An undated portrait of 78Jordan.1 I modified this image from a photograph of the portrait; see the photograph I modified it from if you want. 78Jordan is also in another, low-quality photo; see below.

An undated portrait of 78Jordan.1 I modified this image from a photograph of the portrait; see the photograph I modified it from if you want. 78Jordan is also in another, low-quality photo; see below.

An undated portrait of 78Jordan.1 I modified this image from a photograph of the portrait; see the photograph I modified it from if you want. 78Jordan is also in another, low-quality photo; see below.

78Jordan Norris was born 15 April 18342 in Georgia.3-8 Judging from the 1850 census (copied below), his father was 156William Norris.3 His mother may have been Delisen, 156William's wife at that time, but this is not entirely certain.

1850: 78Jordan's family in Emanuel County, Georgia. Full pages: 1, 2.3

78Jordan married 79Julia Huffman in Emanuel County, Georgia on 7 September 1853.9

1853: 78Jordan's and 79Julia Huffman's marriage record. Full page.9

By 1860 they had settled in Johnson County, Georgia, where 78Jordan would remain until his old age. They had several children.

1860: 78Jordan's family in Johnson County, Georgia. Full page.4

On 24 February 1862 78Jordan joined the Confederate army, specifically the 14th Regiment Georgia Infantry, Company F. His recruitment document describes him as "dark eyes, dark hair, dark complexion, is 5 feet 8 inches high." 10 The flag of the 14th Georgia still exists and is stored inside the state Capitol; you can see a picture of it here.

An excerpt from 78Jordan's recruitment document. Full page.10

Except for one 30-day furlough that began 12 February 1865,11 78Jordan was never noted as sick, captured, or absent. Decades after the war, a fellow soldier from the same company described 78Jordan, saying, "I know there was no better soldier in the ___ alwas ready four for duty — alwas cheerful —" 12

There is a history book about the 14th Georgia (i.e., Ray Dewberry's 2004 book History of the 14th Georgia Infantry Regiment), but I haven't seen it. The National Park Service's description of the 14th Georgia reads:

14th Infantry Regiment was organized by Colonel A.V. Brumby during the spring of 1861 with men recruited in Jasper, Johnson, Pierce, Dougherty, and Worth counties. Ordered to Virginia the unit served under General Floyd in the Kanawha Valley, then was assigned to General W.Hampton's, J.R. Anderson's, and E.L. Thomas's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia. It was active from Seven Pines to Cold Harbor, endured the battles and hardships of the Petersburg siege south of the James River, and ended the war at Appomattox. The regiment had 379 effectives in April, 1862, and sustained 138 casualties during the Seven Days' Battles, 28 at Cedar Mountain, and 52 at Second Manassas. It lost 8 killed and 67 wounded at Chancellorsville and twelve percent of the 331 engaged at Gettysburg. On April 9, 1865, there were 20 officers and 147 men present. The field officers were Colonels A.V. Brumby, Robert W. Folsom, Richard P. Lester, and Felix Price; Lieutenant Colonels James M. Fielder, Washington L. Goldsmith, William A. Harris, and W.S. Ramsey; and Major Charles C. Kelley.

I have a copy of an interesting newspaper article clipping that describes 78Jordan's wartime experiences, although I'm not sure of its origin. The newspaper seems to be The Johnson Journal from Wrightsville, Georgia, although only part of the name is legible in the clipping. I'd guess it was published in the 1990's, judging from the clipping's general appearance (layout, font, etc.). The article is titled "Rebel soldier spread gospel after return," and it seems to be part of an apparently ongoing series titled From Days Gone By by Donald Smith. The article is copied below in full, but I've made less pertinent paragraphs grey. I am unable to corroborate many of the claims made in the article, so it is presented without further commentary.

