The Gordon DNA Project: www.TheGordonDNAproject.com The House of Gordon UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN. COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATIONS. Convener: Professor JAMES W. H. TRAIL, M.A., M.D., F.R.S., Curator of the University Library. UNIVERSITY STUDIES. General Editor : PETER JOHN ANDERSON, M.A., LL.B., Librarian to the University. No. i. Roll of Alumni in Arts of the University and King's College of Aberdeen, 1596-1860. Edited by P. J. Anderson. 1900. No. 2. The Records of Old Aberdeen, 1157-1891. Edited by Alexander Macdonald Munro, F.S.A. Scot. Vol. 1. 1900. No. 3. Place Names of West Aberdeenshire. By the late James Macdonald, F.S.A. Scot. 1900. No. 4. The Family of Burnett of Leys. By the late George Burnett, LL.D., Lyon King of Arms. 1901. No. 5. The Records of Invercauld, 1547-1828. Edited by the Rev. John Grant Michie, M.A. 1901. No. 6. Rectorial Addresses delivered in the Universities of Aberdeen, 1835-1900. Edited by P. J. Anderson. 1902. No. 7. The Albemarle Papers, 1746-48. Edited by Charles Sanford Terry, M.A., Professor of History in the University. 1902. No. 8. The House of Gordon. Edited by John Malcolm Bulloch, M.A. Vol. I. 1903. No. 9. The Records of Elgin. Compiled by William Cramond, LL.D. Vol.1. 1903. No. 10. The Records of the Sheriff Court of Aberdeenshire. Edited by David Littlejohn, LL.D. Vol.1. (In the press.) The House of Gordon Edited by John Malcolm Bulloch, M.A, Volume I. Aberdeen Printed for the University 1903 THE ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY PRESS LIMITED cs CONTENTS. PAGE The purpose and the methods of this book ..... xiii Bibliography of Gordon genealogy . . . . . xxix Additions and corrections ........ Ixxiv The BALBITHAN MS (i) ABERGELDIE, by the Editor (69) COCLARACHIE, by the Rev. Stephen Ree, B.D (117) GIGHT, by the Editor (165) Appendices : Lists of Gordons in Scotland . . . . (311) I. Services of Heirs, 1545-1799 . . . . (325) II. Tollable Persons, 1696 ....... (453) III. Scottish Universities ....... (485) IV. Members of Parliament ...... (521) V. Advocates and Writers to the Signet .... (528) Abergeldie Castle from the North . . . . . Frontispiece (Photogravure by Annan.} Table showing the main divisions of the Gordons ix Table of the Gordons in the North of Scotland .... x Table of the Gordons in the South of Scotland xii BALLADE OF THE GAY GORDONS. In distant days of Border Raid, Ere Scot was Scot, and foe was foe, 'Twas hard to tell the hostile blade, And harder still it was to know For whom to strike the battle blow The kindly keep, the adverse moat ; Yet, even then, in weal or woe The Gordons had the guidiri 1 o't. They fought and fell in sun and shade ; The battle sometimes brought them low ; Yet never were their sons afraid To face the risks of overthrow. The slogan rang from hearts aglow With courage 'neath the mailed coat : With " Bydand ! " cry and bended bow The Gordons had the guidin' o't. The March was mastered by their aid, And proudly did the king bestow The mighty track of glen and glade Athwart the Grampians' line of snow. And since the days of Long-Ago, Where'er they've stood, where'er they've smote, The stories of their prowess show The Gordons had the guidin' o't. ENVOY. Cock of the North ! To you we owe The hearts which, at your slogan note, Are fain to prove, by veldt and voe, The Gordons hae the guidin' o't. J. M. B, IX THE LAIRD OF GORDON, Berwickshire. (Tradition says he fell at the Battle of the Standard, 1138.) Sir Adam. i John. Sir John (d. 1394). Had two natural sons. Richard Adam of Gordon. of Huntly. Sir Thomas. Alexander. I ! Sir Thomas. Adam. Alicia, d. 1280. Sir Adam (d. on his way to the Crusade). Adam (fell at Dunbar, 1296). Sir Adam (got Strathbogie, 1319, and migrated north). Sir Adam. Killed at Homildon Hill, 1402. Sir William of Stitchel. Roger of Stitchel. Sir Alexander of Kenmure. ' Jock " of Scurdargue. " Tarn " of Ruthven. Elizabeth=f Sir Alexander Seton. Roger of Stitchel. Had four sons. Said to have had eighteen | sons. Alexander, ist Earl of Huntly. William (" Young Lochinvar"). The cadets descended from "Jock" of Scur- dargue (North). The cadets of " Tarn " of Ruthven (North). The Ducal line: "Seton- Gordons" (North). The cadets of Lochinvar and in the South of Scotland. SKELETON TABLE OF THE HOUSE OF GORDON. John Gordon, grandson of Sir Sir John (d, 1394), had two natural sons. "Jock" of Scurdargue (Rhynie). Alexander, 1 John, William, 1 James, Hence Hence *~ Hence --L Hence Ardbroylach. Achanachie. Farskane. Ardmeallie. ^\ Darley. Auchleuchries. Arradoul. Artloch. Fechil. Auchintoul. Dilspro. Balmuir. Auchenhuif. Auchmull. Glenbucket. Auchline. Dorlaithers. Bonnyton (Ayr). Buckie. Auchoynany. Gollachie. Auchmenzie. Drumbulg. Braco. Cairnfield. Avochie. Hilton. Badinscoth. Drymes. Fetterletter. Cracullie. Bad. Invermarkie. Balmad. Fernachty. Haddo. ^| Deskie. Balbithan. Kindrocht. Banchory. Fulziemont. Earl of Aberdeen. \ Drumin. Botarie. Kinmundy. Barnes. Johnsleys. Lord Stanmore. J Glengarrock. Cairnburrow. Lungar. Birkenburn. Kincraigie. Methlick. Inverharrach. Cairnwhelp. Park. Blelack. Kinnoir. Nethermuir. Knawen. Carnousie. Pitlurg. Bogardie. Knock. Savoch. Knockespock. Drumhead. Rothiemay. Bourtie. Law. Scotstown \ Minmore. Drumwhindle. Soccoth. Buthlaw. Leicheston. (in Renfrew)./ Netherbuckie. Edinglassie. Straloch. Cairness. Lesmoir. Sheelagreen. Prony. Techmuirie. Coclarachie. Manar. Tillytelt. Tulloch. Coldstone. Merdrum. Wellheads. Collithie. Newton. Coynachie. Oxhill. Cracullie. Terpersie. Craig. Tilliechowdie. Crichie. Tillyangus. Culdrain. Wardhouse. The cadets of "Jock" of Scurdargue. TENTATIVE TABLE SHOWING THE CHIEF BRANCHES The descendants of the brothers "Jock" and "Tarn" and of theii XI Adam, who got Strathbogie. Sir Adam (killed 1402). " Tarn," of Ruthven, Hence Ardmillan. Auchinreath. Elizabeth=j=Alexander Seton. 1 Alexander, ist Earl of Huntly. 1 Auchinstink. Balveny. Bochrom. George, 2nd Earl. 1 1 Alexander, Hence Adam, Hence Braickley. | i l Abergeldie. Backies. Clunymore. Contlie. Alexander, 3rd Earl, Hence William, Hence James, Birkhall. Hence Craibstone. Beldornie. Drummoy. Daach. Railhead. Marquis of Huntly. Duke of Richmond. Ardlogie. Gight. Chappelton. Grandholm. Coffurach. Haffield. Golspitur. Sidderay. Kennertie. Earl of Sutherland. Cromellat. Wardhouse. Kethocksmills. Auchindown. Lord Byron. Corridoun. Kinernie. Auchdregny. Letterfurie. Noth. Birsemoir. Myrieton. Pethnick. Cluny. Orkney. Pitglassie. Cotton. Sauchen. Croughly. Delmore. Dunkinty. Gartay. Gordonstoun. Pittendreich. Ruthven. Tombae. " Tarn's" cadets. The Seton-Gordons. OF THE GORDONS IN THE NORTH OF SCOTLAND, (legitimate) cousin, Elizabeth, who married Alexander Seton. Xll Sir Adam Gordon, got the lands of Strathbogie, 1319. Sir Adam, Ancestor of the Gordons in the North of Scotland. Sir John, Hence Balmaghie. Barnbarroch. Buittle. Craichlaw. Culvennan. Gelston. Glenluce. Grange. Greenlaw. Holm. Kenmure. Lochinvar. Muirford. Penynghame. I Sir William, Ancestor of the Gordons in the South of Scotland. Roger of Stitchel. Alexander of Stitchel. I Roger of Stitchel. William of Stitchel and Lochinvar. (The famous "Young Lochinvar".) Alexander, Hence Airds. Auchendolly. Auchenreoch. Bar. Barharrow. Barnhead. Bristol. Burnshaw. Campbellton. Carleton. Colquha. Cullindoch. Earlston. Hallheath. Kilsture. Kirkconnel. Whytpark. Wincombe Park. George, Hence Troquhain. Roger, Hence Crogo. TENTATIVE TABLE OF THE GORDONS IN THE SOUTH OF SCOTLAND, NOTABLY THOSE OF LOCHINVAR. This table has been compiled chiefly from the Earlston MS. Most of the Gordons in Ireland and (via Ireland) in America are descended from the various branches of the family in the South of Scotland. THE PURPOSE AND THE METHODS OF THIS BOOK. You may remember the tragedy common-place enough, no doubt, and yet so true of Mr. Henry James's poignant little story, The Madonna of the Future. It tells of an artist who became possessed of a great desire to paint a picture of the Virgin which should be an epitome of the representations of all the ages and all the schools of thought and of art. For years he accumulated materials by ransacking the galleries of the world. He knew the Raphaels and the Rubenses by heart. He had sketches of Giotto and Titian : memories of Moroni and Murillo : notes on Diirer and the Dutchmen. But he never painted his Madonna : and when he died posterity discovered that his great canvas was nothing but a paralysed daub. The moral of that story is the inspiration of this book. The endeavour to paint the picture of the House of Gordon has been extremely disappointing. It began in the middle of the sixteenth century when the Piedmontese monk, John Ferrerius, confronted the task. He was followed by a long line of patient workers ; but the sum total of their labour bears no sort of pro- portion to the time spent upon it. Delay has increased the difficulty of the subject : the difficulty has made the desideratum seem all the greater : and the desideratum has set up a standard of definitiveness, which has resulted, to use Olive Schreiner's phrase, in " a striving and striving and ending in nothing ". The desire to compass the task, however it has arisen, has always XIV HOUSE OF GORDON. been strong : and makes it unnecessary for me to apologise for the present attempt to trace the history of the House throughout its numerous branches. I could become as cynical as any- body on the "waste" of labour involved in such an endeavour : and I could show cause why it need not be undertaken. But such a criticism would be wholly superficial, for the " waste " of labour is not inherent in the desideratum ; it is merely incident to the methods by which realisation has been pursued for more than four centuries. In short, if any apology were necessary, it would be not for the work undertaken, but for the work not undertaken, or rather not published ; for therein lies the crux of the whole matter. Premising then for the moment the immense fascination of the subject, we have to attribute the failure to do anything worthy of the name of a survey to the bogey of definitiveness, which by its very desirability has by a curious irony defeated itself, and resulted in a perpetual (and pathetic) pother. In speaking thus, I am far from belittling the industry of the many workers who have devoted so much time to the subject : but I can find no other phrase to describe the endless going over of the same ground, which manuscript after manuscript demonstrates in a melancholy way. Let me explain how the enthusiasm of the worker and the timidity of the publisher have operated against the progress of the task. Few men have had the temerity to propose a survey of the whole House, as their starting point. The worker has almost invariably begun on a particular branch of the family ; and, even at that, each enthusiast has had to begin, in the absence of the printed results of his predecessors' labours, not where they left off, but almost exactly where they started. Fascinated by the in- teresting side issues of his quest, he has hesitated on the brink ot the completed monograph, and has gone on accumulating material, PURPOSE AND METHODS OF THIS BOOK. XV first on the environs of the particular sept on which he began, then on the wider issues of a leading line ; and lastly he has become possessed of the desire to tackle the whole subject. An examination of the manuscript collections of several workers has borne out this theory of the elusiveness of the subject, and I may be permitted to support it by my own experience, which is quite typical. Always fascinated by the Gordons as a mere boy I helped my father to accumulate much material for his Historic Scenes in Aberdeenshire at a time when greater attention to " versions" might have been more to the point I became thoroughly interested in the subject again in the summer of 1897 when the Byron revival began to attract notice. This resulted in the compilation of a rough (and incorrect) chart of the " Ennobled Gordons and Lord Byron" (Scottish Notes and Queries, Oct., 1897), prepared with the view of tracing the poet's wayward- ness. The necessity of having to summarise the history of the Duke of Fife's fortunate family and the achievements of the Gordon Highlanders (apropos of their famous exploit at Dargai) led me further afield ; and before I knew where I was I found myself in possession of a great mass of collateral informa- tion, much of which had never been co-ordinated into readable form. The picturesque possibilities of the subject very soon became apparent, and, though many of these had been exploited, a great number had not been touched upon. There was, for example, the alliance of Lady Catherine Gordon with the Polish statesman and poet, Count Andreas Morsztyn, by whom she became the ancestor of Stanislas Poniatowski, the last King of Poland. There were the achievements of Colonel John Gordon of the Gight family, who was partly responsible for the assassina- tion of Wallenstein in 1634 : the Jacobite intrigues with Admiral Thomas Gordon, governor of Kronstadt : the escapade of young XVI HOUSE OF GORDON. Gordon of Wardhouse, who lost his head as a spy at Brest in 1769; the crazy abduction of Mrs. Lee, De Quincey's "female infidel," by the two young Aboyne Gordons ; the elopement of Lord William Gordon, brother of the Rioter, with the charming Lady Sarah Lennox ; and so on. My point is this, that but for the inducement of being able to publish (in newspaper form) the result of my inquiries, I might have gone on, like so many of my predecessors, accumulating material for years, in the hope of one day being able to write a history of the House more or less definitive ; until I should have been too tired, or too paralysed by the vastness of the subject, to put anything on printed record at all. This is precisely what has occurred to so many workers in the same field. They have been immensely industrious : some of them have even been methodical : and most of them have collected much material, which would have been of great service to their successors if it had been printed. But how was that to be done, when the desire for a definitive work always loomed large before them, and when there was no fair chance of publishing the piecemeal effort ; for the commercial publisher has offered no inducement, and the antiquarian clubs have either tabooed the partial contribution or fought shy of a project which seemed to have no beginning and less of an end ? What has happened ? The enthusiast has passed away without being able to publish the results of his labour, without giving the next worker the chance of knowing what has been done, what might be taken as finished, and what line he might pursue to most advantage. Sometimes the very existence of the enthusiast has been forgotten and the benefit of his labour lost. His papers have been carefully guarded by his representatives for sentimental and sometimes dog-in-the-manger reasons ; or else they have been ignorantly consigned to the paper mill by executors who knew nothing, and XV11 cared less, about the matter. In very few cases have collections such as these found their way into libraries available to the public. Even if they had, it will be found all too frequently that the material so laboriously gathered is in such a state of confusion that none but the original compiler could provide a key to it, for the worker with the best intentions in the world who has no hope of publishing his discoveries ceases to have a care for their manipulation by posterity. One of the most remarkable cases in proof of the point is the so-called Balbithan MS., which forms the first item in the present volume. Here is a document of unique interest ; a guide of first-rate value and validity, which covers ground traversed by no other work. And yet, notwithstanding the fact that it has been in existence for possibly two hundred years, the student has had to wait until now for the opportunity of seeing it in print. Meantime, the MS. has been copied by several workers ; these copies, in turn, have been re-copied ; and in the process endless errors have crept in, vitiating more than one printed deduction. The extraordinary neglect of the materials for a history of the House is further illustrated in the case of Sir Robert Gordon's Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland. Written in 1630, it was not put into type until 1813, and then less as a genealogical venture than as a matter of personal pride on the part of the Marchioness of Stafford, the last of the long line of Gordons who had borne the name of Sutherland. Sir William Fraser justly contrasted the attention which had been paid to Hume's History of the Douglases, written about the same time (1644) an d published in 1743. It might be argued with some show of reason that the earlier publication of material on the House of Douglas has been the cause of the more thorough investigation of the history of that family. Accepting this explanation, one is confronted with the XV111 HOUSE OP GORDON. fact that the published accounts of the House of Gordon are very inadequate and disappointing. I do not forget that seventeen years before Hume's book on the Douglases there had appeared the History of the Antient and Illustrious Family of Gordon by William Gordon ; but it is really a history of Scotland told in terms of the ennobled Gordons. Even at that, however, it might have been followed up by further inquiries. Yet how was this done? In 1754 a Charles Gordon (whose origin is uncertain) issued a Concise History of the House, which is more or less a condensation of William Gordon's two volumes, and even the reprint of 1 890 contained little more than can be found in a good modern peerage. In fact, the first real contribution to the history of the House was the publication of Sir Robert Gordon's great work in 1813. Excepting Sir William Eraser's Sutherland Book (1892), which was an expansion, based on charter chests, of Sir Robert's monograph, nothing of first-rate quality was done until 1894, when the Records of A boy ne, edited by the present Marquis of Huntly, was issued by the New Spalding Club. In the intervening eighty years we had various efforts to ex- tend our knowledge of the subject, but nearly all of them were spasmodic and incidental. The publications of the old Spalding Club (1841-71) form an invaluable quarry of facts ; but the Club, with all its enthusiasm, shirked the task of compiling a special work on the subject. It discussed the matter at its initial meeting in the year 1839, and Mr. Murray Rose informs me that he has seen a letter in which Cosmo Innes referred to an elaborate history of the cadets of the House upon which a friend was engaged. Tran- scripts were made of all available Gordon charters ; but the scheme, if ever formulated, fell through, and the material seems to have been used up in various issues of the Club. With such a start, however, as the publications of the Club afforded, some one, it might have been supposed, would have taken up at least one line PURPOSE AND METHODS OF THIS BOOK. XIX of cadets. What has been the result? Just three monographs two on the Gordons of Lesmoir and Terpersie by Captain Wimberley, and a pamphlet on the Gordons of Croughly by the late Captain Huntly Blair Gordon. It is somewhat remarkable that both these compilers were partly of English parentage. Each of these books, however, is mainly sectional, and even at that is by no means exhaustive. In any case, they form no part of a scheme to deal with the whole family, root and branch, and therefore they represent a vast mass of duplicated labour. Some of that labour might have been profitably ex- pended on other branches of the family, for it has to be noted that none of the printed histories touches that important branch of the Gordons who elected to remain on the Borders when the great exodus to the north took place. Not only so, but most of the printed histories deal \*ith the main line repre- sented by the Marquis of Huntly and the Duke of Richmond and their cadets. The other branches which spring from "Jock" and " Tarn " Gordon have been so much neglected that even Lord Aberdeen's family has gone without a chronicler. Disappointing as the direct work on the House of Gordon has been since the year when William Gordon issued his verbose history, there has been an increasing interest in topography and genealogy in general. We have had histories of nearly all the great Aberdeenshire families the Frasers, the Farquharsons, the Forbeses (very incompletely), the Skenes, the Bairds, the Burnetts, the Leslies, the Lumsdens, the Cadenheads, and so on. The contributions to topographical literature have even been greater, and have reached the general reader in a popular County Series (Blackwoods'). Kirk Session, Municipal and Uni- versity records have been ransacked, and though there has been a strong disinclination to co-ordinate the matter thus unearthed, there is scarcely a parish that has not had its chronicler. Most XX HOUSE OF GORDON. important of all is the splendid series of records, such as the Registers of the Privy Council, and of the Great Seal, pub- lished officially during the last twenty years, which make it unnecessary for the worker to spend money on having the Register House ransacked for his special benefit. True, there are sources of information, notably the treasures in the Aberdeen Town House and Sheriff Court House, which have been imper- fectly tapped : but if we are to wait until that is done thoroughly, we shall be as far from tackling the subject as ever. A cursory glance at the materials I have enumerated will soon convince the student that the ground to be covered is enor- mous. For instance, a searching inquiry into the history of one branch alone, the Gordons of Lesmoir, who were descended from "Jock" Gordon of Scurdargue, discloses the fact that they produced some thirty distinct branches, holding different estates in as many parishes scattered over five counties. In the entire survey of land-owning families bearing the name of Gordon, we have hundreds of families, the cadets descending from " Jock " of Scurdargue alone running into a hundred families. It ought to be noted here that in making this calculation I have not attempted to trace the family further back than their appearance in Scotland : and even then, their beginnings are very doubtful. For instance, the most recent critic of the origin of the Gordons, Mr. George S. C. Swinton, suggests (Genealo- gist, New Series, vol. xv.) that they were originally Swintons, and he places the traditional brothers, Richard and Adam, thus : Ernald or Hernulf of Swinton and of Aldcambus. Cospatrick de Swinton Richard de Swinton Adam (master of the Swinton family) (afterwards de Gordon ?) (de Gordon ?) Writing in Notes and Queries (March 29, 1902) he asks : Can any human being named Gordon or de Gordun be dated in Scotland PURPOSE AND METHODS OF THIS BOOK. Xxi before 1200 ? That is the approximate date which, by comparing the witnesses with other dated charters, I give to charter cxvii. in Raine's North Durham in which Richard de Gordun and Adam de Gordun, the traditional brothers, made what is, I believe, their first appearance. Any way, this charter cannot be earlier than 1182, in which year its grantor, Patrick Earl of Dunbar, great- grandson of the above-mentioned Cospatrick, succeeded. Putting all other questions aside, we come to the solid fact that a Sir Adam Gordon got Strathbogie in 1319, and migrated from the Borders northwards. Thus the family split into two great halves. Sir Adam's eldest son, Adam, got the estates in the north ; and his descendants, mostly located in the counties of Aberdeen, Banff, Moray and Sutherland, represent the senior line. Adam's second son, William, retained the family holdings in the south of Scotland. Another great division then occurred among the Gordons in the north. Sir Adam (of 1319) had two great-grandsons, John and Adam. John had two natural sons, the traditional "Jock" of Scurdargue and " Tarn " of Ruthven. Adam, their uncle, had an only daughter, Elizabeth, who went to the south for a hus- band, Alexander Seton, and thus reinforced the northern strain with the old Border blood. She founded the so-called " Seton- Gordons," represented mainly by the ducal line. But the great majority of the cadets in the north are descended from "Jock" and "Tarn," who represent the senior line in its genealogical purity. The Gordons in the south of Scotland are believed to be descended from William, second son of Adam of 1319. Their history, as I have pointed out, has been followed with much less minuteness than that of the family in the north ; but enough is known to show that the southern cadets number many hundreds. They are particularly interesting as the ancestors of the Gordons in Ireland and of most of the old Gordon families in America (notably Virginia), who come of Scoto-Irish stock. XX11 HOUSE OF GORDON. The wide distribution and the fascination of the House of Gordon is not a mere theory put forward by the enthusiastic genealogist. A very curious example of the belief in the ubiquity of the race is afforded by Mr. Stead's never-ending story, " To be Continued in our Next," which was begun in the Review of Reviews, January, 1903. The story is a statement of the news of the day told in terms of fiction : We take the chief events of the month and use them as the central incident of a series of short stories, each of which ... is linked on to all its predecessors and those which will come after it by its bearing upon the fortunes of the Gordon family, whose widely scattered members are at the heart of most human affairs in all parts of the world. If this journalistic exaggeration is not quite valid, the task of tracing the fortunes of the House is so great that the individual worker, trammelled by the desire for definitiveness, can make no progress. For this reason the New Spalding Club has resolved to tackle the subject in a piecemeal way by issuing monographs on different cadets without reference, for the pre- sent, to a general scheme for a history of the family. This book, while aiming ultimately at definitiveness, starts primarily in the interests of the monograph. The issue of several of these mono- graphs under one cover, as in the present instance, is mainly accidental. The collected form has been adopted here as an earnest, an advertisement if you will, of the desire of the New Spalding Club to undertake a task which is so great a desidera- tum for all genealogists and topographical students. But the essential characteristics of the monograph are preserved, most notably in the separate pagination of the account of each family, so that those who wish to bind them up in their ultimate sequence may be able to do so. Indeed, it was the original intention to issue PURPOSE AND METHODS OF THIS BOOK. XXlii the monographs separately from time to time as occasion offered ; and once the old manuscript accounts of the family, hitherto unpub- lished, are printed off this will be done, for it is of the utmost importance to put into type as much matter as has been prepared. The idea of the Club has been to make a start, to do something to place ascertained facts on record ; and to this end the monographs that were actually ready have been printed. There has been no attempt to begin with any branch on the ground of its seniority. But it may be said that the Gordons of the direct line have been purposely passed over for the present, for they have been done over and over again ; not exhaustively, it is true, but with sufficient clearness to offer an accurate idea of their develop- ment. What has hitherto been neglected are the descendants of the other great line of the Gordons in the north, the descend- ants of " Jock " and " Tarn " ; while the smaller cadets on both sides have been scamped, although the mere fact that their poverty made men of them by driving them abroad as, for instance, the Russian General, Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries gives them an interest reaching far beyond the confines of their paternal acres. But if the selection of the families to be dealt with has been to this extent haphazard, the method of dealing with them will be found to be more or less on a definite plan. The method em- ployed is that of the undisguised chronological compilation of actual facts, set forth without comment. Each entry opens with the year, the month and the day, and closes with the citation of the authority. For the most part there has been no attempt to " run on " the matter thus brought together, for nothing is so irritating in genealogical books as the method of "setting" them as if they were connected narratives, whereas in the great majority of cases they are merely chronological compilations, with unavoidable lacunae, which make a narra- XXIV HOUSE OF GORDON. tive almost impossible. In a few cases, such as that of Colonel John Gordon, of Wallenstein notoriety, it has been possible to cast the known facts into something like the shape of a story, but the general method is chronological. It need hardly be said that if, in the present state of our knowledge, we cannot write a story, the construction of a history, in any sense worth speaking of, is still more remote, because it is essentially a de- finitive process ; and definitiveness, as I have argued, cannot be aimed at in the present state of our knowledge. In any case, the book suitable for the man who runs and reads and several such could be written about the sensational adventures of the Gordons is quite beyond the scope of an organisation like the New Spalding Club, the duty of which, I take it, is to supply a quarry rather than create a structure. The plan, then, has been to take the laird, or at any rate the senior representative (for the time being) of each cadet, as a unit. After a very brief introduction and summary of his posi- tion, his career is built up in a series of extracts (chronologically arranged), compiled from ail sorts of sources. Furthermore, these extracts have been printed in smaller type, as an indication that the busy reader may conveniently skip them if he so choose. By means of the chronological introduction of each paragraph the reader can discover at a glance whether certain facts which he may have come across are stated. At the close of these extracts, the facts about the "unit's" marriage are given, and these are followed by an account of his children and their de- scendants set out in the orthodox genealogical manner. His children are indicated by Arabic figures and one indent : his grandchildren by Arabics - within - brackets and two indents : his great-grandchildren by Roman figures: and so on as follows : PURPOSE AND METHODS OF THIS BOOK. XXV 2. > the Children of the unit. 3- ) (0) . (2) > the Grandchildren of the unit. 2 (3)) ii. > the Great-grandchildren of the unit, iii. ) V) (ii) > the Great -great-grandchildren of the unit. The surname of descendants has not been given except in cases where it is something other than " Gordon ". The families treated in this volume illustrate some of the leading characteristics that have made the name of Gordon famous all over the world. The House of Abergeldie, always strong territorially, and still powerful in the regions of its ancestors of four centuries ago, gave the world an intrepid soldier in the person of Sir Charles Gordon, who, in his thirst for adventure, showed the Prussians how to beat the Dutch at Amstelveen, in 1787 : while his brother, William, distinguished himself at the capture of Martinique and endeared himself to the people of Barbadoes. The Gordons of Coclarachie were the ancestors of Major-General Alexander Gordon of Auchintoul, who began his career in the army of Peter the Great, and put his experience to such use as a Jacobite leader. The Gordons of Gight, the most unruly family that ever reigned in Aberdeenshire, pro- duced the man who checkmated Wallenstein, and gave us the brilliant Colonel Nathaniel Gordon, of anti-Covenanting fame : while they are known universally as the maternal ancestors of Byron, who displayed so many of their lawless characteristics throughout his life. XXVI HOUSE OF GORDON. In addition to these monographs, the volume contains some very valuable repositories of facts in general about the Gordons. First and foremost is the unique Balbithan MS., which is printed for the first time. It affords the most minute account of the descendants of "Jock" and "Tarn" Gordon, and forms a most appropriate set off to a volume which starts with cadets and not with main lines. The index to Gordons in the Retours and the Services of Heirs supplies another want, for though the volumes are to be found in most public libraries they are indexed in a very puzzling way, and are not always available to the genealogist who is beyond the reach of libraries. Then there is an index to the invaluable Poll Book of Aberdeenshire, which was compiled in 1696 and printed, with a most inadequate index, in 1844. The other indexes tap various sources of information, and should prove of assistance in identifying members of the House. This opening volume is far from exhausting the material which has already been brought together. The present writer alone has ready for the printer monographs on the Gordons of Pitlurg, Cairnburrow, Park, Glenbucket, Auchleuchries, Knockes- pock, Rothiemay and the minor septs attaching to the same. He has compiled an alphabetically arranged list of Gordons who dis- tinguished themselves in every conceivable activity, in every part of the world, but whom he is at present unable to assign to the particular families to which they belong. Over and above that, he has notes, gathered from time to time in conducting systematic researches, on no fewer than 369 families who possessed lands ; and of those ninety belong to one great branch, the Gordons of Lochinvar. Captain Wimberley, the historian of the Gordons of Lesmoir and Terpersie, has placed his material, greatly enlarged since the publication of his monographs, at the disposal of the Club, and this will be printed in the second volume, PURPOSE AND METHODS OF THIS BOOK. XXV11 The justification of the piecemeal method here adopted and deliberately advocated has been proved by the fact that the announcement that the Club was to deal with the House led Rev. Stephen Ree to place at its disposal his admirable deduction of the Gordons of Coclarachie. Again, the know- ledge that I was interested in the subject led the late Father O -' William Gordon, Superior of the Brompton Oratory, to give me the elaborate notes which he had been compiling for years on his family, the Gordons of Kethocksmill, near Aberdeen. These I was able to print in Scottish Notes and Queries the very month in which he died. But for that publication his work might have been lost sight of altogether. The intense interest in the whole subject is evidenced by the many communications I have re- ceived from all parts of the English-speaking world. The most recent came from an American, Mr. John Gordon late of Buenos Ayres, who belongs to the Gordons of Holm, cadets of the Lochinvars. For years he has been making elaborate (and ex- pensive) researches into the history of his line, and he has placed all his material at the disposal of the Club. American genealo- gists, always keen on origins, have been particularly enthusiastic. I am especially indebted to the Hon. Armistead C. Gordon, Staunton, Virginia, whose work has disentangled the history of the Gordons in Ireland. Mr. Henderson Smith, Edinburgh, has come forward with his knowledge of bookplates belonging to the family, while scores of other correspondents have plied me with letters of inquiry on doubtful points in their pedigree. A glance at the skeleton tables of the cadets of the Gordons prefixed to the volume will show the wide extent of ground to be covered. Indeed the work is so vast that one can well un- derstand how it could never be attempted on a definitive basis, nor even by preconceived co-operative methods. But there is no doubt whatever that it can be ultimately overtaken in a XXV111 HOUSE OF GORDON. piecemeal way : and, if not completed, much may be done, with enthusiasm and industry, to realise the desideratum of centuries. The accompanying bibliography, incomplete in itself, indi- cates what has already been achieved. The scheme of the Club is to focus those spasmodic and tentative efforts, and produce a work more or less worthy of the great family, which, under the most varied conditions, has distinguished itself all over the world. I have to thank many helpers for suggestions, assistance and encouragement. In particular, I am indebted to Mr. P. J. Anderson, the secretary of the Club ; to the Rev. Stephen Ree, who has thrown himself with immense enthusiasm into the whole scheme ; to Captain Douglas Wimberley ; and to Mr. Murray Rose, whose vast knowledge has always been placed at my disposal. Special thanks are due to Mrs. Skelton, who undertook the very laborious task of indexing the Poll Book and the Services of Heirs, besides making tedious transcriptions with rare accuracy for other parts of this volume. In conclusion, let me say that the Club will be only too glad to hear of any research that has been made, with a view to its incorporation in the present scheme. The great difficulty involved in devising a plan of operation must be held responsible for the blunders and omissions in this opening volume. J. M. BULLOCH. 