"Old Jordan's Crypt

From Wikipedia Commons.

There is a picture of Jordan Noble's crypt under the category "St. Louis Cemetery 2.

There is a photo of the plaque at Jordan B. Noble "Old Jordan" crypt at the Larry Shapiro Photography site.

--Brock-Perry

Some More On Jordan Noble-- Part 2: Death "The Familiar Face of 'Old Jordan'"

He kept a steady beat with Major Louis D'Auin as he led his company against British on the night of December 23, 1814.

Then, there was role at the Battle of New Orleans.

At his death, June 20, 1890, at age 90, the New Orleans Picayune reported the "death of 'the Drummer Boy of Chalmette'" and ran a woodcut picture of the "Colored Veteran of Four Wars," and encouraged all to attend his Saturday afternoon funeral so they could look on the "familiar face of 'Old Jordan'" one last time.

He was buried at the city's St. Louis Cemetery No. 2, Square 3.

Again, this man would make the subject of a great movie.  Hear that Hollywood.

--Brock-Perry

Some More On Jordan Noble-- Part 1: Born a Slave, Became a Free Man and Drummer

NPS "The rattle of his drum was heard [even] amidst the din of battle ... in the hottest hell of fire."  Gene Allen Smith, TCU.

During the War of 1812, more than 4,800 slaves fled their masters.  Some became British Colonial Marines.  Jordan Bankston Noble was born a mulatto slave in Augusta, Georgia, in October 1800.  He arrived in New Orleans in 1811.

In 1812, he became the drummer of the 7th U.S. Infantry Regiment.

--Brock-Perry

New Orleans' Jordan Noble-- Part 6: Other Items for Auction

Other items up for bid at the auction:  weapons, swords, a rare New Orleans and Louisiana map, paintings and manuscripts signed by Napoleon Bonaparte, James Madison and Governor C.C. Claiborne.

The collection was on loan for many years to the Louisiana State Museum, but has since returned to private hands.

Neal Auctions hope that an institution will get it, but can't say for sure because of bids.

I am hoping that an institution will get the drum and flag and other items so that the general public can still view them.  I hate to think of them being in somebody's private collection.

But, Money Talks, As We So Well Know.  --Brock-Perry

New Orleans' Jordan Noble-- Part 5: About the Drum and Flag

This drum at auction is believed to have been displayed at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis.  After that, it was at the Louisiana State Museum since 1909.  Neal Auction Company acquired the drum more than a year ago and puts an estimated $200,000 to $250,000 estimated price on it.

Also up for bid is a blue silk flag presented to General Andrew Jackson to celebrate his victory at the Battle of New Orleans.  It is mounted and has a description of Jordan Noble's military service.  At some point in the past it was given to Noble by Jackson.  Cusahs acquired it from Noble's wife.  It is also valued at between $200,000 and $250,000.

--Brock-Perry

New Orleans' Jordan B. Noble-- Part 4: The Drum Is One of the Most Impiortant Historical Artifacts of New Orleans.

Jordan Noble was sold back into slavery four times, but died a free man.

Historian Shelene Roumillat said:  "In my opinion, the drum is one of the most important historical artifacts that we have here in New Orleans.

I certainly agree and not just because of its connection to the battle, but also his service in four wars as well as his impact on New Orleans music, traditions and the movement for equality.  I certainly hope someone or some group buys it and puts it on display for all to see.

--Brock-Perry

New Orleans' Jordan Noble-- Part 3: "Broke Down Race and Class Barriers"

Jerry Brock continued on about Jordan Noble:  "He broke down race and class barriers as a soldier (veteran of four wars), musician and statesman.  He pioneered New Orleans marching music and parade traditions and demonstrated bravery, free spirit and dignity in his personal quest for liberty and will to survive and prosper.

"Through his music and community involvement Jordan Noble nurtured a joy of life and love of humanity in a city that underwent massive expansion and sociocultural upheaval during his time."

--Brock-Perry

Jordan Noble's Life Would Make a Great Movie

Before the auction, I had never heard of this man before, but he was certainly something.

