Jones/Morgan County  Georgia Bio  Warren Jourdan

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Helen Leino <leino@erols.com> 



Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/jones.htm
Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm	


Warren Jourdan was born between 1784-1787 in Northhampton
Co., NC, the son of Benjamin Jourdan, B. 1757,
Northhampton Co., NC and Elizabeth Harvie(?) b. about
1759. ( Warren Jourdan retained the French spelling of
his last name, although others of his immediate family
changed to the newer form of “Jordan”.) Early on, his
parents came to Wilkes and Jackson counties in Georgia,
where in 1787, Benjamin Jourdan, a Revolutionary soldier,
was killed, according to legend, by Indians. Something
happened to Warren’s mother soon after this. In 1791
Warren’s uncle, Josiah Jordan, took Warren and his
siblings and reared them in Oglethorpe Co.( Wilkes Co.
Deed Book GG, 1790-1793) and Josiah was appointed their
guardian in 1791. (“Early Records of GA, Vol. II, Wilkes
Co.” by Grace G. Davidson.

Warren Jourdan was a member of the Georgia legislature
from Morgan Co., GA 1812-1821, and Jones Co., GA 1827-
1829, Speaker of the House in 1829, ( Roster of Officers
of GA House of Representatives, Session 54, 1829, GA Sec.
of State web site),  a US Presidential Elector from Jones
Co., GA in 1824, and a delegate to the US Constitutional
Convention in 1833. He was a speaker of note,
parlimentarian, writer, and poet. Warren wrote a book of
poetry, philosophy, and ethics for each of his daughters.
According to some researchers, his handwriting was
amazing…looks more like engraving. He often debated with
Alexander Stevens in Gainsville, GA and elsewhere.  In
1825 he was appointed by Gov. Troup to investigate the
behavior of John  Crowell ,an Indian agent  and the death
of the Indian Chief, Gen. William McIntosh. ( Archives
and History of AL)


His magnificent home in Gainsville was built around 1833
of heart oak and was often called “Jourdan’s Folly”
because of the great expense in building. He also spent a
lot of money in other ways. He had exquisite ivory
miniatures painted and set in gold for his wife and each
of his daughters. He had large land holdings in Baker
Co., GA and owned land in Morgan Co., GA, and a large
plantation near Clinton in Jones Co., GA. All of this
led, in part, to his financial problems. He lost most of
his fortune in standing security for his cousin, Benjamin
Smith Jourdan.

Warren Jourdan died 13 Dec. 1843 (Some researchers say 18
Dec.) in Athens, TN McMinn Co. (From “Burials and Deaths
in Columbus Enquier” by B. W. Wright and Jourdan’s
obituary on p. 77 of “Marriages and Obituaries from
Various GA Newspapers” by Huxford )

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