118 PALL MALL, LONDON, October, 1903. APPENDIX TO PREFACE. A SKETCH BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GORDON GENEALOGY. THE following list does not pretend to be a complete bibliography of the genealogy of the Gordons. Anything approaching dermitiveness would cause endless delay : and even then the list would be incomplete. So this biblio- graphy is the merest skeleton of the data which I have gathered for years, and only the shadow of the material that is available : but it deals with all the leading lines both in the north and south of Scotland. The literature of the Gordons in the north of Scotland is familiar. The great store-houses of information to the north-east of Scotland are the Antiquities of the Shires of Aberdeen and 5a^"(Spalding Club, 5 vols., 1843-69) and Lord Huntly's Records of Aboyne (New Spalding Club, 1894). The history of the Gordons who remained in the south has, as I have noticed in my preface, been more neglected, but the prominence of the family may be gauged from the fact that in P. H. McKerlie's Lands and Owners in Galloway, 1870-79, there are 164 entries dealing with Gordons possessing land, and fifty-nine other entries giving only Christian names. This list has been prepared chiefly on the principle of citing monographs on different branches, and of noting books where they are mentioned, but where one might not naturally search for them. No attempt has been made to include any of the printed public records, for the searcher instinctively turns to them for information, which their elaborate indexes readily supply. These records are : Scots Acts of Parliament (1124-1707). Services of Heirs (1545-1799). Registrant Magni Sigilli (1306-1651). Register of Privy Council (1545-1630). Exchequer Rolls (1264-1588). Accounts of Lord High Treasurer (1473-1513). Calendar of Documents relating to Scotland (1108-1435). XXX HOUSE OF GORDON. Calendar of State Papers, Scotland (1509-1603). Calendar of Scottish Papers (1547-1569). Documents illustrative of the history of Scotland (1286-1303). Laing Charters (854-1837). Scots Testaments (1514-1800). Historical MSS. Commission Reports. As an example of the richness of these records, I may cite minor families of Gordon noted in the Scots Acts of Parliament alone : Aberdour (1787-93) ; Achomachy (1698) ; Adiwell (1581) ; Aikenhead ; Airtloch (1662-1703); Ardlogie (1639-56); Ardoch (1748-57); Aroquhain (1674) ; Arradoull (1663-92) ; Auchinachie (1643-1782) ; Auchinangzie (1573) ; Auchincairne (1662) ; Auchindore (1591-1633) ; Auchindoun (1587-1600) ; Auchinhalrigg (1724); Auchinhannok (1655-1710); Auchinhove (1678); Auchinreith (1647-65); Auchlean (1652); Auchlyne (1714-34); Auchmull (1744); Auchmunziel (1745); Auchridie (1702); Auchtirairne (1574); Bac- charowe (1690) ; Balcomy (1686-1703) ; Balcraig (1608) ; Balery (1607) ; Balgown (1786) ; Ballegorno (1743) ; Ballone (1649) ; Balmade (1673-74) ; Balmeg (1648-1794) ; Balmuir (1790) ; Banchory (1740-51) ; Bandane (1607) ; Bandloch (1645); Barharrow(i662); Baranrine (1595-1654); Barnfalzie(i662); Barnharnie (1690); Barns (1698-1740) ; Barrelmad (1661); Barroch (1662); Bellieturey (1649) ; Beoche (1607-16) ; Bermart (1662) ; Birkenbush (1754-70) ; Birkinburn (1647); Birness (1751-56); Blackford (1645) ; Blaikat (1548-1634) ; Blairmad (1728) ; Boddam (1685-89) ; Boghall (1661) ; Boigs of Darley (1681) ; Boytath (1720); Braichlie (1663-1704); Branelane (1669); Brora (1649); Buitle (1645-58); Cairstown (Kerston) (1750-99); Camdell (1685-96); Carrell (1643-1766) ; Carron (1797); Castraman (1610) ; Chirmers (1656-62) ; Clerkseat (1740); Clone (1596); Cloinyard (1687); Cloves (1718); Coldwells (1766-83) ; Colholstane (1559); Coliston (1690-1719); Combrie (1665); Corachrie (1622); Cowbairdy (1773-82) ; Coyanach (1704-99) ; Crabstoun (1735) ; Crago (1620) ; Craigellie (1704) ; Craigieheid (1682) ; Craigmyle (1763) ; Cranach (1689- 90); Crathienaird (1767); Creiche (1553-1663); Crimonmogate (1685-89); Cringlay (1663); Culreoch (1646) ; Cumry (1779) ; Cults (1662) ; Cuffurroch (1724); Dallochie (1685-1770) ; Dendeuch (1737); Deskfurd (1556) ; Doil (or Doll) (1648-85); Dorlathers (1753); Drumjoy (1648); Drumrash (1773); Drumwhyndle (1693-1735) ; Dungeuch (1695); Dundeauch (1682-90); Eaynbo (1648); Edintore (1742-63); Enrick (1649); Farnachtie (1737); Fetter- angus (1768); Fidderey (1649); Forskan (1713); Gaitley (Gaithy) (1700- 02); Gallachie (1647); Gararie (1672-1704); Gartie (Garve) (1678-1704); Gedgill (1662); Glascoforrest (1574); Glasnick (1649); Glass (1645-46); BIBLIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX TO PREFACE. XXXI Glassauch (1643-49); Gleanicht ( ); Glencatt (1744); Glendaveny (1774); Glenderrick (1734); Glenlady (1662); Glenluce (1610-49); Gordons- milne (1639-50); Govell (1704); Greencastle (1776); Grievshop (1778); Hallcraig (1706); Railhead (1685-1704) ; Hillhead (1712); Hilton (1735-44); Hospidell (1704); Humetoun (1686); Innermarkie (1628-33); Invergordon (1766); Invernaver (1667) ; Kegnith (1702) ; Kilgour (1723) ; Killileoch (1697) ; Killielour (1657-62); Kinaldie (1740); Kinbo (1664); Kincaldrum (1659); Kingoodie (1697); Kingsgrange (1774-77) ; Kinmundy (1704-41) ; Kinnedour (1718); Kirkdaill (1628) ; Kirketilbreke (1644); Kirkhill (1694-1708); Kirkland (1617-1731); Knarie (1605); Knockgrant (1645); Knockgray (1643-90) > Knockreoch (1610); Langdale (1661-63); Langwell (1704); Largmoir (1648- 1704) ; Laussie (1741); Law (1645-96) ; Little Cocklaw (1766-74); Littleknox (1788); Littlemylne (1647) ; Logic (1704-52) ; Lumsdeall (1661-62) ; Makait- nay (Mercartney) (1607-62); Midgarthie (1663-67) ; Midmar (1621); Migstrath (1690); Mill of Esslemont (1744); Mill of Kincardine (1744-70); Minidow (1759); Minybowie (1662); Moy (1649); Mundork (1626) ; Mureick (1645-46); Nether Boddom (1698) ; Newbigging (1704) ; Newcoundaw (1647) ; Newhall (1764-87); Newmilne (1649); Newtoun (1644); Newtyle (1681-85); ^ver- barr (1690-1708); Overhall (1647-1704); Oxhill (1647); Pennyghame (1648); Pinkaitland (1690) ; Pittendreich (1645-63) ; Rainieshill (1731) ; Rany (1645) ; Rathleif (1678) ; Robertoun (1646-62); Rogart (1667-85); Rothiemurkus ( ); Rovie (1663-85) ; Sallach (1649) ; Sands (1732) ; Seaton (1690-1704) ; Shives (1546-65) ; Skibo (1678) ; Spedoch (1687) ; Strangaslyle (1650) ; Strathdoun (1567-1606) ; Swellend (1669); Techmuir (1648-1747) ; Thornbank (1661-85); Tilliangus (1567-1663); Tillisoules (1696); Tillythroskie (1639) ; Towie (1712); Tulloch (1637-56); Uppat (1649); Waterside (1662); Wet- crage (1598) ; Whiteley (1783) ; Whitepark (1612-28) ; Woodhall (1704-46) 5 Zeochrie (1694). In this bibliography I begin with the MS. genealogies, and go on to a classified list, arranged alphabetically according to the lands held by them. I am deeply indebted to Rev. Stephen Ree for his invaluable help in examining several of the MSS. I. MANUSCRIPT SOURCES (a) ARRANGED CHRONOLOGICALLY. Ferrerius MS. Historiae compendium de origine et incremento Gor- doniae familiae, Joanne Ferrerio Pedemontano authore, apud Kinlos, 1545, fideliter collectum. Ferrerius, who was an Italian from Piedmont, was brought in 1528 to Scotland from Paris by Robert Reid, afterwards Abbot of Kinloss and Bishop of Orkney, and for XXX11 HOUSE OP GORDON. some time taught the monks of Kinloss in Morayshire. A notice of him will be found in Stuart's Records. of Kinloss (p. xiii.-xxii.). The preface to his history of the Gordon family is addressed to George, fourth Earl of Huntly, and is dated at Kin- loss, March 30, 1545 ; and in it he says that the history was written at the request of the Earl's kinsman and secretary, Mr. William Gordon, who had supplied him with an outline in Scots (idiomate vestro) of the family history. He further states that he had read the histories and annals of Scottish affairs, except those that were written in the vernacular, and that his history is based upon what he found in the public chronicles (in publicis historiarum monumentis). William Gordon, the his- torian of the house, who made use of a copy of Ferrerius, says : " That History is very short and superficial, and comes no further down than the Year 1545 ; it may be printed in less than two Sheets of Paper, and so must be very defective, as indeed it is." There are several transcripts of the MS. two in the Advocates Library, Edinburgh, two in Gordon Castle. The laird of Parkhill owns a fifth. Macquair MS. Vera narratio ingentis et miraculi plenae victoriae, partae apud Avinum in Scotiae borealibus partibus a Georgia Gordonio Huntlaeo et Francisco Haijo Errolio Catholicis principibus contra Archim- baldum Cambellum Argadorutn impcratorem 5 Nonas Octobris anno domini 1594- This MS., consisting of twenty folio pages, is now in the Advocates Library, Edin- burgh (MS. 33.2.36). The writer was a priest who accompanied Huntly's forces, and is said to have been Alexander Macquair, S.J. An English translation, slightly abridged in some parts, is given (vol. i., pp. 136-52) in Sir John Graham DalyelPs Scotish Poems of the Sixteenth Century (Edinb., 1801). In vol. i., pp. 255-70, of the Spottiswoode Miscellany (Edinb., 1844), there is printed " Account of the Battle of Balrinnes 3d of October, 1594 ". This account is " from a MS. formerly belonging to the Rev. Robert Wodrow, now in the Library of the Faculty of Advocates," and is founded on the Vera Narratio, though containing some addi. tional information. The MS. of the Narratio was probably written previous to 1629, as the cover of the volume in which it occurs bears that it was presented to Camden in that year by Sir Robert Cotton. The hand is early seventeenth century. The volume contains the Battle of Balrinnes (ballad) in a different hand. Domus Gordon Comes Huntley. A genealogical table in the same volume in the Advocates Library as contains the Vera Narratio (MS. 33. 2. 36). The descent terminates with the sixth earl, and is accompanied by two coats of arms : the Earl of Huntley and the Lord Seaton. MS. of circa 1600. A MS. of nineteen folio pages, without title or date, is in the possession of Mrs. Elphin- stone Dalrymple, of Kinellar Lodge. It is called " a Gordon Pedigree of 1580 " in Records of Aboyne, p. vii., but that date is clearly erroneous, as the Battle of Glen- livet is unmistakably referred to on page 16. The MS. deals with the Houses of Petlurge, Carnburrow, Haddoch, Auchmeinzie, Tilleminnatt and Lesmoir. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX TO PREFACE. XXX111 MS. of circa 1610. A MS. of sixteen pages folio, without title, is in the Advocates Library, Edinburgh (MS. 35.5.50). It begins "This George Gordone first Marquis of Huntley suc- ceeded his father George the yeir off God ," and ends abruptly with the account of the battle between the Macleans and the Macdonalds in 1597. It was written in the lifetime of the Marquis, after 1607 and before 1620. Alexander Ross's MS. Sutherlandiae Comitum Annales : in quibus eornm origo et incrementa, vitae et res hello paceque gestae dilucide explicantur : multa quoque notatu digna in regionibus Scotiae vltra Caledonios, a Scrip- toribus nostris vel breviter tacta, vel penitus omissa, fusius proponuntur. Authore Alexandra Rossaeo Aberdonense Scoto, 1631. The original is in Dunrobin. A quarto MS. ("penes Dom. Robertum Sibbald") is mentioned in Nicholson's Scottish Historical Library, 1702 (p. 245 f). The " dedica- tion bears date from Ross's study at Southampton, August i, 1627. He begins with a description of the county, and largely proceeds with the Annals of the Earls to 1625." In the Advocates Library, Edinburgh, there is a small quarto MS. (34, 6, 18) with the title: Gordoniorttm et Soiithirlandorum historia dttobus libris descripta: quorum prior Huntileae familiae res gestas a Joanne Ferrerio Pedemontano conscriptas complectitur ; posterior vero Southirlandiae comitum originem et incrementa, vitas et res bello paceque gestas, in quo multa notatu digna in regionibus Scotiae ultra Cale- donios, a scriptoribus nostris vel breviter tacta vel penitus omissa, fusius explicantur. Authore Alexandra Rossaeo Aberdonense Scoto. The portion containing the Southir- landiae comitum Annales, etc. .extends to eighty-one pages, of which four are blank. The dedication begins: Viro stemmatis splendore et virtutibus eximio, D. Roberto Gordonio, equiti aurato, Britanniarum regi ex interioris cubiculi familiaribus, Alexandri Southirlandiae comitis filio secundo-genito, jam Southirlandiae Tutori, et primo Scotiae (ut vocant) Baronetto, Alexander Rossaeus S.P.D., and ends : Ex musaeo nostro Southamptoniae primo die Januarii anno millesimo sexcentesimo vigesimo sexto. A different but contemporary hand has corrected Januarii into Augusti and sexto into septimo, and the same hand (apparently the author's) has made frequent corrections throughout the volume. In the dedication Ross states that he had the " Annales " ready for publication several years before, but the volume had been lost ; that he had now prepared them anew at the request of Sir Robert Gordon, and had dedicated them to him for various reasons, but chiefly because Sir Robert had not only incited him to write the history, but had also sup- plied him with his own observations and collections. Sir William Fraser, in the Preface to his Sutherland Book, describes Ross's " Annales " as only an abstract in Latin of Sir Robert Gordon's work. It would probably have been better to say that Sir Robert Gordon, recognising that Ross had worked up only the mate- rial he had supplied, had so freely used Ross's MS. in writing his own history, that Ross's " Annales," though written first, serves as an abstract in Latin of Sir Robert's work. Sir William Fraser deals not only with the Dunrobin copy of the MS., but also with two in the possession of Mr. Gordon of Halmyre (descended from the Gordons of Gordonstoun), XXXIV HOUSE OF GORDON. Funeral procession of the first Marquis of Huntly, 1636. An apparently contemporary representation in the possession of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. The painting is on a roll of paper measuring 16 ft. 9 in. in length, by 8 in. in breadth. The dresses and armorial bearings are of great interest. Records of the Regality of Huntly (1640-1744). These are preserved in H.M. General Register House, Edinburgh, and the following description has been kindly furnished by Dr. Maitland Thomson : " i. Deeds, i vol., 20 Oct., 1686 5 Jan., 1734. 2. Homings and Inhibitions, vol. i., 15 Oct., 1687 14 Apr., 1710. 3. vol. ii., ii Nov., 1717 ii Jan., 1748. (This volume, though not used till 1717, was issued by a Clerk of Session on n July, 1710). 4. Court Book, 7 Oct., 1697 30 Mar., 1711 (Huntly). 5. 10 July, 1724 2 Feb., 1739 (Huntly). 6. 24 Nov. 1721 10 Aug., 1733 (Fochabers and Gordon Castle). 7. 30 Apr., 1698 25 Aug., 1736 (Badenoch and Lochaber). 8. Volume of original papers, 19 Mar., 1700 27 Aug., 1744, with a few earlier documents (1640 onwards) added at end (Badenoch and Lochaber)." Prony MS. It will be seen from the Balbithan MS. (59, 60), that there was a " manuscript that goes under Proneys name ". The Gordons of Proney were cadets of the Buckie family. William Gordon in his History (i., 5) says, " I have an old MS. before me written by one, John Gordon, son to George Gordon of Prony ". What has become of the Prony MS. nobody knows. It was used by Theodore Gordon in his MS. history of the Gordons, and there are copies of fragments of it in the Lyon Office. MS. of circa The University Library, Aberdeen, possesses a fragment of a quarto MS. account of the Gordons. It begins at page 31 and ends abruptly at page 46. This MS. must have been used as the basis of some of the Balbithan MS. and is possibly part of the Prony MS. Delmore MS. A Genealogical Account of the Family of Gordon and their Cadets, with a note of their Lives and Fortunes. William Gordon of Delmore (fl. 1553-1604), son of Alexander (who was the second son of the third Earl of Huntly), is said to have spent his leisure hours in writing a history of the Gordons, which about the middle of the eighteenth century was in the possession of James Man, a historian resident in Aberdeen. The history, of which no trace has since been discovered, is thus described by Man (Gordon's Scots Affairs, i., p. xxxii.). " There is little in it but mere genealogy till we come to 1630 ; and the rest of it has been engrossed, almost word for word, by Spalding in his Memoirs. So there needs nothing more to be said of it, only it goes a little further than Spalding into the year 1645." " The whole of it could not have been written by William as he did not live so long." (The Cronghly Book, by Capt. G. H. B. Gordon, 1895, pp. 59, 60). He was the ancestor of the Gordons of Croughly. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX TO PREFACE. XXXV Sir Robert Gordon's Tables, compyled and collected together by the great paines and Industrie of Sir Robert Gordon, Knight baronett of Gordon- stoun, sone of Alexander Earl of Southerland, copied out of his papers and continued be maister Robert Gordone his sone, 1659. A folio MS. in Dunrobin Castle containing Genealogical Tables of Huntly, Suther- land, Gordonstoun, Ferack, Garty, Lochinvar, Drummoy, Sideray, Enbo, Backies, Craighton and Overskibo ; apparently framed by Sir Robert to accompany his Earl- dom (cf. p. 104, 1. 7 from foot). A transcript for the use of the Club has been kindly supplied by the Rev. J. M. Joass, LL.D., Golspie. Straloch MS. Origo et progressus familiae Gordoniorum de Huntly in Scotia. The author was Robert Gordon of Straloch, the mapmaker, who died 1661. It was written in his old age, and William Gordon (History of Gordons, i., p. xxiv.) says that Straloch's " old Age and the Situation of his Dwelling hindred him from searching into the Registers and publick Records, so that it is in many Things very defective. But what we have of it is very well done, and deserves the greatest Credit, for he was a Gentleman of the strictest Veracity ". The original is now in Gordon Castle, having been presented to the Duke of Gordon in 1773 by John Gordon of Craig ; and consists of forty-one pages folio, with forty-nine or fifty lines on the page. On blank pages at the end are pasted two small sheets, the one having notes by Mr. Robert Burnett of Crimond. the other having notes by Dr. George Middleton, Prin- cipal of King's College (1684-1717). James Man (Gordon's Scots Affairs, i.,p. viii.) says Straloch's " History of the illustrious Family of the Gordons, which is carried down only to the year 1595, is writ in a clear and concise Latin style and very exact as to the geography of places, with which he was so well acquainted. I have seen the original MS. of this book (which has been composed after 1655, as appears by his mentioning Spotswood's and Johnston's Histories, which were not published till that year) with the Remarks of Mr. Robert Burnett of Crimond and Dr. George Middleton, Principal of the King's College of Aberdeen, upon it. I have likewise seen several copies of it." A transcript is in the Advocates Library, Edinburgh, but the first leaf is wanting. A transcript is in the possession of the laird of Parkhill ; this was copied in 1763 for Rev. Theodore Gordon, and the copy is now in Gordon Castle. A transcript (including Principal Middleton's notes) was in the possession of Rev. Dr. Woodward, Montrose, and at his death passed into the hands of A. W. Macphail, bookseller, Edinburgh, who offered it in December, 1899, for 2 155. and subsequently sold it. MS. of circa 1670. A genealogie of the name of Gordon with the branches and cadets thereof. This is a quarto MS. of 12 pages, and is bound up (with copies of the MSS. of Ferrerius and Straloch) in a volume now in the possession of the laird of Parkhill. It deals with Huntly (to about 1668) and with " Jock " and " Tam ". A copy of the part dealing with " the genealogie of Thomas Gordon of Daach," made on a foolscap sheet about 1760 for (or by) John Gordon of Craig, is now in the Univer- sity Library, Aberdeen. \\XV1 liorsi- 0|- (iOKDON. Buniet MS. Tlif pout-trait <;./" true loyalty exposed in the Family of ic it lion t ititei rnptioti to this present year 1691. with a relation of the siege of flu- C./.v//f '/ /',/<':/';////< /;/ the year 1689. I In . M i ; is now in Hlairs rollej-.o, near Aberdeen. It is a quarto volume (it VM paR s . and has the hook pl.nr .<( tin- Bootl College at Paris. The dedicatory letter, ad- dressed " i<> ih< Ui;.;hi IIon.'m.iMe du F.ule <>l Hnntly," extends to four pages (not numheinU .nui ionihi.1i--; "My I. .ml, voiu 1 o. inosl humble ;vtld most ohedient servant, W. R." William Gordon in his //;*/, v (p. xxiv.) s.i\ - it "wftl written (as I am told) by one Mi. Minuet. a Priest of the Romish Church, who lived in Scotland in King James VI I. 's Time, and I am sorry I can give no further Account of him, only I've been told he was a Mearns Gentleman ". The copy of Gordon's History in the University I.I!M.II\. Aberdeen, has the following note in the hand- writing of Professor Thomas Gordon : " This author's name was David [Burnet]. He studied in the Scots College at Rome from the year 1661 to 1669, when he \\.i-- ordained a piicst and came as a missionary to Scotland, where he remained for seven years. From 1676 to 1680 he was Prefect of Studies in the Scots College of Paris. In 1680 he returned to Scotland and died anno 1695. He was for several years Chaplain to the family of Gordon at Gordon Castle, where he was much esteemed. This information from Bishop John Geddes. T. G." William Gordon desoibes the author as "honest, loyal, and a Man of j;ood 1 earning " ; and savs also, " as he continues his History much further than any of the former Authors I have mentioned, so he is more exact and full than any of them : yet in many Things, even of Moment, he is very defective, and gives but a lame Account of what happened to the l-'amily of Gordon in the Time of the Rebellion against Charles I. and II. It appears he did never see Sir Robert Gordon's MS. History, nor has he at all looked into the Registers or Records, and so behooved to be guilty of many Omissions. He seems to have been pretty well acquainted both with the Scots and English HI--IIMI.UIS ; hut hciin; an entire Stt.uu;ei to our Ke^isters, has with them fallen into a good many chronological Mistakes." Lord Huntly had the use of this MS. in preparing his Records of Aboyne (p. vii.). There is a transcript in the Advocate I ild annotated by Mackenzie. It deals with the supposed French origin of the Gordons; the Huntly and the Gordonstoun famih- MS. of circa 1700. The abridged history of the antiente and most illustrious family of Huntly and Duke Gordone togither with the gencalogic and armes blazoned in abrupt lynes. Thit it a small quarto volume in Gordon Castle. Its contents are : The names of the anthores trom which the history is compyled, i p. The epistle to the reader, 6 pp. The Armes (pen and ink), i p. The Armes of that most noble and antient house of HIBLIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX TO PREFACE. XXXV11 Huntlie blazoned in som abrupt lynes, 12 pp. The genealogy of that noble and illustrious family of Huntlie or the lyne of the ancestores of Duk Gordone according to the best and most exact genealogies and accountes thereofe, 18 pp. The history of the most antient and illustrious family of Huntlie or ane account of the trans actiones of the ancestoures of Duk Gordone, 197 pp. A table or index of the most materiale points contained in this traitaise, 15 pp. The history ends with a brief notice of Lewis, the third Marquis. The author's name is not given. This MS. is probably that referred to in the following note by the late Mr. C. Elphinstone Dalrymple. " Mr. Spottiswood of Spottiswood (then an old man), writing to William Gordon of Harperfield in 1781, says : ' I was told by my father's clerk, who served him all his life, that he was employed by the old Duke of Gordon, who held out the Castle of Edinburgh against King William, and in this cause he had occasion to give a history of the family, with which his grace was so pleased that he ordered the clerk to make a copy of it to be deposited in his charter kist ; which he did, but he had forgot the particulars and the year, which according to my con- jecture behoved to have been about the year 1703 or 1704'." R. M.'s MS., 1707. Genealogie of the familie of Gordon, collected by R. M. Anno. Dom. 1707. This MS. is referred to by Joseph Robertson in a footnote (p. 38) to his edition of the Diary of Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries (Spalding Club). The MS. was then in the Skene Library. In 1899 when part of that library was sold, the Duke of Fife informed the present writer that he knew nothing of the MS. Balbithan MS. This unique document is reprinted in the present volume from a copy in the possession of Mrs. Charles Elphinstone-Dalrymple, of Kinellar Lodge. It is valuable mainly as a guide to the descendants of " Jock " Gordon of Scurdargue. Lesmoir MS. Genealogy from father to son of the House of Lesmoir, (j.s /'/ was painted on the chimney of the said House, and bears date 1405, transcribed therefrom by Dr. Thos. Gordon ofCraigelly. It is printed in Captain Wimberley's Memorials of Lesmoir, p. 99. The date 1405 is probably a mistake for 1505. The pedigree comes down to the issue of Sir James Gordon, XIII. of Lesmoir, but does not give his son George as baronet. As Sir James died about 1743, the pedigree must have been made before that date. Theodore Gordon's MSS. A Genealogy of the name of Cordon " with the branches and cadets thereof agreeable to the preceding histories of Straloch and Ferrerius, and likewise to ane old MS. written by John Gordon son to George Gordon of Proney, and several other unexceptionable authori- ties ". By Theodore Gordon, minister of Kennethmont. Rev. Theodore Gordon was the son of William Gordon, Drumbulg, and married Anne Gordon, youngest daughter of Professor George Gordon, professor of Hebrew, King's College, Aberdeen, a member of Kethocksmill family. Theodore Gordon died in 1779. A copy of his work (made by the late Dr. Burnett) is in the Lyon XXXV111 HOUSE OF GORDON. Office, Edinburgh. There is also a copy of the MS. somewhere in Aberdeen, where it was copied by the late Rev. William Gordon, superior of the Brompton Oratory. He could not remember, however, who lent him the MS. In Gordon Castle there is a small quarto volume containing (i) a copy of the Ferrerius MS. ex- tending to thirty-one pages ; (2) a copy of the Straloch MS. extending to 160 pages ; and (3) continuatio historiae ac series rerum illustrissimae familiae Gordoni- orum, extending to forty-three pages and dealing only with the Huntly family to 1760. There are several marginal notes on (i) and (2), and at the end of (i) there is this note : Quae etiam ego transcripsi anno 1763 ac stricturas quasdam in margine adjeci. T. G. The volume is not in the handwriting of Professor Thomas Gordon, who was the brother-in-law of Theodore, but there is inserted at the beginning of the volume the following : " Acco 1 Profr Gordon To James Dalgarno D r To copying 31 sheets at 2 d per sheet o 5 2 To 2 Quires of 8d paper 014 6 6 OLD ABERDN, 19 Sept., 1751. Received payment of the above Accot and the same's hereby discharged by JAS. DALGARNO.'' From letters in the possession of the late Mr. C. Elphinstone-Dalrymple, it appears that Professor Gordon got the above copy made for Rev. Theodore Gordon. In Gordon Castle there is another MS. copy (24 pp. folio) of (3) Continuatio, etc., with this inscription : " Presented to His Grace the Duke of Gordon by John Gordon of Craig, 1781 ". Harperfield MS., 1784. Tables of Pedigree of the Family of Gordon in Scotland . . . 1057-1784, by William Gordon, of Harperfield, 1784. A copy of these tables is in the Advocates Library, Edinburgh, and another was sold at Dowell's, Edinburgh, on December 3, 1878, for 4 173. 6d. I have failed to trace this copy. The compiler (born 1720) was the fifth son of Dr. John Gordon, of Hilton, and brother of Dr. James Gordon of Pitlurg. He was a barrister of the Middle Temple, and bought Harperfield in Lanarkshire. He died in 1787 and left Harper- field to his nephew, Colonel Thomas Gordon. Several of his tables are printed in Wimberley's Gordons of Lesmoir. Tilphoudie MS., 1788. The family of Tilphoudie is dealt with in a MS. of 1788, of which a copy, filling thirty- four folio pages and endorsed by " John Stuart, Gen. Reg. Ho.," Edinburgh, is in possession of the New Spalding Club. It goes into details of genealogy in the eighteenth century. Brydges MS. A MS. by Sir Egerton Brydges [1762-1837], bought from the Phillipps collection, is in the Advocates Library (6. i. 17). It deals with the Gordons of Embo. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX TO PREFACE. XXXIX Deuchar's MSS. " Genealogical Collections relative to the Family of Gordon." These are mentioned in an editorial note in Notes and Queries for 3oth March, 1867. Alexander Deuchar was a seal engraver in Edinburgh. Sinclair MS. Memoranda relative to the Families of Gordon and Forbes in Mr. Alexander Sinclair's collections now in Crawford Priory Library. Alexander Sinclair (1794-1877) was the second son of the Right Hon. Sir John Sinclair of Ulbster, ist Bart. He was a very learned genealogist and wrote an essay on Heirs Male. Col. Robert Boyle writes to me : " Mr. Sinclair made many notes, but they are not of much use to others, as they are mostly undated, and give no authorities ; and one of his notes is frequently contradicted by another, presumably later in date ; but there is no means of knowing which of the two is the first and which the revised edition. The notes that I saw were chiefly in the form of frag- mentary tables of pedigrees." This is so typical of Gordon genealogy, as I have pointed out in my Preface. Ronald MS. A history of the Gordons in the Cabrach was compiled by William Ronald, M.A. (K.C.), 1822, schoolmaster of Cabrach. I. MANUSCRIPT SOURCES (b) ARRANGED ACCORDING TO OWNERSHIP. Abergeldie MSS. See Hist. MSS. Comm. Report, vL, 712. Aboyne MSS. See Hist. MSS. Comm. Report, ii., 180. To a considerable extent the earlier papers have been printed in Lord Huntly's Records of Aboyne, but several old rentals of Mar are still in MS. An inventory (MS.) of the muniments is in existence. Blairs College MSS. The Hist. MSS. Comm. Report, ii., 201, gives the titles of two manuscripts: The genealogies of the families of Scotland, collected by Sir George Mackenzie [1636-91], His Majesty's Advocate; and An account of various noble Scottish families with topographical notes, written in 1728. The college authorities decline, meantime, to permit examination of these MSS. See also Burnet MS. (supra). Charleton MS. Memoirs of the Origin and Descent of several Branches of the Surname of Gordon, 1822. Mr. More-Gordon of Charleton, Montrose, tells me that he has " a MS. book written by Cosmo Gordon in 1822, containing the history of several families of the name of Gordon ". It was given to Mr. More-Gordon's grandfather, Harry Gordon, by Cosmo Gordon, Liverpool, who was a cousin. A copy of it is now in possession of Miss Jean Anne Gordon, Elgin, daughter of the late Rev. George Gordon, LL.D., xl HOUSE OF GORDON. minister of Birnie, near Elgin. It is a quarto volume of about 318 pages and deals with the ducal Gordons (pages 1-246) and the Beldornie Gordons. Dunrobin MSS. See Hist. MSS. Comm. Report, ii., 177, which refers to an inventory of the papers. See also Sir Robert Gordon's Tables and Alexander Ross's MS. (supra). Earlston MSS. A Short and Concise Abridgement of the origin of the name and illustrious family of Kenmure, with their no less renowned descendants. This manuscript contains the most elaborate account of the Gordons in the south of Scotland that I have come across. It is a folio of 101 pages, written by the fourth baronet of Earlston, Sir John Gordon (born 1720 : died 1795), and is divided into three main sections. The Kenmure family gets thirty-one pages, the families of Airds, Ayton and Earlston thirty-eight ; while the author devotes twenty-nine pages to his autobiography, in which he describes at length his experiences as an officer in the Scots Brigade in Holland. The manuscript, which is exceedingly interesting, if a little prolix, is now in the possession of Sir William Gordon, Bart., of Earlston, whom I have to thank very much for his courtesy in allowing me to examine it minutely. Fyvie MSS. See Hist. MSS. Comm. Report, v., 644. A number of documents dealing with the Fyvie Gordons are in the possession of the Rev. Dr. Milne, Fyvie. Gordon Castle MSS. See Hist. MSS. Comm. Report, i., 114. Selections from these papers were printed in 1846-49 by the Spalding Club : Miscellany, vols. iii. and iv. A detailed MS. inven- tory in Gordon Castle makes the documents accessible. See also Ferrerius's MS. and Straloch MS. and MS. of circa, 1700 (supra). Gordonstoun MSS. " The more important part of the papers at Gordonstoun consists of the correspondence of Sir Robert Gordon, of documents which he collected, or which came at a later period into the family archives through connections formed by the marriages of his descendants. ... A record of the Barony of Gordonstoun is preserved, beginning in 1663. . . . The collection is very extensive and miscellaneous, and contains many authentic materials for the domestic history of the North of Scotland during the seventeenth century" (Dr. John Stuart in Hist. MSS. Comm. Report, vi., 681-88). Sir William Gordon-Gumming has courteously granted permission to Mr. Ree to examine the enormous (and uninventoried) collection at Gordonstoun. Haddo MSS. See Hist. MSS. Comm. Report, v., 608. These papers include many charters of the lands of Haddo, Kellie, Methlick, Auchtercoull, etc. A portion of the correspond- ence was printed in Letters illustrative of public affairs in Scotland, 1681-84 (Spalding Club, 1851). The papers are being examined by the Rev. James Brebner, M.A., with a view to a deduction being contributed to The House of Gordon by the Earl of Aberdeen. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX TO PREFACE. xli Pitfour MS. Genealogical Notices of the Gordons of Cairnburrow, Rothiemay, Glenbucket, Park, Farskane and others (ten pages}. Compiled by James Mitchell, Factor, Pitfour, circa 1830. Mitchell was a native of Banff, and entered the service of James Ferguson of Pitfour, M.P., as a lad. He was factor from 1789 to 1839, and died about 1840, leaving between 3,000 and 4,000 invested at 3^ per cent., the interest being divided yearly among the schools in Fetterangus, Longside, Rora, St. Fergus and Banff, and a sum of i IDS. every second year amongst " old men and women, widows, natives of and residing on the Pitfour estates, who have never been under church censure ". There is no date on the MS., but it is written on foolscap, bearing the watermark " Wallyfield, 1815 ". Mitchell was apparently keenly interested in local history. This volume, which belongs to the Pitfour family, and is now in the hands of the assistant factor, Mr. John Fullerton, himself an industrious antiquary, contains an account of the Duff family, running into eleven pages : notes of " Tryals " from 1537-1701 (ninety-six pages) ; copies of documents regarding the liberation of two of the domestic servants of Sir John Gordon of Haddo (eight pages) ; facsimile of the signatures of the Earls of Huntly (two pages) ; an account of the Abbey of Deer, with copies of charters (twenty-six pages) ; copy of tack by William Earl Marischal, 1699; rental of Marischal's lands in Buchan, 1712; sale of the forfeited estates of Marischal, Panmure and others, 1764 ; remarks on the purchase of Marischal's lands in Buchan by Ferguson of Pitfour (eighteen pages) ; notes on monuments in the Abbey Church of Deer (two pages), and charters by Fergus, Earl of Buchan (seven pages). Some of the items have been printed in Scottish Notes and Queries by Mr. Fullerton. The MS. deals with the families of Cairnburrow, Rothiemay, Glenbucket, Park, Edinglassie, Carnousie, Farskane, Artlock, Balbithan and Edinglassie. II. PRINTED SOURCES (forming also an Index to the " Balbithan MS."). Aberdeen (Earl of). See Haddo. Aberdour. Family of Dingwall-Fordyce ; Jervise's Epitaphs, 56, 57; Pratt's Buchan (1901), 305. Abergeldie. Burke's Landed Gentry (1898), i., 596-97 ; Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., i., 378, 379; ii., 414; Records of A boy ne, 22, 219-26, 227, 275> 2 78, 3 86 5 2I J Records of Invercauld, 29, 30, 31, 35, 38, 40, 41, 66, 80, 83, 84, 86, 94, 98, 105, 112, 116, 117, 120, 155, 167, 169, 170, 172, 173, 176, 180, 182, 183, 186, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 239, 260, 262, 264, 278, 293, 297, 338, 361, 366, 367, 389, 390, 428, 434, 463, 465, 471, 474. Jervise's Epitaphs, ii., 161-62 ; also infra under Huntly. Aberlour. Forfeited Estates papers in H.M. Register House; Macfar- lane's Geneal. Coll., ii., 18; Cramond's Annals of Banff, ii., 191. Affleck. Spalding Club Misc., Hi., 127. Afton. McKerlie's Lands and Owners in Galloway, iii., 416, 421, 424, 426 ; Book of Robert Burns, ii., 351, 352. xlH HOUSE OF GORDON. Aikenhead. See Earlston MS. Airds. McKerlie, iii., 67, no, 160, 164, 190, 204, 313, 389, 390, 408, 412, 414, 416, 418, 423, 424: iv., 54, 73, 78, 282, 298, 302, 305, 318, 408, 447 ; v., n, 52, 121, 202, 301, 361. Altyre. Betham's Baronetage, v., 547-56 ; Burke's Peerage, under Gordon-Gumming. Roualeyn George Gordon-Gumming, second son of 2nd bart., is sketched in Diet. Nat. Biog. See also Gordonstoun. Ardbroylach. Balbithan MS., infra, 57, 61 ; Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., ii., 489. Ardestie. Cadet of Gight. Ardlogie. Cadet of Gight. Ardmachar. Cadet of Gight. Ardmeallie. Balbithan MS., 53 ; Jervise's Epitaphs, i., 232 ; ii., 382. Ardoch. Chambers's Book of Days, ii., 41, 42 ; People's Journal, March i, 1902. These articles deal with the two daughters of Adam Gordon, who married successive Earls of Kellie : and how they rescued a baby from the sea. Ardwell. McKerlie, iii., 19, 21; iv., 261. Arradoul. Cramond's Church of Rathv en ; Donean Tourist; Balbithan MS., 64; Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., i., 386. A MS. account of this family in the handwriting of Major-Gen. Gordon on paper water- marked 1861 is in possession of Rev. John Allan, Birch Cottage, Elgin. Artloch. Balbithan MS., 33, 41, 47. Ashludie. Scottish Notes and Queries, May, 1902. Harrow School Register, 427, 441. Auchanachie. Balbithan MS., 40 ; Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., ii., 22, 60, 188, 446 ; Buchan's Ancient Ballads, ii., 127-9. Great confusion arises out of old-fashioned spellings. It is confused with Auchynachy, Auchanassie and Auchoynany, all of which are different estates. Auchendolly. Burke's Landed Gentry (1898), i., 600, 601. A curious fact about this estate is that it was given by Miss Gordon of Auchendolly to Michael Biddulph, the well-known London banker, because he was connected with the Gordons of Abergeldie (see infra, p. 104). Auchenreoch. McKerlie, iii., 223; iv., 54, 73, 79, 82, 470; v., 194, 308-10. