Quaker, there were only a few of this sect living in Virginia. As the Quakers became more numerous and it came to the attention of the authorities that they stubbornly resisted some established laws of the colony, severe persecution resulted.

Margaret suffered along side her husband from the persecution of the Quakers. The imprisonment of her husband, Thomas, and the officially sanctioned confiscation of their chattel, including cattle, home furnishings and bondsmen did not deter their Quaker beliefs.

In 1698, Thomas Story, a follower of William Penn, came to Virginia and recorded in his journal how, on his first visit, he lodged with Thomas Jordan (Jr.) of Chuckatuck. He recorded how on his second visit, 27 May 1705, he lodged at the home of the old widow (Margaret) of Thomas Jordan (Jr.).

The quit rent roll of Nansemond Co., 1704, shows Margaret as the widow of Thomas Jordan (Jr.) in the possession of 200 acres.

Margaret lived an exemplary life and was blessed with twelve children, only one of whom (Thomas III) didn't follow the "faith", e. g. becoming a Quaker. In her 63rd year (1705), she was "taken with an indisposition of the body" that lasted 3 years. The day before her dead, with her children gathered around her, she was still concerned over the soul of her oldest son, Thomas, whose worldly ambitions had allowed him to veer from the straight and narrow path his mother and father trod.

The children of Thomas and Margaret (Brasheur) Jordan were:

• 1) Thomas Jordan III b. 06 Jan 1660
• 2) John Jordan b. 17 Jun 1663
• 3) James Jordan b. 23 Nov 1665
• 4) Robert Jordan b. 11 Jul 1668
• 5) Richard Jordan b. 06 Jun 1670
• 6) Joseph Jordan b. 08 Jul 1672
• 7) Benjamin Jordan b. 18 Jul 1674
• 8) Matthew Jordan b. 01 Nov 1676
• 9) Samuel Jordan b. 15 Feb 1679 (Named after his grandfather, Samuel Jordan [1578-1623])
• 10) Joshua Jordan b. June 1681
• 11) Elizabeth Jordan
• 12) Margaret Jordan

Sources:

• 1) "These Jordans Were Here" by Octavia Jordan Perry, 1969, pp64-67.
• 2) "Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia, 1607-1624/5" by John Frederick Dorman, 4th Ed., Vol. II, 2005, p366.
• 3) "The Harrisons of Skimino" Edited by Fairfax Harrison, 1910, pp24-26.
• 4) "A Brashear(s) Family History, Descendants of Robert and Benois Brasseur" by Charles Brashear, 1998, p10.
• 5) "John Pankey of Manakin Town, Virginia, and his Descendants" by George Edward Pankey, Vol. I, 1969, p428.

References

• Place: Nansemond Monthly Meeting: Chuckatuck Monthly Meeting Volume: Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy Vol. VI Source Information Ancestry.com. U.S., Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, Vol I–VI, 1607-1943 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013. AncestryImage Page 31
• https://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=tatewalker&id=I409
• History of Perquimans County By Ellen Goode Rawlings Winslow. Page 367. GoogleBooks
• http://www.ronulrich.com/rfuged/nti07609.htm
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/97914480/margaret-jordan
• https://www.colonial-settlers-md-va.us/getperson.php?personID=I6984...