If you've ever been inside Gumlog Primitive Baptist Church, north of Kite, you have probably noticed the two fine pictures that hang behind the pulpit. The portraits are of C.T.J. Claxton and Rev. Jordan Norris. This is the story of Jordan Norris, who preached at this church for 36 consecutive years.

Jordan was born April 1834 in Emanuel County. He was the fourth child of 13 children of William and Melissa Swain Norris. William came from the Chesterfield District of South na. He is believed to be Norris to settle in Georgia. Jordan married Miss Julia Huffman in 1853. She was born Sept. 8, 1838. Jordan, like his father, was blessed with many children with at least 11 being identified. His known children were John, James, Rufus Joseph, Saffa, Mary, Leveno Julia, Linda, Millie and Jennie. Jordan and Julia lived happily together until 1861 when he enlisted a a private in Company F, 14th Georgia Infantry Regiment (Johnson Greys). Leaving his wife and children he fough gallantly until the close of the war.

His regiment was assigned to Gen. Edward Thomas' Brigade as part of A.P. Hill's Divison in Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Hill's Divison was known as an extremely hard-fighting unit and was arguably among the finest combat troops in Lee's army. The 14th participated in 44 battles and engagements before surrendering at Appomattox in April 1865. These battles included Seven Days', Cedar Mountain, 2nd Manassas, Chancelorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Cold Harbor and Petersburg.

Jordan participated in 32 of these battles and untold other skirmishes with the Yankees. He could say more about this than most of the other soldiers. His name was never on the sick list, he was already ready for duty and ever ready to stack arms with his company. He was elected orderl sergeant shortly after enlistment, which his comrades said he filled with great honor and satisfaction. There is no record of evidence that Jordan was ever wounded in battle. He had good fortune in dodging by the missiles of death, but the rest of the Norris family wasn't as lucky.

Jordan had four brothers who served the Confederacy. William died of typhoid fever and James died of smallpox, both in 1862, and Benjamin died as well. Isaac seems to have made it through the war.

There is no doubt that divine providence was with Jordan Norris. At the battle of Chancelorsville, the color bearer was shot down and the flag was riddled with bullets. Jordan picked up the flag, waved it over his head and shouted for his comrades to rally to the flag. During the battle the flagstaff was shot in half, ripping it from his hands. He reached down, took the two pieces, put them together and carried the flag forward. Just to tell you how lucky Jordan was, the color bearer had the most dangerous job of a soldier.

His life expectancy was extremely low. For example, at Gettysburg, the 24th Michigan had nine color bearers shot down. During the same period the 26th North Carolina lost 14 color bearers. Despite high mortality rate, there was never a shortage of volunteers to carry the flag. It was the highest honor of the fighting man. As in Jordan's case, when a color bearer was shot down, the closest man automatically dropped his gun, caught the colors from the ground and rushed forward.

The flag was a rallying point for the regiment. The cry of "Rally round the colors" told the men to close ranks, consolidate their position and protect their flag. In today’s political and social climate, when the desecration of the flag, be it American or Confederate, has been ruled to constitute freedom of speech, it is all but impossible to view flags from the perspective of the fighting man, not only in the Civil War, but every war.

The flag was considered the most valuable possession of a regiment. When it was planted within enemy lines it was a symbol of victory. Lowered or cut down, it signaled defeat. It was much more than a piece of cloth, it was the fighting man's heart and soul. It represented home, loved ones, and reason for fighting. Jordan was one of the best. The Supreme Being surely had something in store for Jordan's life.

Family story has it that while in camp on the Plank Road in Virginia, under very cold and wet conditions, Jordan had a difficult time keeping his feet warm. Miraculously he received a care package from home containing socks for his feet. He was so overcome with emotion that his prayers had been answered, he rejoiced and praised God for saving him. From that time forward he found Christianity and practiced it to the fullest. By 1864 he had been promoted to 1st sergeant.