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX TO PREFACE. xliii Auchinarrow. Balbithan MS., 67, 68. Auchindoir. Jervise's Epitaphs, i., 286 ; ii., 208, 209 ; Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., ii., 25, 31, 37, 222. Auchindoun. Balbithan MS., 22, 23 ; Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., ii., 92, 419. John and then his brothers, Adam and Patrick, sons of the 4th Earl of Huntly (Records of Aboyne, 468-69), were lairds of Auchindoun. Adam is supposed to be the " Edom o' Gordon " (of the ballad) who burned Tovvie Castle. Auchinhuif. Balbithan MS., 53, 57, 60, 61-63; Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., ii., 15. Auchinreath. Balbithan MS., 66 ; Scottish Notes and Queries, ii., v., 14. Auchintoul. Balbithan MS., 52, 65 ; Jervise's Epitaphs, i., 235 ; For- feited Estates papers in H.M. Register House. Auchleuchries. The interest of this family centres in General Patrick Gordon of Peter the Great's army, who left a very valuable diary, published in German under the title of Tagebuch des Generals Patrick Gordon [1655-1669], by Obolenski and Posselt ; vol. i., Moscow, 1849; vols. ii. and iii., St. Petersburg, 1851, 1853, 8vo. A summary of this book was published by the Spalding Club in 1859, edited by Joseph Robertson, under the title of Passages from the Diary of General Patrick Gordon, 410, pp. 244. This edition contains an appendix dealing, from the documentary point of view, with the family of Auchleuchries : Patrick Gordon, by Alexander Brueckner, St. Petersburg, 1878 (pp. 184 : in Russian). See also " The Last of a Long Line : the Decay of the Gordons of Auchleuchries," by J. M. Bulloch, Aberdeen Free Press, April 6 and 13, 1901. Jervise's Epitaphs, i., 313. Temple's Thanage of Fermartyn, p. 309. Pratt's Buchan (1901), 450. Notes and Queries, 2, ii., 344; iii., 118. Auchlync. Balbithan MS., 47, 48. Cadet of Lesmoir. Auchmenzie. Theodore Gordon MS. ; Balbithan MS., 50 ; Macfar- lane's Geneal. Coll., ii., 238. Auchmull. Balbithan MS., 40. Auchnastink. Balbithan MS., 67. Auchoynany. Balbithan MS., 36, 39, 47. Auchterarne. Cadet of Lesmoir. Auchynachie (or Auchindachy). Balbithan MS., 49. Avochie. Balbithan MS., 32, 39, 40 ; Jervise's Epitaphs, i., 232 ; ii., 382, 383 ; Burke's Landed Gentry (1898). i., 597, 598 ; and under Forbes-Gordon. xliv HOUSE oF GORDON. Backieleys. Balbithan MS., 52. Backies. See Sir R. Gordon's MS. Tables (supra). Bad. Cadet of Avochie. Badenscoth. Balbithan MS., 37, 46, 47, 48 ; Temple's Fermartyn, 103-5. Pratt's Biichan (1901), 387. See also under Lesmoir. Balbithan. Balbithan MS., 139 ; Temple's Fermartyn, 350. Balcomie. Cadet of Lesmoir. Balmad. Cramond's Annals of Banff, ii., 253, 254, 267, 322. Balmaghie. Burke's Landed Gentry, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th editions ; McKerlie, iii., 106, 112. See under Portugal. Balmuir. Cadet of Auchleuchries and Nethermuir. Banchory. Balbithan MS., 51. Bar. McKerlie, iii., 191, 313, 408; iv., 14, 19, 27, 59, 75, 263, 282, 293, 32, 33> 3 22 3 2 7 345- Barharrow. McKerlie, iii., 223; v., 173, 309. Barnbarroch. McKerlie, iii., 17, 220, 348, 349 ; iv., 55, 115. Barnes. Cadet of Lesmoir; Balbithan MS., 47. Barrack. Pratt's Buchan (1901), 189. Barskeoch. McKerlie, iv., 78-80, 97, 99, 447 ; v., 310, 312, 313. Belcherrie. Balbithan MS., 31, 32, 42, 65. Beldornie. Balbithan MS., n, 12, 57, 65 ; Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., i., 237 ; ii., 47, 414. See also Charleton M.S. (supra). Bellabeg. Balbithan MS., 42, 43. Binhall. Scottish Notes and Queries, Feb., 1901 ; May, 1902. Birkenburn. Balbithan MS., 33, 43, 45, 46, 49 ; Pedigree of the Gordons of Birkenburn, Cadets of Lesmoir (a single sheet folding genealogical table by Captain Wimberley in 1898); Jervise's Epitaphs, i., 165, 360. Birkenbush. Add. MSS., Brit. Museum, 28, 231 f. 176; 28, 235 ff. 187, 193. Birkhall. Cadet of Abergeldie. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX TO PREFACE. xlv Birsemoir. Balbithan MS., 21 ; Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., i., 246, 248 ; ii., 69, 83. Patrick Gordon, Governor of Pennsylvania, belonged to this family, Burke's Commoners, iv., 9. Blaiket. McKerlie, iii., 372, 394; iv., 75 ; v., 300, 301. Blelack. Balbithan MS., 42, 43 ; Michie's Logie-Coldstone ; Jervise's Epitaphs, i., 275. Bochrom. Balbithan MS., 67. Bogardie. Balbithan MS., 43. Boghole. Balbithan MS., 45. See also Crichie. BoigS. Balbithan MS., 31, 63, 64. Bonnyton (Ayrshire). Cadet of Nethermuir. Botarie. See under Pitlurg; Balbithan MS., 28, 30. Bountie. Balbithan MS., 51. Bovaglie. This family, farmers on the estate of Abergeldie, are said to be cadets of Hallhead. Mr. D. S. R. Gordon has a MS. account of this family. Braco. Balbithan MS., p. 54, 55 ; Scottish Notes and Queries, 2, i., 28; Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., ii., 19, 21. This family was dealt with by J. M. Bulloch in two articles, " How the Queen might have had no Birthday," Aberdeen Free Press, May 24 and 25, 1899. Braickley. Balbithan MS., 47, 64; Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., i., 377, 379; iii., 252 ; Taylor's Braernar Highlands, 160-64 ; Michie's Deeside Guide ; Records of Invercauld, 35-43, 73, 251, 254, 278, 285, 356, 357, 475. "The murder of the Baron of Brackley (1666)," in the Aberdeen Free Press, Nov. 19 and 22, 1901 ; London Mag. (1824), ix., 355-6. The " Ballad of the Baron of Brackley " will be found in nearly all ballad collections, notably Buchan's Gleanings of Scotch . . . scarce old ballads, pp. 68-70. Broadland. Balbithan MS., 44. Buckle. Balbithan MS., 28, 56-59, 65; Pitcairn's Criminal Trials, i., 175 ; Jervise's Epitaphs, i., 281, 282, 346. Buthlaw. Temple's Fermartyn, 272-75 and 476, 477; Burke's Landed Gentry (1898), i., 601, 602. The most distinguished member of this family was Thomas Gordon of Cairness (1788- 1841), major-general in the Greek army, son of Charles VII. of Buthlaw. He is xlvi HOUSE OF GORDON. dealt with by Mr. Gordon Goodwin in the Dictionary of National Biography. Reference may also be made to the general's History of the Greek Revolution (pub- lished by Blackwood), 2 vols., 8vo, 1832. Cairn ban noch. Balbithan MS., 15. Cairnbulg. Burke's Landed Gentry, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th editions ; Pratt's Buchan (1901), 241, 245, 248; Jervise's Epitaphs, ii., 58. Cairnburrow. Temple's Thanage, 220-25 ; Balbithan MS., 30, 32-38, 45, 57, 58, 59, 62 ; see Pitfour MS., supra ; see also under Park ; Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., ii., 3, 8, 64, 237, 238, 421, 490. Cairness. Cadet of Buthlaw. Gairnfield. Balbithan MS., 65 ; Burke, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and gth editions; Jervise's Epitaphs, i., 275. Cairn whelp. Balbithan MS., 15, 36, 40. Campbelton. McKerlie, iii., 52, 220, 228, 248, 373, 496 ; iv., 119, 120, 289 ; v., 202, 205, 209, 278, 279, 304. Cardoness. McKerlie, iii., 7, 15, 18 to 24, 57, 209 ; iv., 448. Garleton. McKerlie, iii., 190-95, 210, 314, 408, 417, 423 ; iv., 76, 100, 29 1 * 33> 3 22 > 480, 481. Carnousie. Balbithan MS., 36, 38 ; Pitfour MS. (supra). Carroll. Anne, the daughter of Joseph Gordon, W.S., of Carroll, married Sir William Siemens, and a good deal about the Carroll family will be found in Pole's Life of Sir William Siemens, 1888. The will of Joseph Gordon, sometime of Jamaica and lately of Navidale, and brother of John Gordon of Carroll, is a lengthy document in the Edinburgh Commissariat Testaments, cxxxi., part 2. Chapeltown. Balbithan MS., 54 ; Temple's Fermartyn, 284, 285 ; Family of Leslie, iii., 317. Lord Brougham's great-grandmother was a member of this family. Clashtirum. Scottish Notes and Queries, May, 1902 ; Jervise's Epitaphs, i., 274, 278. James Gordon, a distinguished prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, who became vicar apostolic of Scotland, belonged to this family. He is dealt with in the Dictionary of National Biography. Clethins. Balbithan MS., 49. Cloves. Cadet of Lesmoir. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX TO PREFACE. xlvii Cluny. Balbithan MS., 19-22, 62 ; Records of A boy ne, 229-36 ; G. E. C.'s Complete Baronetage, ii., 297; Jervise's Epitaphs, ii., 48, 127, 129-32; Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., i., 258 ; ii., 27, 28, 62, 447. Patrick Gordon the author of Britane's Distemper (Spalding Club), belonged to the Cluny family. See also Hartpury, Burke's Landed Gentry, 4th 5th and 6th editions. Clunymore. Balbithan MS., 67. Cobairdy. Gen. Acct. of James Young, etc., p. 139. Cadet oFPark. Cochlarachie. Balbithan MS., 51-53; Temple's Fermartyn, 276-79; Records of A boy ne 167-70. See Mr. Ree's deduction in the present volume. Coldwells. Mair's Presbytery of Ellon, 190; Pratt's Buchan (1901), 433- 434- To this family belonged John Gordon, Bishop of Galloway (1644-1726), described in the Diet. Nat. Biog. ; and Col. Fabian Gordon of the Polish Cavalry, fl. 1783 (Services of Heirs). Collieston. Cadet of Pitlurg. Collithie. Balbithan MS., 36, 51. Comray. Jervise's Epitaphs, ii., 258, 259. GontlyBalbithtin MS., 66, 67. Cormellat. Balbithan MS., 32, 41, 59. Corrachree. Balbithan MS., 50. Cotton. Balbithan MS., 20, 21. Captain John Gordon, of the Swedish army, belonged to this family. See Deeds of Montrose, 283-85. Goynachie. Cadet of Birkenburn. Gracullie (or Craigtullie). Balbithan MS., 20, 42, 43, 61, 62, 64. Craibstone. Balbithan MS., ii, 37. Craichlaw. McKerlie, iii., 46, 296, 297, 315 ; iv., 54, 245 ; Scottish Nation, ii., 322. Craig. Balbithan MS., 49-5 1, 52 ; Harperfield MS. ; Jervise's Epitaphs, ii., 208, 209 ; Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., ii., 247. Craigston. Balbithan MS., 33. Crichie. Cadet of Lesmoir; Balbithan MS., 43, 45. James Gordon, Jesuit priest, of this family, is sketched in the Diet. Nat- Blog. xlviii HOUSE OF GORDON. Crogo. McKerlie, iii., 82, 95, 96, 303. Ooughly. The Croughly Book, complied by Captain George Huntly Blair Gordon, R.E. ; edited by J. Percy Gordon, and printed by subscription for private circulation, 1895, 8vo, 103 pp. The family of Croughly in the parish of Kirkmichael are descended from Alexander, 3rd Earl of Huntly (died 1524). This pamphlet, which opens somewhat cynically in sketching the decay of the power of the Gordons, gives a very complete record of the later members of the Gordons of Croughly, who have been distinguished as a Service family, the most notable active member being General Redmond Gordon of the 15th Hussars, a brilliant cavalry leader in the South African War of 1899-1901. The author of the book, Capt. G. H. B. Gordon, R.E. (born 1857), succumbed to pneumonia, Nov. 18, 1897. He was the great-grandson of James Gordon of Croughly (1726-1818). He collected a good deal of matter on other branches of the Gordons. It is still in MS. (in the possession of Rev. Andrew Meldrum, Logierait), but is not of great value. The editor was his cousin, John Percy Gordon (born 1840), a solicitor in London. See also Jervise's Epitaphs, i., 70. Culdrain. Cadet of Birkenburn. Cullindoch. McKerlie, iii., 16, 17; iv., 271, 282-90; v., 205, 278. Cults. Jervise's Epitaphs, ii., 322, 323 ; Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., i., 379- Culvennan. Burke's Commoners, iii., 610 ; Landed Gentry, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th editions; McKerlie, iii., 276, 365, 367, 395, 396; iv., 132, 266, 277 ; v., 94, 133, 255 ; Scottish Nation, ii., 322. Cushnie. See Hallhead. Dallachy. Cramond's Annals of Banff, ii., 323. Dalmore. Balbithan MS., 68. Dalpholly. This family held a baronetcy created 1704. Rev. Sir Adam (died 1817) is biographed in the Gentleman's Magazine, vol. 87, p. 556. Davoch (or Daach). Balbithan MS., 66-68 ; Scottish Notes and Queries, May, 1902. Delamont (Co. Down). See Florida. Deskie. Balbithan MS., 65. Deuchries. Balbithan MS., 55. Dilspro. Balbithan MS., 43. Dorlathers. Balbithan MS., 52. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX TO PREFACE. xlix Drimnin. Burke's Landed Gentry (1898), i., 601. This family, which has remained Roman Catholic, is a branch of the Minmore line, and that in turn of the Knockespock. The present Roman Catholic Bishop of Jamaica is a brother of the present laird of Drimnin. See Medical Directory, 1903. Drumbulg. Balbithan MS., 43, 45, 59, 60. Drumearn. Edward Strathearn Gordon, a Lord of Appeal, was created Baron Gordon of Drumearn, 1876. The peerage became extinct 1879 (see G. E. C.'s Complete Peerage, iv., 53), but his issue will be found in the peerages since 1897, when a royal decree granted the courtesy title of Honourable to the children, of both present and deceased life peers. Lord Gordon was the son of Major John Gordon, 2nd Queen's Regiment, who was the son of Adam Gordon, of Griamacharry, Kildonan (1750-1831), beyond whom the family cannot be traced. Sir Thomas Edward Gordon (see Debrett's Knightage, 1902) is the son of Captain William Gordon, who was a son of this Adam. Lord Gordon's daughter Ella married Gen. Sir John James Hood Gordon. Drumhead. Balbithan MS., 40. Drumhill. Balbithan MS., 67. Drumin. Balbithan MS., 57, 58, 59. Drummoy. Balbithan MS., 12, 13, 32. Drummuir. Cadet of Park. Drumwhindle. Balbithan MS., 37, 41. Drymies. Balbithan MS., 50. Dunkinty. Balbithan MS., 23, 24. Earlston. The family, created baronets 1706, is described in all the baronetages, notably Burke and Debrett. See McKerlie, iii., 30, 85, 98, 145, 181, 1916, 195, 197, 229, 297, 307, 308, 314, 318, 321, 367, 387, 399, 4146, 427, 429, 435, 436, 438, 440, 441, 443; iv., 26, 61, 62, 63, 66, 76, 78, 80, 100, 282, 291, 302, 306, 318, 480, 481 ; v., 37, 43, 60, 121, 198, 300, 301 ; Scottish Nation, ii., 325; Records of the Corrie Family, A.D. 802-1899, by J[essie] E. Corrie; London: Mitchell & Hughes, 1899; vol. i., 109-129. Miss Corrie's book includes pictures of Earlston Castle, the arms of the Earlston family ; of Sir William Gordon of Afton, brother of Sir Alexander Gordon of Earls- ton ; and of the oak cabinet carved in captivity by John Gordon of Earlston. The connection between the families is clearly stated in a pedigree by Miss Corrie, printed on one sheet (57 inches by 30 inches), entitled Genealogical Table of the Houses of Gordon, Corrie and Goldie, published 1897. The Earlston family, who were zealous Protestants, figure very largely in Covenanting literature. In the Dictonary of National Biography there will be found good summaries of the line of Alexander Gordon (1587-1654), of his second son, William (1614-1679), and of the latter's son, Sir Alexander (1650-1720), all by Mr. Henry Paton. 1 HOUSE OF GORDON. Edinglassie. Balbithan MS., 33, 36, 38. Edintore. See Memoir of Dr. John Gordon by Daniel Ellis, F.R.S.E. (Edin. 1823). Edinvillie. Balbithan MS., 58. Ellon. Burke's Landed Gentry (1898), i., 602 ; Temple's Fermartyn, 502, 503 ; Chambers's Domestic Annals, iii., 422 (for the murder of two sons) ; Times, June 9, 1873 (for the declaration of marriage by George John Robert Gordon a very strange case) ; Seven Gardens, by E. V. B., 1900 ; Sutherland Edward's Life of Sir William White, 75; Mary Boyle, 176, 177; Aberdeen Free Press, Feb. 17, 1903; Jervise's Epitaphs, ii., 121. Embo. The Gordons of Embo, created baronets in 1631, will be found in any baronetage, notably G. E. C.'s, ii., 392 ; Scottish Nation, ii., 324; Burke's Royal Descents, 116. See Sir R. Gordon's MS. Tables; Brydges M.S., supra. Enniskillen. See Notes and Queries, 2, x., 90. Essie. Balbithan MS., 57, 63. See also Scurdargue. Esslemont. See Hallhead. Farskane. Jervise's Epitaphs, i., 274. Cadet of Cairnburrow. Panmure Gordon, a well-known London stockbroker (died Sept. i, 1902), belonged to this family. J. M. Bulloch has in his possession a volume compiled of numerous cuttings about his curious career, and containing catalogues of his extraordinary collections. Fechil. Temple's Fermartyn, 504-6 ; Gen. Acct. of James Young, etc., p. 226. Cadet of Pitlurg. Ferack. See Sir R. Gordon's MS. Tables, supra. Fernachty. Balbithan MS., 33. Fetterangus. Cadet of Lesmoir. Fetterletter. Balbithan MS., 15, 53, 54. Florida (Co. Down). Burke's Commoners, iv., 376 ; Landed Gentry, 9th edition, ii., supra 172, 173: Dartmouth Papers, Hist. MSS. Com. Sir Lionel Smith, Bart, (created 1838), married as his second wife (in 1819), Isabella Curwen, youngest daughter of Eldred Curwen Pottinger of Mount Pottinger by his wife Anne, daughter of Robert Gordon of Florida ; and his son Lionel (and bart. , born 1833) assumed the additional name of Gordon in 1868. James Bentley Gordon (1750-1819), historian, and George Gordon (1806-79), horticultural writer, both of Irish birth, are described in the Diet. Nat. Biog. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX TO PREFACE. H Fulziemont. Balbithan MS., 42, 50. Fyvie. Temple's Fermartyn, 28-31, 45, 46; Jervise's Epitaphs, ii., 29, 124 ; Burke's Visitations, and series, i., 10-12. See also FyYie MSS. (supra) ; the Gordons, baronets of Halkin, in any Baronetage. Garie. Balbithan MS., 44. Garty. Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., ii., 420. See Sir R. Gordon's MS. Tables, supra. Gight. Temple's Fermartyn 72-78 ; Methlick, Haddo House, Gight and the Valley of the Ythan, 67-79 ; Lord Huntly's Records of A boy ne, 53-56 ; also deduction in the present volume. Glascoforest. Cadet of Lesmoir. Glassaugh. Cadet of Lesmoir. Glen. McKerlie, iii., 5, 33, 34, 74, 89, 159, 179, 219, 313, 334, 348, 382, 437, 488, 501, 502 ; iv., 54, 55, 92, 253, 281, 285, 290, 291, 302, 434 ; v., 194, 197^ 202, 204, 209, 292, 294, 313. Glenbucket. Balbithan MS., 36, 37, 38 ; Jervise's Epitaphs, i., 69 ; Allardyce's Historical Papers of the Jacobite Period (1895-96,) ; 288, 310, 353, 354. 355' 37 2 > 39 1 . 397. 39 8 and 545- See also Pitfour MS. and under Knockespock. John Gordon, the famous Jacobite leader, held these estates, which have been owned by several branches of the Gordons. The editor has prepared a lengthy deduction. Glencat. This family produced a notorious swindler whose career is detailed in two pamphlets entitled Memoirs of John Gordon of Glencat, " who was thirteen years in the Scotch College at Paris, wherein the absurdities and delusions of Popery are laid open," i2mo, 1733. The Masterpiece of Imposture, " or the adventures of John Gordon and the Countess of Gordon, alias Countess Dalco, alias Madame Dallas, alias Madame Kempster, containing the reality of an history and the amusement of a romance ; being an answer to the late Memoirs of the said John Gordon of Glencat. Done with authentick account by Elizabeth Harding : London, printed for the author," 8vo, 1734. Glendaveny. Cadet of Lesmoir. Glengarack. Balbithan MS., 63. Presbytery Book of Strathbogie. Glenluce. C. A. Gordon's Concise History of the Gordons (1890), pp. 125-30. Rev. Robert Gordon, the last of the Non-juring Bishops, belonged to this family. See Lathbury's History of the Non-Jurors and The Jacobite Lairds ofGask. lii HOUSE OF GORDON. Gollachie. Balbithan MS., 33. Golspitur. See Pitcairns Criminal Trials, iii., 231 ; Balbithan MS., 13. Gordon, Parish of. See Old Stat. Acct., v., 88 ; New Stat.Acct., ii., 33 ; Chalmers's Caledonia (ed. of 1888), iii., 385. Gordonbank. See Nisbet's System of Heraldry (1804), vol. ii., Appx., p. 220. See under Portugal. Gordonstoun. See Eraser's Sutherland Book ; Douglas's Baronage, p. 2 ; G. E. C.'s Complete Baronetage, ii., p. 277 ; Foster's Members of Parlia- ment : Scotland; also Sir R. Gordon's MS. Tables, Gordonstoun MSS., supra. Grange. McKerlie, -iii., 111-277 5 i y -> 2 3 6 > 2 37> 2 99 5 v -> *95> 2 9 2 > 3 6 37- Greenlaw. Cadet of Kenmure. Also McKerlie, iii., 146, 365-68, 395, 423, 507 ; iv., 62, 66, 68, 69, 207, 235, 266 ; v., 61, 119, 232 and 387. Haddo. Balbithan MS. ,53-56 ; Jervise's Epitaphs, ii., 23-25 ; Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., i., 138 ; ii., 23, 37, 48, 235, 240, 482 ; Temple's Fermartyn, 1-16 ; Methlick, Haddo House, Gight and the Valley of the Ythan, 53-64 ; the Gordon letters, Spalding Club Misc., vol. iii. ; G. E. C.'s Complete Baronet- age, ii., 451. "A Gordon Vendetta of Last Century: how [the 2nd] Lord Aberdeen's son [Hon. Cosmo Gordon] killed an officer in a duel," by J. M. Bulloch, Aberdeen Free Press, Feb. 27, 1899 ; " Waterloo Day : the price that the North paid for the victory [by the death of Sir Alexander Gordon, grandson of the 3rd Earl of Aberdeen]," by J. M. Bulloch, in the Aberdeen Free Press, June 17, 1899. The ennobled Gordons of Haddo, Lord Aberdeen's family, are described in all the peerages of course. Case on behalf of the Rt. Hon. John Campbell, Earl of Aberdeen in the Peerage of Scotland, claiming a writ of summons to Parliament as Viscount Gordon of Aberdeen, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, 1872, 121 pp. Minutes of Evidence Taken before the Committee for Privileges to whom was referred the petition of the Rt. Hon. John Campbell, etc., 1872, 81 pp. (The official account of the death of the sailor Earl.) Baron Stanmore (created 1893), son of 4th Earl of Aberdeen, belongs to the Haddo family. Haffleld. Burke's Commoners, ii., 219; Landed Gentry, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th editions. Cadet of Abergeldie. Halkin. Cadet of FyYie. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX TO PREFACE. Hii Hallhead. Balbithan MS., 17 ; Temple's Thanage, 512-17 ; Records of Aboyne, 27; Burke's Landed Gentry (1898), i., 599; Scottish Notes and Queries, March and May, 1898; Pratt's Buchan (1901); 435, 438. See also Gordon-Gilmour, Burke's Landed Gentry (1898) i., 585. Adam Lindsay Gordon (1833-70), the Australian poet, belonged to this family. See Diet. Nat. Biog : A. Patchett Martin's Beginnings of an Australian Literature : Walbrook's Life, 1891 : Percy F. Rowland's New Nation, 1903. Hallheaths. Cadet of Kenmure. Harperfield. Cadet of Pitlurg. Hartpury. Family name Gordon-Canning, descended from the Cluny Gordons. See Burke's Landed Gentry (gth edition), i., 233, 234. Holm. McKerlie, iii., 19, 746, 77, 82, 83, 89, 90, 93, 109 ; iv., 53, 86, 300, 306, 307, 342, 440 ; v., 195. Mr. John Gordon, 22 South Audley Street, London, has made large collections on the history of this family and has placed his material at the disposal of the Club. Huntly. It is a curious fact that this family, the Gordons of Huntly, both in the main and ducal line, and in the matter of its cadets, should have had more attention paid to them than any other branches of the House of Gordon. This is all the more strange in that they were not of pure Gordon blood. They were " Seton Gordons," a term that has been used (one recalls Mrs. Byron's reference), and is still sometimes spoken of with a touch of contempt. And yet nearly all the printed histories and most of the manuscripts devote themselves to this line as if it summed up the family. I have, therefore, included under the title of " Huntly " those books which really deal with this line, under the guise of histories of the whole race. Genealogie de I'illustre et ancienne maison de haut et puissant prince Mylord Due de Gourdon, Marquis de Huntly, Comte d'Ainzie, Seigneur de provinces de Badenots et Lokaber, Baron de Stradoun, d'Achindoun, de Strabolgy, etc., Pair d'Escosse, descendant par les Rois d'Escosse, des Rois d'Angleterre, des Rois de France et d'autres Princes Souverains. [Circa 1700]. A folio volume of six pages printed on parchment and now in Gordon Castle. In the same volume there is a MS. translation into English made by Archibald Anderson, library keeper at Gordon Castle, in 1748, followed by a continuation of the genealogy to 1748, and by a " short account of the principal transactions during the time of Alexander, second of that name and fourth Duke of Gordon," beginning in 1758 and ending abruptly in 1765. This volume is referred to on p. 61, of C. A. Gordon's Concise History. A MS. copy of the genealogy in French is mentioned in Nichol- son's Scottish Historical Library, 1702, as being then penes Dom. Robertum Sibbald. The History of the Ancient, Noble and Illustrious Family of Gordon, Hv HOUSE OF GORDON. from their first arrival in Scotland in Malcolm III.'s time to the year 1690 ; together with the history of the most remarkable transactions in Scotland from the beginning of Robert I., his reign, to the year 1690, containing the space of 400 years : all faithfully collected from ancient and modern Scots and foreign historians, manuscripts, records and registers of this nation. In two volumes. By Mr. William Gordon, of Old Aberdeen. Edinburgh : printed by Mr. Thomas Ruddiman, for the author, 1726-27. 8vo. Vol. i., pp. xxxi., 440 ; vol. ii., pp. viii., 624. This is an account of the Gordons told in the terms of the general history of Scotland. In his Preface to the second vol. he says " I have already, in the Introduction to the First Volume, accounted for the motives that induced me to publish this History, and the Authors from whom I collected it. In that Introduction I promised to bring down the History of the Nation, with that of the Family of Gordon, to the year 1689 ; but the many and various Accidents that happened during the Rebellion in King Charles I. 's Time having swell'd this Volume to a greater Bulk than is proper for an Octavo Book, I was forced to break it off abruptly at the martyrdom of that most excellent Prince, and confine myself to the History of the Family of Gordon." Next to nothing is known about the author save that he was a student at Marischal College, 1694-98. In his History (ii., 405), he says: " I shall give an account of it [the taking of Kelly in 1644], as I had it from an uncle of my own, Gilbert Keith of Caldhome, who was there with his chief the Earl Marischal, and other gentlemen who were present". Scott (Fasti Eccles. Scot., iii., 589), says that William Gordon minister of Kintore, 1679 to 1695 (ejected), and died 1697) married Janet Keith, and had two sons Alexander and James, and two daughters Catherine (married Mr. Rob. Keith, min. of Ballantrae) and Anna. Munro's Old Abdn. (i., 280), shows that in 1702 " Mr. Wm. Gordon, merchant burgess of Aberdeen, sone to Mr. Wm. G., min. at Kintore," was admitted a burgess of Old Aberdeen. Thus the min. of Kintore had at least one son more than those mentioned in Scott's Fasti. May not the Mr. Wm. Gordon, burgess of Old Aberdeen, in 1702, whose mother was Janet Keith, be the historian, " Mr. William Gordon of Old Aberdeen," whose uncle was Gilbert Keith ? Gordon's book is not very useful, but it is rising in price. Wodrow in a letter to Dr. James Fraser dated Aug. 27, 1728 (Analectci Scotica, i., 3, 20-1) says: " I am told Mr. Gordon of Aberdeen, who was at Sheriffmuir and who hath lately published the History of the Gordons designes an answer to my book. If he support what he sayes by no better vouchers, and breath the same bitter and violent spirit of slavery, that in my opinion is pretty plain in his History of the Gordons, I imagine, if I live to see his book, I shall notice it as little as I have done the pelts I have got from some Jacobite and high-flying writers on the other side." A concise history of the Antient and Illustrious House of Gordon, from the origin of the name to the present time : together with an account of the pedigree of his grace the Duke of Gordon and of the Right Honourable the Earl of Aboyne, and the Lord Andrew, Count Gordon, nearest collateral branches of the illustrious family ; all faithfully collected from Scotch and BIBLIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX TO PREFACE. Iv Foreign historians, manuscripts, records and registers. By C [harles] A. Gordon. Aberdeen: printed for the author, 1754. 8vo. Pp. xi., 320. It was reprinted by D. Wyllie & Son in 1890 (8vo ; pp. xi., 155): edited by A. M. Munro. Nothing is known of the author of this book (which is mainly a condensation of William Gordon's work) except his own statement that he was " a stranger in this country ". Surgundo. Edinburgh : Thomas G. Stevenson, 1837. This metrical history of the Gordons written in some 2000 doggerel couplets is really entitled The Valiant Christian, and was edited by Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe, who printed fifty copies in 1837 as a quarto of 69 pp. The original is in the Advocates Library, Edinburgh. There is no vestige of the author's name ; but at the bottom of the first page is this memorandum : " Lent by Patrick Gordon of Bonhall [Binhall ?] to Glenbucket " ; and on the blank page at the end : " John Gordon of Glenbucket ". Its argument runs : " The Authores Proheme poyntes at his sadde fate. Gordone Duke Raymore [Moray] killes, vhich breids debate. The Gentilles rysse in armes, and him assealles ; Chrystes lawe he doeth professe, and stille preveilles." The names of persons and places in the poem are written as anagrams. Thus Aber- geldie appears as " Rabidegell " ; Avochie as " Chiava " ; Knockespok as Eaes- seneok and so on. The hero Surgundo [Gordonus] is the first Marquis of Huntly. The Records of Aboyne, MCCXXX-MDCLXXXI. Edited by Charles XL, Marquis of Huntly, Earl of Aboyne, P.C., LL.D. Aberdeen : printed for the New Spalding Club, 1894, 4to, pp. xliii., 589. This is a brilliant piece of genealogical work, in which Lord Huntly had the able assist- ance of Mr. D. Murray Rose (cf. Notes and Queries, 8, iv., 287). It contains an excellent sketch of the rise of the Gordons, and takes the reader down to Charles I., Earl of Aboyne. While primarily dealing with the ennobled Gordons of Huntly, it contains brief deductions of various cadets who crossed their path in the innumerable land transactions recorded in Lord Huntly's charter chest. It is a model of how such a book should be done. A history of the Family of Seton during eight centuries. By George Seton, advocate, M.A. Oxon. etc. Edinburgh : privately printed by T. & A. Constable, printers to her Majesty, 2 vols., 1896. These volumes, forming probably the most sumptuous of Scottish family histories, treat the Huntly branch as cadets of the great Seton family (pp. 375-459). Genealogical Collections concerning families in Scotland made by Walter Macfarlane, 1750-51, 2 vols. Edinburgh: printed for the Scottish History Society, 1900. " GORDON from the printed and MS. histories of that name composed, as also observa- tions thereon deduced from original writers." See vol. ii., pp. 409-23. h Ivi HOUSE OF GORDON. Minutes of evidence taken before the Lords Committees to whom was referred the petition of George, Earl of Aboyne, stating his right to the titles, honours and dignities of Marquess of Huntley, Earl of Enzie, and Lord Gordon and Badenoch, 1838, 43 pp. The Earl of Aboyne presented a second petition claiming the older title of Earl of Huntly, but this claim was not pressed. Lords Journals, Ixix., 27 ; Ixx., 329, 342, 35 8 , 383, 402, 47 1 - Claim of George, Marquis of Huntley to be added to the Union Roll of the peers of Scotland, 1838, 14 pp. and pedigree. When the Union Roll was drawn up the Marquisate was merged in the Dukedom. Memorials of the Troubles in Scotland and England, A.D. 1624 A.D. 1645, by John Spalding, 2 vols. 4to. Spalding Club, 1840-1. This classic contains the best account of Gordons who took part in the religious struggle mentioned. Among the families more elaborately treated (see index) are the Gordons of Ardlogie and Gight, Haddo, Newton, Birkenburn, Cairnburrow, Park, Glenbucket, Straloch, Buckie and Rothiemay. Inquiry into the Law and Practice in Scottish Peerages. By John Riddell. 2 vols. Edinburgh, 1842. Huntly, pp. 341-2, 526, 872-93, 1032-3. Caledonia. By George Chambers. Paisley, 1888. See ii., 544 ; v., 396. Pedigree of Gordon of Huntly and A bergeldie. Privately printed by Sir Thomas Phillipps, bart. The Earls of Huntly with regard to filii carnales. By Alexander Sinclair. In Herald and Genealogist, vi., 595. Marquisate of Huntly, in Maidment's Collectanea Genealogica (Edinb., 1883), p. no. Arms of Dukes of Gordon are dealt with by G. E. C. and illustrated in Howard's Miscellanea Genealogica, iii., 133. The seals of the early members of the Huntly Gordons were described by P. J. Anderson (with illustrations) in Scottish Notes and Queries, i., xi., 65-6. The Gordon Book, edited by J. M. Bulloch, 1902. This volume (8vo, pp. 84) was published in connection with the Fochabers Reading Room Bazaar. It contains fourteen full-page pictures and articles by the editor on Jane Maxwell, wife of the fourth Duke of Gordon and on her daughter the Duchess of Richmond besides a list of all officers of the name of Gordon, who fought in the South African War, 1899-1901. A good deal of out of way gossip about Jane Maxwell has been contributed by J. M. Bulloch to Bon-Accord (Aberdeen), July 3, BIBLIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX TO PREFACE. Ivil 10 and 17, 1902 ; pet. 2 and 9, 1902, and July, 16 and 23, 1903. The later volumes of Scottish Notes and Queries contain a great deal of matter about the Duchess. The Gay Gordons, in the Scottish Review, xxv., 246-69. April, 1895. Also under same title by J. M. Bulloch, in Blackwood's Magazine, Feb. 1898. The Gay Gordons is also the name of a volume of " Ballads of an ancient Scottish Clan". Edited by Armi stead C. Gordon, Staunton, Virginia. 1902. Mr. Gordon is a lawyer in Staunton, is descended from an Irish branch of the Gordons who were probably descended from the Gordons of Craichlaw in Wigtonshire. The volume (of which 250 only were printed in black and red, Jensen type) is an octavo and contains the ballads of " Edom o' Gordon," "Gordon of Brackley," " Knockespock's Lady," " Kenmure," " Young Lochinvar," " Lewis Gordon," " O Where, tell me Where, "The Baron of Brackley," "Kenmure," 1715, "Castle Gordon," " Suspense " (by a Virginian Gordon, written upon " Chinese " Gordon at Khartoum) the "Gay Gordons" by Henry Newbolt," and "Ivy" by the editor. InYercharrach. Balbithan MS., 57, 67. Invergordon. The correspondence of Sir jfohn Gordon, baronet, of Invergordon, on occasion of the Rebellion, Autumn, 1745, containing some particulars of those Times. Edited by James Maidment (Edinb., 1835). See also Eraser's Earls of Cromartie. Inverlochy. Cadet of Croughly. Invermarkie. Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., i., 335; ii., 243, 483. Cadet of Cairnburrow. Invernettie. Temple's Fermartyn, 266, 267. Cadet of Lesmoir. Johnsleys. Balbithan MS., 44. Kenmure. Burke's Landed Gentry (1898), i., 595 ; McKerlie, ii., 66, 74, 216, 243, 244, 254, 312, 365, 389, 410, 411, 421 ; iv., 42, 53-68, 70, 72 ; v., 199 ; G. E. C.'s Complete Peerage, iv., 344-46 ; Fergusson's Laird of Lag, 38, 50, 51, 90, 91, 126; Hewlett's Scotch Dignities, 49; Forfeited Estate papers in H.M. Register House. John and William, ist and 6th viscounts, are dealt with in the Dictionary of National Biography. A tabular pedigree of the family written on the opening of a sheet of folio paper was sold at Sotheby's in the Phillipps Collection, on May i, 1903. It was undated, but the water- mark was 1802. The pedigree went as far as Robert, " who but for the attainder would have been Lord Kenmuir ". Add. MSS. (Brit. Museum), 33, 596, f. 33. Kennertie. Records of A boy ne, pp. 22-29 an( ^ I2 6-3i> 226-29. HOUSE OF GORDON. Kethocksmill. An attempt to deal with this family was made (pp. 615-23), in Virginia Genealogies ; a genealogy of the Glassell family of Scotland and Virginia, also of the families of Ball, Brown, Bryan, Conway, Daniel, Ewell, Holladay, Lewis, Littlefrage, Moncure, Peyton, Robinson, Scott, Taylor, Wallace and others, of Virginia and Maryland. By Rev. Horace Edwin Hayden, M.A., Wilkes-Barre, Penn., 1891-97 8vo., 759 pp. The late Rev. Father William Gordon, Superior of the Oratory, Brompton (1827-1901), spent the latter years of his life in investigating the history of his family, and the present writer was greatly indebted to him in compiling the descent of the family in Scottish Notes and Queries, July, 1900, and May, 1902. Kincraigie. Balbithan MS., 47, 51, 67. Kindroch. Balbithan MS., 31, 32. Kinellar. Cadet of Lesmoir. Kinernie. Balbithan MS., 67. Kinmundy. Temple's Fermartyn, 309-14; see also under Pitlurg. Kinnoir. Balbithan MS., 42, 43. Kirkconnell. McKerlie, iii., 21, 314; v., 194, 195, 281. Knawen. Balbithan MS., 55, 56, 57, 60, 61. Knock. Balbithan MS., 45 ; Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., i., 252. Knockbrex. McKerlie, iii., 199, 210, 211 ; iv., 171. Knockespock. Balbithan MS., 17, 43, 48, 57, 63, 64 ; Burke's Landed Gentry, 2nd and 3rd editions; Scottish Nation, ii., 321 ; Jervise's Epitaphs, ii., 87. Law. Balbithan MS., 47, 48. Leicheston. Balbithan MS., 33, 43, 47, 49. Lesmoir. Balbithan MS., 43-45. The Genealogy front father to son of the House of Lesmoir, as it was painted on the chimney of the said house, transcribed therefrom by Dr. Thomas Gordon of Craigelly, and printed on pp. 99, 100 of Memorials of the family of Gordon of Lesmoir, in the County of Aberdeen, by Captain Douglas Wimberley, late of the 79th, or Cameron Highlanders : printed for the author at the office of the Northern Chronicle, Inverness, 1893, 4to, pp. 170. Printed statement of the claim to the Baronetcy, by Captain Herbert Spencer Compton Gordon, 1887 ; Douglas's Baronage, 30; Temple's Fermartyn (260-71); Records of Aboyne, 75-86 and 193-99 ; G. E. C.'s Complete Baronetage, ii., 299, 300. