Jordan Family History
Paul Moore, later to become Paul Jordan, was born in Talladega County, AL, near the city of Talladega, about the year 1825. He was a slave belonging to Mr. Gabriel Moore, a large plantation and slave owner. His father, also a slave, was part Indian and was one of the many slaves who fought under General Andrew Jackson at the battle of New Orleans in 1815.
When Mr. Moore’s daughter, Lucy Jane, married Dr. Fleming Jordan, her father gave Paul, one of his favorite slaves to her as a servant, henceforth, Paul Moore was Moore was known as Paul Jordan, as was the custom and tradition at that time-which was to take the name of your new owner.
Paul was then brought to Madison County, Alabama by Dr. and Mrs. Fleming Jordan and settled on a plantation near the village of Maysville. Here he met one of Dr. Jordan’s female slaves, Flora and married her. To this couple were born six sons and five daughters, namely, Sons: Jeremiah, Austin, Harris, Paul, James and Clint; Daughters: Sammie, Crittia, Molly, Martha and Jeanette. Austin dies in infancy; Sammie, Crittia and Molly died in their youth. The other children grew into fine men and women rearing families of their own. Paul was a man of strong religious convictions, a devout Christian and one of the founders of the Flint river Baptist Church where he served as a deacon until his death in 1911.
This family was respected and held in high esteem in the community by all that knew them.
The descendants of this family have spread through the state and nation. Some have attained high accomplishments and have made great contributions to their race and country while at the same time making a name for themselves, as well as bringing credit to the Jordan family.
Contributed by:
The Late Harris Jordan
Austin Jordan
Died in infancy.
Paul Jordan Jr.
Paul Jordan Jr. was one of six sons born to Paul Jordan Sr and Flora. Very little is known about Paul except that he worked for the railroad and lived in Memphis, Tennessee.
Harris Jordan
Little is known about Harris except that he died a young man.
Clint Jordan
Little is known about Clint except that he married and had one child named Mayo who lived in Nashville, Tennessee.
James Jordan
As a young man James moved from Madison County to Chattanooga, Tennessee where he met and married Molly and had four children; Lousie, Billy, James Jr. and Elizabeth. James later moved to Detroit, Michigan where he worked in an industrial factory and was killed after accidentally swallowing a ball of fire.
Jeremiah Jordan
Jeremiah was born in 1865 on the Fleming Jordan Plantation just two years after slavery ended. Jeremiah also known as Jerry was a farmer; as well as a school teacher; he was so concerned about the education of his siblings and he established a one-room school hours. In that one room school, he taught his siblings, but other black children what was in the community. When the one room school was no longer needed as a school, the Jordan Family converted it to a place of worship for the family and community, which is known today as Flint River Church. Jeremiah married Callie who bore him eight children. Jeremiah was known as a big talker and a social butterfly who loved to entertain family and friends. Jeremiah died in 1924 at the age of 59.
Martha Jordan Steger
Martha Jordan Steger was a petite woman with a quite soft voice, born in 1870. Her manner was soft and caring with children, yet she could be very firm. When the grandchildren were “good” she would cook up one or two pans of “teacakes”, her favorite cookies, and the sweet odor of “teacakes” would bring the kids scrambling for some of Grandma’s teacakes.
Martha Jordan Steger married Lewis Steger and gave birth to seven children. One son died in infancy, and with Lewis, she reared one daughter Flora Jane and five sons, Clinton, Will, Paul, Walter and Fred.
She cared deeply for her children and grandchildren. When grandson Posey Louis went off to World War II, she prayed reverently for his safe return and said a tearful prayer when the war was over and Posey returned home.
She was a “farm wife” and made home a comfortable place. We have memories of her doing a wash with her daughter-in-law Lula (Wife of her youngest son Fred). They would work together to do the wash and hang them on an outdoors clothesline to dry.
She was a Christina and member of Flint River Primitive Baptist Church. It was her delight to invite the past to dinner, but her children were never deprived of their generous portion of fried chicken, although they had a visitor. She ensured that her grandchildren enjoyed the same privilege. Her kindness extended to those in the neighborhood who were sick or in need. She would make sure that she shared with those who were lacking and would visit and help where needed. When her husband Lewis’s vision was restricted by cataract she cared for him with tenderness and was his eyes as needed.
We remember her reading her Bible and singing hymns as she worked in the kitchen. She was a “stickler” for a clean house, and would even sweep the year to ensure that home place was neat and clean inside and out.
One of the delightful moments was when she and her sister Jeanette went together for a visit. It was quite a sight to see these two women who looked so much alike sitting on the front porch chatting and remembering their youth.
At Christmas her grandchildren were a delight for her, as she watched them discover the delights of Christmas morning. We remember her ensuring that a stocking was hung by the chimney and that it contained fruit and candy.
She managed through the Great Depression and it was her frugal management that ensured that Steger household was well fed during those lean years. Martha Jordan Steger was a delightful personality, who seemed to sparkle when she smiled, as her quiet soft voice smoothly wafted through the house. Martha passed away in 1946 at the age of 76.
Jeanette Jordan Woodard
Jeanette, one of four daughters born to Flora and Paul Jordan, was born on April 23, 1872 in Madison County, Alabama. She often made reference to the fact that she missed slavery by nine years. Jeanette’s childhood centered around education. Although, there were no state or county schools provided for black children in Madison County at that time or they were not accessible for the Jordan girls. However, one or several of her brothers were able to obtain some formal education. Jeanette’s brother was an excellent education; his teachings were exemplified in her love of reading and writing. She was an avid reader of The Huntsville Times, Girt, Almanac, Reader’s Digest, The Bible, Saturday Evening Post and the Comics. She was an excellent communicator and her passion was grammar. She insisted on her grandchildren speaking correct English at all times. If she asked a grandchild to get an object for her and the grandchild said, “Mama Jeannette, Where is it at?” She would say, “Behind that preposition ‘at’”.
As grandchildren of Jeanette, we thought of her as a strong disciplinarian. She did not spare the rod. When the rod needed to be applied, she applied it without reservations. Equally, she was a very loving and humorous woman. Jeanette spent her adult life caring for her family and then her later year was spent assisting with the care of her beloved grandchildren. She was a protector. She would not tolerate anyone’s attempt to verbally or physically abuse her grandchildren. She would not seek out confrontation, nor would she back off, if confronted. She had a low tolerance for segregation. We often said she was a woman before her time. Frequently, she would take her grandchildren downtown shopping. Often, she would be mistaken for a white woman and would receive the best service in the stores until one of her grandchildren walked up and called her, “Mama Jeanette.” The clerks in the stores always looked to see her with “colored” kids calling her “Mama Jeanette.” The friendly service would cease.
Fashion savvy was a way of life for her. She was not a clothes hog, but she took pride in having the finest black dresses, scarves, shawls, and hat pins. She enjoyed socializing and an occasional gin was her favorite beverage. Her best friend was her dear sister Martha of whom she spoke of often and fondly. After Martha passed away, she enjoyed visits with brother-in-law, Lewis Steger. Mamma Jeanette passed away in March 1961 at the age of 88.