Meanwhile at home, Julia, during Sherman's march to the sea, saved the family home from being burned. She pleaded with the soldiers that their [sic] was nobody but her and her young child and that her farm animals were her only means of survival. The Norris home was spared. The neighbors weren't so lucky, losing their home and livestock.

In February of 1865 Jordan received a 30-day furlough and it is believed he had urgent family business to take care of. When he made it back to his regiment the war was in its final stages. In just a little over a month Lee would surrender and Jordan came back home to his wife and children.

After returning home, Jordan joined the Primitive Baptist Church at Oaky Grove and was baptized by his father. Soon afterwards he was called to the ministry. He heeded the calling and was called to ordination at Mt Zion Baptist Church. He was ordained by Rev. Spencer Meeks and Bro. S.M. Norris. He went forth preaching and organizing as many as seven churches, including Tom's Church, Hebron, Smith's Chapel, and Bethsaida. It is recorded that Jordan helped to ordain six preachers. He was a faithful member of the Masons.

Virgil Norris of Soperton described Jordan as a slightly built man, only 5 feet 8 inches, dark hair, dark complexion and very blue eyes. He frequently wore a black string bowtie. His wife Julia died Oct. 6, 1907 and is buried at Bethsaida Church near Adrian. Following her death, Jordan and his eldest son John bought 300 acres about a mile from Bethsaida.

Family history has it that Jordan was preaching around Kite, most likely Gumlog, and contracted blood poisoning which resulted in his death on Aug. 19, 1915. He was carried by train to Adrian and buried at Bethsaida next to Julia. By occupation Jordan was a farmer as well as a preacher. He was known as a generous man who gave freely of his time and money to help those in need. He never had much in material riches, but was wealthy in friends as he was a greatly loved and admired man by all who knew him. He loved to visit his children. When he traveled around preaching at a particular church he would stop in whenever possible.

He had been in the ministry 52 years, serving 36 of those years consecutive at Gumlog. He was a prominent Mason in good standing. At the time of his death he had one brother, one sister, seven children and many grandchildren. The Masons conducted his service. According to Jordan's own statement shortly before his death he had baptized about 500 people during his ministry. Surely when God rewards his servants, Jordan's credentials should be untarnished.

Sources: Minutes - Ohoopee Prim. Baptist. Assoc.; Virgil Norris; Gail Spivey Lee.

The first postwar record I've found of 78Jordan is Johnson County's 1866 tax digest, which shows that 78Jordan lived in militia district 1202 (map), had four children, but owned no property, and thus he paid the minimum tax.13

In 1867 the U.S. Congress passed several Reconstruction Acts. These Acts divided the former Confederacy into several military occupation zones, which were ruled by Union military commanders. The Acts also directed the commanding officers to register Southerners who wanted to vote in upcoming elections. One registration requirement was to swear an oath of loyalty to the United States; the obvious intent was to disfranchise any lingering Confederate resistance. 78Jordan must have made the oath, since he's on a Reconstruction-era list of registered voters from militia district 1202, Johnson County.14

This voter registrar proves that 78Jordan swore loyalty to the U.S. government after the Civil War.14

The 1870 and 1880 censuses show 78Jordan's family grow a lot.5,6 An 1876 tax digest again shows that 78Jordan owned no real estate, and only modest values of household items, farm animals, and equipment.15

1870: 78Jordan's family in militia district 1202 (map), Johnson County, Georgia. Full page.5

1880: 78Jordan's family in militia district 1203 (map), Johnson County, Georgia. Full page.6

Around 1881 78Jordan may have relocated to militia district 1326 (map), judging from two records in 188216 and 1883.17 This move would position him near Gumlog church, where 78Jordan was allegedly the pastor for some years, as noted in the newspaper clipping copied above and somewhat implied in a brief history of that church.18 Below is a photo of the church and its congregation, taken circa 1880, although unfortunately this copy is very small.19