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX TO PREFACE. lix Letterfourie. Balbithan MS., 18, 19, 57 ; Jervise's Epitaphs, i., 277 ; Scottish Nation, ii., 323. See any Baronetage. Sir Robert Gordon of Gordonstoun, second son of Adam, Earl of Sutherland, was created premier baronet of Nova Scotia, 1625, and on the death of his great-great-grandson in 1795, without issue, this baronetcy passed to James Gordon of Letterfourie, who was descended from James I. of Letterfourie, brother of Adam, Earl of Sutherland. A branch of this family settled in Holland, and the Biographisch Woordboek der Neder- landen states that Solomon Gordon, of the Swiss Regiment in Holland, was the great- grandson of James I. of Letterfourie. Solomon's daughter, Gertrude (born 1669), was a poet, and is biographed in the Woordboek. Another member of this family was Otto Dirck Gordon, Colonel of a Company of the Civil Guards, Utrecht. Lettoch. Scottish Notes and Queries, 2 ; iv., 141. Loch Dougan. Earlston MS. Lochinvar. Balbithan MS., 7-9; G. E. C.'s Complete Baronetage, ii., 314, Wood's Walter Pringle, 93-6, 103, 107. Add. MSS. (Brit. Museum), 33, 531, f. 213. Scott's ballad of " Young Lochinvar " refers to this family. Another version appears in Buchan's Gleanings of . . . old ballads, 74-5. Logic. Pratt's Buchan (1901), 243 ; see under Ardmeallie. Lungar. Temple's Fermartyn, 310. See also under Pitlurg. Manar. Burke's Landed Gentry (1898), i., 598 ; Jervise's Epitaphs, i., 360 ; Scot. Notes and Queries, 2, iv., 141 ; Dingwall Fordyce, Family Record, ii., 24, 25. Gordons as Watchmakers, Scot. Notes and Queries, 2, v., 51. Merdrum. Balbithan MS., 52. Methlick. See Haddo. Midmar. See Abergeldie, and Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., ii., 323, 414. Milrig. Burke's Landed Gentry, i., 233. Minmore. Jervise's Epitaphs, i., 146 ; Burke's Landed Gentry (1898), i., 60 1. Cadet of Knockespock. Monaughty. Cadet of Lesmoir. Murfad. McKerhe, iii., 35, 414; iv., 56, 57, 61, 262, 281, 282, 292; v., 59, 292. Netherbuckie. Balbithan MS., 57, 65. Nethermuir. Balbithan MS., 35, 55, 56 ; Dingwall Fordyce, Family Record, i., 153, 154. Paterson's History of Ayr, i., 220, 221. See also under Auchleuchries and Bonnyton. Ix HOUSE OF GORDON. Newark-upon-Trent. Betham's Baronetage, iii., 316, 317. This family was descended from the Gordons of Craichlaw. They were created baronets, 1764. The baronetcy became extinct, 1831. Add. MSS. (Brit. Museum), 32, 718, f. 60, etc. Newtimber (Sussex). Burke's Landed Gentry (1898), i., 599. Newton. Temple's Fermartyn, 263, 264; Balbithan MS., 44 ; Jervise's Epitaphs, ii., 326 ; Scottish Notes and Queries, 2, iv., 162 ; Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., i., 257, 335; ii., 27; Family Bible at Newton owned by Mr. A. M. Gordon. Noth. Balbithan MS., 16, 50, 51, 60. Overskibo. See Sir R. Gordon's MS. Tables, supra. Oxhill. Balbithan MS., 43. Park. Balbithan MS., 36-39 ; Temple's Fermartyn, pp. 221-26, 282, 283; Riddell's Inquiry, pp. 709-10; Burke's Landed Gentry (1898), i., 428, 429 ; Notes and Queries, 6, vii., 415. Forfeited Estates papers in H.M. Register House. Cadet of Cairnburrow. Parkhill. See Pitlurg. Parkmoir. Balbithan MS., 67, 68. Pethnick. Balbithan MS., 66, 67. Pitglassie. Balbithan MS., 67. Pitlurg. Balbithan MS., 28, 30, 31. Jervise's Epitaphs, ii., 30, 31. " The Straloch Papers " in the Miscellany of the Spalding Club, vol. i., 3-58. These letters date from 1586 to 1646, and are addressed chiefly to Sir John Gordon of Pitlurg and Robert Gordon of Straloch, the map-maker. See also Temple's Fermartyn (pp. 303-17); Burke's Landed Gentry (1898), ii., 1356-57 ; Scottish Nation, ii., 321 ; John Gordon of Pitlurg and Park- hill, 1885. See lives of Robert Gordon, founder of Gordon's College, by A. Walker (1876), and R. Anderson (1896). Pittendreich. Balbithan MS., 17, 20, 21. Cadet of Cluny. Prony. Balbithan MS., 32, 41, 42, 55, 58, 59, 60 ; Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., ii., 410. See Prony and Theodore Gordon MSS., supra. Rhynie. Balbithan MS., 45, 52. Rothiemay. Balbithan MS., 24, 57, 65; Temple's Fermartyn, 144-150. This family were notorious in connection with the bloody vendetta which they carried on with the Crichtons of Frendraught. The first laird of Rothiemay (who belonged to the Cairnburrow family) was killed in a march dispute with Crichton in January, BIBLIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX TO PREFACE. Ixi 1630, and his son, the second laird, was burned at Frendraught House in the follow- ing October, along with John, Viscount Aboyne, son of the first Marquis of Huntly. An enormous amount of literature deals with their feud, notably in the Privy Council Register. Reference may also be drawn to D. Shearer's Notes on the Parish of Rothiemay (Huntly, 8vo, 36 pp.) and Cramond's Rothiemay House (Banff, 1900). Rothney. Scot. Notes and Queries, 2, iv., 141 ; Jervise's Epitaphs, 323. RUSCO. McKerlie, iii., 34, 35, 46, 159, 219, 334, 348, 437, 488, 501, 502; iv., 27, 262, 281, 282, 322; v., 85, 86, 294. Saphak. Cadet of Crichie. Sallagh. Gilbert Gordon of Sallagh continued Gordon's Earls of Sutherland from 1630 to 1651. Sauchin. Balbithan MS., 66, 67. Savoch. Balbithan MS., 54, 55. Schives. See Gight. Scotstown. The Gordon-Oswalds are descendants of Gordon of Balmuir, a descendant of the Nethermuir family. See Walford's County Families, 1902. Scurdargue. "Jock" Gordon of Scurdargue was one of the two illegitimate cousins of Elizabeth Gordon, the heiress who founded the ducal line, and it is his descendants who occupy the main part of the Balbithan MS. Seaton. Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., ii., 217. Sempill. Add. MSS. (Brit. Museum), Catalogue for 1882-7. Shalloch. Earlston MS. Sheelagreen. Temple's Fermartyn, 264-66 ; Balbithan MS., 55. See under Newton. Shirmers. McKerlie, iii., 63, 76, 78-83, 90, 96, 104, 410 ; iv., 62 ; v., 58. A pedigree (MS.) of this family, prepared by the College of Heralds, is owned by Major Evans-Gordon, M.P. Sideray. See Sir R. Gordon's MS, Tables, supra. Smithston. Balbithan MS., 36. Soccoth. Balbithan MS., 45, 62. Sorbie. See Knowles' Account of the Coultharts, 1855 Burke's Visitations, 2nd series, i., 47, 271. Ixii HOUSE OF GORDON. Stanmore (Baron). See Haddo. Lord Stanmore, youngest son of the 4th Earl of Aberdeen, and created Baron, 1893, was associated when young with Bentley Priory, Stanmore. It is a curious fact that Bentley Priory is now in the possession of Mr. Frederick Gordon, the founder of the Gordon Hotels of London and elsewhere. Mr. Gordon was born in Herefordshire, but he writes that his family came originally from Aboyne. His son Vivian is an officer in the ist Gordon Highlanders. Lord Stanmore's son is an officer in the 3rd Gordons so that the two families, totally unrelated, have joined a common cause. Stitchel. See Lochinvar. Straloch. Cadet of Pitlurg. This family, which is descended from the Gordons of Pitlurg, included some notable men. Robert Gordon (1580-1661), of Straloch, together with his son James Gordon (1615 ?-i686), the famous parson of Rothiemay, contributed greatly to the maps of Scotland in Bleau's "Atlas". In addition to the Straloch MS., see the Straloch papers (Spaldlng Club Misc., 1-58) ; Scots Affairs (Spalding Club, 1841). Strathdon. Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., ii., 60, 217, 218, 418, 419, 446. Sutherland. After the Huntly Gordons themselves, the history of their cadets who became Earls of Sutherland and used the family name of Gordon until the time of John, Earl of Sutherland (1660-1733), wno "quitted" it at a date unknown has been more elaborately dealt with than that of any other branch of the family. The published histories are as follows : A Genealogical history of the Earldom of Sutherland, from its origin to the year 1630. Written by Sir Robert Gordon of Gordonstoun, Baronet. With a continuation to the year 1651 [by Gilbert Gordon of Sallagh]. Pub- lished from the original manuscript. Edinburgh : printed by George Ramsay & Co., for Archibald Constable & Company, Edinburgh ; and White, Cochrane & Co., London, 1813. Folio. Pp. xvi. + 575 + xi. This fine folio is printed from the MS. in possession of the Duke of Sutherland. The writer, Sir Robert Gordon of Gordonstoun, who dedicated his work to John Earl of Sutherland, dating from Dornoch 1630, was the nth Earl of Sutherland's second surviving son by Lady Jane Gordon, daughter of the 4th Earl of Huntly. He died 1656. The work was continued (pp. 447-562) by Gilbert Gordon of Sallagh. The oldest MS. of Sir Robert Gordon is preserved at Dunrobin. It is a folio of 228 pages, to which is prefixed (according to the Sutherland Book, i., x.) : (1) An elaborate title page, extending over the whole page ; (2) Catalogue of the principal authors consulted, including volumes collected by the learned William Camden, 2 pp. ; (3) " The Epistle dedicatorie " to John, i3th Earl of Sutherland (2 pp.) ; (4 & 5) Descriptions of the armorial bearings of the Earl of Sutherland and Sir Robert Gordon (one page each) ; BIBLIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX TO PREFACE. Ixiii (6) " The description of the provvince off Sutherland with the Commodities thereoff " : 7 pp. ; (7) The Preface, one page. Appended to the Genealogie proper there is a short discourse of the Earle of Southir- land his precedencee in Parliament of the Earle of Catteyness, wryten the year 1617 by Sir Robert Gordoun, 12 pp. The volume is beautifully bound in russia leather, and on a fly leaf of the modern binding is the following note holograph of the second Duke of Sutherland : " This manuscript of the History of the Family of Sutherland was given to me by Mr. Richard Gordon, descendant of Sir Robert Gordon in 1643 Sutherland." Underneath that note is another " This volume is altogether in the handwriting of Sir Robert himself." This second note is in pencil by the late Mr. Cosmo Innes. Sir William Fraser took a different view. " Throughout the copy there are many additions and alterations in the undoubted handwriting of Sir Robert, extending occasionally to whole pages, while his marginal additions are numerous. These certainly show that the finely engrossed copy was made from an earlier draft which had been superseded by the copy on which the author made his additions and emendations from time to time. In this way the copy of the original draft had come to be considered as the original." Sallagh's continuation extends to sixty-three folios. This and a copy of Sir Robert's manuscript belong to Sir Robert's son, Robert Gordon of Cluny. It was acquired by Lady Jean Wemyss, the Countess of the i4th Earl of Sutherland, and presented by her to her son the isth Earl in 1705. It is this copy that was printed. It was entrusted by the Marchioness of Stafford to Archibald Constable in October, 1806, to be printed privately as a presentation quarto, but it did not appear till 1813, and then it came out as a folio in the ordinary way. It was edited by Henry Weber (1783-1818), the crazy Anglo-Westphalian, who was Scott's amanuensis. He challenged Scott (see Lockhart's Life) in a moment of madness to a mortal duel in the year of the publication of this book. There are three other MSS. besides the Dunrobin one in existence : and the Duke of Sutherland possesses some interesting supplementary tables by Sir Robert, supra, p. xxxv. While dealing primarily with the noble house of Sutherland, Gordon's work throws a flood of light on other branches. The Sutherland Book, by Sir William Fraser, K.C.B., LL.D. In three volumes [vol. i., Memoirs, pp. xlvi. + 520 : vol. ii., Correspondence, pp. xxxviii. + 38i : vol. iii., Charters, pp. lix. + 357]. Edinburgh, 1892. Printed by Constable. 4to. This bulky work forms a dry-as-dust supplement to Sir Robert Gordon's very readable work. It is very similar to the other family chronicles by Sir William Fraser (1816- 1898). A large amount of valuable genealogical matter appeared in connection with the succession of Lady Elizabeth Sutherland to the Earldom, 1766. The i8th earl (and his wife) died of " putrid " fever at Bath in June, 1766, leaving an only daughter, Elizabeth, then thirteen months old. Her claim to succession was opposed by (i) Sir Robert Gordon of Gordonstoun, as heir male of the body of Adam Gordon, Earl of Sutherland, by his wife suo jure Countess : (2) by George Sutherland of Forss, as heir male of the first Earl of Sutherland. The literature bearing on this subject consists of i Ixiv HOUSE OF GORDON. Case of Sir Robert Gordon, Bart. : to be heard at the Bar of the House of Lords, March 16, 1769 : 15 pp., 4to. Supplemental Case of Sir Robert Gordon, Bart., in which all facts and arguments in support of his claim are stated, and the inaccuracies in his original case and appendix (which were printed before the proofs arrived from Scotland) are corrected : To be heard at the Bar of the House of Lords before the Committee of Privileges day of , 1770 : 40 pp., 4to. Pedigree of Sir Robert Gordon (in connection with the case) : one page. Brief for the Counsel of Sir Robert Gordon, Bart. : To be heard at the Bar of the House of Lords before the Committee of the Privileges on the day of March, 1771: 158 pp., 4to. ["Lady Elizabeth Sutherland's voluminous additional case was not delivered to Sir Robert till Nov. 9 last, and six weeks were employed in examining it, and in detecting the errors with which it abounds. There remained, therefore, a very short and inade- quate space of time for the preparing and the printing of the present brief. On this foundation Sir Robert Gordon rests his apology for the inaccuracies of language and errors of small moment which may appear in it."] Append' x (32) to the Case of Sir Robert Gordon : 35 pp., 4to. Pedigree of the claimant, George Sutherland of Forss, Esq., as set forth by himself : one page. The additional Case of Elizabeth claiming the Title and Dignity of Countess of Sutherland by her guardians : wherein the Facts and Arguments in support of her Claim are more fully stated, and the Errors in the additional cases exhibited for the other claimants are detected : 177 pages. The Sutherland Peerage, 1771, with an appendix of notes on Lord Mans- field's speech, 1771, 30 pp. The House of Lords decided on March 21, 1771, in favour of Lady Elizabeth Sutherland. Earldom of Sutherland in " Reports of Claims preferred to the House of Lords". Edited by James Maidment, Edinb., 1840 (pp. 55-83). See also Riddell's Inquiry, p. 606. A lost chapter in the History of Mary Queen of Scots Recovered : Notices of James, Earl of Bothwell, and Lady Jane Gordon, and of the dispensation for their marriage ; remarks on the law and practice of Scotland relative to marriage dispensations. By John Stuart. Edinburgh: 1874. 4to, pp. 115. Lady Jane Gordon, daughter of the 4th Earl of Huntly married (i) in June, 1565-66, James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell. On May 7, 1567, this marriage was annulled as being within the fourth degree of consanguinity, and on May 15, Bothwell married Queen Mary. Lady Jane married (2) Dec. 13, 1573, i2th Earl of Sutherland. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX TO PREFACE. IxV Swiney. Henderson's Caithness Family History, p. 336. Tarmore. Cadet of Cluny. Techmuiry. Cadet of Pitlurg. Terpersie Gordons. Balbithan MS., 39, 46-49, 50; Temple's Fermartyn, 103 ; Notes on the family of Gordon of Terpersie, with a table of their descent. By Captain Wimberley. Inverness : printed at the Northern Chronicle Office, 1900. 8vo, 17 pp. Captain Wimberley who was born in 1828 is the second son of the Rev. Charles Wimberley, Chaplain H.E.I.C.S., who married in 1825 Mary, daughter of Major General Charles Irvine (son of the ijth laird of Drum), by Diana, second daughter of Sir Alexander Gordon, 6th Bart, of Lesmoir. Captain Wimberley, who is to contribute an account of the Lesmoir Gordons to the next volume, has compiled deductions of the families of Irvine of Drum, of Wimberley and of Campbell. See also Scottish Notes and Queries, Nov., 1900 ; Forfeited Estates papers in H.M. Register House. Threave. Burke's Landed Gentry (1898), i., 661 ; McKerlie, iii., 118, 127, '481, 482. Tilielt. Mair's Presbytery of Ellon, 20, 21, 30, 31, 36, 38, 47, 75, 76, no, 111-14, 122, 123, 130; Balbithan MS., 54, 56. Tillyangus. Balbithan MS., 50, 63. Tillyfour. Balbithan MS., 48. Tillyminnat. Balbithan MS., 42. Tillytermont. Balbithan MS., 30, 41-43, 49-51. Tilphoudie. Balbithan MS., 51 ; Records of Aboyne, 97, 140-44, 208-19, 270-75. See also Tilphoudie MS., supra. Toldu. Macfarlane's Geneal. Coll., i., 252. Tombea. Balbithan MS., 21 22. Torrisoul. See under Avochie, Beldornie, Wardhouse. Troquhain. McKerlie, iii., 68, 70, 71, 96, 191, 250, 277, 408, 412, 429; iv., 54, 74, 97, 173, 299, 302, 303, 306, 307, 313, 314, 316, 317, 427, 462 ; v., 36, 280-282, 306, 307, 319. Tulliegreig. Temple's Fermartyn, 457 ; Records of Aboyne, 236-40. Tulloch. Balbithan MS., 62, 63. Wardhouse. Balbithan MS., 48, 50 ; Burke's Landed Gentry (1898), i., 598-9 ; " an Aberdeenshire Dreyfus " (Alexander Gordon) by J. M. Bulloch, Aberdeen Free Press, Aug. 26, 1898 ; Scottish Notes and Queries, Nov., 1898 ; Bcntley's Miscellany, Nov. and Dec., 1868 ; " The Romance of a Waistcoat," Ixvi HOUSE of GORDON. by J. M. Bulloch, in Black and White, Nov. 19, 1898 ; Catalog^te of the Wardhouse Silver Plate (sold in Aberdeen Nov. 3, 1898) ; Admiral Sir James Alexander Gordon, Macmillan's Mag., Feb., 1868 ; Laird Clowes' History of the Navy, vol. 6, and Diet, Nat. Biog. The ballad of "Annie Gordon of Wardhouse and Peter Smith of Auchline " is given in a MS. in the possession of Mr. Compton Smith ; see also Scot. Notes and Queries, iii., 191 ; iv., 46, 191. Waterton. Burke's Landed Gentry (1898), i., 601, 602. Wellheads. Balbithan MS., 57, 65. Whiteley. See under Pitlurg. Wincombe Park (Wilts). Burke's Landed Gentry (1898), i., 101. GORDONS ON THE CONTINENT OF EUROPE. Austria. John Gordon of the Gight (q.v.) family assisted at the assassination of Wallenstein at Eger, 1634. France. Some genealogists, notably Rymer (Foedera, i., 791), maintain that the Gordons originally came from France. The Abbey of Gourdon (department of Lot) was the scene of many " treasure " digging expeditions down till 1842 (Chambers Journal, Nov. 20, 1897). Bernard Gordon, a notable physician, wrote a book De Curandis Mortis, 1305 (see Larousse). M. de Gourdon was Governor of Calais, and owned ships. He betrayed Gravelines to the Spaniards in 1578 (Calendar of State Documents, Foreign Papers, 1560-78, and Gordon's Earls of Sutherland, 137). The " Counts of Gordon " descended from the Glenluce family are dealt with in C. A. Gordon's Concise History of the Gordons (reprint 1890), pp. 125-130. Several soldiers of the name are dealt with in Father Forbes-Leith's Scots Men at Arms of France. Angelique Gordon, poet, is biographed in Larousse. A Gordon family in Alsace (consisting of Gilbert Gordon, Captain of the Bourbon Regiment, chief sur- veyor for the town of Lichtenberg, and his brother John, Captain of the Navarre Regiment) were recognised by the Duke of Gordon as kinsmen in 1722 (quoted in Aberdeen Free Press, Sept. 15, 1887). A Capt. Gordon, who invented a flute, who was a member of the Swiss Guards in Paris and threw himself into the Lake of Geneva in 1847, was dealt with by J. M. Bulloch in the Aberdeen Philharmonic Society's Bazaar Book, Feb., 1899. Adjutant Commandant Gordon of the French army, murdered in 1815, is dealt with in Scottish Notes and Queries, 2nd series, vol. ii., 31, 79. Arthur Young in his Travels in France describes a Gordon who was imprisoned in the Bastile for thirty years. Mirabelle de Gordon, a French engineer, came to Scotland with the Jacobite leaders, 1745 (Chevalier Johnston's Rebellion, edited by Winchester, i., 70, 71, 81, 83). Alexander Gordon of Ward- house was executed at Brest for espionage, on Nov. 24, 1769. In May, 1900, a Colonel Gordon was arrested while sketching from a boat, Fort Taureau, at Finiste're. A great many Jacobite refugees named Gordon sought sanctuary in France. Members of the family (notably the Hallhead Gordons) landed at Bou- logne and Bordeaux, Rouen and Paris. William Gordon, the banker in Paris, BIBLIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX TO PREFACE. Ixvii figures frequently in Jacobite literature : see specially " a letter dated March 20, 1723, directed to Monsieur G[ordon], London, folio 1723 ". For priests of the name see Records of the English Province of the Society of Jesus, 7 vols., 8vo, London, 1877 ; also Diet. Nat. Biog. for James Gordon (1553-1641) confessor to Louis XIII. Adam Lawrence Gordon was rector of Douai about 1666 (Hist. MSS. Com., v., 654). Father Gordon was principal of the Scots College at Paris, 1751 (Oliphants of Gask). Lady Henrietta Gordon (fi. 1658), daughter of John, Viscount Melgum, was maid of honour to Princess Henrietta, Duchess of Orleans (see Blakhal's Three Noble Ladies, 1844). For the Gordons at Waterloo see Dalton's Waterloo Roll Call, 1890. See also Diary of the Scots College at Douai. Germany. A great many Gordons became traders in Germany. The references are too scattered to be noted here, but special attention may be called to Mr. Th. A. Fischer's excellent books: The Scot in Germany (1902), pp. 8, 26, 33, 58, 60, 113, 118, 133, 162, 218 and 255 ; and The Scots in Eastern and Western Prussia (1903), pp. 37, 105, 199, 203, 205, 223. Andrew Gordon (1712 1751), professor of natural philosophy at Erfurt, gained a great reputation as an electrician (Diet. Nat. Biog.). Gordons at German universities will be found in various university Fasti. Greece. See Cairness. Holland. Many officers of the name of Gordon are dealt with in Ferguson's Scots Brigade in Holland. The Biographisch Woordboek der Nederlanden deals with Gertrude Gordon (born 1669), poet: and Otto Dirck Gordon, a soldier, both said to be descended from the Letterfourie Gordons. Robert Jacob Gordon, Dutch Com- mander-in-chief at the Cape, who committed suicide there in 1795, was dealt with by J. M. Bulloch in the Anglo-Saxon Review, Dec., 1900; see also Kaye's Life of Sir John Malcolm (1856). Presbyterian ministers of the name are dealt with in Steven's History of the Scots Church at Rotterdam ; also Scott's Fasti, i., 154, 182, 543. For traders see Munro's Lord Provosts of Aberdeen, 200; Cramond's Banff, ii., 220; (English) Privy Council Acts, i., 235, 416 ; Birth Brieves in Spalding Club Misc., vol. 5 (see under Abergeldie, infra, pp. 98-9). Italy. For priests see Records of the English Province of the Society of Jesus, 7 vols., 1877. Francis Gordon, who died in the service of the King of Naples, belonged to the Craig family (Wimberley's Gordons of Lesmoir, 107). Poland. In the year 1727 Mr. Finch, " late Envoy from the King of Great Britain to Poland," wrote a letter to the Duke of Gordon (probably at His Grace's request) giving the descent of Lady Catherine Gordon, daughter of the 2nd Marquis of Huntly and wife of Count Morsztyn. This document seems to have been highly prized, for I have seen two copies of it (it fills a sheet and a half of foolscap). One is in possession of Rev. Dr. Milne, of Fyvie, and the other belongs to the New Spalding Club. There is also a copy in Gordon Castle. Taking this document as a basis, the present writer has written several articles "The Last King of Poland," in the Aberdeen Free Ixviil HOUSE OF GORDON. Press, May 3, 1898, and the Aberdeen Evening Gazette, Nov. 17, Dec. 15, 1902 ; and " The Gordons in Poland," in Scottish Notes and Queries, May, July, Sept. and Dec., 1898, Aug. 1902. Col. Fabian Gordon of the Coldwells family was in the Polish service (see Services of Heirs). A notorious character, Patrick Gordon, nick- named " Steelhand," who gave the Covenanters a lot of trouble, went into the Polish cavalry. He is dealt with in the Diary of Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries (Spald. Club), and in articles by J. M. Bulloch on "Mercenaries" in the Aberdeen Free Press, Jan. 24-25, 1901. His origin has not yet been settled. For Sir Francis Gordon, H.M. Agent in Poland, see Braco. Robert Gordon, founder of Gordon's College, Aberdeen, was a merchant in Dantzig. See biographies of him by Alexander Walker (1876) and Robert Anderson (1896). Portugal. Lieut.-Col. John Gordon, died 1785, was in the Portuguese army. He was a brother of George Gordon of Gordonbank (Edin. Commissariat, vol. 126). Alexander Gordon, of Funchal, Madeira, is described, in 1764, by Lord Adam Gordon as " my relative and kind host " (Genealogist, xiv.). The wine firm of Cossart, Gordon & Co., Madeira (so called since 1861), was founded in 1745. In 1758 Thomas Gordon entered into partnership with Francis Newton. He came from Kirkcud- brightshire, and purchased the estate of Balmaghie (q~v.). John Gordon, of Lisbon, had a son, Edward, who entered Christ Church, Oxford, in 1781 (Foster's Oxford Graduates). Russia. Owing to the fact that many Russian and Polish Jews have taken the name of Gordon some say from the town of Grodno the genealogist of the Scots house encounters great difficulties not only with the Gordons in Russia and ancient Poland, but also in every corner of the world to which the Hebrew, driven from the Pale, has betaken himself. The great authority on the subject of the Gordons in Russia is the Diary of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries (q-v-), the favourite of Peter the Great. See also The History of Peter the Great (1755), by General Alexander Gordon of Auchintoul, the son-in-law of the above Patrick. Admiral Thomas Gordon, who was Governor of Kronstadt, was dealt with by J. M. Bulloch in the Aberdeen Free Press, Sept. 3, 19, 1898, and in Scottish Notes and Queries, Dec., 1898, and Jan., 1900 ; also in The History of the Russian Fleet under Peter the Great, edited by Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge (Navy Records Society). Admiral Gordon's ancestry is not known. The famous Jacobite, General John Gordon of Glenbucket, had a son in the Russian Navy. Spain. There have been many Gordons in Spain. Captain Juan Gordon was killed on the San Felipe, one of the Spanish Armada (Spanish State Papers). Godfred Gordon, "a Spanish lord, descended from a noble house," behaved with great gallantry at the siege of Bergen-op-Zoom, 1588 (Gordon's Earls of Sutherland, 197). The Gordons of Wardhouse (q.v.) have long been in Spain, and the present family is almost Spanish. A William Gordon was in the Spanish army, 1719 (Jacobite Attempt of 1719). William Gordon, a Scoto-Hispano Jesuit priest, went to convert the North American Indians, and wrote Historia de las Missiones Jesuitas en la California BIBLIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX TO PREFACE. Ixix baja desde su establecimento hasta, begun at La Paz, 1734, ended at Santiago, 1737. The MS. (small 410, 360 pp.) is described in Quaritch's great catalogue (vol. v.) as "very charming". America returned the compliment in the person of Mrs. Alice Gordon Gulick (died Sept. 14, 1903), who was president for thirty years of the International Institute for Girls in Spain (Times, Sept. 15, 1903). Mrs. Gulick (whose maiden name was Gordon) belonged to an American family. Sweden and Norway. The wars of Gustavus Adolphus took several Gordons to Sweden, notably Col. John Gordon of the Cotton family (see Wishart's Deeds of Montrose, edited by Morland Simpson, 282-6). Col. Alexander Gordon, grandson of Bishop William Gordon of Aberdeen, was also in the Swedish army (Gordon's Earls of Sutherland, 477-8). See also Spottiswoode, Misc., ii., 384, and Donner's Brief Sketch of the Scottish Families in Sweden and Finland, Helsingfors, 1884. William Gordon of the Farskane family was a merchant at Christiansand, circa 1758. William Gordon was a merchant in Gothenburg in i8ik (Scots Mag.). George Gordon, vice-consul for Sweden at Algiers, belonged to the Lesmoir family (see Wimberley's Gordons of Lesmoir, 71). GORDONS IN AMERICA. Many branches of the family of Gordon are to be found in America. Several emigrated from Scotland to Virginia, as in the case of the ancestors of Mr. John Gordon, of Rio de Janeiro, who is now working on the history of the Gordons of Holm. His brother, Mr. Seton Gordon, of New York, is also a great enthusiast. Another branch settled in Massachusetts, where Mr. G. A. Gordon has compiled a good deal of material on the family. As an indication of the prominence of the family in America it may be noted that in the American Who's Who, 1901-2, seventeen Gor- dons are biographed as against twelve Grants and three Forbeses. The family figures in many of the genealogies which Americans are so fond of compiling, and which unfortunately are so rarely to be found in libraries in this country. There is a good deal about it in Hanna's Scotch Irish (New York, 1902). Mr. Armistead Gordon, of Staunton, Virginia, has collected a vast amount of matter (still in MS.) on the family in America. Descended from the Gordons of Sheepbridge House near Newry, co. Down, he has directed his attention specially to the Gordons in Ireland. He writes to me : " I have lists of all Gordons now [1903] living in New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia and Toronto, with their street addresses, and in the four cities they number something over 1,200. Among these, however, are many Russian and Polish Jews." Captain Charles Gordon of U.S. Chesapeake (38 guns), was dealt with by J. M. Bulloch in the Banffshire Journal, Sept. 9, 1902. General Patrick Gordon, the first Governor of Pennsylvania (born 1644, died 1736), belonged to the Birsemoir family (see Appleton's Encyclopaedia ; Dalton's Blenheim Roll : Burke's Commoners, iv., 9). Rev. William Gordon (1728-1807), the historian of the United States, was a Herts man (Diet. Nat. Biog.). The following references to the family of Gordon are given in the index to American Genealogies, 5th edition, Albany, N.Y., 1900 (pp. 136, 137) : American Ancestry, iii., 23, 105 ; iv., 155 ; vii., 50 ; viii., 53 ; x., 56, Ixx HOUSE OF GORDON. Bedford, N. H. Centennial, 308-10; Bell's History of Exeter, N. H., 21-24; Chandler's History of Shirley, Mass., 426; Cochrane's History of Antrim, N. H., 510-12 ; Cogswell's History of Henniker, N . H., 590-94 ; Cothren's Woodbury, Ct., ii,, 1498-1501 ; Dearborn's History of Salisbury, N. H., 170; Goode's Genealogy, 122; Green's Kentucky Families ; Hall Genealogy (1892), 66-72 ; Hayden's Virginia Genealogies, 249-53 ; Hayward's History of Hancock, N. H., 610-13 5 Lincoln's History of Hingham, ii., 277 ; Mor- rison's History of Windham, N. H., 538-42 ; Old North-west Genealogical Quar., ii., 49 ; Richmond, Va., Standard, iii., 31-47 ; Ridton's Saco Valley, Me., Families, 701-5 ; Robertson's Pocahontas Descendants, 236 ; Slaughter's Bristol Parish, Va., 203 ; Smith's History of Peterborough, N . H ., 93-95 ; Walworth's Hyde Genealogy, 667-69 ; Washington, N . H., History, 448-50 ; Whitehead's Perth Amboy, N.J., 60-68. Mr. Armistead Gordon supplies the following additional references to the Gordons in America, and especially in Virginia: Ancestry of Benjamin Harrison (Keith, 1893), 4%> Albemarle County (Va.), History of (Woods, 1901), 211, 212, 379, 381, 382, 383, 384, 404; Debates of the Virginian Constitutional Convention of 1829-1830; Journal of a Young Lady of Virginia in 1782 (1871), 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 20; Hening's Statutes at Large of Virginia, 1619-1800, ii., 370, 378, 557, 583; vii., 188, 215, 608 ; viii., 57, 610 ; xi., 369 ; xii., 215, 216 ; xv., 184 ; xvi., 37 ; Historic Homes of the South West Mountains of Virginia (Mead, 1899), 231- 40 ; Culpeper County, History of (Green, 1900), i., 7, 34, 66 ; ii., 23, 26, 33, 35, 40, 41, 51, 55, 114, 124-26, 145, 158; Appleton's Cyclopcedia of American Biography, 685-87, including biographical sketches of fourteen Gordons in America; Middlesex (Virginia) Parish Register from 1653 to 1812 (1897), 23, 94, 99, 100, 174, 177, 180; Memoir and Correspondence of Thomas Jeffer- son (Randolph, 1829), iv., 336, 414; Letters and Times of the Tylers (Tyler, 1885), i., 343, 399, 476, 508, 527, 584; ii., 48; Virginia and Virginians (Brock, 1888), ii., 828, 829 ; Old Churches, Ministers and Families of Virginia (Meade), i., 153, 165, 192, 285, 364,445; ii., 10, 13,212, 213, 276, 285, 318; Grigsby's Virginia Convention of 1776 (1855), 190, 206; Grigsby's Virginia Convention of 1788; Sketches of Virginia, first series (Foote, 1850), 359-70; North Carolina Historical Register, i., 546, 547 ; The Virginia University Memorial (1871), 752, 755 ; Proceedings of the jth Congress, Scotch Irish Society in America (1895), *74> 3 6 > 37> 374 > Virginia Historical Magazine, vii., 9, 16, 79, 205, 311, 312, 398, 404, 414, 438; ix., 222, 265, 326; x., 96, 106, 210, 279, 291, 308, 309, 315, 324, 432 ; William and Mary College Quarterly, i., 116, 139, 147, 170; ii., 76; iii., 68, 221 ; iv., 119, 284; v., 60, 20(, 255; vi., 22, 82, 155, 168, 186, 188, 260; vii., 181, 190, 198; viii., 29, 48, 49, 91, 189; ix., 32, 33, 41, 49. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX TO PREFACE. Ixxi GORDONS IN BRITISH COLONIES. Africa. For the Gordons who fought in the South African War of 1899-1902 see a list by J. M. Bulloch of " The Gordons as Campaigners in Africa," printed in the Gordon Book (1902), 75-84. See also under Holland (supra) for Robert Jacob Gordon, the Dutch commander-in-chief at the Cape, who christened the Orange river. British Columbia. The Gordons of Nanaimo and Cemox ; (Burke's Colonial Gentry (1891), vol. i.). Canada. Canadian Men and Women of the Time, ist edition, 1898. The best-known Canadian of the name is the Rev. Charles W. Gordon, of Winnipeg, who has made a great success with some novels written under the name of " Ralph Connor ". His father, Rev. Daniel Gordon, belonged to Blair Athole, and was at Marischal College, 1842-6. He emigrated to Canada. This Daniel is not to be confused with the Rev. Daniel Miner Gordon (son of William Gordon, a native of Sutherland) who made a great tour, in 1879, which he described in Mountain and Prairie, a Journey from Victoria to Winnipeg via Peace River Pass (Montreal, 1880, pp. 310). The Rev. Charles Gordon's ancestry was dealt with in the Aberdeen Free Press, Feb. 23, 1889, Dec. 29, 1900, Jan. 2, 1901. His English publishers have issued a leaflet entitled Ralph Connor : an Interpretation. Egypt. The outstanding Gordon in the history of Egypt is Charles George (" Chinese ") Gordon (1833-1885) the hero of Khartum. An immense literature has been written about him, the British Museum catalogue containing 90 items, including lives by M. A. de Bovet, Boulger, Sir W. Butler, Forbes, Haines, Hake, Swaine, Tabarie, Walch and others. But his connection with any line of the Scots house is still untraced. Tentative solutions have been offered by J. M. Bulloch in the Genea- logical Magazine, Oct., 1898, Scottish Notes and Queries, Nov., 1898, Feb., 1901 and Jan., 1903. India. The appearance of the Gordons in India has mainly been in the Army or the Civil Service. For notices of them reference should be made to Dodwell and Miles's Alphabetical Lists of (i) Officers of the Indian Army (1760-1837); (2) Medical Officers of the Indian Army (1764-1838); (3) The Honourable East India Company's Bombay Civil Servants (1798-1839) ; (4) Bengal Civil Servants (1780-1838); (5) Madras Civil Servants (1773- 1839). For more modern services see the India List published annually by Harrison, the Indian Army List, Thacker's Indian Directory. Jamaica. Scottish Notes and Queries, May, 1902. The Antiquary (ed. Jewitt), iv., 129, 130, has an article by Charles Sotheran on Gordon and French families. k Ixxii HOUSE OF GORDON. FAMILIES WITH COMPOUND GORDON NAMES. A considerable number of families have hyphened " Gordon " either before or after other surnames. In many cases it is easy to trace the reason of this. In others the reason is not so obvious. The Army List, the happy home of the hyphen, contains the greatest number of those compound names, showing at least that the Gordons are still animated by their old martial spirit. It may be noted as proof of the right- ing faculty of the Gordons that in the Monthly Army List of Aug. '1903, there were 86 officers of the name (and 18 with the hyphened name) wearing the king's uni- form ; against 93 supplied by the Burnetts, Forbeses, Farquharsons and Leslies perhaps the most common Aberdeenshire surnames after Gordon, Gordon-Browne. See Cambridge Matriculations, 1851-1900. Gordon-Canning. See Hartpury. Gordon-Gumming. See Altyre. Gordon - Gumming- Skene. See Pitlurg. Gordon-Dalrymple. Mr. Arthur Dalrymple Gordon-Dalrymple of Greenknowe, Gordon, Berwickshire, and Langlee, Roxburghshire, is the son of the late Mr. Arthur Forbes-Gordon of Rayne, Aberdeenshire (whose father, born Forbes, assumed the additional name of Gordon under the entail of his cousin, John Gordon of Avochie). His mother, Christina Dalrymple, was co-heiress of the laird of Greenknowe and Langlee. This lady's mother (Catherine Milne) was an Aberdeenshire woman (see Tancred's Annals of a Border Club). Gordon-Dill. This family claims descent (via Ireland) from the Gordons of Glenbucket. See Cam- bridge Matriculations, 1851-1900 (under "Dill"); Medical Directory, 1903; Army List, 1903; London Directory, 1903. Gordon-Duff. See Drummuir. Gordon-Gilmour. See Railhead. Gordon-Hallyburton. Lord John Frederick Gordon, third son of the ninth Marquis of Huntly, took the ad- ditional name of Hallyburton. See Add. MSS. (British Museum), 35,798, f. 383 ; 35,802, ff. 56, 556; 35,800, f. 102 ; 35,802, f. 510; Foster's Members of Parliament (Scotland), 152. Gordon-Hogg. See Medical Directory, 1903. Gordon-Ives. Burke' s Landed Gentry (1898), i., 801. Col. Gordon Maynard Ives of Bentworth Hall and Gaston Grange, Hants, son of John Robert Ives by the Hon. Emma, daughter of third and last Viscount Maynard. He adopted the additional name of Gordon in 1897. Gordon-Leith. See Thacker's Indian Directory, 1903. Gordon-Lennox. Family name of the Duke of Richmond who repre- sents the senior female line of the Dukes of Gordon. