The Parentage of Jordan Ashley
Jordan's parents are unknown, perhaps unknowable. I am here listing
various theories I have seen. Any rational or evidential input on the
matter is welcome.
Jordan as son of John or Cary
Ron Blevins on his manuscript (unpublished) on the Ashley families of
northwestern North Carolina:
"Section E. Other Ashley families with Ashe County connections. This section
is very limited, but does include a little information on the oft discussed
Elder Jordan Ashley who was in Wilkes County in the 1830 and 1840 census,
was in Ashe County in the mid 1840's and had moved to KY by 1850. This
Jordan Ashley's parents are unknown, but he may likely come from either John
or Cary who were in the 1800 Surry County census."
Jordan and Allied Wilkes County Families
In various scenarios, Jordan is often related to Mary Ashley
, wife of Willaim Weaver Sr.of Wilkes County. Jeff Weaver states
that "Mary Ashley was probably the daughter of Joseph Ashley and sister of
her step-daughter-in-law, Sallie Ashley, who married Joshua Weaver, son of
William Weaver, Sr."--"The English Weaver's
of Virginia"-- ©, 1990, 1998, Jeffrey C. Weaver & Larry
Cockerham. Mr. Weaver also feels that Jordan is
likely a son of Joseph, brother to Mary.
Regardless of how they might have been related, we can see
interaction between Jordan's family, her family, the Sturgills and the
Shepherds..
Some of the step-children of Mary Ashley
marry children of Francis Sturgill Sr. Phoebe Weaver married Francis Sturgill
Jr. William Weaver Jr. married Rebecca Sturgill. Nathan Weaver
married Elizabeth Sturgill. James Weaver married Mazie Sturgill.
At the marriage of Jordan's son William (11/30/1845), the Bondsman
is Joshua Sturgill and the witness is Daniel Sturgill. At the
marriage of his son Francis (2/6/1847), the Bondsman is James Sturgill and
the witness is again, Daniel Sturgill.
These are apparently James Sr. Sturgill (son of Francis Sr.),
and/or his children who are brother and nephews to those who marry Mary
Ashley's step-children.
We can also associate Jordan's presumed good friend Larkin Shepherd
with Mary Ashley's family.
Jordan Ashley had a son Larkin Shepherd Ashley;
Larkin Shepherd had a son Jordan Ashley Shepherd (married Susana
E. Hall, daughter of Martha Shumate and John Hall).
Larkin was also an early member of the New Hope Baptist Church
where Jordan preached.
Larkin's daughter Lucinda married Nathan Weaver, the son of
William Weaver Jr. and Rebecca Sturgill. William Weaver Jr. was
the step-son of Mary Ashley and William Weaver. Mary Weaver, daughter of
Mary Ashley and William Weaver, married William Shepherd.
Descendent of Thomas Ashley Theory
MANY RESEARCHERS INTO THE PARENTS OF JORDAN ASHLEY HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CONNECT
JORDAN WITH THIS FAMILY.
SOME, TO INCLUDE WFT VOL. 11, TREES 116 &117 PLACE HIM AS SON OF JOHN
II ASHLEY, SON OF JOHN PLOWMAN, SON OF THOMAS.
These WFT trees also place Mary
Ashley Weaver as the daughter of John Plowman Ashley. Mary would then be
Jordan's aunt. The Will of John Plowman Ashley, signed Feb. 1, 1759,
names a daughter, Mary Ann Franks. That is to say, this Mary is married
by 1859. This makes her much to old to be Mary Ashley
Weaver who was having children ca. 1808-1816
John II Ashley apparently had all his children in Laurens Co.,
SC. The only indication of a SC origin for Jordan Ashley is on the
1880 Letcher County census, where the birthplace of Franklin/ Francis Ashley
's parents is given as SC., (although it is usually reported as NC).
Descendents of Thomas Ashley
A consolidation of the info i've seen on some of the descendents of Thomas
Ashley follows.