Gumlog church, circa 1880. The above image is modified from this file.19

Wrightsville's local newspaper mentioned 78Jordan briefly in May 1882:20

78Jordan mentioned in Wrightsville's newspaper. Full page.18

Circa the 1890's 78Jordan attended a Confederate veterans' reunion in Kite, Johnson County. He's included in a photo of the attendees, although sadly this copy is quite small.21 78Jordan is on the back row, the second man from the right.

circa 1900: This photo from a Confederate veterans' reunion in Johnson County includes 78Jordan.21

A zoomed-in view of 78Jordan

An application dated 30 October 1899 explains that 78Jordan had been a farmer but had become "unable to support himself" due to a "Great amount of sickness" and "old age and inferiority." The application goes on to elaborate that "some ten years ago [he] had [a] severe attack of typhoid fever since which time he has [never?] fully recovered and grows feebler as age creeps on." 12 Subsequent pages mention an unspecified nervous system disorder, and describe how his savings had dwindled while he was unable to work, and that by 1899 he had nothing left and no property.

Sometime between 189422 and 1900, 78Jordan relocated to Montgomery County. Most of his children had moved away, but John (his firstborn son) and a few other people still lived with him.7

1900: 78Jordan's family in militia district 1221 (map), Montgomery County, Georgia. Full page.7

His wife 79Julia died in 1907,23 so in the 1910 census we find 78Jordan with just his son John.8

1910: 78Jordan's family in militia district 1221 (map), Montgomery County, Georgia. Full page.8

He died on 19 August 1915. A copy of his obituary is below.24

78Jordan's obituary. Full page.24

78Jordan is buried next to his wife in Bethsaida Church cemetery, Treutlen County, Georgia at coordinates N32.50629 W82.62463.1 Below are a few photos of his grave. As best I can tell, the (now barely legible) inscription reads, "The gift of God of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Sources Cited:

1: "Elder Jordan Norris" (image, URL <https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/collection/1030/tree/117900111/person/212074683681/media/4fc86fc5-54ec-494b-bf47-f14a2ae0d943?_phsrc=dKa17&_phstart=successSource>), uploaded by Ancestry.com user pamela stevens on 31 May 2022.

2: Tombstone of Elder Jordan Norris (born 15 April 1834, died 19 August 1915), Bethsaida Church Cemetery, Treutlen County, Georgia at coordinates N32.50629 W82.62463. Photographs taken by 1Bryant Knight on 22 July 2023.

3: 1850 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule). District 28, Emanuel County, Georgia. Pages 459B and 460A, dwelling 224, family 224, William Norris household. NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 68. Ancestry.com, accessed 25 July 2023. Although I used Ancestry.com, a (lower quality) image is on FamilySearch: <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6769-CR7?i=31> and <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6769-CV2?i=32&cc=1401638>.

4: 1860 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule). Johnson County, Georgia. Page 483, dwelling 265, family 248, Jordan Norris household. NARA microfilm publication M653, roll 128. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YBT-7KB?i=38&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AMZML-WPP>.

5: 1870 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule). Militia District 1202, Johnson County, Georgia. Page 179B, dwelling 99, Jordan Norris household. NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 160. FamilySearch, <https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12151-89953-5?cc=1438024> accessed 18 December 2014.

6: 1880 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule). Militia district 1203, Johnson County, Georgia. Enumeration district 61, page 8, dwelling 76, family 76, Jurden Norris household. NARA microfilm publication T9, roll 154. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYYY-5ND?cc=1417683&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AM8GZ-3ZY>.

7: 1900 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule). Lothair, Militia District 1221, Montgomery County, Georgia. Enumeration district 78, sheet 16A, dwelling 286, family 288, Jordan Norris household. NARA microfilm publication T623, roll 213. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DZMW-KDW?i=30&cc=1325221>.

8: 1910 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule). Lothair, Montomgery County, Georgia. Enumeration district 138, sheet 7B, dwelling 12, family 12, Jorden Norris household. NARA microfilm publication T624, roll 201. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RJZ-45S?i=1>.