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX TO PREFACE. Ixxiii Gordon-Moore. In 1850 Lord Cecil Gordon, fifth son of the ninth Marquis of Huntly, adopted the additional name of Moore. Gordon-Munn. See Medical Directory, 1903. Gordon-Oswald. See Scotstoun. Gordon -Paterson. See Navy List, 1903. Gordon-Sims. See Thacker's Indian Directory, 1903. Gordon-Smith. See London Directory, 1903 ; also Medical Directory, 1903. Gordon- Yaudin. See Navy List and Crockford, 1903. Gordon-Woodhouse. See Kelly's Titled Classes, 1903. Gordon- Wright. See Kelly's Clergy List, 1903. Conway-Gordon. Burke's Landed Gentry (1898), v., 602. Duff-Gordon. See Fyyie and Halkin. Evans-Gordon. See Shirmers. This family is descended from the Gordons of Shirmers. Major W. E. Evans-Gordon, M.P., has in his possession a pedigree of the family compiled at the Herald's office. His arms are given in Fox-Davies' Armorial Families. Fellowes-Gordon. See Knockespock. Forbes-Gordon. Burke's Landed Gentry (1898), i., 599. Arthur Forbes (died 1873) assumed the additional name of Gordon on succeeding to the estate of Rayne, under the entail and settlement of his late cousin, John Gordon of Avochie (q.v.). Forlong-Gordon. See Pitlurg. William Forlong of Erins, Argyllshire, married Crawford, daughter of the Lieut.-Gen. Gordon-Cumming-Skene of Pitlurg, and their son Thomas Alexander George (b. 1831) of South Erins, Argyllshire, assumed the name of Gordon on succeeding to his mother's estates (Walford's County Families, 1903). Hamilton-Gordon. Family name of Lord Aberdeen and Lord Stan- more. McHaffie-Gordon. Walford's County Families (1903). Maitland-Gordon. See Kenmure. More-Gordon. See Gharleton MSS., supra. Pirie-Gordon. See Buthlaw. Smith-Gordon. See Florida. Wolrige-Gordon. See Railhead. ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. ABERGELDIE. [NOTE. The pagination referred to is that at the bottom of the page.] Page (72). RACHEL GORDON, X. OF ABERGELDIE, and not her husband, Charles Gordon, was the issue of Alexander, VIII. of Abergeldie. The brass in the table is placed wrongly at this point. Page (75). ALEXANDER GORDON OF MIDMAR. Instrument of compromitt of the brief of perambulation of the marches between the lands of the barony of Stonywode, belonging to Andrew Frissal, and the lands of the Forest of Cordyce, belonging to Alexander Johnston of that ilk, to William Earl Marischal, and Alexander Gordon of Midmar, dated November 13, 1499 (In- ventory of papers formerly belonging to the family of Johnston of Caskieben, but now in the possession of Lord Saltoun). Page (77). The 3rd Laird. Penuet, February, 1530. James Cheyne, Procurator to the laird of Abirgeldie, " requirit Dauid Andersoun and Maister Androwe Tulydef, bailzeis, to mak ane esy gait and passage betuix the brig of Dee and chapell of the samyn, quhairthrow thai may eselye without impediment, wyrk and lawbour thair watteris, protestand alwayis quhat damnage or skaith thai sustenit thairthrow suld cum on the toune and nocht on thame, and that in name and behalf of his master the lard of Abirgeldy, quhilk send with him seruand to that same effect" (Stuart's Extracts from Aberdeen Council Register, vol. i., p. 129). Page (83). The 4th Laird. The name of his daughter who married Thomas Menzies, " de Balgony," was Margaret. They had a son Michael who was at Douai as a boy of 14 in 1655 " ad figuras " (Diary of Scots Coll. at Douai). Page (88). The 6th Laird died in March, 1631, not in 1630 as stated (Privy Council Reg.). Page (89), line 13. Auchmill should be Inchmill. In any case the sen- tence quoted refers to the 6th laird, not his son William (who is mentioned in the Balbithan MS.). ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. JXXV Page (89), lines 14 and 15. Thomas Gordon, " Abergeldie filius, annorum 17, pro figuris," was dismissed from the Scots College at Douai in 1633 " propter ineptitudinem in Maio ". On the same date (Jan. 6, 1633) his brother James, aged 14, " pro trivialibus scholis, dimissus propter ineptitud- inem in Sept." (Diary of Scots Coll. at Douai). Page (go). The 7th Laird. Alexander Gordon, fiar of Abergeldie, was prosecuted, Jan. 25, 1631, for carrying arms (Privy Council Reg.). On Aug. ii, 1631, Alexander Gordon of Abergeldie petitioned the Privy Council as follows : Some years ago, he was heritably infeft in the lands of Aber- geldie under reservation of the liferent of his father, William Gordon of Abergeldie, who died in March last. He shortly afterwards obtained warrant from the Lords of Session for the inventorying of the goods within the place of Abergeldie and his own entering on possession ; and his mother Elizabeth Seatoun, widow of William Gordon, left the place and went to Knock of which she was life rentrix. " But on " she came back to Abergeldie and " has taken possession thereof with her family and will not remove ". He craved that letters should be issued "charging her to remove" and the Privy Council agreed to this. On July 2, 1632, Donald Farquharson of Inchetnarrow was cautioned for Abergeldie to appear before the Council to underlie their censure touching his misbehaviour towards his lady under pain of 500 merks, and commanding him not to visit Jesuits and Papists (Ibid.). On Sept. 6, 1632, the tack granted to Lady Abergeldie of her conjunct fee was cancelled by the Council (Ibid.). Alexander Gordon, VII. of Abergeldie, owed in 1633-4 the following sums : 200 merks to John, son of Alexander Keith, portioner of Duffus ; 300 merks to James Irving in Cullairlie ; 1,000 merks to James Irwing (second lawful son of John Irwing of Artamphart) and Anna Keith his spouse, lawful daughter of the late Alexander Keith, portioner of Duffus ; 1,400 merks to Robert Irwing of Fedderit ; 1,000 merks to Arthur Ross of Sterein on the lands of Brasbeig ; 9,225 merks to Mr. William Burnet, minister at Kinnernie in a woodset on the lands of Badinleithe and Kinnernie (Spald. Club Misc., iii., pp. 89, 108, in, 116, 130 and 138). Page (97). CHARLES GORDON, i2th Laird, had a book plate described by Mr. J. Henderson Smith, Edinburgh, thus : (Motto over crest " God with us"). Quarterly: ist, azure, 3 boars heads couped ; 2nd, or, 3 lions heads erased gules ; 3rd, azure, 3 fraises ; 4th, or, 3 crescents within a treasure flory counter-flory gules ; all four quarters within a bordure company of 6 pieces or, 8 gules. A rare Chippendale plate of date c. 1740-1750. The shield is set in a rococo frame with floral accessories, and the helmet is set affrontee ; which it should not be. The crest is a greyhound trotting. IxXVl ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. Page (105). COSMO HUNTLY GORDON was at Harrow School, April, 1869 Dec. 1871. He entered the Buffs 1874, and became a major 1891. He was A.D.C. to the governor of the Straits Settlements, 1880- 1, and at the Staff College, 1887-8 (Harrow School Register, p. 373). He is now (1903) Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General at Barbadoes. His half-brother, CHARLES, is now in the 4th East Surrey Regiment. GEORGE HAMILTON GORDON is in the Artillery, not the Engineers as stated on page 105. Page (no). LEWIS GORDON, i8th Laird, died at Lee, Kent, May 27, 1903. He was in business for 50 years, retiring in 1897. He had a paralytic stroke in July, 1900, and from that time to his death was an invalid. He was succeeded by his son Reginald Hugh Lyall Gordon, igth Laird of Abergeldie. GIGHT. Page (189). The second Laird's wife. The Balbithan MS. statement that the second laird of Gight married a daughter of Robert Gordon of Fetterletter seems corroborated by a letter in the Morton Charter Chest, for a copy of which I am indebted (since writing about my inability to get it on page 211) to Mr. Murray Rose. The letter is written "to my werray guid my Lord Erll Mortoune " by "Dame Elizabeth Gordoun Lade of Gycht," who dates from Fetterletter, Oct. 21, 1597. The letter runs: My Lord eftir my maist hairtlie commendationes of service I haif desyrit the Laird of Bolquhallie [Mowat with whose family the 5th laird of Gight had a vendetta in 1601] to spek your lordship sundrie tymes lyk as I spakyour lordship with the Laird Bolquhollie in Aberdein at your lordships last being ther with the King's Maiestie for the Waird landis of Fettirlettir and Lethinthie and will maist ernistlie requeist your lordship to latt me haif eis and eis thairin as your lordship hes done to utheris obefoir And your lordship sail find me as freindlie and thankfull thairin as ony wtheris that hes delt with your lordship. And thairfoir I send this Lettir with the young Laird Bolquhollie to your lordship luiking for favor and ressonabill eis herin seing the samyne hes been left and na effect takin therin. I will request your lordship for ane favorabill answer with this berar in writt wtherwayis your lordship may appordone me to sek the best reminde I may for my landis as wtheris wassellis to my Lord Buchan hes done afoir, quhilk I will be lothe do except your lordship refus ressone quher of your lordship hes nocht bene in us. Page (263). The 6th Laird's daughter MARY, wife of ALEXANDER INNES, of Coxton. This lady proved nearly as troublesome as the rest of her kins folk. On Dec. 24, 1640, Gilbert Ross, minister of Elgin, is appointed to go to the goodman of Cokstoune and his wife Marie Gordon " that she may quyte her obstinacie in poperies, repair to the kirk, and hear the word and partake of the Sacrament " (Cramond's Churches of the Parish of St. Andrews-Lhanbryd, p. 6). On Feb. 18, 1641, the goodwife of Cokstoune is to reply within eight days. On April 29 she promised to go to church. On Jan. 27, 1642, the ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. Ixxvii minister reported that he had good hopes for her conversion. For the present she is sick unto death, so no process is to be used against her. On July 27, 1643, she was to be processed if she be not a constant hearer of the word and " vse conferences, reading to the good meanes whilk may most con- duce for her conversione from poprie and superstitione ". On Aug. 10 she declares herself to be a Protestant and of the reformed religion and promises to be a constant hearer of the word. On Nov. 2 she is to be excommunicated if she do not " constantlie heare the word ". On Nov. 15 she promises to hear the word " if it should pleas God her health sould serve ". On June 18, 1646, the Presbytery ordained that some of the brethren should go and speak with the " goodwyf of Cockstoun ". On Aug. 6 it was reported that she had gone to Balvenie, " but Cockston did deale with her and be a good instrument to mov her to giv satisfaction to the kirk ". On May 7, 1647, it was ordained that if the goodwife of Coxton conform not, the process of excommunication is to go on against her. She died Aug. 20, 1647. ^ n Lhanbryd old churchyard there is a stone tablet on the side wall of the aisle in her memory, erected by her husband Alexander Innes of Coxtoun. "Two shields of arms Innes with- out difference, but without Aberchirder, and Gordon also, I think, without difference " (Family of Innes, p. 258). Page (264). The 7th Laird. The Book of Annualrentaris shows he was a good deal in debt. In 1633-4 George Gordon "younger of Gicht " owed: 1,000 merks to Alexander Keith, portioner of Duffus ; 3,000 merks to Alexander Lyon of Muiresk ; 4,000 merks to Patrick Wod in Litill Ardo on the lands of Chapeltoun of Schives ; 100 merks to William Watson at the Mill of " Tollie " (Spalding Club Misc., iii., 96, 132). Pages (270-1, 273). The 8th Laird's daughter, MARIE. Marie Gordon married Lieut. -Col. John Gordon. In a single page manuscript deduction of the Newton family, in the possession of Mr. A. M. Gordon of Newton, it is stated that John Gordon, son of James Gordon of Newton (" who married Auchmacoes daughter"), married " the Ladie Gight ". This clearly means the Marie Gordon who puzzled me so much. She and her husband seem to have acted as tutors for her brother " Sir George's " daughter (Mrs. Davidson). The Newton deduction further solves the difficulty (stated on page 273) about the two John Gordons. Page (270). The gth Laird. " Georgius Gordon, films Baronis de Gight," entered Douai " aetat 12 ad figuras," on Nov. 9, 1663 (Diary of Scots Coll. at Douai). Pages (280-1). The nth Laird's issue. I find from papers in the posses- sion of Mr. A. M. Gordon of Newton that it was only the second son of the nth Ixxviii ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. laird of Gight who took the name of " Davidson ". The rest called themselves Gordon. The second son, Alexander Davidson of Newton, had a son Alexander Davidson alive in 1784 when his grandmother, Mrs. Margaret Duff Gordon, widow of the nth laird, bequeathed 200 to her son Lieut. Archibald Gordon, failing whom to Alexander Davidson, the son of her second son, and "100 to each of the latter's daughters, Mary and Margaret. She left her daughter Elizabeth her sole executrix. Robert Gordon, youngest son of Alexander, XI. of Gight, was alive in 1772, when it is stated that his patrimony, 400, had gone to purchase him an ensigncy in the 44th regiment. I find that Ensign Robert Gordon of the 44th Foot was gazetted a lieutenant in the 35th Foot in July, 1776 (Gent.'s Mag.). Page (281). The i2th Laird. Details about his connection in the estate of Newton, which his father owned, will be given at length in the section dealing with Newton. HOUSE OF GORDON. THE BALBITHAN MS. NEW SPALDJNG CLUB. PREFATORY NOTE. THE valuable genealogical account of the family of Gordon, known as the Balbithan MS., is set in type here for the first time. It is printed from a small octavo volume of 159 pages, in a handwriting of the beginning of the eighteenth century. There is no title on the back, and no title page, but the late Mr. Charles Elphinstone-Dalrymple, to whom the manuscript belonged, and whose widow has kindly lent it to the Club, had written on the fly-leaf the legend : " Copy of the Genealogical Account of the Family of Gordon, called the Balbithan MS. ". The origin of the document is far from clear. The Dalrymple volume may or may not be the original, but it is certainly the basis of most, if not all, of the transcripts that have been made during the last quarter of a century. Some idea of the mystery of the manuscript is conveyed by the fact that one genealogist, the Rev. Dr. Temple, Forgue, gives two different accounts of its authorship in four years. In a letter to Mr. A. M. Munro, dated i6th October, 1890, he declares that the manu- script " was compiled about 1730 by one of the Gordons of Craig, and came somehow into possession of Gordon of Balbithan hence the name ". In his Thanage of Fermartyn (Aberdeen, 1894, p. 350), the same writer tells us that "James Gordon, I. of Balbithan, was the author of a MS. history of the Gordons of date about 1730, called the Balbithan MS. ". Which of these statements is correct, I cannot say ; nor do we know how Mr. Dalrymple, who was a keen genealogist, and who married one of (3) 4 PREFATORY NOTE. the Gordons of Parkhill, came to possess the B albit han MS. ; nor whether his was the original. The number of obvious mis- spellings of place names suggests that it was only a copy. One thing, however, is certain. The manuscript of 1730 is identical in parts with an older one of 1644, a fragment of which, written on quarto sheets of paper and beginning at page 31 and ending abruptly at page 46, is now in the University Library, Aberdeen. There has, however, been a slight re- arrangement of the text. Thus the 1644 fragment begins with the Cluny Gordons (page 1 9 of this Balbithan reprint) and goes on to page 24. It then turns back to pp. 7-9, and afterwards jumps to pp. 56-65. Equal obscurity overshadows the authorship of the 1644 MS. ; but the bare fact that both it and the Balbithan MS. deal at greatest length with the descendants of "Jock" Gordon of Scurdargue, suggests that the compiler, whoever he was, belonged to one of the many cadets of " Jock's " house. He only touches on the Lochinvar Gordons " I leave it to others to fill up what remains, not being informed thereof". He deals very briefly with the ducal line ; and in the case of the descen- dants of "Tarn" Gordon, the brother of "Jock," he soon finds himself " run aground for want of further and better information ". It is difficult to say when the Balbithan MS. was first used by genealogists. The manuscript pedigree of the Drummuir family, made about 1821, and now in the possession of Mr. Thomas Gordon Duff of Drummuir, was plainly based on it. Dr. Davidson seems to have made use of it in his Earldom of the Garioch, 1878, while Dr. Temple in the Thanage of Fermartyn, 1894, makes constant use of it, having had a transcript of Mr. Dairy mple's copy. Whatever the origin of the Balbithan MS., there can be no doubt as to its great value to the genealogist, for a reference to state documents and other historical sources corroborate its (4) PREFATORY NOTE. 5 validity. As a whole it is wonderfully correct, especially in its details, coming down to beginning of the eighteenth century. Some cadets are brought down to a later date than others. Thus the Gight family is made to stop short at the eighth laird, though the existence of his daughter, the tenth laird (who died in 1 740), is just mentioned without a name. Other families, for instance, Park and Craig, are dealt with much more minutely during the period 1720-30. The Balbithan MS. has been printed exactly as it is written ; it is for the compilers of the pedigrees of the various branches of the house of Gordon, to deal with any emendations or additions that may be necessary. The variants of the 1644 MS. have been noted. In conclusion, it should be stated that the Gordons of Balbithan were cadets of the Gordons of Park, and did not purchase Balbithan until eighty-one years after the 1644 manu- script was written. One of the supposed compilers, James Gordon, I. of Balbithan, was not very fortunate in his own descendants, for his male issue died completely out in the person of his son, General Benjamin Gordon, II. of Balbithan. The estate then passed to a Forbes, and then to an Abernethy ; an ironic comment on the point of view which flouted the " Seton Gordons," and reminiscent of Sir Walter Scott's luckless attempt to found a line bearing the magic name of Scott. J. M. BULLOCH. jth November, 1901. THE BALBITHAN MS. To begin this History I propose this method to myself. First of all, I shall give an account of the Cadents of Huntley their descent, as they happened by prioritie of time, beginning from Sir Alexander Gordon the fourth of that Family of Huntly, who flourished in the Reign of K. Alexander the first Sirnamed the fierce about the year 1107, and so go on till our times. As for the Families of Jock and Thorn two Cadents of Huntly in the Reign of King Robert the Second about the year 1388, tho' I say these two Brothers were the first Cadents of Huntly, after Lochnavarr for any thing we read of, and so might claim a priviledge to be inserted in order of time yet upon the account of their Legittimacie being Con- traverted by some I shall here leave their Geneaoligie to be treated of in the last place. LOCHNAVAR. The first Cadent I find of the Family of Huntly is Robert Gordon of Stitchel third son to S r Alexander Gordon of Huntly the fourth of that Family, who lived in the Reign of King Alexander Sirnamed the fierce anno 1107. This Robert Gordon was also the third brother to S r William Gordon the fifth of Huntly who dyed in Affrica fighting in Support of Lewis the ninth King of France against the Saracens anno 1260. This S r William dying without issue the Estate of Huntly fell to his Second Brother S r Adam Gordon, and before the said S r William left his native Country he left to this Robert Gordon the third Brother the Lands and Barronie of Stitchel. The King gave him the Lands of Ballachlaggan and Kenmoirdy for killing the wild Scot in Galloway. The said Robert married a noble and rich Heiress in Galloway by whom (7) 8 HOUSE OF GORDON. he had the lands called Glen Lochnavar and Kenmuire ; upon this lady he begot two sons S r John Gordon of Lochnavar and Robert Gordon of Glenturk, of whom the family of Glenturk is descended, he had also a natural son Adam Gordon, whom the great Sir William Wallace made Governour of the Castle of Wigtoun, of whom the Family of Vigtoun is descended. Their Father departed His Son Sir John Gordon of Lochnavar married , who begat three sons S r Robert Gordon of Lochnavar, William Gordon of Park of whom the family of Park, his third son Alexander Gordon of Muirfadd of whom the Family of the Haddibeys are descended. Their Father departed His son S r Robert Gordon of Lochnavar married Elizabeth Corson Heretrix of Glen, and begat three sons S r William Gordon of Lochnavar, and John Gordon of whom the familys of Knockenard and Garry are descended ; his third Son Robert Gordon called red-haffet of whom the family of Collithy's come. Their Father departed His son S r William Gordon of Lochnavar married my Lord Sachar's Daughter Chrichton and begot two sons, S r John Gordon of Lochnavar, and William Gordon of whom the families of Arieck and Crastanount and Killenoch are descended. Their father dyed His Son S r John Gordon of Lochnavar married Elizabeth Maxwell daughter to my Lord Haries with whom he begot three Sons, S r Robert Gordon of Lochnavar and William Gordon, of whom the families of Denmuckham [Den and Muckham *] are descended, his 3d Son Alexander Gordon of whom the family of Burdcross is descended. Their father dyed His Son S r Robert Gordon of Lochnavar conquest the Lands of Badenoch [Bannoch 1 ] and Boyll in Ireland; he married Elizabeth Ruthven daughter to the Earl of Gaurie and begat four sons, John Gordon Viscount of Kenmore, his second William Gordon of Butole and his family, James Gordon of [Upper 1 ] Burdcross and his family, his fourth son Alexander Gordon of Arrick and his family. Their father departed in peace His son John Gordon ad Viscount of Kenmore married the Earl of Argyle's Daughter Campbell and sister to the M. Argile and begot sons 1 MS. of 1644. (8) BALBITHAN MS. 9 and daughters who all dyed in their nonage. S r Robert Gordon of Lochnavar brothers son, son to William Gordon of Butle is now called James Gordon Lord Lochnavar and Viscount of Kenmore who Lived 1664, [Lives in this present year 1644 *] an< ^ here I leave it to others to fill up what remains not being informd thereof. The next Cadents I read of was Jock and Thorn two sons of Lord Adam Gordons Lord of Huntly and Strathbogie and the Eleventh of that noble Family begotten upon Elizabeth Cruickshank, Asswanly's daughter about the year 1376, but for the above reason I pass by them and proceeds to the next Cadents viz. THE FAMILY OF ABERGELDIE. The Geneologie of Alexander first Earle of Huntlys second son Sir Alexander Gordon of Abergeldie begotten on Chancellour Chrichton's Daughter about the year 1445. Here the Manuscript that goes under Proneys name is guilty of an double error: the first in calling the forsaid Alexander Gordon of Abergeldy the third son of Alexander first Earl of Huntly, whereas indeed he was the second son begotten on Chancellour Crichtons daughter ; the second error is in asserting the forsd Alexander Gordon of Abergeldie to be not only the third son of the first Earl of Huntly but also begotten on the Heiress of Enzie ^Egidia Hay, whereas indeed as above he was the second son of the said first Earl begotten on Chancellour Crichtons daughter. As for the Heiress of Enzie Aegidia Hay she only bore to the said first Earl of Huntly only one son named Alexander, and after that was divorced. Her son Alxr. got from his Father the first Earl the Lands of Tough and Tillabody in Stirlingshire wherewith he rested satisfied retaining the name of Seton to this day. Having cleared this I return to S r Alexander Gordon first Laird of Abergeldie who married the Earl of Errols Daughter Hay, upon whom he begot two sons and four daughters. His Eldest son George Gordon, his second son William Gordon Laird of Netherdealls who dwelt in 1 MS. of 1644. (9) B 10 HOUSE OF GORDON. Ruthven of Cromar ; his eldest daughter married my Lord Lovat, the second married the Laird of Craigevarr Mortimer, the third married the Laird of Clova Ogilvy, the fourth married the Laird of Derlaithers Garden (of whom is come the family of Mr. Robert Garden of Bellie- more) and after his decease she married the laird of Achlossen Ross. Their Father the said S r Alexander Gordon dyed His eldest Son George married Grizal Stuart the Earl of Buchan's Daughter with whom he begat a son called Alexander Gordon, he had also a Natural son called William Gordon in Logics. Their father the said George Gordon and second Laird of Abergeldie dyed His son the forsaid Alexander third Laird of Abergeldie married the Heiress of Barns Jean Leith Lady Meldrum, with whom he begat three sons viz., Alx r Gordon, the second James Gordon of Lastis, and Mr. William Gordon. Their Father dyed His eldest son Alexander Gordon 4th Laird of Abergeldie married the Laird of Drum's daughter Irvine, with whom he begat six sons and six daughters, his eldest son Alexander Gordon, the second Mr. William Gordon of Stering, the third John of Craibstone, the fourth George Gordon who was killed at the Battle of Glenlivet 1594, the fifth son Thomas Gordon of Grandhome, the sixth James Gordon of Eston ; his eldest Daughter married Alexander Gordon of Tulloch Chancellor of Murray, his 2d Daughter married Mr. Thomas Menzies Provost of Aberdeen, the 3d Daughter married the Laird of Achenhoove Dugat and after his death she married the Laird of Ballquhain Lesly, the fourth Daughter married Patrick Mortimer, the sixth a natural Daughter married James Farquherson of Inveray. Their father dyed at home. His eldest son Alexander Gordon fifth Laird of Abergeldie married Margaret M c intosh, Lady Grant and Lady Pitsligo. He dyed without issue. His brother Mr William Gordon of Stering succeeded being the sixth Laird of Abergeldie, he married the Laird of Peitbroths. Daughter Seton with whom he begat five Sons and two Daughters, his eldest son Alx r Gordon of Abergeldie, 2d John Gordon, 3d William Gordon, 4th Thomas Gordon, the 5th Son James Gordon ; his eldest daughter married Donald [Farquharson] son of Mon- altrie, the 2d Mary, married the Laird of Sheves Gray. Their (10) BALBITHAN MS. II Father the 6th Laird of Abergeldie dyed in the House of Abergeldie 1630. His Eldest son Alexander Gordon yth Laird of Abergeldie married Mr Thomas Nicollsons daughter who had succession. [Alex r married Euphemia Graham of Morphie by whom he had an only child Rachel Gordon, heiress of Abergeldie, who married Captain Charles Gordon, son of Peter Gordon 2nd son of Minmore from whom the present family derive. 1 ] THE CADENTS OF ABERGELDIE. Sir Alexander Gordon first Laird of Abergeldy his second son W m Gordon of Netherdeal married and begat a Daughter who married , and got with her in Tocher the Lands of Netherdale. The said Mr William Gordon was killed in Ruthven by John Gordon alias John Geer. James Gordon of Lestis married Donald Coutts daughter of Kinarnie with whom he begat three sons, viz. Thomas Gordon, John Gordon in Letach in the parish of Skene, and James Gordon Burgess in Aberdeen, and Alexander Gordon. This forsd. William Gordon married Janet Cairngill and with her he begot Alexander Gordon Burgess in Aberdeen. John Gordon of Craibston married and had succession. Thomas Gordon of Grandhome married Alexander Forbes of Miln of Gellans Daughter and had succession, and after her Death he married the Laird of Lesmoirs daughter Lady Frendraught. James Gordon of Eston married Marion Scrimgeour and with her he begat one Son appearand Heir of Eston. The forsd William Gordon natural son to George 2d. Laird of Abergeldie married the Laird of Tullochs daughter Irving with whom he begat five sons Alexander, Robert, James, and John Gordons of Coull. BELDORNIE. The Cadents of Mr Adam Gordon 3d son of Alexander first Earl of Huntly begotten on Chancellour Crightons Daughter comprehending the familys of Beldorny Drummois and Golspeter in Sutherland. 1 Added by Mr. Dalrymple. 12 HOUSE OF GORDON. This Mr Adam Gordon Dean of Caithness and Governour of Petty begat three natural sons and a Daughter on a Gentlewoman viz. Mr George Gordon of Beldorney, John Gordon of Drummoyesin Sutherland, and Mr William Gordon Chancellour of Dunkell ; his Daughter married the Laird of Findlater Ogilvy and after his death she married John Gordon son to George 5th Earl of Huntly. The forsaid Laird of Findlater Ogilvy disponed the Lands of Findlater and Achindown to the said John Gordon Laird of Findlater who married his Lady. The said Mr George Gordon of Belldornie married the Barren of Killravocks Daughter Ross, with whom he begot two sons and two Daughters viz. his eldest son Alexander Gordon of Belldornie, the 2d son George Gordon dyed without succession ; his Eldest Daughter married John Gordon of Bucky, the 2d married the Goodman of Kinninvie Lesly. Their Father the said George builded the House of Belldorney and dyed His Eldest Son the forsaid Alx r Gordon of Belldorney married the Laird of Grants Daughter with whom he begat four sons and three Daughters viz. his eldest Son George Gordon of Belldorney, 2d Alex- ander Gordon of Kyllehon in Badenoch, 3d son Adam Gordon Glenrinnes ; his Eldest Daughter the Laird of Asswanly, his 2d Daughter married William Gordon of Farnachty, his 3d married Alexander Grant in Tulloch. Their Father the said Alexander dyed His Eldest Son George Gordon of Belldorney married the Laird of Newtowns Daughter Gordon, with whom he begat Sons and Daughters. 1631 his eldest son Gordon of Belldorney married the Laird of Muirhouse daughter Lyon with whom he begat DRUMMOYES. Mr Adam Gordons second Son John Gordon of Drumois married the Vicar of Kilmachlys daughter Sutherland, with whom he begatt four sons viz. Hugh Gordon of Belnatom, Alex 1 Gordon of Sidera, John Gordon of Golspiter, and little John Gordon of Bakes. Their father the said John Gordon of Drumoye died His Eldest Son Hugh Gordon of Belnatome married Ossala Tulloch (12) BALBITHAN MS. 13 the Provost of Forres Daughter with whom he begat Oliver Gordon of Drumoye ; he had two natural sons viz. John Gordon in Gartly and Thomas Gordon in Helmsdale. Their Father Hugh Gordon dyed His son Oliver Gordon married Andrew Minro Miltons daughter with whom he begat three sons viz. Hugh Gordon of Bellentome, Mr Gilbert Gordon and John Gordon of Killmalyie mar. ; and to his second wife he married the Daughter of James Clunas burgess in Cromartie with whom he begat three Sons and two Daughters. John Gordon of Drummoy his zd son Alexander Gordon of Sidera married William Innes of Daughter with whom he begat a daughter who married Charles Peop, and to his 2d wife he married the Parson of Duffus daughter Keith with whom he begat John Gordon fiar of Sidera, who married Jannet Symer daughter to Mr. Symer Burgess in Edenburgh who had succession. John Gordon of Drummoys third son John Gordon of Golspeter married and begat three sons and four daughters viz. John Gordon younger of Golspeter, George Gordon of Rogey, and Hutcheon Gordon, he had also a natural son called Alexander Gordon of Uppat. Their Father the said John Gordon of Golspeter dyed . His son John Gordon younger of Golspeter married the Laird of Findracies daughter Lesly who had Succession. His natural son Alexander Gordon of Uppat married the Laird of Pullrosies daughter who has succession. John Gordon of Drumoyes 4th son little John Gordon of Babeys married Margaret Innes daughter to with whom he begat three sons, viz. Robert Gordon who dyed unmarried, Adam Gordon of Gillecalmorell, and Alex r Gordon of Savach ; he had also two natural sons viz. Gilbert Gordon of Ruging and John Gordon of Brora. Their father the said Little John Gordon dyed . His son Adam Gordon married Mackeys Daughter and has succession ; his second son Alexr Gordon of Savach married Hector Monro's Daughter of Pitfower and has succession. SUTHERLAND. The Cadents of George ad Earl of Huntly's second Son S r Adam Gordon, begotten on Errol's sister; of whom is descended the Family and Earl of Sutherland about the year 1479. (13) 14 HOUSE OF GORDON. S r Adam Gordon Lord Aboyn married the Heirress of Sutherland with whom he begat three sons and one daughter, viz. Alexander Gordon second Earl of Sutherland, Mr Gordon and Mr Adam Gordon ; his daughter married George Gordon of Tillachawdy ; he had also a natural son Thomas Gordon in Mallades. Their father the forsaid Adam first Earl of Sutherland died His eldest son Alexander 2d Earl of Sutherland married the Earl of Athols daughter Stuart with whom he begat John Gordon 3d Earl of Sutherland. His Father the said Alexander dyed His son John 3d Earl of Sutherland married the Earl of Argile's Daughter Countess of Murray, she died without succession ; he married to his 2d wife the Earl of Lennox's Daughter Countess of Errol, with whom he begat Alexander Gordon 4th Earl of Sutherland. His Father dyed His son the forsd. Alexander Gordon fourth Earl of Sutherland married the Earl of Huntly's daughter Margaret Countess of Bothwell with whom he begat three sons and two daughters, viz. his eldest son John Gordon 5th Earl of Sutherland, Robert Gordon Knight Barronet, and Sir Alex r Gordon of Newdells ; his eldest Daughter married the Laird of Ballnagown Ross, the 2d Daughter married Mackey Laird of Strathnaver : the 4th Earl of Sutherland dyed His eldest son John 5th E. of Sutherland married my Lord Elphinston's daughter with whom he begat three sons and two daughters viz. John Gordon his eldest son 6th Earl of Sutherland, Adam Gordon, and George Gordon ; his eldest daughter married the Laird of Frendraught James Crighton, his second daughter married the Laird of Pitfodells Menzies. Their father dyed His eldest son John 6th E. of Sutherland married my Lord Drummond's Daughter and begat sons and daughters, viz. John and George Gordons; after her death he married my Lord Lovat's daughter. THE CADENTS OF THE FAMILY OF SUTHERLAND. The first Earl of Sutherland's 2d. son had one Daughter who married John Gordon of Golspiter. Mr. Adam Gordon of Farar his Brother married the Goodman of BALBITHAN MS. 15 Cairnborrow's daughter Margaret Gordon first spouse to my Lord Salton's Son Michael Abernethie. This Margaret Gordon, after her second Husband's death viz. the said Adam Gordon of Farrar, married to her 3d. Husband the Laird of Lesmoires Second son Alexander Gordon of Birkenburn. Adam first E. of Sutherland his Natural son Thomas Gordon of Meillades married and begat sons. Sir Robert Gordon Knight Barronet 2d. son of Alexander 4th E. of Sutherland begotten on the E. of Huntly's daughter Countess of Bothwell married Mr John Gordon Dean of Salisbury's daughter a near Relation of George 4th E. of Huntly, of whom is come the Family of Gordonston. His son Gordon heir of Mowney married Mr Robert Farquhar of Mownie his Daughter. Sir Alex r Gordon of Newdale married and GIGHT. The Cadents of George 2d. E. of Huntlys third son William Gordon Laird of Gight and Sheeves, begotten on Errolls Sister, about the year 1479. Sir Patrick Maitland Barren of Gight and Sheeves leaving only three Daughters, Earle George got the gift of the Ward of their marriage, and his said third son William Gordon not being willing to marry any of the three daughters, Earl George provided them of other Husbands, with whom he transacted for the Lands of Gight and Sheeves, which he gave to his son the said William. This William Gordon Laird of Gight married Jannet Ogilvy Laird of Boyn's daughter, w 4 whom he begat three Sons, and a Daughter. His eldest son Sir George Gordon of Shives, 2d. James Gordon of Cairnbanack, and John Gordon of Ardmachar ; his Daughter married John Grant of Bellindalloch. Their father the forsd. William Gordon first Laird of Gight was killed in the Battle of Flowden 5th Septr. 