Worden Mystery Solved!

For years, I have been attempting to solve the mystery of the centenarian. My grandfather, John Emory Worden, always claimed that a great grandfather of his was a centenarian, and that the family was from Wilkes-Barre. I quickly identified who the centenarian was (John Worden 1741-1842), but was unable to make the connection between my last known confirmed generation (John Worden the civil war soldier) and this man.


The big breakthrough was finding that James Worden (Wordin) was the father of my civil war soldier ancestor, great great grandfather John Worden (1846-1923). Confirmed on the 1850 census. Given the likelihood that James's father is John, the Centenarian, this would also fit with that my grandfather recalled of the family (that there was a centenarian; that there was family in Wilkes-Barre; etc). Another connection is that, following census data on this family, John's sister, Malinda, married Emery Tompkins. Emery would have been uncle to John Henry Worden, who named his son (my grandfather) John Emery Worden. I had always wondered about that middle name, and here is a very likely explanation for where it came from. Additionally, the area where the family appears on 1850 and 60 census matches both what I was told (family lore) and the location of the John Worden farm (that appears on the 1875 map near the Sullivan County line). John Worden (civil war soldier) also gives detailed life and residence history in his pension files, which names two siblings (Ann Eliza and William Lewis Worden) who are both confirmed children of James Worden in several sources. O.N. Worden's research validates that James Worden was the son of John Worden and Nelly Underhill, who was in turn the son of John The Centenarian. There is also census data to confirm much of these findings.


The next huge breakthrough was identifying the pension file of John, the civil war soldier. He served in 2nd U.S. Cav, and his pension files were 130 pages long, filled with detailed history in the form of affidavits and depositions. Among these depositions were those of siblings, Ann Eliza Smith and William Lewis Worden. We definitely have solid confirmation of the link from the soldier to his father, James Worden (also spelled Wordin). James' parentage is given in several sources, tracing back to the centenarian.


It is believed that the centenarian is the son of Thomas Worden (1716-1777) and Hopestill. Thomas Worden is believed to be a son of Amos Worden. This comes from O.N. Worden's files. From there, Amos is traced back through parents, Isaac Worden (1673-1718) and Rebekah; to grandparents, Samuel Worden (1646-1716) and Hopestill Holley; to great grandparents, Peter Worden (1609-1680) and Mary, the progenitors of many Worden lines in America.

ANCESTORS OF PVT JOHN WORDEN

Generation: 1

1. John Worden (PVT, 2nd U.S. Cav) b. 06 Feb 1846, Wallkill, Orange, New York ; d. Jan 1923, Bayonne, Hudson, New Jersey.

John m. Jane Stickle 4 Jul 1869, Deerpark, Orange, New York. Jane b. 17 Jan 1852, Deerpark, Orange, New York; d. 12 Sep 1899, Cuddebackville, Deerpark, Orange, New York.

[EVIDENCE includes mention of wife and children, with marriage and birth dates, in soldier's Pension files; pension files also include depositions from sister, Ann Eliza Worden Smith, and brother, William Lewis Worden; parents James Wordin and Harriet Moore named in Mapes Family of America and in LDS files; confirmed by census data.]

Children:

1. Harriet B Worden b. Mar 1874, New York.

2. Minnie J. Worden b. Feb 1872, New York.

3. John Henry Worden b. 26 Feb 1879, Port Jervis, Orange, New York; d. 18 Oct 1942, Bayonne, Hudson, New Jersey. (My ancestor)

4. Harry Worden b. Jul 1882, New York; d. 1950.

5. Anna Worden b. 1886, New York.

6. Jessie D Worden b. 14 Jan 1895, New York; d. Dec 1979.

Generation: 2

2. James Worden b. 11 Sep 1809, Highland, Orange, New York; d. May 1864, New York.

James m. Harriet Moore 25 Dec 1830, New York. Harriet (daughter of William Moore and Mary Chapman Green) b. 24 Dec 1811, New York; d. 1860, New York.

[EVIDENCE: Marriage to James Wordin and their children, as well as much of Harriet Moore's ancestry given in Mapes Family in America P42. Evidence for James Wordin/Worden's parentage includes Sealings for the dead, couples and children (includes some living spouses and children), 1942-1970; heir index, 1944-1972, 1942-1972: this source lists John Worden and Eleanor Underhill as parents of James Worden born about 1808. Confirmed by census data. O.N. Worden's book P148 gives James Worden's parents and siblings.]