9: Emanuel County, Georgia. Marriages book A (1817-1860), page 44. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9BK-Y1QM?cc=1927197&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AQ289-J2ZS>.

10: Compiled Confederate service record of Jordan Norris of Company F, 14th Georgia Infantry, image 1 (et seq.) of 14. NARA microfilm publication M266, roll 45. National Archives Catalog, <https://catalog.archives.gov/id/94529973>, accessed 20 July 2023. Image 1 does not indicated his regiment and company, but subsequent images do. Hereafter abbreviated as "Service record."

11: Service record, op. cit., image 10.

12: Georgia Archives RG 58-1-1, Confederate pension application for Jordan Norris of Montgomery County, image 2. Virtual Vault, <https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/collection/TestApps/id/203090/rec/40>, accessed 21 July 2022. Hereafter abbreviated as "Pension application."

13: Johnson County, Georgia. Tax digest for 1866, militia district 1202, entry for Jordan Norris. Ancestry.com ("Georgia, U.S., Property Tax Digests, 1793-1892" / Johnson / 1866 / images 18 and 19 of 44), accessed 27 July 2023.

14: Georgia's 1867-1868 Returns of Qualified Voters. Johnson County, election district 16, section for militia district 1202, entry for Jordan Norris. Ancestry.com ("Georgia, U.S., Returns of Qualified Voters and Reconstruction Oath Books, 1867-1869" / Return of Qualified Voters / Johnson / 16 / image 20 of 23).

15: Johnson County, Georgia. Tax digest book for 1873-1881, section for 1876, militia district 1203, entry for Jordan Norris. Ancestry.com ("Georgia, U.S., Property Tax Digests, 1793-1892" / Johnson / 1873-1881 / images 18 and 201 of 593), accessed 27 July 2023.

16: The Wrightsville Recorder (Johnson County, Georgia), 21 January 1882, page 3, column 5, first item in the column. Georgia Historic Newspapers, <https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn90052204/1882-01-21/ed-1/seq-3/>.

17: Johnson County, Georgia. Tax digest book for 1882-1887, section for 1883, militia district 1326, entry for Jordan Norris. Ancestry.com ("Georgia, U.S., Property Tax Digests, 1793-1892" / Johnson / 1882-1887 / images 159 and 160 of 658), accessed 27 July 2023.

18: A History of Johnson County Churches Compiled for the Johnson County Historical Society (Magnolia Press, Swainsboro, Georgia, 1986; ISBN 0-916369-06-4), pages 58-59. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS8S-99L3-P?cat=367947>.

19:Photograph of congregation of Gum Log Primitive Baptist Church, Johnson County, Georgia, ca. 1880. Digital Library of Georgia, <https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_vang_jhn039>.

20: The Wrightsville Recorder (Johnson County, Georgia), 27 May 1882, page 3, column 1, about 80% of the way down the page. Georgia Historic Newspapers, <https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn90052204/1882-05-27/ed-1/seq-3/>.

21: Photograph of Confederate veterans, Kite, Johnson County, Georgia, ca. 1900. Digital Library of Georgia, <https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_vang_jhn033>.

22: Pension application, op. cit., image 4, lines 14 and 15. His responses to the questions imply that he moved from Johnson to Montgomery sometime between 1894 and 1900.

23: Tombstone of Julia Norris (born 8 September 1838, died 6 October 1907), Bethsaida Church Cemetery, Treutlen County, Georgia at coordinates N32.50629 W82.62463. Photographs taken by 1Bryant Knight on 22 July 2023.

24: "DEATH OF AN AGED MINISTER: Rev. Norris, Well Known Throughout Section," The Montgomery Monitor (Montgomery, Georgia), Thursday 26 August 1915, page 1. Georgia Historic Newspapers, <https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn89053231/1915-08-26/ed-1/seq-1/>.