Family and Education

b. by 1521. m. Agnes, 2s., 1 other ch.2

Offices Held

Bailiff, Weymouth 1554-5, 1557-8.3

Biography

John Jordan alias Blancombe had begun trading through the port of Weymouth by 1542 but as he was returned for the borough before he had achieved the office of bailiff he may have been advantaged by an earlier connexion between his family and the Stourtons, a leading family in Dorset. Jordan was himself one of the bailiffs at the elections to the Parliaments of November 1554 and 1558. His trading activities included the import of Normandy canvas and glass in the 1550s and the export of horses, but he generally acted in association with others and was to style himself yeoman not merchant in his will. In 1560 he was indicted, apparently as the ringleader, for a riotous attack by Weymouth men on Melcombe Regis, doubtless an incident in the perennial dispute between the two towns over their shared haven. In a will proved on 1 Dec. 1561 Jordan left a house each to his two sons and one ‘now a building’ to an unborn child. His wife and executrix was to see to their schooling and upbringing until they were 24 years old. He named his brother Thomas Jordan an overseer.4

Ref Volumes: 1509-1558

Author: Helen Miller

Notes

• 1. Bodl. e Museo 17.
• 2. Date of birth estimated from first reference. PCC 37 Loftes.
• 3. C219/25/38, 282/13.
• 4. E122/207/6, f. 27v, 122/17; Weymouth and Melcombe Regis mss, Sherren pprs. 20; PCC 31 Hogen, 37 Loftes.