Benjamin Jordan

Benjamin Jordan, son of Thomas Jordan of Scotland and Rachel Steele, was born July 19, 1779, (later) Milton, Northumberland Co., Pa. His grandfather immigrated before 1700, settling first in Cecil County, Maryland, and later Delaware, near the old Christiana (Presbyterian) Church.  His mother was the sister of Senate Speaker John Steele. In 1805, Benjamin moved to Lancaster, from York, where he entered the bookseller trade with William Dickson, and at the same time was an editor of the Lancaster Intelligencer until 1808, when he was appointed weigh-master of the Port of Philadelphia. In 1816, he relocated in Walnut Hill, Dauphin County, where he represented the Northumberland-Dauphin district in the State Senate, 1846-50, and died at his residence May 24, 1861.  He married, Oct. 29, 1811, Mary Crouch.  Both are interred in the old Paxtang Church graveyard.