Private Jordan Hughes
Pvt. Jordan Hughes
Private Jordan Hughes was born around 1829 in Franklin County, Virginia, and enlisted on September 29, 1864, in Fulton, Calloway County, Missouri. He was described as 35 years old, 5’10” tall, with copper complexion, black eyes, and black hair. His occupation was listed as carpenter. He stated that he was formerly the slave of Dr. T.R.H. Parrish. He signed his own name on the document for volunteer enlistment, so he was able to read and write.​
He enlisted with the 18th USCT Infantry Co. H for three years of service; however, he was “rejected” shortly thereafter. No reason was given. Pvt Jordan Hughes was listed as a soldier with the 18th USCT in the official Soldiers and Sailors database but appears not to have gone with the unit when it was reassigned from Missouri to Tennessee in December 1864. The regiment mustered out in 1866.
Hughes responded to the 1870 and 1880 Census in Missouri. His ability to read and write was confirmed on these census schedules. In 1870, he was living with Jordan and Martha Jackson and their 5-year-old son in Pike County, Missouri. His occupation is listed as preacher. In 1880, he responded to the Census as living alone in St. Louis, Missouri, and his occupation was again listed as a preacher. We are left to wonder about this man’s life and his childhood in Franklin County, and how he came to be in Missouri, once a slave, but also an educated carpenter and then a preacher.
Contributors: Breanna Helton and Sarah Plummer