1513. His eldest son S r George Gordon of Sheeves and 2d. Laird of Gight married a daughter of Robert Gordon of Fetterletter, who was brother to the Laird of Haddo. The said Sir George Gordon built the House of Gight and dyed without issue. (15) l6 HOUSE OF GORDON. His brother James Gordon of Cairnbannack succeeded, the 3d. Laird of Gight, and married the Laird of Strathloch's daughter Cheyn, with whom he begat two sons, viz. the eldest son Alexander Gordon Laird of Gight, and Mr. William Gordon, who perished in the water of Boggie without succession ; he had also a natural son John Gordon in Milltown of Noath. Their father, the forsd. James Gordon of Cairn- bannack dyed His eldest son Alexander Gordon 4th Laird of Gight married Agnes Beton daughter to the Cardinal, with whom he begat one daughter who married S r George Hume Earl of Dunbarr. He was killed on the shoar of Dundee by the M r of Forbes and the Goodman of Towie Forbes, where the Laird of Gight and the Goodman of Towie killed each other. His Uncle John Gordon of Ardmather married James Gordon's Daughter who was the first Laird of Lesmore, with whom he begat four sons and daughters : his eldest son succeeded to the Estate of Gight and was called William Gordon, the 2d. son Captain John Gordon was killed at Dunniebirsell, the 3d. son Alexander was killed at the wars in. Holland, the 4th son George Gordon was killed by the M r of Monteith ; his eldest Daughter married the Laird of Strichen Chalmers and after his death she married the Laird of Philorth's brother, the 2d. daughter married the Laird of Hay and after his death she married Patrick Grant of Rothemurcus, his 3d. daughter married the Laird of Achynachie Sinclair, the fourth married the Laird of Banchory Garden, the 5th married the Goodman of Clackriach Keith, and one married the Laird of Haddo's brother. Their father the said John Gordon of Ardmather dyed His eldest son the said William Gordon succeeded to the Estate of Gight, being 5th Laird of Gight, he married the Laird of Kellies daughter Achterlownie with whom he begat seven sons and seven daughters ; his eldest son George Gordon Laird of Gight, John Gordon of Ardlownie, William Gordon killed in Turreff, the 4th Patrick Gordon, and Adam Gordon killed by Francie Hay, Alex r Gordon, and Robert Gordon. One daughter married S r Adam Gordon of Park and Glen- buicket, one married the Laird of Bucholly, another married the Laird of Cults Alexander Innes, one James Cheyne of Pennin, one the Goodman of Harthill Leith, one married Alexander Gordon of Tulloch (16) BALBITHAN MS. 17 and after his death she married Thomas Gordon of Pittendreich brother to the Laird of Cluny, and another married George Gordon of Cushney. Their father the forsaid William Gordon dyed His eldest son George Gordon Sixth Laird of Gight, married the Laird of Bonnytown's Daughter Wood, with whom he begat two sons and three Daughters, his Eldest Son George of Gight, one Daughter married William Hay Broth r to the Earl of Errol, one married the Laird of Foverin Turin, one married the Goodman of Coxton Innes ; and after the death of the Laird of Bonneton's Daughter he married my Lord Salton's daughter Abernethie with whom he begat one son and a daughter, his Son Geo. Gordon of Ardestie married the Laird of Cars Daughter Monteith. Their father the said George dyed anno 1641. George Gordon 7th Laird of Gight married my Lord Ogilvies Daughter and begat two Sons and a Daughter. George Gordon 8th Laird of Geight married the Laird of Ludqu- harn's Daughter Keith, and begat a daughter and dyed THE CADENTS OR 20. SONS OF GEIGHT. Captain John Gordon married the Laird of Shevthins Daughter Affleck with whom he begat two Daughters and was killed at Dinniber- sell without more succession. John Gordon of Ardmather's son Alexander married a Gentle- woman in Holland and begat with her Captain Alx r Gordon in Holland. This Alexander married in Holland and begat a Son who was a Captain anno 1633. Captain George Gordon son to John Gordon of Ardmather married the Lady Skillmaroch and begat one Daugh r . John Gordon of Ardlogie married Cap 1 Thomas Keir's Daughter, with whom he begat four sons and two daughters, Captain Adam, John, Collonel Nathaniel Gordon, Captain Gordon ; one Daughter married Cap 1 . John Gordon Son to Knockespack. Patrick Gordon Son to William Laird of Gight married Margaret Ereskin Daug r . to the Laird of Ardeslie and has succession. Adam Gordon Son to William Laird of Gight married Daughter to of that Ilk. l8 HOUSE OF GORDON. Robert, William Laird of Gights Son married Ogilvie Kempkairns daughter. Alexr. Married daugr. of Hay. James Gordon of Cairnbannacks natural son in Milltown of Noath married and LETTERFURIE. The Genealogie of George 2d. Earl of Huntly's youngest and 4th Son James Gordon of Letterfurie. James Gordon of Letterfurie married the Laird of Germachs daughter Jannet Butter with whom he begat four Sons, viz. his eldest Son John Gordon of Curriedown, Patrick Gordon of Letter- furie, Wm. Gordon in Orkney, and Alexander Gordon of Crommellat. John Gordon of Comedown married Elizabeth Currour, with whom he begat John Gordon of Curriedown ; he married to his 2d. wife the Goodman of Muiraik's Daug r Gordon, and with her he begat John Gordon of Chappelton, he married the Goodman of Achanachies daughter Gordon, with whom he begat Adam Gordon who was killed by one Leslie in Keith 1634, and James Gordon in Dunbanane some- time Baillie in Strathbogie. Patrick Gordon of Letterfurie married the Goodman of Drainies daughter Innes, with whom he begat five sons and Daughters, his eldest son James Gordon of Letterfurie, John Gordon of Coffurach, Tho. Gordon of Currydown, Robert Gordon Burgess in Elgin, and Mr Patrick Gordon ; one Daughter married the Goodman of Tannachy Stuart, one married John Ross of Bellivate, one married Walter Ross of Badyvochell. Their Father the said Patrick Gordon dyed His eldest son James Gordon of Letterfurie married the Goodman of Buckie's Sister Gordon, and dyed without issue. To him succeeded John Gordon, Thomas Gordon his eldest Son, who married Gordon of Achintoulls Daughter and with her begat one son called James Gordon of Letterfurie who married Grizell Dunbar daughter to Sir William Dunbar of Durn, with whom he begat four sons and four daughters, viz : his eldest son Pat. Gordon, William Gordon, James Gordon, and Alex r Gordon; his eldest daughter Jannet Gordon, his 2d. daughter Anne Gordon married to Logic Ogilvie, his 3d. Jean Gordon who dyed unmarried, and the youngest Mary Gordon ; (18) BALBITHAN MS. IQ all these save Jean yet live. The forsaid John Gordon after his wife Gordon of Auchentoull's daughter her death married to his 2 d wife Mary Innes Achluncharts Daughter on whom he begat a son Alexander Gordon present Governour of Port S 4 - Ferara. The forsd. Thomas Gordon married the goodman of Buckie's daughter who has succession seven sons and one daughter married on Walter Ogilvie of Ragell. John Gordon of Coffurach married Jas. Harper's Daughter who has succession. Robert Gordon married William Lesly's Daughter Burgess in Elgin with whom he had succession, and after her Decease he married the Goodman of Coxton's daughter Innes ; his children with the first wife James Gordon of Ardneadlie Baillie of Eurie [Enzie] , John Gordon of Achinhallrick, and Thomas Gordon of Myreton, and one Daughter married to Innes of Drainy and after to Hay of Knocken. William Gordon in Orkney married there and has good succession. Alexander Gordon of Crommellat married a Brother Daughter to Abernethie Lord Salton, and begot with her three^sons, his eldest son John Gordon in Littlemill, Alx r . Gordon in Craigyhead, and Gordon who married Ritcheson's daughter in Haughs of Grange and got with her the Woodsett of Walkmill of Rothiemey ; and after her Decease the said Alexander married the Goodman of Muraicks daughter Gordon with whom he begat sons and daughters, his eldest son Adam Gordon at the Miln of Gartley. CLUNY. The Cadents and Geneaologie of Alexander Laird of Strathawen and Cluny, the 3 d son of Alexander 3 d Earl of Huntly. The manuscript here under Proneys name has fallen into another mistake in calling this Alexander Laird of Strathawen the second son of Alex r third Earl of Huntly, whereas indeed he was only his third son : for the said Alexander third Earl of Huntly had only four Sons, viz. George the Eldest who died without succession and of whom there is no memory, John the Second Lord Gordon of whom is come the Family of Huntly, Alexander the third Son who was Laird of Strathawn (19) 20 HOUSE OF GORDON. and thereafter of Cluny of whom is come the Family of Cluny, and the 4th son William Gordon who was Bishop of Aberdeen. The said Alexander first Laird of Strathawen married the Laird of Grants Daughter with whom he begat two sons and four daughters, his eldest son Alexander, heir of Strathawen, and John Gordon. His eldest daughter married the Laird of Altar Gumming, one married the Laird of Pitsligo Forbes, one married Pat. Gordon Goodman of Oxhill, the 4th daughter married Andrew Halyburton of Drummoys. The said Alexander their Father excambed (with his father) the Lands of Strathawen, with the Lands of Cluny in Mar, reserving his own liferent, and the Heritable Right of Blairfindy. He dyed in peace in Drummin. It seems also that the said Alexander first Laird of Strathawen first married my Lord Glames Daughter, by whom he had no children, and after her death he married Grants daughter as above. His eldest Son Alexander Gordon heir of Strathawen married the Laird of Banff's Daughter Ogilvy with whom he begat a daughter, who married James Gordon of Birkenburn. He died without further succession. His Brother John Gordon succeeded to the Estate of Cluny. He married Thomas Gordon of Auchenheif and Goodman of Cracullie's daughter Margaret Gordon with whom he begat two sons and five daughters, his eldest son Sir Thomas Gordon, and John Gordon of Bissmoire ; his eldest daughter married the Laird of Pitcaple Lesly, one married the Laird of Cubbardy Murray, one the Laird of Craigie- varr Mortimer, one married the Laird of Pittodrie Ereskine, and the fifth married John Grant of Carron. Their Father the said John Gordon Laird of Cluny built the Castle of Blairfindy and dyed therein anno 1586. His eldest son S r Thomas Gordon Laird of Cluny married the Earl of Angus Sister Dam Elizabeth Dowglass with whom he begat six Sons and a Daughter, his eldest Son Sir Alexander Gordon of Cluny Barronet, Patrick Gordon of Ruthven, William Gordon of Coxton [Cottone *], Mr. Thomas Gordon of Pittendreich, Mr George and John Gordons ; his Daughter married James Gumming Laird of Alter. Their Father the said Sir Thomas married to his second wife Grizall Stuart 1 MS. of 1644. (20) BALBITHAN MS. 21 the Earl of Atholls Sister with whom he begat two Daughters, the one married the Laird of Carnousie Ogilvy, the other the Laird of Birkenbog Abercromby. The said S r Thomas died in Cluny. His eldest Son S r Alexr. Gordon Barronet of Cluny married the Laird of Craigstons daughter Urquhart who was tutor of Cromarty, with whom he begat one son Sir Alexander Gordon heir of Cluny, who married the Laird of Wardhouse daughter who dyed in France without succession. His father the said Sir Alexander Gordon of Cluny married to his second wife the Laird of Newtons daughter Lady Wardess. THE CADENTS OF THE FAMILY OF CLUNY. John Gordon of Bissmoire married the Laird of Lesmoirs daughter who was first Lady Auchintowell and after married [afterward 1 ] Lady Ballindalloch with whom he begat two sons, his eldest son Patrick Gordon of Bissmoir, his second John Gordon of Their father the said John Gordon of Bissmoir was killed at the ride of Tarnway by ane shott from the House 1591. His eldest son Patrick Gordon of Bissmoire married Jean Lesly Daug r to the Provost of Aberdeen and has succession, viz : Alexr'. Gordon of Bissmoir who married Patrick Lesly Provost of Aberdeen's daughter. The Provost Sir Patrick Lesly purchast the Lands of Eden. His brother John Gordon [married *] and has succession. Patrick Gordon of Ruthven married the Laird of Cowdies Murray's daughter and has succession. Wm. Gordon of Cottan married Gordon and has succession. Mr Thomas of Pittendreich married the Laird of Gights daughter Gordon, and has succession. George Gordon married the Parson of Kinairnies daughter Burnet. Sir Thomas youngest son John Gordon married ane Captains daughter in Holland. This Alexander Gordon who was first Laird of Strathawen had two natural sons, viz : George Gordon of Tombea, and William Gordon in Dellmore. This George Gordon of Tombea married Jannet Grant and begat with her two sons and a daughter viz'. Alex r Gordon in 1 MS. of 1644. (21) 22 HOUSE OF GORDON. Tombea, and James Gordon in Achdrigny; his daughter married Alexander Grant in Inverury. Their father George Gordon died in Tombea. His son Alexander Gordon in Tombea married Jannet Stuart with whom he begat four Sons, Geo. Gordon in Tombea, Jo., Patrick and William Gordons. Their Father dyed [in peace 1 ]. James Gordon in Achdrigny begat one son called William Gordon ; this forsd. William Gordon in Achmoir [Delmoir 1 ] married Issabel Grant with whom he begat four sons viz : Alexander Gordon who dwells [dwelt 1 ] in Cruchly, Thomas Gordon in Neve, John in Inverury, and Adam Gordon in Achnascra. Their father was killed by some of the Clanchattan in Dellmore, his fourth son married and had succession in Strathawen. THE CADENTS OF JOHN LORD GORDON. Alexander Bishop of Caithness had a son Dean of Sutherland [Salisberry x ] whose Daughter married Sir Robert Gordon brother to the Earl of Sutherland and James Gordon Chancellour of Murray, who dyed without succession. THE CADENTS OF WILLIAM GORDON, BP. OF ABERDEEN fourth son to Alexander 3 d Earl of Huntly. This William Gordon Bishop of Aberdeen had two natural Sons, viz. M r John Gordon who coft some Houses in the Old town of Aberdeen, and Mr Walter Gordon ; the said M r John Gordon dyed without Suc- cession, his brother M r Walter succeeded to his Houses and Lands and married and begat a son called W m Gordon. THE CADENTS OR SECOND SONS OF GEORGE 4TH EARL OF HUNTLY. John Gordon 3 d Son to George fourth Earl of Huntly married the Lady Findlater, daughter to Sir [Mr 1 ] Adam Gordon Dean of Caithness and Governour of Petty ; he was execute at Aberdeen after the battle of Corrichie 1563 ; he had no Children. Adam Gordon Laird of Achendown the fourth son fought first the battle of Tillyangus against the Forbesses, where my .Lord 1 MS. of 1644. (22) BALBITHAN MS. 23 Forbes Brother [Son l ] black Arthur was killed, with severall others ; and within forty days thereafter fought the Battle att Craibston near Aberdeen, where my Lord Forbes eldest Son was taken prisoner ; the Forbesses killed, and quite defeat. Immediately thereafter at the Bourd of Breichen he chased fourteen Earls Lords and Barrons taking many Prisoners ; he also took in the Houses of Drumminor, with several other houses belonging to the Forbesses ; he banished the Forbesses out of the North to Dundee where they remained three Quarters of a year, he possessed their Houses [with his Captains and friends l ] and took up their Rents during that time. He dyed in peace in the Town of Perth the second of Deer : 1580. His Brother Sir Patrick Gordon succeeded to the Lordship of Auchindown and Gartly, he married the Lady Gights Daughter [Gight Dam 1 ] Agnes Beton, he was a brave Champion like to his brother Adam, and did good service to his Nephew Geo: first Marquise of Huntly in time of his troubles ; he was killed in the Battle of Glenlivat [Oldchonachon in Strathawin 1 ] I4th. Octr: 1594; he had no succession save only a natural son, Captain in the French Guards. Mr James was a religious man and dyed in France as did Mr William his brother who was designed for Bishop of Aberdeen. Mr Thomas Gordon married the Lady Innes, he had a natural daughter married Thomas Hamilton in Caithness. The youngest Brother Mr Robert Gordon was killed rashly and had no Succession. THE CADENTS OF GEORGE STH EARL OF HUNTLY. Alexander Gordon Laird of Strathawn Second Son to George fifth Earl of Huntly married the Earl of Caithness daughter Sinclair Countess of Erroll with whom he begat a son Alexr. Gordon Lord of Dunkintie, and three daughters. Their father the said Alexander dyed in peace att CambellfCamdell 1 ]. His Son Alexander Gordon Laird of Dunkinty married the goodman of Ballindalloch's daughter Margaret Grant with whom he begat five sons and three daughters ; his eldest son George Gordon, Alexander 1 MS. of 1644. (23) 24 HOUSE OF GORDON. and John Gordons. He excambed the Lands of Strathawen for the Lands of Dunkinty and got a great sum of money. He and his eldest son George were killed at the Stalking in the forrest of Glenawen 9 [19 l ] August 1633 by some of the [rogues of the 1 ] Clachattan lurking there and were buried in the Gordons Isle in the Chanry Kirk of Elgin. THE CADENTS OF GEORGE FIRST MARQUISE OF HUNTLY. Francis Gordon the Second son died young while he was Student at the Colledge. Lawrence Gordon his fourth Son died in Strathbogie of Eighteen [20 l ] years of age. His fifth son Lord John Gordon of Melgin [Melgum *] and Aboyn married Sophia Hay daughter to the Earl of Errol with whom he begat one Daughter Henret Gordon ; the said Lord John was burnt in the House of Frendraght and John Gordon Laird of Rothemay, with four Servants Gentlemen, upon Fridays night the eight of October 1630 and buried in the Isle of Gairtly. It's here remarkable that before this tragical accident the said Family of Frendraught was in a very flourishing condition as any of their rank in the North, and tho' they were not to be reached by the Law after tryal, yet it seems the Secret but Just Judgment of God so pursued them that their Estate suddenly vanished away like the morning dew, and their posterity evanished, scarcely being any now living to represent them, and besides all whoever matched with that family were liable to signal misfortunes. Meldrum of Hatton being put to a legal Tryal for that horrid murder suffered upon the account of malum minatum et damnum secutum. THE CADENTS OF GEORGE SECOND MARQUISE OF HUNTLY. His eldest Son George Lord Gordon was killed at the Battle of Alford. James Lord Aboyn the second Son dyed in France of sickness and toil contracted in Montrose Wars. Lord Lewis the third son married the Laird of Grants daughter, Argile then being in possession of the whole Estate of Huntly; and 1 MS. of 1644. (24) BALBITHAN MS. 25 the other two above Brothrs. dying without children the said Lord Lewis succeeded and was reponed to his Parentall Estate of whom is come the Family of Gordon. The said Lord Lewis begat on Grants Daughter one Son, Lady Anne, Lady Mary, and Lady Jean Gordons ; his eldest son George first Duke of Gordon who succeeded his Father and got the gift of his forefaulted Estate from King Charles the Second. The eldest daughter Lady Anne never married, the second daughter Lady Mary first married the Laird of Meldrum Urquhart, and after his Death she married the Earl of Perth Chancellour in King James the yths time, and was by him Created Duke and Duchess of Perth. Lady Jean Gordon the 3 d daughter married the Earl of Dumfermling Seton who died in France without succession. Charles Earl of Aboyn Etc. 4th Son to the said George 2 d Marquise of Huntly married the Laird of Drum's daughter Margaret Irvine who had no children. The said Earl Charles of Aboyn married to his second wife the Earl of Strathmores daughter Lyon, with whom he begat three sons and daughters, his eldest son who succeeded to his Father, Mr George and Mr John Gordons. His eldest forsd. Earl of Aboyn married the Earl of Strathmores daughter Lyon, with whom he begat John Earl of Aboyn now in Life, and three daughters Lady Helen the eldest married to the present Representative of Kinnaird, the second Lady Elizabeth and the 3 d Lady Grace Gordons. The said John present Earl of Aboyn married the Lord Carnwaths daughter Lockart. My Lord Hary Gordon 5th Son to George Second Marquise of Huntly married Madam Rulten but had no succession, he dyed att Drumdellzie in Strathbogie. George Lord Gordon who was killed att Alford had a Natural Son James Gordon of Achmull, who has a son James Gordon in Loanhead now in life. I need not here inform my Reader that George first Duke of Gordon having married Elizabeth eldest daughter to the Duke of Norfolk had no more Children but only one Son and a Daughter, his Eldest and only Son Alexander Second Duke of Gordon married the Earl of Peterborrows daughter his Sister Lady Jean Gordon married my Lord Drummond thereafter Earl of Perth and by King James the Seventh Duke of Perth. (25) D 20 HOUSE OF GORDON. JOCK AND THOM. The Geneaology of Jock the Heiress Eldest Brother and stock of Pittlurge. I proceed now to account for the genealogie of Jock and Thorn the Heiress two Brothers begotten by Adam Gordon fifth Lord of Huntly on Elizabeth Cruickshank Aswanlies daughter in the Reign of King Robert the Second about the year 1383. Here indeed occurs no small difficulties raised and objected by the contending Partys pro et con, the Family of Huntlys disputing the Legittimacy of the said two Brothers Jock and Thorn their birth ; the second difficulty is, allowing their birth to be good and Lawfull, the Cadents of Jock who was undoubtedly the Eldest brother and so owned nemine contradicente spleet amonst themselves ; some contending Buckies Family was Jocks eldest son, others again contending and that not without Reason that Pitlurge's predecessors was undoubtedly Jocks eldest son begotten in a Lawfull and regular marriage. In these straights it is hard, yea simply impossible, to satisfy all Parties, as I observed before, only as a Lover of the truth without being attached to either of the contending partys I shall without prejudice or favour plainly set down, what is commonly alledged by each to support their pretensions, and what has been most commonly and universally received about these disputes, from the beginning to this present Age ; and Last of all I shall Leave it to the impartial Reader to make a Judgment according to the strength and weight of the Evidences brought and Examined by both sides in sober cold blood. As to the first, the Legittimacy of Jock and Thorn their birth, it's questioned on these Heads. First, that it was inconsistent with the Honour and Prudence of Lord Adam Gordon to have married so meanly and far below his birth, as this Elizabeth Cruickshank was, who at the best must claim no higher than the station of a private and obscure Gentlewoman and a mean Vasalls daughter; and the rather to confirm this, it was never alledged they were formally and Lawfully married, but only hand fasted, and if there was any private promises made twixt the parties spe matrimonii, yet the same were not binding in Law, and accordingly the said Lord Adam annulled the same by his entering into a lawfull and regular marriage w* another the Earl of (26) BALBITHAN MS. 27 Sommerveile's daughter, and Esto they had been Lawfully married, yet on second and Just considerations the first marriage might have been annulled by Divorce or non adherence etc. To this its answered that inequality of Birth does in no ways dissanull marriages, many Instances might be adduced where great and noble persons have married below their birth meerly for fancie and pleasure ; and if the marriage was clandestine and not so formall Lawfull and regular as it ought to have been, its to be remembered that Church discipline or Ceremonies of the Church were not then so strictly observed as now they are, especially having to do with a person of Lord Adam's Birth, honour and great Interest and Sway in the North. Consensus et Copulatio facit matrimonium, only the Church by the Ceremony, declares the marriage Lawfull, which was real before their declaratory Sentence, and we know that a Justice of Peace in England [Scotland] may Lawfully marry where both parties are willing and Consenters. 2 do its answered inequality of Birth in that marriage was the ruin of Jock and Thorn, they not being capable by Friends to Copp or debate with the Heiress their Sister, or claim any share in their Father's inheritance save only what he pleased to give them out of his free good will. Lastly its answered their Legittimacy was owned in so far, as Jock and Thorn and their posterity to this hour were allowed to bear and keep in their publique Ensigns and Coats of Arms, upon all publick and private occasions, the bare and simple Arms their father and all the Family of Huntly had used from their first arise in Scotland till then ; without any addition or alteration, far less any mark of Bastardie ; and to be sure (as was observed formerly) the office of herauldrie and giving out Coats of Arms and bestowing other such honours was the Kings province the fountain of all honour who very well knew how to bestow honours on such as were worthy and deserving of them, and if any should take upon them to assume to themselves such Coats of Arms as they deserved not, they were severely handled by authority for their presumption, and if there was any blot in their birth be sure it was insert in their Scutcheon, and there were narrow Inquiry of this taken by the King and others he employed for that purpose. Now the Lairds of Pittlurge Jocks Representatives being frequently honoured with the 28 HOUSE OF GORDON. dignity of Knighthood by the Kings, and having also att Pinkie and several other publick Battles and appearances still carried in their Banners and Coats of Arms the Antient Arms of the House of Huntly without any mark of Bastardie, could they have done this so avowedly publickly and without challenge had they not been truly thought deserv- ing of the Same as their right and proper heritable due. I shall trouble my Reader with no more on this first objection viz : Jock and Thorn's Bastardie. I proceed to the second difficultie viz : whither Pittlurge or Buckie be the eldest son of Jock both laying claim to it, whose pretensions and reasons shall be impartially examined and weighted. Its beyond Contraversie that Jock and Thorn were the two sons begotten by Lord Adam Gordon fifth Lord of Huntly and Strathbogie upon Elizabeth Cruickshank Asswanlie's daughter before the said Adam his second marriage with the Earl of Somervills daughter, and that of these two Brothers Jock was the eldest ; in this all parties agree. But then comes the competition who was this Jocks eldest Lawfull son ? Buckie and these come of him assert that this Jock was first married to Hanault Mccleud of Heiras daughter, Sister to the Lady M c intosh at that time, with whom he begat a Son called Alexander Gordon of Essy of whom Bucky is come. Pittlurge and all come of him absolutly deny this marriage, tho' they own that Jock begot on this M c Leod the said Alexander Gordon, who was only a Bastard begotten on a free woman but not of a married Couple. Pittlurge further advances that his predecessor the said Jock was never Lawfully married save only to the Laird of Gights daughter Maitland with whom he begat three sons viz. John Gordon of Botarie, William Gordon of Tillytarmount, and James Gordon of Haddo. Their Father the said Jock or John Gordon the Heiress brother gave Botarie and the Lands of Langar in the Merns which he conquest, to his eldest Lawfull son John of Botarie and gave the lands of Essy and Scordairg to his Bastard Son the forsd Alexr. Gordon of Essie. For Confirmation of Pittlurge's pretensions its further advanced that both parties Buckie as well as Pittlurg doe own Jocks marriage with the Laird of Gights Daughter Maitland, and the issue proceeding therefrom to be Lawfull, which never any to this ( 2 8) BALBITHAN MS. 2Q hour made ever the least objection or exception against ; whereas all come of Pittlurg did ever and constantly deny any Lawfull marriage twixt Jock their sd predecessor and Mackleod of Haris daughter. Again, the Lairds of Pittlurg as the eldest Sons of Jock were richly provoided, at first with large provisions of Lands by their Fathers, viz, the Lands of Pittlurge Boaterie and Langor, were advanced and dignified with the Kings honours, and on all publick occasions behaved and were owned by all as the Representatives and Chiefs of Jocks Family without any opposition Contradiction or Challenge or pretensions to the contrary ; till of Late the last Duke of Gordon coming North with his Lady to Aberdeen, and being to be publickly entertained by the Magistrates of that Burgh, the throng of Gentry and others attending them was very great and pressing up stairs who could first make his entry, by chance Bucky went up some steps of the stair before the Laird of Pittlurge, and Pittlurge in the throng takes hold of Buckie's coat to win up. Buckie not out of any design sets Pittlurge back, only to keep himself free of the Press. Pittlurge takes this as a design of Buckies to take place before him, whereas indeed there was no such thing in Buckies mind : however Pittlurg retires and is highly offended. The Duke and Dutchess missing Pittlurge call for him again and again, till the story is told that had passed, the Duke and Dutchess send for Pittlurg to his Quarters, telling they would not sit down to Dinner till he came. Upon this Pittlurge comes and is placed at the Head of the Table on the Dutchess Left hand the Duke being on her right hand, and the Laird of Buckie had his place below the Duke. By this Situation and preferment of place att Table, both Duke and Dutchess seemed to give the precedence to Pittlurge, and did all they could for to humour him and take away the quarrel. Pittlurg not satisfied with all this, sends Buckie a Challenge to fight, the Duke and Dutchess finding matters come to that height interpose at Meldrum, and in a publick company Buckie offers satisfaction to Pittlurge, assuring he had no such Design against him to strive for Place or Precedence, and in testimony thereof drank first to Pittlurg his Service, whereupon the Seeming mistake was comprimised and Pittlurg satisfied. This tedious but true relation I had from severall good Gentlemen witnesses present to all had passed. Besides I have known Buckie express himself very modestly and mannerly on that head without the Least tincture of 30 HOUSE OF GORDON. pride vanitie or affectation, only the grand Objection they insisted upon was this, that M c leaod of Haris daughter being of such account and following they could not imagine how Jock in point of good manners could or was safe, to get her with child, and not marry her. However this might be answered, I think these nice and frivolous intestine debates amongst friends ought not to be too passionately insisted upon, especially considering both Partys own Jock for their common un- doubted parent and therefore let none take it ill that I begin and go on with the Laird of Pittlurge's Genealogie as Representative of Jock, seeing antiquity tradition and uninterrupted possession seems all to concur to give Sentence in his and predecessors favour ; reserving all due honour and respect for the Family of Buckie, which all must own is truly antient and honourable. PlTTLURGE. To return then as I hinted before John Gordon the Heretrix brother married to his Lawful! wife the Laird of Gights daughter Maitland with whom he begat three sons viz. his eldest son John Gordon of Boterrie of whom Pittlurg is come, his 2 d son William Gordon of Tillytermont of whom- Blelack Lesmoir and Craig are come, and James Gordon of Meithlick thereafter Laird of Haddo his third Son of whom are come the Earl of Aberdeen. Their father the said John Gordon dyed and was buried in the Kirk of Essy, others say in the Kirk of Botarie. His eldest son John Gordon of Botarie Langar and Pitlurge married my Lord Pitsligo's daughter Forbes, with whom he begat two sons John Gordon Laird of Pittlurge Botarie and Langar, his second son James Gordon of Cairnborrow. Their father the forsd. John Gordon ex- cambed the Lands of Langar with the Barroney of Travechin, he conquest the Lands of Pittlurge. He dyed in peace and was interred in the Burial place of the Kirk of Botarie. His son John Gordon second Laird of Pitlurge married the Earl o Athols daughter Stuart, with whom he begat a son John Gordon third Laird of Pittlurg; likewise he begat on a Gentlewoman Maitland two natural sons and two daughters viz. William Gordon of (30) BALBITHAN MS. 31 Belchirrie and George Gordon of Kindrught ; one daughter married the goodman of New Forbes, another married Menzies Provost of Aberdeen. Their Father the forsaid John Gordon 2 d Laird of Pittlurg was killed at the battle of Pinkie anno 1547. [He married secondly Margaret Drummond. It was his son who fell at Pinkie. 1 ] His son John Gordon 3 d Laird of Pittlurge married Jannet Ogilvie of Cullen's daughter, with whom he begat a Son John Gordon of Pitt- lurge. Their father died. His Son John Gordon fourth Laird of Pittlurg married my Lord Forbes daughter with whom he begat two Sons [and a daughter Barbara married Hon. Alex. Elphinstone, 3 d son of fourth Lord Elphinstone l ] viz. John Gordon fifth Laird of Pittlurg and Mr Robert Gordon of Strathlock. Their Father dyed in Kinmundy and interred in their ordinary burial place in Martinkirk anno 1600. His Son John Gordon sixth Laird of Pittlurg married the Laird of Kinnairds daughter Kinnaird, with whom he begat a daughter married to Thomas Gordon son to John of Bagos sherriff Deput of Aberdeen. His Brother Mr Robert Gordon seventh Laird of Pittlurg and Strathlock married the Laird of Lenturks daughter Irvine, with whom ne begat Ten sons and six Daughters : viz : the eldest son Robert, John, Mr. William, Alexander Advocate in Edenburgh, Mr James Parson of Rothemey, George, Hugh, Arthur, Patrick and Lodvick Gordons ; one daughter married Alexander Urquhart of Craighouse in Ross, Mary was married to the Goodman of Achencreive Richard Maitland, Jean, Barbara, Margaret, and Anne his daughters. His eldest son Robert Gordon eight Laird of Pittlurge and Strath- lock married the Laird of Leyes daughter Burnet. The Genealogy of the Laird of Pittlurg's natural sons. William Gordon of Bellchere married Janet Gordon the Goodman of Blelacks daughter with whom he begat two Daughters, one married Thomas Spens in Brunstone the other married William Grant of Blairfindie. His Second natural Son called George Gordon in Fyvie, who married and begat John Gordon Burgess in Aberdeen. His 3rd 1 Added by Mr. Dalrymple. 3 2 HOUSE OF GORDON. Natural Son George Gordon of Kindrught was Master-hushold to the first Marquise of Huntly who married CAIRNBORROW. The Cadents or second Sons of the Laird of Pittlurge viz James Gordon of Cairnborrow gotten upon the Laird of Pitsligo's daughter Forbes. James Gordon of Cairnborrow was the ist Laird of Pittlurg's Second Son and first Cadent of that family begotten upon the Laird of Pitsligo's daughter Forbes. The said James Gordon of Cairnborrow married the Laird of Barns daughter with whom he begat three sons, viz. his Eldest son George Gordon of Cairnborrow, his second son William Gordon of Abachie, and his third Son M r James Gordon of Cromellat. Their father the said James Gordon of Cairnborrow dyed and was interred amongst his predecessors in their ordinary Burial place of Martin or Botarie Kirk. Here again Abachie's people do pretend to be the said James Gordon of Cairnborrows eldest son, but very unjustly ; for it does not consist with reason, prudence, or practice, that the Father should leave the greatest and far better part of his Interest, and that by which he and his successors were designed and tituled to his second son George Gordon of Cairnborrow (as Abachies people would have it) and only leave Abachie) which was but a small and inconsiderable part of his Estate to his eldest son by which the father nor his eldest sons were never designed nor took the Title thereof; but on the contrair the said George Gordon the eldest son and Representative of his father retained the paternal Estate and Title, and he and his has been so owned even by Abachie and Achanachie giving Cairnborrow the preference, as their Paternal and heritable due and right, whereof Instance could be adduced were it proper. So I go on with the Genealogie of this eldest Son George Gordon of Cairnborrow who married Alexander Gordon of Drumoyes Daughter, Sister to Alex r Gordon of Proney, Katharin Gordon who was spouse to Achencrive Maitland, next to the Laird of Ardneidlie Baylie, and thereafter married the said George^Gordon of Cairnborrow with whom he begat a Son and two daughters viz : John Gordon of Cairn- (32) BALBITHAN MS. 33 borrow: his eldest daughter Margaret Gordon married first my Lord Salton's Son Michael Abernethie with whom he begat a Daughter married to John Gordon of Licheston, the said Margaret was second spouse to M r Adam Gordon son to the Earl of Sutherland and after his death she married Lesmoir's son Alex r Gordon first Birkenburn ; George Gordon of Cairnborrows second Daughter Katharine Gordon married first Drainie Innes and after his death she married the Goodman of Coxton Innes. Their Father the said George was killed in the Battle of Pinkie 1547. His Son John Gordon of Cairnborrow married Bessy Gordon Buckies daughter with whom he begat Eight Sons and three Daughters, his eldest Son John Gordon Laird of Cairnborrow and Edenglassie, the second George Gordon of Sockach, the third son James Gordon of Far- naughtie, the fourth Son M r William Gordon who coft Cairnborrow, the fifth M r Arthur Gordon, the Sixth Son M r Thomas Gordon of Artloch, 7 th Son Robert Gordon of Gollachie, Eight Son Patrick Gordon of Craigston in Sutherland ; all these Eight sons with their Father each having a Jackman and a footman went with the Earl of Huntly and Erroll from Cairnborrow to the Battle of Glenlivat, a good Company being twenty Seven well mounted men out of one Family. His eldest daughter married the Laird of Eden Meldrum, and after his death she married the Laird of Craigston Tutor of Cromarty her name was in the Said House of Craigston. His Second daughter Margaret Gordon first maried the Goodman of Craighead M r John Duff who bore to him Eleven Sons of whom is come Braccho, and all the opulent Sir-name of Duffs; after the Craigheads Death she married the goodman of Milton Ogilvie in the parish of Keith ; she built the House of Craighead, which is now reazed, she built the House of Milton, Achoynanie and the Steeple of Keith ; her name and Husbands is on the House of Achoynanie dated 1601 ; she was interred in her Paternall Burial place in the Kirk of Botarie. His third daughter married M r Alex 1 Gordon of Tulloch Chancellour of Murray Glengerack's Predecessor. Their Father the said John Gordon of Cairnborrow dyed in Cairnborrow and was honourably buried in Martin kirk. His Son John Gordon Laird of Edenglassie and representative of the Family of Cairnborrow married first the Laird of Wattertons daughter Bennerman now Lairds of Elsick, with whom he begat three (33) E 34 HOUSE OF GORDON. Sons and two daughters, his eldest son William Gordon Laird of Rothemey and Stock of Cairnborrow, his second Sir Adam Gordon of Park Glenbuicket Innermarkie Edenglassie and Achinandach, his third son John Gordon Laird of Invermarkie Edenglassie etc. ; his eldest daughter married the Laird of Brux Forbes, his second daughter married Robert Coutts Laird of Achterfoull. The said John Gordon Laird of Edenglassie etc. married to his second wife the Lady Benum and Lady Foveran, her name is on the House of Glen- buicket which he built but by that Lady he had no Succession. He coft the Lands of Benum, had also Caffurrach Tynet and Tulloch in the Enzie ; he sold the Lands of Benum again and with the money thereof he assisted his two eldest sons to buy the Lands and Estates of Rothemey and Park from the Lord Salton Abernethie, which cost them very dear, not only the price of the Lands but also continual trouble and Law pleas, and the life and blood of two worthy Gentlemen Lairds of Rothemey the father and the Son Successively. Their father dyed in peace in the House of Edenglassie, and was honourably buried in the Kirk of Edenglassie, but should have been in the Kirk of Botarie the Ordinary Burial place of their family and good Ancestors. His Eldest Son William Gordon Laird of Rothemey and Repre- sentative of Cairnborrow married first the Barron of Killravock's daughter Ross Lady Foules who had no succession ; after her death he married my Lord Forbes daughter Katharin Forbess with whom he begat two sons and five daughters. His Eldest Son John Gordon Laird of Rothe- mey unmarried was burnt in the House of Frendraught with Lord John Gordon of Aboyn 8 th of October 1630. His Second Son James Gordon a Student at the Colledge who succeeded to his father and Brother. The forsaid William Gordon Laird of Rothemey their Father was killed by the Laird of Frendraught and the Laird of Banff