I think this would make a great big-screen movie, perhaps with Morgan Freeman playing the older Jordan Noble.

--Brock-Perry

New Orleans' Jordan B. Noble-- Part 2: "Advanced the Cause of Black Freedom and Human Rights"

One music historian, Jerry Brock, said that Jordan Noble "was arguably the most celebrated black musician in 19th century New Orleans and in a life that bridged nine decades, Noble advanced the cause of black freedom and human rights."

On his death in 1890, the Daily Picayune headlines:  "Answered the Last Roll:  Death of the Drumer Boy of Chalmette," and noted "many will remember the white-headed old man and his well-worn drum."

--Brock-Perry

New Orleans' Jordan B. Noble-- Part 1: Expecting $250,000 for His Drum

From WWL 4 CBS.

Neal Auction Company expects to get as much as $250,000 for Jordan Noble's War of 1812 drum.  They have it listed as "The Exceptionally Important Jordan B. Noble Infantry Snare Drum."

It is part of a collection of some 200 items of the Gaspar Cusachs collection who assembled a massive array of New Orleans local history objects before his death in 1929.

Noble's name is signed inside the drum.  It is believed he was born a slave in Georgia around 1800.

The National Parks Service says he joined the 7th U.S. regiment in 1913 as a free man and became a drummer.  At the Battle of New Orleans, he was one of nearly 900 free men of color who defended his adopted city.

--Brock-Perry

"Old Jordan" The Drummer of Chalmette-- Part 1

From 2009 New Orleans Nostalgia by Ned Hemard.

This is more information on the man whose drum from the Battle of New Orleans was recently auctioned off.

In New Orleans, Jordan Noble was generally called "Old Jordan" and "The Drummer of Chalmette."

Chalmette is another name for the battlefield where the Battle of New Orleans was fought.

He was 14-years-old at the Battle of New Orleans and had enlisted in the 7th U.S. Infantry.

During the Civil War he participated in the organizing of the Native Guards, General Benjamin Butler's 1st Regiment of Louisiana Native Guard.  He was sworn into service on September 27, 1862, the first black soldiers officially mustered into the Union Army.  The 2nd and 3rd Regiments of the group were organized in the next two months.

--Brock-Perry

"Old Jordan" The Drummer of Chalmette-- Part 2

During the course of his life, Jordan Noble served a total of 9 years and 9 months in the U.S. Army in four wars: War of 1812, 2nd Seminole War, Mexican War and Civil War.

Jordan Noble marched proudly in the 1851 annual parade on January 8, marking the anniversary of the battle and carried his old drum.  He led other men of color who had fought in the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.

It was he who started the tradition of playing the same reveille by his fife and drum corps as were played that day.

In the 1884 at the World's International and Cotton Centennial Exposition in New Orleans, he drum and fife corps again entertained visitors from all over the world.

His drums are on exhibit at the Louisiana State Museum at the Cabildo.  Onw was made in Philadelphia c. 1860.

--Brock-Perry

Jordan Noble's Battle of New Orleans Drum At Auction-- Part 3:

Jordan Bankston Noble was a leader in the movement for racial equality in New Orleans.

In 1854, he was a Louisiana delegate for the National Emigration of Colored People held in Cleveland, Ohio.  In 1965, he was on the Committee for the Convention of Colored Men of Louisiana held in New Orleans.

--Brock-Perry

Drum of Jordan Noble Used at Battle of New Orleans At Auction-- Part 1

From the November 21, 2016, WGNO ABC News "Drum used in War of 1812 up for auction."

Jordan Bankston Noble was a slave who became a free man and then became Andrew Jackson's official drummer.  Neal Auction Co. has his original drum used at the Battle of New Orleans and will auction it off December 2nd.

(I have been unable to find out how much it went for, but sure hope a public institution was able to come up with the funds to buy it so it can remain something the public can see.)

I also did more research on Jordan Noble and am surprised I had not heard of him before.  I will be writing more about him.

--Brock-Perry