3. Harriet Moore b. 24 Dec 1811, New York ; d. 1860, New York.

Children:

1. William Lewis Worden b. 28 Oct 1831, Orange, New York. [DEPOSITION]

2. Mary Eleanor Worden b. 08 May 1833, New York.

3. Frances Emily Worden b. 22 Nov 1834, New York.

4. Sarah Ann Worden b. 13 Aug 1836, New York; d. 18 Mar 1837, New York.

5. Margaret Ann Worden b. 28 May 1838, New York.

6. Josephine Worden b. 01 Apr 1840, New York.

7. Ann Eliza Worden b. 04 Mar 1842, New York. [DEPOSITION]

8. Mahala Catherine Worden b. 12 Feb 1844, Highland, Orange, New York.

9. 1. John Worden b. 06 Feb 1846, Wallkill, Orange, New York; d. Jan 1923, Bayonne, Hudson, New Jersey.

10. Harriet Jemima Worden b. 15 Sep 1848, New York; d. 07 Aug 1883, Kings, New York.

11. Sarah Jane Worden b. 10 Mar 1851, New York.

12. Melinda Elizabeth Worden b. 25 Mar 1853, New York; d. 26 Dec 1938, New York.

Generation: 3

4. John Worden b. 21 Feb 1789, Pawling, Dutchess, New York; d. 19 Aug 1861, Wallkill, Orange, New York.

John m. Eleanor Nelly Underhill Eleanor (daughter of Underhill and M) b. 1795, New York; d. 22 Apr 1864.

[EVIDENCE: Sealings for the dead, couples and children (includes some living spouses and children), 1942-1970; heir index, 1944-1972, 1942-1972: Confirmed by census data. O.N. Worden's book P148 gives family of John and Eleanor.]

5. Eleanor Nelly Underhill b. 1795, New York; d. 22 Apr 1864.

Children:

1. Frank Worden

2. Eliza Worden b. Orange, New York; d. Orange, New York.

3. Mary or Catherine Worden

4. 2. James Worden b. 11 Sep 1809, Highland, Orange, New York; d. May 1864, New York.

5. Jesse Worden b. 1812, New York.

6. Margaret Worden b. Abt 1817, Wallkill, Orange, New York; d. 12 Apr 1857, Port Jervis, Orange, New York.

7. Malinda S Worden b. Aug 1820, New York.

6. William Moore b. 28 Feb 1766, Goshen, Orange, New York; d. 28 Dec 1843, Mount Hope, Orange, New York.

William m. Mary Chapman Green 10 Apr 1808, Orange, New York. Mary (daughter of Daniel Green and Mary Gilson) b. 09 Jan 1782, Mount Hope, Orange, New York; d. 22 Jan 1827, Orange, New York.

7. Mary Chapman Green b. 09 Jan 1782, Mount Hope, Orange, New York; d. 22 Jan 1827, Orange, New York.

Children:

1. David Moore b. 18 Jan 1809, Orange, New York; d. Orange, New York.

2. Martha Moore b. 09 Aug 1810, Orange, New York ; d. Orange, New York.

3. 3. Harriet Moore b. 24 Dec 1811, New York ; d. 1860, New York.

4. Melissa Moore b. 07 Apr 1818, Otisville, Orange, New York ; d. 05 Dec 1874, Houston, Harris, Texas.

5. William Moore b. 24 Jan 1819, Booneville, Logan, Arkansas ; d. New York.

6. Esther Moore b. 17 Feb 1822, Orange, New York ; d. 1880, Cortland, New York.

7. Sarah Sally Moore b. 01 Apr 1824, Montgomery, Orange, New York ; d. Janesville, Rock, Wisconsin.

8. Seth Moore b. 08 Jan 1827, Mount Hope, Orange, New York ; d. 18 Aug 1864, Otisville, Orange, New York.

Generation: 4

8. 8.John Worden (JOHN THE CENTENARIAN) b. 27 Mar 1741, Fairfield, Connecticut ; d. 6 Jan 1842, Wallkill, Orange, New York.
   

   
   

[EVIDENCE: Confirmed by census data. O.N. Worden's book P146 gives family of John The Centenarian.]

John m. Hannah Stark 2 Oct 1772, Pawling, Dutchess, New York. Hannah b. 1739, Beekman, Dutchess, New York ; d. 1810, Beekman, Dutchess, New York.