Ogilvie, they being five score of men horse and foot and the Laird of Rothemey being but ten Horsemen 2 d January 1630, so that if you reckon right you'll find only ten months twixt the killing of the Father and the burning of the Son. It's credibly reported of this worthy and brave Gentleman that finding Frendraught's Party too strong for him, he was reasonably averse to go out and encounter them (the contraversie being about some Marches and a little parcel of Contraverted ground) till his Lady (34) BALBITHAN MS. 35 insinuate if he did not go, it would be a reflexion on his Honour. This if it was true, was but bad Counsel!, and unadvisedly offered. Rothemey upon this goes out with only ten of his menial Servants mounted in haste on horse and engages Frendraught and Bamff and being over- powered with numbers his Horse is killed under him and falls to the ground with his Rider. In this fall Rothemeys Helmet went off and ere he could recover himself he received his Death wounds in the Head, notwithstanding of which he gets hold of a firelock and with one shot he killed one Adam Gordon of Frendraughts Partie and wounded some others fighting Couragiously till he gott another Horse which he mounted and made a honourable retreat and comes home with his Servants to the House of Rothemey, and seeing his Lady tells her he had faced Frendraught, and called for a Drink to his Servants who had behaved themselves as became and desired his Piper to play and with his Servants he Danced round about the Hall and having lost much blood and finding himself faint, he desired his Lady to make his Bed and told her he would never rise again in life. After the death of the said William and John Gordons father and son the said James Gordon a Student then at the Colledge succeeded to the Estate of Rotheymey. He married the Laird of Pittfoddells daughter Menzies, with whom he begat sons and daughters, his eldest son John Gordon Laird of Rothemey and Representative of the family of Cairnborrow. His eldest son the said John Gordon married Elizabeth Barcley Heiress of Towie and with her got the Lands of Towie. With her he begat two Daughters viz M rs Anne Gordon who dyed unmarried of a Decay, the .second daughter M rs Beattie Gordon married first Sir George Innes of Coxton who dyed at Scoon after Shirriff-muire ; with her the said S r George begats sons and daughters. The said John Gordon of Rothemey begat on his Lady the Heiress of Towie a son called Peter, who being next dore to an Idiot was induced to Dispone the Lands of Towie to the said Sir George Innes his Brother in law who now possesses the Estate of Towie, the right Heir only retaining ane Aliment during life. James Gordon Laird of Rothemey had Several daughters, one married To Nethermuire Gordon, one married to Wartle Elphinston, one married to David Tyrie of Duniedeer. (35) 36 HOUSE OF GORDON. PARK. It's here to be remembered that the Family of Rothemey being terminated and Extinct in the person of the said Idiot, the Right of Representation fell in to S r John Gordon of Park as Heir to his Grand- father S r Adam Gordon of Park who was the second brother to the said William Gordon first Laird of Rothemey and representative of the family of Cairnborrow ; and therefore I go on with the Genealogie of the said S r Adam Gordon of Park with Heirs Successors and Cadents. Sir Adam Gordon of Park was the second son of John Gordon of Edenglassie etc., begotten on the Laird of Watterton's daughter Benerman. He married to his first Lady the Laird of Gight's daughter Gordon, with whom he begat two Sons and a Daughter, viz. S r John Gordon Second Laird of Park Glenbuicket Edenglassie Invermarkie Auchinhandoch Achoinane and Cabrach, his Second Son Captain Adam Gordon married to Cairnwhelp's daughter ; their Sister Issabel Gordon married John Innes of Coldcoats of whom is come the present Laird of Dunkintie. The said S r Adam Gordon after his first Ladys death married to his second Lady Helen Tyrie the knight of Drumkilbos daughter, with whom he begat three sons, viz, Patrick Gordon Laird of Glenbuicket, his second son Francis Gordon who went to Polland and married a rich match there, he dyed in Polland without succession, His third son who was Father to the tutor of Glenbuicket ; one daughter married John Innes of Codrain Father to S r Alexander Innes of Coxton of whom the Towie Innesses alias Barcley are come, one Daughter married David Tyrie of Duniedeir, another married Thomas Gordon of Milne of Smithston, another Magdalen married Gordon of Collithie alias Paullie. Their Father the s d Sir Adam Gordon dyed in Glenbuicket Septr 1629 and was Interred in the Church of Glenbuicket. His eldest son S r John Gordon second Laird of Park etc. married Hellen Sibbald daughter to S r James Sibbald of Ramkiller in Fifeshire with whom he begat three sons and three daughters, viz. his eldest son S r John Gordon of Park and Cluny, his second son S r George Gordon of Edenglassie Invermarkie Auchinhandoch Carnousie (36) BALBITHAN MS. 37 and Crannoch, his 3 d son Mr David Gordon of Achoynanie, he had also a natural son Patrick Gordon of Rhynie ; One of his Daughters married the Laird of Muirhouse Lyon, another married the Laird of Eden Leslie, the third daughter married the Laird of Tillery Cuthbert. Their Father the said S r John Gordon second Laird of Park dyed and was honourably Interred in his Isle of the Kirk of Park. The said S r John's Brother Patrick Gordon of Glenbuicket married the Lady Leyes Couts with whom he begat a Son Gordon Laird of Glenbuicket who married the Laird of Glenbervie's daughter Dow- glass, with whom he begat three Sons and a Daughter, viz. his eldest son Captain Adam Gordon Laird of Glenbuicket who dyed abroad in Holland of a Decay, his Second Son Lifetennant Robert Gordon who married and yet lives, his 3 d Son Ensign Alexander Gordon who yet Lives ; their Sister dyed. The said Patrick Gordon Laird of Glen- buicket dyed att Aberdeen and was buried in the Gordons Isle in the Cathedral Kirk of Oldmacher being Laid down by my Lord Gordon's side who was killed at Alford being both of them very Intimate in their life, and brave men as the Age produced, and now no doubt are more ardent in Love and affection in heaven. The said Patrick Laird of Glenbuicket had a Brother who was father to John Gordon tutor of Glenbuicket who married Agnes Gordon Badinscoth's Daughter with whom he begat three sons and two daughters, viz, George, Alexander, and little Captain Adam Gordon ; One Daughter married John Ogilvy heir of Kempcairn. The said Sir John Gordon second [sic] Laird of Park and by Rothemeys death representative of Cairnborrow married four times honourably. First he married my Lord Dundees Aunt Graham, with whom he begat one daughter Hellen Gordon married to the Laird of Achlunchart Innes, who yet lives. After his first Ladys death he married M re Jean Forbes sister to S r Alexander Forbes of Tallquhon with whom he begat a Daughter Mrs Beattie married on John Gordon of Drumwhyndle now of Craibston who yet lives ; After his second Ladys death he married Mrs Katharine Ogilvy of Kempcairns daughter with whom he begat two daughters Mrs Anne married Arradoull Anderson who yet lives, another Mrs Margaret who married Innes of Knockorth she also lives ; Lastly after his third Ladys death he married Dame Helen Ogilvy (who yet lives) the Earl of Airly 's daughter with whom (37) 38 HOUSE OF GORDON. he begat one son (who succeeded his father), Viz. Sr James Gordon fourth Laird of Park and representative of Cairnborrow. His Father the forsd S r John Gordon third Laird of Park dyed and was honourably interred in his Isle within the Church of Park. His Second Brother S r George Gordon of Edenglassie Carnousie Sherriff-principal of Bamffshire and Captain of the Independent Troop of Horse that belonged to the Earl of Annandale married Mary Aber- cromby daughter to S r Alexander Abercromby of Birkenbog, with whom he begat two sons and four daughters, Viz. his eldest son John Gordon Laird of Edenglassie, and George Gordon his second son now Laird of Carnousie and Cranoch who lives ; his eldest daughter married the Laird of Boynlie Forbess to whom she bore one daughter married to the present John Gordon Laird of Glenbuicket, his second daughter married the Laird of Diple Duff to whom she bore this present Laird of Bracoe Duff and severall Sisters, his 3 d daughter Mary died un- married, the 4th daughter Elizabeth married the Laird of Lewchars Innes, and bore to him the present Laird of Lewchars and daughters. The said Sir George Gordon of Edenglassie and Carnousie dyed att Carnousie and was honourably and splendidly buried in the Isle of Corncairn or Ordewhill his whole Troop in Mourning and a great retinue of his friends accompanying his Interment with all Martial Solemnitie. His eldest Son John Gordon Laird of Edenglassie married Mary Gray Coheiress of Ballegerno with whom he begat a Son George Gordon who married a Gentlewoman of the Sirname of Carnegie, the said George Gordon went abroad and being a sprightly and handsome Gentleman and great Schollar lives very genteel as I am told in Holland. His second Son George Gordon present Laird of Carnousie and Cranoch married the Laird of Brux daughter Forbes, with whom he begat four sons and four daughters, viz Arthur Gordon young Laird of Carnousie, the Second Roderick Gordon, Charles and Alexander Gordons ; his eldest Daughter married the Laird of Law and Ward- house, the second married Sir William Gordon of Lessmoir. His eldest son Arthur Gordon of Carnousie married the Lady Lessmoir Mary Duff with whom he begat S r John Gordon second Laird of Park his third son M r David (38) BALBITHAN MS. 39 Gordon Laird of Achoynane married Jannet Gordon daughter to the Laird of Terpersie with whom he begat a son James Gordon of Achoy- nane now of Balbithan [the Author of this Memoir ?] and a daughter Mary Gordon. The forsaid James Gordon of Achoynanie married first Elizabeth Burnet Sister to Sir Alexander Burnet of Craigmyll with whom he begat severall sons and daughters who dyed in their nonage and after the death of his s d first wife he married Towie Innes daughter Grandchyld to the Laird of Balvenie Innes, with whom he begat one son Benjamin Gordon, and three Daughters viz Isabel, Henret and Hellen Gordons. The forsaid Sir James Gordon fourth Laird of Park and Represen- tative of the family of Cairnborrow married to his first Lady my Lord Saltons daughter Helen Frazer, with whom he begat two Sons and a daughter, viz, his eldest Son S r William Gordon of Park the fifth and present Laird, his second son John Gordon ; his daughter Mrs Hellen Gordon married to Culben Duff. After the death of Saltons daughter the said Sir James married the Lady Ballquhain my Lord Elphinstons Sister with whom he begat one Son Laird of Cobbardie and three daughters viz. Mrs Ann Mrs Beatty and Mrs Mary. The said S r James their father dyed of ane Apoplexy in his journey to Aberdeen att Pooll Wells and was honourably transported from thence to the Church of Park and interred in his own Isle, his death was very much Lamented by all, being a brave and good Gentleman snatched away in the flower and prime of his years. ABACHIE. The Genealogie of William Gordon of Abachie second Son of James Gordon of Cairnborrow begotten on the Laird of Barns Daughter. The said William Gordon of Abachie married Robert Innes of Drainies daughter with whom he begat ;a Son and two daughters, his eldest Son James Gordon of Abachie ; his eldest daughter married the Laird of Ardneidlie Thomas Baylie, his second daughter married the Laird of Pittcaple Leslie. Their father the said William Gordon dyed His son James Gordon of Abachie married the Laird of Foverans daughter with whom he begat four Sons, viz : John Gordon of Abachie, (39) 40 HOUSE OF GORDON. George Gordon in Drumhead, Alexander Gordon in Baid, and William Gordon in Auchmull. Their father the said James Gordon dyed His eldest Son John Gordon of Abachy married the Laird of Netherdales daughter Abernethy with whom he begat three Sons and five daughters ; his eldest Son John Gordon of Abachie, Adam Gordon of in Kaithness, and Patrick Gordon of Cairnwhelp ; the eldest daughter married the Laird of Muiresk Dempster, one married James Duff of Tillysoull, one married Andrew M c pherson of Cluny in Bade- noch, one married George Ogilvy of Achairn, one married James Gordon of Davoch in Ruthven. Their father dyed in Achanachie. His eldest son John Gordon of Abachie married my Lord of Inver- achies daughter Sister to the Earl of Athol Stuart, with whom he begat four sons and daughters, his eldest Son John Gordon fiar of Abachie, George Gordon of Achanachie, James and Thomas Gordons. The forsd John Gordon fiar of Abachie married the Laird of Wardhouse daughter Leslie, with whom he begat one Son called John Gordon of Achanachie. The forsaid John fiar of Abachie dyed in the flower of his Age before his father. His Son John Gordon married the Laird of Talquhons brother daughter Forbes. The Second Sons of the house of Abachie and Achanachie. George Gordon of Drumhead married and begat John Alexander and George Gordons and one Daughter who married John Lesly of Haughs thereafter married Tho : Gordon of Artloch. Alexander Gordon of Baid married and begat Alexander Gordon who married Jannet Slorach. He died in Baid without Succession. William Gordon of Achmull and Adam Gordon in Kaithness married and begat. Patrick Gordon of Cairnwhelp married Dunbar with whom he begat Sons and Daughters, his daughter married Captain Adam Gordon Son to the Laird of Park his eldest Son Gordon in Tillysoull married Skipper Anderson's daughter, one daughter married Lachlan Ross of Comedown. George Gordon of Achanachie married the Earl of Mortons brother daughter w l whom he begat four Sons John Gordon. (40) BALBITHAN MS. 4! CROMMELLAT. The Genealogie of Mr James Gordon of Crommellat third son of James Gordon of Cairnborrow begotten on the Laird of Barns Daughter. This Mr James Gordon of Crommellat married Alexander Gordon of Pronies daughter Issabel Gordon with whom he begat two Sons, Viz John Gordon of Crommellat, and Thomas Gordon Constable of Strath bogie. The said Mr James their father was killed by a Gentle- man of the Name of Birnie who was execute for the same. His eldest Son John Gordon married the Laird of Netherdales daughter Jannet Abernethy with whom he begat a Son called John Gordon who went to Pole and married a rich merchants Daughter there and became very rich and has Succession. The forsaid John Gordon of Crommellat begat two natural Sons, William Gordon who dwelt in Sutherland, and Mr Thomas Gordon in Overhall Pedagogue to my Lord Gordon second Marquise of Huntly. The forsd William married in Sutherland, Mr Thomas Gordon in Overhall married the Goodman of Achanachie's daughter. Mr James Gordon of Crommellat's second Son Thomas Gordon married and begat two Sons and a daughter, viz : Alexander Gordon married M rs Dempster and was servitor to my Lord Gordon, and John Gordon servitor also to my Lord Gordon he married Alexander Gardens daughter of ; Thomas Gordons Daughter married Patrick Gordon in Collithie. Before I end the Genealogie of Cairnborrow and their Cadents I must tell you that Severalls of their Posterity are extinct, only the family of Artloch is represented by William Gordon of Drumwhyndle and William Gordon of Farsken, two Brothers, sons of William Gordon a Second Son of Artlochs who first coft Farsken. TILLYTERMONT, The Genealogy of William Gordon of Tillytermont, Second Son to Jock the Heiress Brother, begotten on the Knight of Gights daughter Maitland his Last Wife. Here indeed I must own that this William Gordon of Tillytermont being the first Cadent come of Jocks Family should have had the first (41) F 42 HOUSE OF GORDON. place, Cairnborrow being only the second Cadent taking place next to Tillytermont or whoever is representative of that Family ; this acknowledgment will plead my Excuse and therefore I proceed. This William Gordon of Tillytermont married Sir John Rutherfords Sister with whom he begat two Sons viz. George Gordon of Fewllmont of whom the house of Blelack and Lessmoir, and Patrick Gordon of whom the Family of Craig are descended. The forsaid George Gordon of Fewlement married Innes of Meillers daughter with whom he begat four sons, viz : Alexander Gordon of Tilleminnat, James Gordon first Laird of Lesmoir, William Gordon of Breaklay and Thomas Gordon of Bowmakellach. Their father the said George Gordon dyed in Tilly minnat 1481. His eldest Son the said Alexander Gordon of Tillyminnat married the Laird of Lessendrums daughter Bisset, with whom he begat James Gordon of Blelack. His Father the said Alexander was killed in the Battle of Flowden 9* Septr 1513. His Son James Gordon of Blelack married Margaret Calder the Laird of Asslowns daughter, with whom he begat three Sons and two daughters, viz John Gordon of Blelack, George Gordon of Kinnour, and Alexander Gordon of Waternadie ; his eldest daughter married George Gordon of Proney, his second daughter married William Gordon of Bellchirie. Their father the said James Gordon of Blelack was killed in the Battle of Corrichie 16. Octr. 1562. His eldest Son John Gordon of Blelack married M r Matthew Lumsdells of Tillyangus daughter with whom he begat five sons and four daughters, viz; his eldest Son Alexander Gordon of Blelack, John Gordon of Bellabeg, James Gordon Burgess in Aberdeen, George Gordon of Cracullie, and Robert Gordon in Dubbs ; his eldest daughter married William Gordon in Dasky, one married James Calder, one married Alexander Midleton of Kincrage, and one married George Lesly of Monelie. Their father the said John Gordon dyed His eldest Son the said Alexander Gordon of Blelack married the goodman of Achmeddens daughter Katharine Baird with whom he had no succession. The said Alexander Gordon bought the Lands of Proney and died in Peace in Culldrain in August 1650 years. His brother Son John Gordon of Blelack succeeded and married the goodman of Finzeans daughter Elizabeth Farquherson. (42) BALBITHAN MS. 43 The Genealogie of the Second Sons of the Family of Blelack. George Gordon of Kinour married Robert Middletons of Borlands daughter, with whom he begat two Sons and daughters viz, his eldest Son James Gordon of Bogardie, his second Son Alexander Gordon. Their father the said George died in Kinoure January 1586. His eldest Son James of Bogardie married the goodman of Kirktons daughter Carnegie with whom he begat Sons and daughters, his eldest son George Gordon. James Gordon of Bogardie married to his second wife the Lady Cubardie Dunbar, and had Succession by her. James brother Alexander married and has succession. John Gordon of Ballabeig married the goodman of Pittalochies daughter Forbes with whom he begat three Sons and daughters : His eldest Son John Gordon succeeded to the Lands of Blelack, his second Patrick, and third Son Alexander Gordon. James Gordon Burgess in Aberdeen married Alexander Calder of Eastermigvies daughter, after her death he married Katharine Forbes with whom he begat Sons, viz, John Gordon etc. George Gordon of Cracullie married James Gordon of Knockespacks daughter Bessie Gordon with whom he begat three sons and daughters, viz, William, James and Geo : Gordons. Robert Gordon in Dubbs married Jannet Lesly with whom he begat a Son Mr Alexander Gordon. LESMOIR. The Genealogie of George Gordon of Fewlmonts Second Son James Gordon first Laird of Lesmoir. The forsaid James Gordon first Laird of Lesmoir married two Ladies, his first was a daughter of Patrick Stuart of Lethers Lady Eden, with whom he begat Six Sons and three daughters, viz, his eldest Son George Gordon 2d Laird of Lesmoir, his second Son James Gordon of Crichie, 3 d Son Alexander Gordon of Birkenburn, fourth son Mr William Gordon of Terpersie, fifth son Patrick Gordon of Oxhill, and the Sixth Son John Gordon of Licheston. The said James married to his second Lady the Laird of Findlaters daughter Ogilvy Lady Gartlie, w l whom he begat two Sons, Hary Gordon of Dilespro or Savach, and Thomas Gordon of Drumbuilg. His eldest daughter of the first (43) 44 HOUSE OF GORDON. marriage married John Gordon of Ardmather, the 2 d married the Laird of Ludquharn Keith, and the third married the Laird of Meldrum. The said James Gordon their father first Laird of Lesmoir died in Lessmore. His eldest Son George Gordon second Laird of Lessmoir married the Laird of Towies daughter Forbes, with whom he begat three sons and three daughters, viz, his eldest son Alexander Gordon third Laird of Lesmoir, James Gordon of, and John Gordon of New- town ; his eldest daughter married the Laird of Tallquhon Forbes, one married the Laird of Carnousie Ogilvy, one married the goodman of Achintowll Innes, and after his death she married the goodman of Bellendalloch Grant, and after his death she married John Gordon of Birsmoire brother to the Laird of Cluny who was killed at the ride of Tarnway. Their Father the said George died in Lessmoir. His eldest Son Alexander Gordon third Laird of Lesmoir Married the Laird of Pittsligos daughter Margaret Forbes, with whom he begat four sons and three daughters, his eldest son James Gordon fourth Laird of Lesmoir, Mr John Gordon Parson of , George and Alexander Gordons ; his eldest daughter married the Laird of Watterton Bannerman, one married the Laird of Leyes Burnet, the third married the Laird of Frendraught Crighton, he had a natural son called Ja : Gordon in Buchan. Their father the said Alexander dyed in Lessmoir. His eldest son James Gordon fourth Laird of Lessmoir married the Laird of Inverrugies daughter Keith, with whom he begat three Sons and a Daughter, viz, his eldest Son James Gordon fiar of Lessmoir and fifth Laird, William Gordon Laird of Broadland, Alexander Gordon of Gerry or Johnsleyes ; his daughter married the goodman of Cocklairachy younger, and after his death she married the Laird of Craig Gordon. His Son forsaid James Gordon fiar and fifth Laird of Lessmoir married the Sherriff of Cromarties daughter Urquhart, with whom he begat James Gordon younger of Lessmoir and Sixth Laird. His Father the said James of Lesmoir dyed in France before his father, being cutt of the Stone Sept r 1633. This forsaid James Gordon younger of Lesmoir and Sixth Laird married the Laird of Pittfoddels daughter Menzies, with whom he begat two sons ; and dyed in July 1634 before his Grand father and was honourably interred in the Kirk of Essy 6 th of August 1634. (44) BALBITHAN MS. 45 The Cadents or Second Sons of the House of Lessmore. James Gordon of Crichie married the Laird of Gartlys daughter Barcley with whom he begat three sons, George Gordon of Crichie, Mr James Gordon a Jesuit who lived 1634, and John Gordon of Rhynie, their father James Gordon departed His eldest Son George Gordon of Crichie married Katharin M c intosh, with whom he begat Adam Gordon of Boghole. He repudiate the said Katharin M c intosh and married the Laird of Gights daughter Jean, with whom he begat two sons and daughters, his eldest Son William Collonell Gordon. The forsd John Gordon of Rhynie married the goodman of Altowr- leys daughter, with whom he begat Hary Gordon who dwelt in Toma- clagan in Strathawen, and he married. BlRKENBURN. The Genealogie of Alexander Gordon of Birkenburn third son of James Gordon first Laird of Lesmoir. The said Alexander Gordon of Birkenburn married the Goodman of Cairnborrows daughter Gordon, with whom he begat James Gordon of Birkenburn Barren of Monaltrie ; after her death he married the Laird of Abergeldies daughter Gordon, with whom he begat Hary Gordon of the Knock, Duncan and James Gordons. Their Father the said Alexr dyed His eldest Son James Gordon of Birkenburn married Alexander Gordons daughter of Strathawen, with whom he begat four Sons, his eldest son Alex r Gordon of Birkenburn, George William and John Gordons. Their father was killed att the Hunting by Alaster Calder a Gentleman. His eldest Son Alexander Gordon of Birkenburn married Thomas Gordon Drumbuilgs daughter Margaret Gordon, with whom he begat sons and daughters, James and Adam Gordons. His eldest son James Gordon married the goodman of Achencrives daughter Maitland, with whom he begat sons and daughters, viz, Alexander Gordon of Birken- burn, His second Son William Gordon of Sockach married the good- man of Merdrums daughter Elspet Gordon. The Last named Alexander Gordon of Birkenburn married Hellen (45) 46 HOUSE OF GORDON. Bisset Lessendrum's daughter, with whom he begat three Sons, viz Alx r Gordon his eldest Son who dyed unmarried, James Gordon the second Son who also dyed unmarried both in the flower of their Age, William Gordon his third Son now present Laird of Birkenburn married Magdalen Duff Provost William Duffs daughter in Inverness with whom he begat Hary Gordon of the Knock married Walter Barcleys, daughter he was killed att the Hership of Glenmuick and Abergeldie 1592. TERPERSIE. The Genealogie of Mr William Gordon of Terpersie fourth Son of James Gordon first Laird of Lesmoir. The forsaid Mr William Gordon of Terpersie married the Laird of Bamffs daughter Ogilvy Relict of Sir Alexander Gordon younger of Strathawen, with whom he begat George Gordon younger of Terpersie commonly called Ho ! ho ! The said Mr William Gordon was att the Battle of Corrichie with his Chief the twenty Eight of October 1563, and ten years thereafter was with Adam Gordon Laird of Auchindown att the Battle of Tillyangus where he killed Black Arthur Forbes my Lords Brother and the champion of that Sirname and Family. He was also with the said Adam Laird of Auchindown att the Battle of Craibstone att Aberdeen, and with him at the Bourd of Brechin, where the sd Adam was still victorious. He built the house of Terpersie and cast a ditch about it hard on the Marches twixt my Lord Forbes and him. The said Mr William Gordon of Terpersie was forefaulted with his chief, as were all the Gentlemen of the name of Gordon and others present with their Chief att Corrichie. He dyed in the House of Ranes in the Enzie and was honourably interred in Rannes Isle within the Church of Raphven. His son the forsd Geo : Gordon of Terpersie succeeded, who married the Laird of Inverquharities daughter Ogilvy with whom he begat three sons and a daughter, viz William Gordon of Terpersie his eldest son, John Gordon of , and Patrick Gordon of Badenscoth ; his daughter married the Laird of Culter Cumming. Their father was a great purchaser of Lands and departed in peace 1634. BALBITHAN MS. 47 His eldest Son William Gordon of Terpersie married the blind Lady Litchestons daughter Gordon, whose mother was a daughter of the Earl of Findlaters Ogilvy, with whom he begat five Sons and two daughters, viz, his eldest Son Alexander who dyed unmarried, the Second James Gordon who succeeded to the Estate, the third John Gordon Laird of Law, the fourth William who dyed unmarried, and the youngest son Hary Laird of Achlyne ; one daughter married young Kincragie Gordon, another married Robert Stuart of Newtown. John Gordon of married the Barron of Braichleys daughter with whom he begat sons and daughters. The said William Gordon of Terpersie died at Terpersie and was interred att the church of Tillynessle. His son the said James Gordon of Terpersie succeeded, he married Anne Gordon the Laird of Craigs Sister who was educate in France with whom he begat a Son George Gordon of Terpersie and two daughters, one married Leith of Threefield, another married Mr David Gordon of Acheynanie. Their father the said James Gordon dyed at Terpersie and was honourably interred in the Church of Tillynessle. His son the said George Gordon Laird of Terpersie succeeded, who married Anna Burnet Sister to Sir Alex r Burnet of Craigmyle, with whom he begat two sons and four daughters, viz, Charles Gordon present Laird of Terpersie and Thomas Gordon ; one daughter married Patrick Leith who should have been heir of Threefield and Whitehaugh, the 2 d married Mr William Leslie minister at Craigfergus. Their father the said George Gordon dyed and was buried amongst his Ancestors in their burial place within the Church of Tillynessle. His eldest Son Charles Gordon present Laird of Terpersie succeeded who married Adam Gordon at the Mill of Artlocks daughter, with whom he begat THE CADENTS OF THE FAMILY OF TERPERSIE. Patrick Gordon of Badenscoth married the Laird of Blackfoord's daughter Gordon, and after her death married the Laird of Bamffs daughter Ogilvy with whom he begat Three sons and two daughters, viz, Geo : Gordon of Badenscoth, James Gordon of Barns, and John (47) 48 HOUSE OF GORDON. Gordon Burgess in Aberdeen ; one daughter married the Laird of Knockespack Gordon, of whom is come the present Laird of Glen- buicket, another married the Tutor of Glenbuicket John Gordon. John Gordon of Law Second Son to William Gordon of Terpersie married Issabel Gordon daughter to Leicheston, with whom he begat three sons, viz, John Gordon younger of Law, James Gordon of Darley, and Hary Gordon in Drumhead who yet lives. Their father dyed and was buried in the Church of Kinnethmont. His Eldest son John Gordon of Law married the Laird of Culters daughter Cumming, with whom he begat John Gordon his eldest Son present Laird of Law and Wardess. His father the said John Gordon of Law fell in an accident of killing a Gentlewoman in Fivy as was alleadged but could not be proven ; the brave young Gentleman how- ever dyed of Melancholly in the flower of his Age. His son John Gordon of Laws and Wardess was three times married, first he married Mr Robert Irvine Minister of Towies Daughter with whom he begat a son Arthur Gordon present Laird of Law and Wardess younger, he married to his second Lady Mary Gordon daughter to Achlyne, and after her death he married Hay Lady Crimon, with both wch. Last named Ladies he had no succession. The forsaid Hary Gordon of Achline, William Gordon of Terper- sies youngest Son, married Innes of Tillbouries daughter with whom he begat three sons and a daughter, viz, his eldest James Gordon of Achlyne and Newbigging, George Gordon of Knockespack, and John Gordon Burgess in Aberdeen ; and his daughter married John Gordon Laird of Law. Their father the said Hary Gordon dyed and was interred in the Church of Clat. His eldest Son James Gordon of Newbigging married Rachel Burnet Craigmyles Sister, with whom he begat two Sons and two daughters, viz ; Alexander Gordon his eldest Son who dyed unmarried before his father's death, the second Son James Gordon of Tillyfour who married Craibstons daughter Sandilands with whom he begat a Son James Gordon who succeeded to his Grand father and is now present Laird of Achlyne and Newbigging ; the said James his eldest daughter married Mr Robert Leslie second Son to Kininvie who yet Lives, the Second daughter Barbara Gordon married Mr Fairbairn present Minister at Gartly who yet lives. (48) BALBITHAN MS. 49 Having ended the Genealogie of Terpersie and finding no memory of Patrick Gordon of Oxhill Lesmoirs fifth son, I come now to the Genealogie of John Gordon of Licheston the Sixth and youngest Son of James Gordon first Laird of Lesmoir. LICHESTON. The forsaid John Gordon of Licheston married my Lord Saltons brothr daughter Abernethie with whom he begat four Sons, James Gordon of Licheston, William Gordon of Clethins, Geo : Gordon of Cowtfield, and John Gordon Goldsmith. The forsaid John Gordon of Licheston married to his second wife the Laird of Findlaters daughter Ogilvy Lady Birkenbog, with whom he begat two Sons and three daughters, viz, Alexander Gordon Laird of Achynachie, and Hary Gordon of Glasshaugh ; one daughter married William Gordon of Terpersie, one married the Laird of and thereafter Archi- bald Grant in Belnatome, and one married John Gordon of Artloch. Their father the said John Gordon dyed His eldest Son James Gordon of Licheston married the goodman of Tullock's daughter Beatrix Gordon and begat Sons and daughters, viz, Geo : James Alexander and William Gordons ; one daughter married James Young Burgess in Elgin, Bessy and Margaret. Their father the said James dyed George Gordon of Licheston married the goodman of Birkenburns daughter with whom he begat three Sons and two daughters. There are severall others come of the Family of Lesmoir who are now in a manner extinct, others whose Genealogie I am a stranger to, which for the said Reasons I am here forced to pass over in Silence, and therefore shall proceed to William Gordon of Tillytermont his other Sons. CRAIG. The Genealogie of Patrick Gordon of Craig Second Son of William Gordon of Tillytarmont. This Patrick Gordon coft the Lands of Craig and was the first Laird thereof, he married the Laird of Towie Barcley's daughter with (49) G 50 HOUSE OF GORDON. whom he begat five sons, viz, his eldest Son William Gordon Laird of Craig, his second Son Patrick Gordon of Achmenzies of whom the family of Tillachowdie, Thomas Gordon, M r John Gordon Chaplain of Coclairachie, George Gordon of Milltown of Noth forbear of the family of Coclarachie. Their Father the said Patrick Gordon dyed 1513 killed at the battle of Floudon. His eldest son William Gordon Second Laird of Craig married the Laird of Laithers daughter Stuart, with whom he begat two Sons and a daughter, viz, Patrick Gordon third Laird of Craig, and James Gordon of Tillyangus ; his daughter married the goodman of Corsindea Forbes. Their father the said William dyed 1555. His Eldest Son Said Patrick Gordon third Laird of Craig married the Laird of Wardess daughter Lesly, with whom he begat four sons, and William Gordon fourth Laird of Craig and John Gordon of Drumes. Their father the said Patrick was killed at the Battle of Pinkie 1547 [and three sons]. His Son William Gordon fourth Laird of Craig married the Laird of Strathlochs daughter Cheyn, with whom he begat two sons, viz, John Gordon 5 th Laird of Craig and Patrick Gordon of Foulzement. Their father the said William Gordon dyed 1607. His eldest son said John Gordon 5 th Laird of Craig married the Laird of Towies daughter Barclay, with whom he begat two Sons, viz, John Gordon Sixth Laird of Craig, and Patrick Gordon ; one daughter rriarried Patrick Murray of Auchmull in France, another married Robert Stuart of Newtown. Their father said John dyed in April 1634. His Son said John Gordon Sixth Laird of Craig married the Laird of Lessmoirs daughter relict of Geo : Gordon fiar of Coclarachy, with whom he begat a son and a daughter, viz, Francis Gordon Seventh Laird of Craig ; his sister Anne Gordon married James Gordon Laird of Terpersie. Their Father the said John Gordon Laird of Craig, went to France with a Company of Soldiers and dyed there anno 1643. His Son said Francis Gordon Seventh Laird of Craig being also bred in France returned to his native Countrey and Heritage and being Popish he married first the Laird of Pittfoddels daughter Menzies with whom he begat a Son called Francis Eight Laird of Craig, and after her death he married Gordon of Corrachries daughter with whom he begat a son John Gordon who was Page to the first Dutchess of Gordon. (50) BALBITHAN MS. 51 Their Father the said Francis Laird of Craig dyed a Little after the Revolution 1689. His eldest son Francis eight Laird of Craig married my Lord Bamff Ogilvey his eldest sister, with whom he begat Sons and daughters, his eldest son Francis Gordon ninth Laird of Craig ; one daughter married the Barren of Lesmurdie Stuart, another Mary married M r George Skine Parson of Kinkell, another Barbara. Their Father the said Francis was taken Prisoner att Sherriffmoor and dyed in Stirling 1716. His Son said Francis Gordon ninth Laird of Craig married first Ballfluig's daughter Forbes, with whom he begat a son John Gordon tenth Laird of Craig ; he married the Lady Towie Barcley to his Second Wife, and after her death he married the Lady Montcoffer with these two last he had no succession [by the last two Sons, Francis and William]. 1 Their Father the said Francis Gordon Laird of Craig dyed in England Anno 1727. His Son said John Gordon tenth Laird of Craig married the Lady Achlyne with whom he begat three Sons and a daughter. [He dyed anno 1740. His eldest Son John Eleventh Laird of Craig is married to Ann the Eldest Daughter of James Gordon of Banchory, and by her has children Marg*- Ann, James and Francis Gordons. He was married 2 dl y- to Maria Cumine eldest daughter of Charles Cumine of Kenin- month. Died i March 1800 Years. Succeeded by his Eldest Son James, 12 th Laird, married Ann Elizabeth daughter of John Johnstone of Alva in Stirlingshire, an advocate at the Scots bar. 1 ] The First Cadents of Craig were the Family of Tullochaudie which indeed was numerous, prolifick and considerable, having by one marriage Nine Sons besides daughters of whom came the Gordons Kingcragie, Bagown, Bunty, Collithie, Drumgask, Pot, Cults. The most of these are now extinct and their descendants not well known by me, fon which reason I pass over them and proceed to the next Cadent of Craig which I find to be Coclearachie. COCKLEARICHY. The Genealogie of George Gordon of Milltown of Noth fifth son to the first Laird of Craig. 