Generation No. 1
1. THOMAS ASHLEY
Children of THOMAS ASHLEY are:
. i. ANN ASHLEY, d. Bertie Co NC.
ii. JOHN PLOWMAN ASHLEY, b. 1725; d. Abt. 1780.
iii. THOMAS II ASHLEY.
iv. WILLIAM ASHLEY.
Generation No. 2
2. ANN ASHLEY (THOMAS1) died in Bertie Co NC. She married HUMPHREY LAWRENCE. He died in Bertie Co NC.
Child of ANN ASHLEY and HUMPHREY LAWRENCE is:
i. NATHANIEL LAWRENCE, b. 1735; d. 1800, Bertie Co NC.
3. JOHN PLOWMAN ASHLEY (THOMAS1) was born 1725, and died Abt. 1780.
He married MARY SANDERS.
Children of JOHN ASHLEY and MARY SANDERS are:
. i. JOHN II ASHLEY, b. January 25, 1759, Anson Co NC; d. December 13, 1830, Laurens Co SC.
. ii. MARY ASHLEY, b. 1765, NC
iii. FRANCIS ASHLEY.
iv. WILLIAM ASHLEY.
v. JURDEEN ASHLEY, b. Abt. 1735; d. August 17, 1819.
vi. ELINOR ASHLEY.
vii. ROSE ASHLEY.
viii. SARAH ASHLEY.
Generation No. 3
4. JOHN II ASHLEY (JOHN PLOWMAN2, THOMAS1) was born January 25, 1759 in Anson Co NC, and died December 13, 1830 in Laurens Co SC. He married ELIZABETH GARRETT December 16, 1782. She was born October 20, 1760 in Fairfax VA, and died March 14, 1819 in Laurens Co SC. Burial: Both at Warrior Creek Cemetery
Children of JOHN ASHLEY and ELIZABETH GARRETT are:
i. THOMAS ASHLEY, b. November 11, 1783, Laurens Co., SC.
ii. NATHANIEL ASHLEY, b. December 01, 1784, Laurens Co., SC; m. LYDIA BROWN; b. Abt. 1783.
iii. JOHN III ASHLEY, b. July 08, 1786, Laurens Co., SC; d. Abt. 1863; m. SARAH COLEMAN; b. Abt. 1791.
iv. MARY ASHLEY, b. February 20, 1788, Laurens Co., SC.
v. ELIZABETH ASHLEY, b. October 02, 1789; d. November 10, 1826.
vi. ANN WEST ASHLEY, b. March 14, 1791, Laurens Co. SC; m. SANFORD ADAMS, Abt. 1829; b. SC.
vii. EDWARD ASHLEY, b. March 14, 1791, Laurens Co., SC.
viii. JAMES ASHLEY, b. November 01, 1794, Laurens Co., SC.
ix. LEVINA ASHLEY, b. August 07, 1797, Laurens Co., SC.
x. HANEY AMANDA ASHLEY, b. June 12, 1801, Laurens Co., SC; d. December 01, 1876, Laurens Co., SC; m. ABNER PUTMAN, June 01, 1818; b. May 08, 1798; d. July 04, 1878, Laurens Co., SC. Burial: Both at Warrior Creek Cemetery
xi. WILLIAMSON ASHLEY, b. February 04, 1805, Laurens Co., SC; d. July 09, 1862, Atala Co., MO.
5. MARY ASHLEY (JOHN PLOWMAN2, THOMAS1) was born 1765 in NC. She married
WILLIAM WEAVER, SR.. ? He was born Bef. 1755 in England, and died Abt.
1836
6. JURDEEN ASHLEY (JOHN PLOWMAN2, THOMAS1) was born Abt. 1735, and died August 17, 1819.
Children of JURDEEN ASHLEY are:
i. ROBERT ASHLEY, b. Bet. 1755 - 1760; d. September 27, 1849.
ii. JOHN ASHLEY, b. 1765.
iii. JORDAN II ASHLEY, b. April 01, 1761; d. June 01, 1830; m. SARAH SANDERS, Abt. 1789.