9. Hannah Stark b. 1739, Beekman, Dutchess, New York ; d. 1810, Beekman, Dutchess, New York.

Children:

1. Hopestill Worden b. 02 Nov 1773, Pawling, Dutchess, New York ; d. Pawling, Dutchess, New York.

2. Abigail Worden b. 23 Dec 1775.

3. Thomas Worden b. 1779, Pawling, Dutchess, New York.

4. Joseph Worden b. 1781, Pawling, Dutchess, New York ; d. 1870.

5. Sarah Sally Worden b. 11 Dec 1783, Pawling, Dutchess, New York ; d. 14 Apr 1847.

6. Mary Polly Worden b. 1787, Pawling, Dutchess, New York.

7. 4. John Worden b. 21 Feb 1789, Pawling, Dutchess, New York ; d. 19 Aug 1861, Wallkill, Orange, New York.

8. James Worden b. 31 May 1791, Pawling, Dutchess, New York ; d. 04 Aug 1882, Luzerne, Pennsylvania ; bur. 1882, West Pittston, Luzerne, Pennsylvania.

9. Jesse Worden b. 1793, Pawling, Dutchess, New York.

10. Xenophon Worden b. 1795, Pawling, Dutchess, New York.

11. Daniel Worden b. 1797, Pawling, Dutchess, New York.

12. Jemima Worden b. 06 May 1800, Pawling, Dutchess, New York ; d. 07 Sep 1888, Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts.

13. died young Worden

14. died young Worden

10. _____ Underhill

m. M M b. Abt 1768, New York.

11. M b. Abt 1768, New York.

Children:

1. 5. Eleanor Nelly Underhill b. 1795, New York ; d. 22 Apr 1864.

2. Anna Underhill

3. Polly Underhill

12. David Moore b. 09 Dec 1734, Middletown, Orange, New York ; d. 04 Aug 1804, Goshen, Orange, New York.

David m. Mary Mapes 02 Apr 1764, Goshen, Orange, New York. Mary (daughter of Leiutentant William Mapes and Eunice Loring) b. 29 Oct 1738, Goshen, Orange, New York ; d. 29 May 1820, Wallkill, Orange, New York.

13. Mary Mapes b. 29 Oct 1738, Goshen, Orange, New York ; d. 29 May 1820, Wallkill, Orange, New York.

Children:

1. 6. William Moore b. 28 Feb 1766, Goshen, Orange, New York ; d. 28 Dec 1843, Mount Hope, Orange, New York.

2. David Moore b. 21 Jan 1768, Goshen, Orange, New York ; d. 28 Jan 1812, Orange, New York.

3. Wilmot Moore b. 02 Dec 1769, Goshen, Orange, New York ; d. 06 Mar 1828, Minisink, Orange, New York.

4. Eunice Moore b. 20 Nov 1771, Goshen, Orange, New York ; d. 16 Jun 1774.

5. Mary Moore b. 31 Aug 1773, Goshen, Orange, New York ; d. 09 May 1843, Wallkill, Orange, New York.

6. Lydia Moore b. 07 Aug 1775, Goshen, Orange, New York ; d. 20 Nov 1848, New York.

7. Walter Moore b. 20 Apr 1777, Goshen, Orange, New York ; d. 23 Dec 1853, New York.

8. Phebe Moore b. 25 Dec 1780, Goshen, Orange, New York ; d. 02 Nov 1801, Orange, New York.

14. Daniel Green b. 02 Apr 1760, Orange, New York ; d. 04 Aug 1833, Greenville, Orange, New York.

Daniel m. Mary Gilson 06 Sep 1782, Orange, New York. Mary b. 05 Oct 1763, Orange, New York ; d. 07 Mar 1844.

15. Mary Gilson b. 05 Oct 1763, Orange, New York ; d. 07 Mar 1844.

Children:

1. 7. Mary Chapman Green b. 09 Jan 1782, Mount Hope, Orange, New York ; d. 22 Jan 1827, Orange, New York.

2. Joseph Green b. 19 Jan 1785, Mount Hope, Orange, New York.

3. Charles S Green b. 16 May 1787, Mount Hope, Orange, New York ; d. 12 Apr 1848.

4. David Green b. 15 Sep 1789, Mount Hope, Orange, New York ; d. 01 Feb 1810, Mount Hope, Orange, New York.

5. Esther Green b. 02 Feb 1792, Mount Hope, Orange, New York.

6. Elizabeth Green b. 03 Dec 1797, Mount Hope, Orange, New York ; d. 29 Apr 1829.

7. Silas Green b. 22 Jul 1800, Mount Hope, Orange, New York ; d. 20 Aug 1800, Mount Hope, Orange, New York.

8. Jesse Green b. 25 Apr 1802, Mount Hope, Orange, New York.

9. Israel Green b. 25 May 1807, Mount Hope, Orange, New York.

10. Adaline Green b. 21 Jun 1813, Mount Hope, Orange, New York.