1 Added in a later hand. 52 HOUSE OF GORDON. This George Gordon of Milltown of Noth married the Laird of Berrydales daughter Oliphant Lady Asslown, with whom he begat his son George Gordon of Cockclearachy, his father dyed His son George Gordon of Cockclearachie married the Earl of Sutherlands brother daughter, with whom he begat George Gordon of Cockclearachie. His father was execute by Queen Mary for his Chiefs Cause the Earl of Huntly after the Battle of Corrichie. His Son Geo Gordon of Cockclearichie married James Duncan of Merdrums daughter with whom he begat four sons and three daughters, viz, George Gordon his eldest Son fiar of Cockclearichy, Alexander Gordon of Merdrum, Hugh Gordon of , M r William Gordon Doctor of Physick ; his second daughter married M r Robert Bisset Laird of Lessendrum, one married the goodman of Rhynie George Gordon, one married Seatton of Mymmes. Their father the said George dyed in Cockclearichie 1633- His Eldest Son George Gordon fiar of Cockclearichie married the Laird of Lessmoirs daughter (who after his death married John Gordon Sixth Laird of Craig) with whom he begat two sons, George Gordon fiar of Cockclearichie, and Mr James Gordon. The said George Gordon fiar of Cockclearichie departed before his father. His Son George Gordon fiar of Cockclearichie married Grizell Setton the Laird of Pittmeddens daughter, with whom he begat sons and daughters, George, Alexander and James Gordons. George dyed young. Alexander married Issabel Gray daughter of with whom he begat three sons and daughters, viz, his eldest son Alexander Gordon made Major General in the Muscovite Service, George Gordon of Dorlethers his 2 d son, and James Gordon of Backieleys his third Son ; the said Alex r their father was made one of the Senators of the Colledge of Justice 1687, and dyed sometime thereafter att Ach- intowll ; his eldest Son said Major Generall Gordon married abroad Livetennant Generall Gordons daughter and besides his paternal estate of Achintowl he purchased the Lands of Lethers ; the Second Son George Gordon of Dorlethers married Barbara Mackenzie daughter to the Laird of Ardloch, with whom he begat three sons and a daughter all yet alive, their father the said George perished by Sea going to Holland 1716 ; James Gordon the third son first married Barcley of Cottcairns daughter and after her (52) BALBITHAN MS. 53 death he married Margaret Chalmers daughter to Chalmers writter in Edinburgh. James Gordon of Ardmellie Second Son of George Gordon of Cock- clearachie married Issabel Meldrum daughter to the Laird of Lethers, with whom he begat three sons and a daughter, viz, Peter Gordon his eldest son and Laird of Ardmellie now alive, his Second son Alexander Gordon Laird of Logic in the parish of Crimon, his third son James Gordon of Banchry present merchant in Aberdeen ; his daughter M rs Mary Gordon married Laithentie Skeen and dyed William Gordon Second Laird of Craig had a second son James Gordon of Tillyangus whose descent is now extinguished save only James Gordon now of Cairnbrogie who is Representative of the said Family ; their Cadents I know not. HADDO. The Genealogie of James Gordon of Methlick or Haddoe the third son of Jock begotten on the Knight of Gights daughter Maitland his Lawfull Wife. The said James Gordon purchased [His wife was Canea Harper "half portioner of Methlick" of which her father "Johannes de Citharista " was the owner ; James G. or his son acquired the other half of the barony, and thus arose the Gordons of Haddo 1 ] the Lands of Methlick and thereafter the Lands of Haddo being the first Laird thereof. He married Anna Harper w l whom he begat four sons and four daughters, viz, his eldest son Patrick Gordon Laird of Haddo, Robert Gordon of Fetterletter, Mr Alexander Gordon first Chancellor of Murray and Chanery of Ross and thereafter Bishop of Aberdeen, and George Gordon of Achenniff in Buchan ; his eldest daughter married the Laird of Allardes, the Second married Eraser Laird of , the third married Andrew Prott Burgess in Aber- deen, the fourth married George Gray Burgess in Aberdeen. Their father dyed His eldest son Patrick Gordon second Laird of Haddo married the Laird of Findlater's Daughter Ogilvy with whom he begat three sons and three daughters, viz, his eldest Son George Gordon third Laird of Haddo, Mr James Gordon Parson of Lonmey, and Alexander Gordon 1 Added by Mr. Dalrymple. (53) 54 HOUSE OF GORDON. first Goodman of Bracoe ; his eldest Daughter married the Laird of Towie Forbes, another married the Laird of Altar Gumming, the third married the Goodman of Blairy or Kilravoch Dunbar. Their father the said Patrick dyed His eldest son George Gordon third Laird of Haddoe married the Laird of Delgaties daughter Hay, with whom he begat his eldest son James Gordon fourth Laird of Haddo. His father the said George dyed His Son said James Gordon fourth Laird of Haddoe married Gilbert Menzies Provost of Aberdeens Daughter, with whom he begat five sons, viz, his eldest son George Gordon fifth Laird of Haddo, Robert Gordon of Savoch, David Gordon of Nethernure, John Gordon of Tillyhilt, and James Gordon ; and a Daughter who married Essle- mont Cheyn, their father the said James dyed His eldest son George Gordon fifth Laird of Haddo married the Laird of Muchels Daughter Fraser. with whom he begat a son James Gordon Sixth Laird of Haddo. His father the said George dyed His Son said James Gordon Sixth Laird of Haddo married the Earl of Marshal's daughter Keith, with whom he begat two sons, his eldest son George Gordon Seventh Laird of Haddo ; their father the said James Gordon Sixth Laird of Haddo married to his second wife the goodman of Tillyhilts daughter Gordon. Their Father the said James dyed His eldest son George Gordon seventh Laird of Haddo married the Laird of Wattertons daughter Bennarman with whom he begat a son John Gordon eight Laird of Haddo who married the Laird of Talquhons daughter Forbes, and with her he begat sons and daughters, his eldest son Patrick Gordon ninth Laird of Haddo, and Charles Gordon. Their Father the said John Gordon eight Laird of Haddo was execute att Edenburgh by the Covenanters in July 1644. The Cadents of James first Laird of Haddo. Robert Gordon of Fetterletter married and begat a daughter who married Sir George Gordon Laird of Gight and Shives ; he had a natural Son Alexander Gordon, who begat William Gordon att the Mill of Idoch in Buchan. Their father departed George Gordon of Acheniff or Chappellton married Marion Meldrum (54) BALBITHAN MS. 55 daughter to the Laird of Fyvie, with whom he begat two sons John and James. Mr Alexander Gordon Bishop of Aberdeen had many Bastard Children, viz, David Gordon of Savoch, etc. Alexander Gordon of Braccoe married Issabel Annan Daughter to the Laird of Achterellon with whom he begat sons and daughter ; his eldest son Patrick Gordon of Bracoe married Jannet Seton Easter- disblairs daughter. His father said Alexander dyed His son- Patrick Gordon second of Bracoe married and begat three Sons, viz, John Gordon of Bracoe, Mr. Patrick Gordon who coft Bracoe, and Alexander Gordon of Shellagreen. Their father dyed His eldest son John Gordon third of Bracoe begat James Gordon of Bracoe, Alexander, Sir Francis Gordon, and John Gordon of Deuchries. James Gordon forsaid of Bracoe married Sarah Lesly, with whom he begat John Gordon, he sold the Lands of Bracoe to Alexander Lyon. The forsaid Mr. Patrick coft the Lands of Bracoe from the said Alexander Lyon ; the said Mr Patrick married the Laird of Pittoderies daughter Ereskin with whom he begat sons and daughters ; Mr Patrick dyed 1643. The said Family is extinct save only one Charles Gordon who was Ensign to the Towns Company of Edenburgh and Contem- porary with Captain Peter Ghrame anno 1686. Alexander Gordon of Shellagreen married Sir Francis Gordon was Embassador to the King of Britain in Pole and dyed in Aberdeen 1643. John Gordon of Deuchries married the Laird of Burlies brother daughter and begat James Gordon. Robert Gordon of Savoch married the Laird of Shethons Daughter Affleck, with whom he begat three sons, viz, George, James and Gordons, and a daughter who married the goodman of Craig- ston Forbes, and thereafter married William Gordon of the House of Proney, one Daughter married Edward Crawford of Corbshill, and another George Forbes. David Gordon of Nethermure married the goodman of Achencrives daughter Maitland, with whom he begat two Sons and Daughters, viz Gordon of Nethermuire and James Gordon of Knawen. Their Father dyed . His Son Gordon of Nethermuire married the Parson of Kinkells daughter with whom he begat five sons, viz, (55) 56 HOUSE OF GORDON. George Gordon of Nethermuire, Gilbert Gordon now of Knowen. Sir James Gordon of Knowen married Elizabeth Jamieson alias Johnston with whom he begat two sons and daughters, viz, Patrick and Thomas Gordons, and a daughter who married William Gordon fiar of Tilly- angus. John Gordon of Tillyhilt married the goodman of Achanachies daughter Gordon and begat James Gordon of Tillyhilt. Having in the former part of this Book treated of the Genealogie of Jocks Posterity begotten on his Lawfull Wife the Knight of Gights daughter Maitland, viz, his eldest son John Gordon of Botarie of whom Pittlurg, and William Gordon of Tillytermont His second Son of whom Blelack Lessmoir and Craig, and his third son James Gordon of Methlick of whom Haddo are come ; my proposed method requires that in this place I should touch the Genealogie of Jocks Posterity begotton on M c leud of Harris Daughter who (tho' the legittemacy of that marriage be Contraverted) was a Gentlewoman of good and honourable Descent and every way suitable to have been his Lawfull wife, upon which consideration their issue deserves all due respect and honour without the Least contempt or unnatural and fruitless contraversies and therefore I proceed to their Genealogie. BUCKIE. The Genealogie of Jock the Heretrix Brother begotten on M c Leud of Harris Daughter. The said John Gordon as is storied was sent to M c leod of Harris Family of purpose to care for his Education in the Highland Tongue which was then of no small accent ; and having there contracted an Intimacy with his daughter Hanault [Hamiltone 1 ] M c Leod being the second daughter and sister to the Lady M c intosh att that time, on her he begat a Son called Alexander Gordon of Essy of whom Buckie is come. His Father dyed in Essy and was interred in the Kirk of Essy. The said Alexander Gordon his eldest Son (begotten before his Fathers marriage with the Laird of Gights daughter Maitland) suc- 1 MS. of 1644. (56) BALBITHAN MS. 57 ceeded to his Possession of Essy and married the Laird of Ballquhoins Daughter Lesly ; with whom he begat four Sons and two Daughters viz, his eldest son John Gordon of Essy, Alexander Gordon of Drumin Duncan Gordon of Knowen, and James Gordon of Ardbroilach in Bade- noch [Badegott *] ; his eldest Daughter married the Laird of Caskyben Johnston, his Second married Gilbert Hay of Achlochyries in Buchan. Their Father the said Alexander Gordon of Essy Killed the Barronbog of Strath Earle att the hunting in Badenoch for which he sustained great trouble, and dyed in Essy and was buried besides his father in the Kirk of Essy. His eldest son John Gordon of Essy married the Heretrix of Bodom Spens, with whom he begat four sons, viz, Alx r Gordon of Buckie Constable of Bog of Gight, Thomas Gordon of Auchinheives goodman of Craicullie, William Gordon of Knockespock, and David Gordon. Their father the said John of Essy sold the Lands of Boddam and coft the Lands of Buckie ; he dyed in peace. His eldest son Alexander Gordon of Buckie married Jannet Drum- mond daughter to the Laird of Inchpafra, with whom he begat two Sons and a Daughter, viz, his eldest Son John Gordon of Buckie, and William Gordon of Aradowl ; his daughter Bessy married John Gordon of Cairnborrow ; also the said Alexander Gordon of Buckie begat on a Gentlewoman Margaret Ellis four natural Sons, viz, Thomas Gordon of Deskie, Alexander Gordon of Netherbuckie, George of Wellheads, and James of Invercharrach. Their father the Said Alx r Gordon dyed [in peace 1 ]. His eldest son John Gordon of Buckie married Mr George Gordon of Belldornys Daughter, with whom he begat three Sons and two Daughters, viz, his eldest son George Gordon of Buckie, Mr William Gordon of Cairnfield Baillie of Enzie, and Alexander Gordon of Rothmeys ; his eldest daughter married James Gordon of Letterfury, the second married Donald Irvine Burgess in Elgin. Their Father was killed in the Battle of Tillyangus 1571 and honourably buried in the Kirk of Dunbennan. His eldest son George Gordon of Buckie married the Laird of Craigston's daughter Beatrix Urquhart Tutor of Cromarty, with whom 1 MS. of 1644. (57) H 58 HOUSE OF GORDON. he begat two sons and three Daughters, viz, his eldest son John Gordon fiar of Buckie and Laird of Hillton, and William Gordon ; his eldest Daughter married Thomas Gordon of Edenvilly brother to the good- man of Letterfury, his second Daughter married Thomas Stuart of Drumin son to the Barren of Kinmaichly, his third daughter married Alx r Dunbar of Aslesk. His eldest son John fiar of Buckie Laird of Hillton married the Laird of Glenveichy's daughter Cambell, with whom he begat three Sons, of whom some dyed in their Nonage ; and John Gordon Heir [fiar 1 ] of Buckie forsaid married the Laird of Glenurchies daughter, and after her death he married Jean Scott Daughter to S r John Scott of Scotstarbet he had no Succession by her; he dyed in Aberdeen before his father anno 1630. The Cadents of the House and Family of Buckie. Alexander Gordon of Drumin married the Laird of Lochstericks daughter [Christan 1 ] Logan with whom he begat four Sons and daughters ; his eldest Son Alx r Gordon of Proney, David Gordon of Incharny [Lincharne 1 ] and Braikleys, William Gordon of Tom- breachly, and Mr James a religious man ; his eldest Daughter Katharine married the goodman of Achencrive Maitland and after his death she married the Laird of Lammentons Son Thomas Baillie of Ardmylies and to her third Husband George Gordon of Cairnborrow, his second daughter married the Laird of Achynachie Saintclare, his third daughter married W m Craig of Craigston, he had a natural Daughter married W m Middleton of Boreland of whom the Middletons of Glentaner are come, he was Baillie of Badenoch and Strathawn. In his time John Stuart son to Sir Walter Stuart who disponed Strathawn to Alexander third Earl of Huntly made a great uproar assisted by the Grants and Clanallan, moved the Country to shake off Huntly's Authoritie ; upon which the said Alexander Gordon of Drumyn came out of Badenoch with two hundred men in Arms upon Saturdays night to the Wood of Fegan anent Kirkmichaell and understanding that the said John Stuart with his principall Associats the Grants and Clanallan were within the Kirk on the Sabbath day, he caused every man of his MS. of 1644. (58) . BALBITHAN MS. 5g Party cutt a faggott and carry along with him, and coming quietly to the Kirk he filled the Doors and Windows with the said Faggotts, and then called for fire to burn them, whereupon all within were glad to give out pledges to the said Alexander Gordon for their Obedience and good Behaviour in all time coming, which were sent to Strathbogie to the Earl Alexander. The forsd. Alexander Gordon of Drumin dyed in the Castle of Drumyn and was interred in the Kirk of Inverawn 1504. PRONEY. His eldest son Alexander Gordon of Proney who dwelt in Drum- builg married the Laird of Tallquhons daughter Mary Forbes, with whom he begat four Sons and two daughters, his eldest Son Alx r , and Second John both killed at the Battle of Pinkie 1547 with their father, James of Eastermigvie killed in the Battle of Corrichie 1563, and his youngest son George of Proney ; his eldest daughter married Thomas Baird [of Odrinhuifes ^ Baillie in Bamff, the second married Mr James Gordon of Crommellat brother to George Gordon of Cairnborrow. This Alexander was Baillie of Strathbogie and Mar, he was M r Household to the then Earl of Huntly, he took in the House of Rothemay with the confedrates within the same who Banded against the House of Huntly. He was killed bearing the Earl of Huntly's Standard w 4 his two forsd Sons Alexander and John, and his Brother David Gordon of Inchairne [Sincharny 1 ] and Braikleys in the forsd Battle of Pinkie, where the Earl of Huntly was taken Prisoner anno 1547. His youngest son George Gordon of Proney married James Gordon of Blelacks daughter, Elspet Gordon, w* whom he begat four sons and a daughter, his eldest son James Gordon of Proney, Alexander Gordon in Drumbuilg killed in the Battle of Glenlivet [Oldchonachen l ] 1594, William Gordon thunder slain 2oth of July 1612, and John in Proney ; one Daughter married Alexander Forbes in Keithmore, one married Alexander Cumming in Ruthven. Their Father said George of Proney dyed in Hilltown of Drumbuilg and interred in the Kirk of Gartly 15 th of July 1654 [1604 x ]. His eldest son James Gordon of Proney married the Laird of 1 MS. of 1 6 44 . (59) 6o , HOUSE OF GORDON. Craignetties daughter Bessy Farquerson, with whom he begatt six Sons and a Daughter, his eldest son Patrick Gordon of Proney, George who dyed of Eighteen years of Age, Thomas who dyed of the Same Age, John Burgess in Stricken, William and Arthur Gordons who both dyed young ; his daughter married Hugh Calder brother to the Laird of Asswanlie [Aslonie] . Their father dyed in Hilltown of Drumbuilgh 1614. His eldest son Patrick Gordon of Proney married the Laird of Balvenies Sister Issabel Innes, with whom he begat a Son and a daughter, his son called George dyed without issue. His father dyed in Drumbuilg 1624. John Gordon Lawfull Son to George Gordon of Proney married Elizabeth Johnston daughter to James Johnston in Bunhill [Brunhill 1 ], with whom he begat three sons and daughters, viz, W m , Thomas, and George. The forsd William in Monthgatlehead [Montgarryhead ?] married Margaret Burnet. Alexander Gordon heir [yor 1 ] of Proney had a Natural Son called Alexander, who married Issabel Strachen with whom he begat two sons viz, Alexander Gordon in Noth, and Robert in Scurdarg. Their father was killed and his son Alx r married and begat James Gordon a Merchant. James Gordon of Proney had two natural sons, viz John Gordon who dwelt in Corriedoun [Corstasten *] and Alexander in Gairtly ; this John married Innes, with whom he begat John Gordon. KNOWEN. Duncan Gordon of Knowen third [fourth 1 ] son to Alexander Gordon of Essy married the Goodman of Mellat's daughter Maitland, with whom he begat Eight sons, viz, his eldest son William Gordon of Knowen who dwelt in Kinmundy, the forsd Duncan Gordon had three sons fighting about the Earl of Huntlys standart killed in the Battle of Pinkie 1547. Duncan Gordon's son Thomas [of Qtbog 1 ] married Jean Forbes of the House of Tallquhon, with whom he begat Alexander Gordon of Achenhieff and George Gordon their father [this word not in 1644 1 MS. of 1644. (60) BALBITHAN MS. 6l MS.] married two wives, first Elspet Meldrum Daughter to the good- man of Achenhive, with whom he begat Robert Gordon in Proney, his second wife was Jannet Maitland with whom he begat Six Sons and three daughters, viz, John, William, Peter Merchant in Pole, M r James Parson in Kinnore etc, married Agnes Barclay daughter to Mr Adam Barcley Minister att Alford, Alexander his fifth son, and Richard his sixth son. ARDBROGLACH. James Gordon in Ardbroglach [Ardbryloch l ] in Badenoch fourth [third l ] son to Alexander Gordon of Essy married and begat Adam Gordon of Ardbroglach, and two Daughters ; his eldest Daughter married Donald Og M c quherson, who bore to him [four l ] sons [James l ] Paul and William M c quhersons, Euen Mcpherson of Cluny in Badenoch etc ; his second Daughter married one of the Chiftains of the Clancameron [special of the Glencameron 1 ] called Donald M c martin, of whom some of the Lairds of Mcmartin are come, their father dyed His son Adam Gordon of Ardbroglach married and begat Alexander Gordon of Ardbroglach and James Gordon. Their father the said Adam Gordon was killed att the Battle of Pinkie 1547. Alexander Gordon Adams son married Stuart and begat Alaster Gordon in Ardbroglach who dyed without succession. [James Gordon of Ardbryllochs second son Alexr. married and begatt a son called James Gordon in Ardbryloch. This James begatt Adam and Alexr Gordons in Ardbrylloch. This Adam begatt a son John Gordon who lives 1631 years. 1 ] ACHINHIFF, The Cadents of John Gordon of Essy begotten on the Laird of Bodams Daughter Spense, viz, Achinhiff or Cracullie. Thomas Gordon of Auchinhiff or Cracullie Second Son to John Gordon of Essy married the Laird of Inchpafra's daughter Drummond, with whom he begat four sons and a daughter, viz, his eldest son Alexander [Thomas 1 ] Gordon of Cracullie, James Gordon of Achenhiff, 1 MS. of 1644. (61) 62 HOUSE OF GORDON. Mr Alexander Gordon of Tulloch, and George who dyed without heirs ; his daughter Mary Gordon married John Gordon Laird of Cluny. Their father the said Thomas was killed att the Battle of Corrichie His eldest son Alexander [Thomas *] Gordon married the Laird of Pittmeddens daughter Panton, with whom he begat one daughter who married James Gordon son to Cairnborrow who dwelt in Finnachty. Her father said Alexander dyed wkmt more children. His Brother James Gordon of Achenheiff succeeded, who married Bessy Rutherford with whom he begat two daughters, the Eldest Barbara Gordon married the Laird of Assloon Alexander Calder, the Second married the Goodman of Harthill Leith ; and after his first wifes death the forsd James Gordon married my Lord Saltons Daughter Lady Innes, they had no Heirs. The forsaid James of Achinheiff or Cracullie had a Natural Son called Alexander Gordon in Mortloch who married Anderson with whom he begat two sons and daughters, his eldest Alexander, his second Gordon. The forsaid James was Baillie in Strathbogie and dyed in Cracullie 1586. His brother [M rl ] Alexander Gordon of Tulloch Chancellor of Murray succeeded to his Brothers Lands, and he married three wives. His first was the goodman of Balfluigs daughter Forbes, with whom he begat a Daughter, who married Geo : Gordon of Sockach brother to Cairnborrow. His Second Wife was the Laird of Abergeldies daughter Gordon with whom he begat three Sons and two daughters, viz, Jas, Thomas, and John Gordons they dyed young; his eldest daughter married Duncan Grant of Belnatome, the second married Adam Duff of Drummoor. His third wife was Bessy Gordon a Daughter of Cairn- borrows with whom he begat two sons, viz, Alx r Gordon of Achinhiff and Tulloch, and Robert Gordon. [Lykewayes the forsd M r Alex r . . . son Hugh Gordon portioner of Dummoys who m . . . the Laird of Thomastowns daughter Forbes with whom he begat a Son John Gordon in Abercattie. Their father dyed in Tulloch. 1 ] The forsaid Alx r Gordon of Auchinheiff and Tulloch married the Laird of Gights daughter with whom he begat two sons, his eldest son W m Gordon of Achenhiff and Tulloch, and Gordon. 1 MS. of 1644. (62) BALBITHAN MS. 63 The forsaid W m Gordon married the Laird of Cluny's daughter Gordon, with whom he begat two sons and a daughter, his eldest son Alexander Gordon of Glengerrak and Thomas Gordon of Cranoch, the Daughter married Lesly of Bochrome, the said William went to France and was a Captain there and dyed in France. His eldest Son Alexander Gordon of Glengarrak sold Tulloch and coft the Lands of Newmills in Strath[i]sla, he married Keith, Brodie Lethenties daughter w l whom he begat a son called Cha : Gordon and four daughters ; one daughter married first the Laird of Buckie of whom this Buckie is come and after his death the Laird of , a Second Daughter married Easter Binns in Murray, the third daughter Mary Married Brodie of Windyhills, the fourth married James M c ky in Newmills. Their Father said Alexander took Patrick Roy M c grigour ane Catharine and another John Drum who were execute att Edenburgh, he also killed another Associate of Roy's att Keith where they fought valiantly upon Pauls day or rather the Even- ing anno 1667. He built the New House of Newmills in Strylla and dyed in Killbruiach in Murray. His Son Charles Gordon of Glengerach married Bracoe Duffs Daughter with whom he begat Sons and daughters. KNOCKESPOCK. The Genealogie of William Gordon of Knockespock third son of John Gordon of Essy begotten on Bodoms Daughter Spense. The said William Gordon of Knockespock married the Laird of Achinhives daughter Dowgat with whom he begat two Sons, his eldest son Alex r Gordon of Knockespock, and Hary Gordon who dyed without Heirs. Their father dyed [in peace l ] . His son Alexander Gordon of Knockespock married the Laird of Ardneedlies Daughter Bailie, Lady Asswanly, with whom he begat four sons and daughters, his eldest James of Knockespock, M r Al xr Burgess in Elgin, Robert in Clat, and John Gordon of Bouges sherriff depute of Aberdeen ; his eldest daughter married William Gordon of Tillyangus. Their forsaid father dyed [in peace 1 ]. 1 MS. of 1644. (63) 64 HOUSE OF GORDON. His eldest Son James Gordon of Knockespock married William Gordon of Ardneidlies daughter, with whom he begat three sons and three daughters, viz his eldest son William Gordon of Knocke- spock, Captain John Gordon, and M r Thomas Gordon, the eldest daughter married Donald Farquherson of Inchmarnoch, one [the youngest 1 ] the Barron of Braichley, one Mr George Gordon of Cracullie. Their father dyed in Knockespock Sep tr 1631 and was buried in the Kirk of Clatt. His eldest son William Gordon of Knockespock married the Laird of Gairns [David Garden of Garden's] daughter with whom he begat sons and Daughters viz James Gordon and Captain Alexander Gordon. The s d James married the Laird of Lessendrum's Daughter Bisset and begat . . . The said James went to France Captain in a Regiment and dyed there 1643. The Second Sons of the House of Knockespock. Mr Alexander Gordon Burgess in Elgin married Marjory Grant with whom he begat two Sons James and Hugh Gordons, after his first wifes death he married Anne Gordon the Laird of Strathawns daughter. The forsd Alexander Gordon had a Natural son gotten with a Gentle- woman of the Sirname of Stuart called William Gordon of Menmoir, who married Jannet Grant with whom he begat four sons viz, Alx r , Patrick, [The 2nd son Patrick or Peter married Janet Gordon of Cluny and had a son Charles who married Rachel Gordon, heiress of Aber- geldie, and from them come the present family of Abergeldie. 2 ] Hary and John Gordons ; he married to his second wife Grant of Achoro- chans daughter. John Gordon of Bouges sherriff deput of Aberdeen married Arbuthnet with whom he begat two sons, viz, Thomas and Hary Gordons who was killed in Germany. William Gordon of Arradowl [or Fochabers 1 ] second son of Alexander Gordon of Buckie married the Lady Innes with whom he begat a Daughter married to Jas. Gordon of Knockespok. He dyed in peace without further Succession, he had only a Natural Son called William Gordon in Lunan. 1 MS. of 1644. 2 Added by Mr. Dalrymple. (64) BALBITHAN MS. 65 John Gordon of Buckies Second Son Mr William Gordon of Cairn- field begotten on Belldornies daughter married three wives, his first wife was the Laird of Achintowls daughter Forbes with whom he begat a son John Gordon of Cairnfield, his second wife was the goodwife of Skeith, his 3 d wife was the goodwife of Findochty thereafter goodwife of Drainie. He dyed 5 th Janry 1632 [in Cairnfield in peace 1 ]. John Gordon of Buckies third son Alexander Gordon of Rothmeys married the Laird of Tillymorgens daughter Cruckshank, with whom he begat two sons John Gordon of Rothmeys and . . . The Genealogie of Alex r Gordon of Buckies Natural Sons. Thomas Gordon of Deskie married John Gordon Vicar of Keith's daughter with whom he begat four sons, viz, William Gordon in Daskie, John, Alxr., and James Gordons. Their father dyed . His son William Gordon of Dasky married John Gordon of Blelacks daughter Issabel Gordon, w l whom he begat three Sons, viz, Thomas, John and Alexander Gordons ; the forsd Thomas married the Barren of Ken- maichleys brother daughter Stuart. Alexander of Buckies second Natural Son. Alexander Gordon of Netherbuckie Baillie of Enzie married Christian Duff and begat a Son called William Gordon who married the Parson of Rivens daughter Hay, with whom he begat two sons, viz, William Gordon in Tar- naughty and John Gordon in Nether Bucky. Their father and grand father both dyed in Netherbukie. William Gordon in Tarnaughty married the goodman of Belldorneys daughter Gordon with whom he begat sons. John Gordon in Netherbukie married the goodman of Kininvies Daughter Leslie with whom he begat sons. Alexr Gordon of Buckies third Natural Son. George Gordon of Wallheads married the Laird of Asswanlies daughter Calder with whom he begat four Sons viz Alexander Gordon in Bellyhill, Thomas Gordon in Fochabers, and John and Peter Gordons. Their father dyed His eldest Son Alexr married Achintowls daughter Forbes and begat George Gordon. Tho : Gordon in Fochabers married Robert Gordon of Belcheries daughter, with whom he begat George Gordon of Wall- heads ; he had a Natural Son Archibald Gordon who begat Robert Gordon who married one called the White Hen of Dundee. 1 MS. of 1644. (65) i 66 HOUSE OF GORDON. Having now gone through the Genealogie of the Family of Huntly and their Cadents as also having discussed the Genealogy of Jock the Heiress eldest Brother with the Cadents and descendants come of him, Order now requires that in the Last place we treat of the Genealogie of Thomas Gordon of Davoch the Heiress second Brother begot on Eliza- beth Cruickshank Laird of Asswanlies daughter. DAVOCH. The Genealogie of Thomas Gordon of Davoch the Heiress Second Brother. The forsaid Thomas Gordon of Davoch married three wives with whom he begat Sixteen Sons. I find no succession but by five sons. The said Thomas married to his first wife S r Thomas Hay of Enzies Sister, with whom he begat a Son Patrick Gordon of Achinreath Corrie- doun and Cotton hill, which he excambed with the Lairdship of Sauchen. The said Thomas married to his second wife S r Walter Innes Daughter of that Ilk, with whom he begat four sons, viz, W m Gordon of Ballvenie, M r Adam Gordon chancellor of Murray and Parson of Kinkell whose name is upon several places of the said Kirk in Gilded Letters yet extant with their date, his third son Tho : Gordon of Kenchie or Braikleys, the fourth George Gordon of Cushney or Hall- head. The forsd James Gordon married to his third wife Chisolm of Straglass Daughter, with whom he begat John Gordon who got the possession of Davoch from his Father. The said Thomas had other sons, but I have not their Names and find no Succession come of them. Their Father said Thomas dyed in Davoch and was interred in the Church of Ruthven whose monument is there yet extant. His son Patrick Gordon first Laird of Sachen married two wives, with the first he begat Patrick Gordon second Laird of Sachen ; he married to his second wife the Laird of Pittmeddens daughter Panton, with whom he begat Alexander Gordon of Pethnick and Contly in Stryla who dwelt thereafter in Parkmore in Balvenie and was forbear of the House of Invercharrach. Their father Patrick Gordon first Laird of Sauchen dyed His eldest son Patrick Gordon second Laird of Sachen married the Laird of Achlossens daughter Ross, with whom he begat three sons (66) BALBITHAN MS. 67 and daughters, his eldest Son Alexander dyed without Succession, the Second William Gordon Laird of Sachen, the third son John Gordon in Brunhill of Cromar. Their father Patrick Gordon Second Laird of Sachen dyed His son William Gordon third Laird of Sacken married Forbes with whom he begat Patrick Gordon fourth Laird of Sacken. His Father the said William dyed His son Patrick Gordon fourth Laird of Sacken married Burnet with whom he begat two Sons, his eldest Son William Gordon fifth Laird of Sachen married the goodman of Kincragies daughter Gordon with whom he begat sons, viz, Alx r Gordon fiar of Sachen, and John Gordon. Their father the said William Gordon became in such dangers that he passed into Ireland and dyed there 1639. His eldest son Alexander Gordon fiar of Sachen married Robert Gairn of Tillyfruskies daughter who dyed in England without Succes- sion 1654. John Gordon of Drumhill first married Jannet Coutts, with whom he begat John Gordon younger of Drumhill Forrester of Cullblean who dyed also without Succession. The Second Sons of Robert Gordon first Laird of Sachen. Alexander Gordon of Pethnick and Cantly who dwelt in Parkmore married the Laird of Badenoch's daughter Symmer, with whom he begat five Sons, viz, John Gordon of Invercharrach, Duncan Gordon of Clunymoir, Alexander Gordon of Bochrome, James Gordon in Parkbeig, and Alex r alias Alaster Gordon in Achorlise. Their father the said Alexander dyed in peace and was interred in the Kirk of Mortleach. His eldest son John Gordon of Invercharrach married the Heretrix of Invercharrach and the Barren of Carrons Sister, with whom he begat Gordon Barren of Achnastink who dyed w l out Succession. He married to his Second Wife the goodman of Drainies daughter Innes with whom he begat five Sons, viz, W 7 illiam Gordon of Inver- charrach, Robert Gordon of Pittglassie, James Gordon of Kinernie, William Gordon of Achinarrow, and Alexander Gordon of Parkmoir, all in the Parish of Mortleack. The forsd John Gordon of Inverchar- rach had a Natural Son begot on a Gentlewoman called Alastair Gordon (67) 68 HOUSE OF GORDON. att the Mill of Botarie. Their father the said John Gordon of Inver- charrach dyed in peace, he was very Hospitable and a good Hunter. His eldest son John Gordon of Achinstink married, and begat William Gordon of Achnstink, who married and begat Alex r Gordon of Achinstink, who married Issabel Gumming and begat Sons who dwelt in Mortlach. John of Invercharrach's second Son dyed without Succession. James, Robert, and Alexander of Parkmoir dyed without Suc- cession. John Gordon of Invercharrach's son W m Gordon of Achinarrow married and begat Alaster Gordon of Achinarrow, John Gordon in Easterkinmaichly, and James Gordon of Craiggon of Delmore. The said William there father dyed in Peace. And here I find myself run aground for want of further and better Information concerning the Family of Davoch, whose Representative this day is hard to be condescended upon, many of the forsaid Families and also their descendants being now extinct and without Succession ; So that my Reader I hope will excuse this rude and imperfect draught of the whole, and if any more versant in antiquity and Genealogy shall make up my defect, I'll reckon it good service done to the truth and Sirname of Gordon. (68) HOUSE OF GORDON. ABERGELDIE. BY JOHN MALCOLM BULLOCH, M.A. NEW SPALDING CLUB. K PREFATORY NOTE. THERE are various sources of information on the family of Aber- geldie. There is a pedigree in the Balbithan MS. (pp. 9-11); in Burke's Landed Gentry, 1898 (corrected by the late Hugh Mackay Gordon, XVII. of Abergeldie) ; by Rev. J. G. Michie in the Crathie Church Bazaar Book Under Lochnagar, 1894, and in Lord Huntly's Records of Aboyne ; while there is a brief account of the contents of the charter chest in the sixth report of the Historical MSS. Commission, appendix (p. 712) ; and various stories are given in Rev. J. G. Michie's Deeside Tales. Many references to the Abergeldie family, more particularly in con- nection with various land transactions and march disputes, will be found in Mr. Michie's Records of Invercauld. Two articles on the Abergeldie Gordons by the present writer appeared in the Aberdeen Free Press of loth and iyth Nov., 1900. He is indebted for special information to the late Mr. Hugh Mackay Gordon, who told him that many family papers were destroyed by a fire in 1812 ; to Mr. Kenneth Gordon, Lee, Kent; to Dr. Charles Gordon, Pietermaritzburg ; to Mr. D. Murray Rose and to others. The picture of Abergeldie Castle which is repro- duced in this monograph is from a photograph by Annan of Glasgow, and represents the fine old structure from the north. J. M. B. 118 PALL MALL, S.W., February 10, 1902. THE LAIRDS OF ABERGELDIE. ALEXANDER GORDON, ist Earl of Huntly. SIR ALEXANDER GORDON, I. of Abergeldie. GEORGE, II. of Abergeldie. I JAMES, III. ALEXANDER, IV. ALEXANDER, V. JOHN, IX. PETER, XIII. WILLIAM, VI. I ALEXANDER, VII. ALEXANDER, VIII. RACHAEL, X. = CHARLES GORDON. I PETER, XI. CHARLES, XII. DAVID, XIV. MICHAEL FRANCIS, XV. ROBERT, XVI. ADAM. I HUGH MACKAY, XVII. LEWIS, XVIII. (7*) ABERGELDIE. The lands of Abergeldie lie in the parish of Crathie, Aberdeenshire. The meaning of the name is the " confluence of the Geldie " with the Dee at the west end of the castle. The derivation of "geldie" is very uncertain. (Macdonald's Place Names of West Aberdeenshire, p. 2.) The lands have been held by the same family of Gordon, descendants of the ist Earl of Huntly, practically since 1449, though actual possession did not come until 1482. The interest in the family has been heightened by the fact that Queen Victoria as owner of the neighbouring estate of Balmoral, rented Abergeldie during many years, and that her mother, the Duchess of Kent, and her son, King Edward VII., as Prince of Wales, used to live there. He is still the tenant (until 1922), at a rent of 4500 a year. The Empress Eugenie, who is descended from the old Scots family of Kirkpatrick, has frequently stayed at Abergeldie. The castle, which stands on the south bank of the Dee about six miles above Ballater and two below Balmoral, has been much altered and added to ; but, according to MacGibbon and Ross's Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland, which contains a view of the building from the north-east (figure 520), it still retains the original tower which formed the nucleus of the whole, and which with its rounded angles, its crow-stepped gables and its somewhat elaborately corbelled angle turret, is a good and picturesque example of a sixteenth century manor house in Aberdeenshire. The means of access from the north bank of the river was formerly by a picturesque contrivance called a " rope and cradle " bridge, the bridge being really a rope from which the cradle or basket containing the passenger was suspended, and along which it ran. The arms of the Gordons of Abergeldie as registered 1676, are : Quarterly: ist, Azure, three boars' heads couped or ; 2nd, Or, three lions' heads erased gules; 3rd, Or, three crescents within a double tressure (73) 6 HOUSE OF GORDON, flory counterflory gules ; 4th, Azure, three fraises argent ; the whole within a bordure quarterly argent and gules. Crest: A deerhound argent collared gules. Motto: "God for us". ALEXANDER, IST EARL OF HUNTLY. (Died 1470.) Abergeldie appears in the hands of the Gordons for the first time in 1449, when it was in possession of Alexander, the first Earl of Huntly, who got it from the king for his services in suppressing the rebellion headed by the Earl of Douglas. Abergeldie was originally part of the vast possessions of the notorious Earldom of Mar. Thomas, Earl of Mar, the last of the direct male line (he died in 1376), granted " Abbirgedly " in 1358 to " Duncan son of Roger," who was bound to give suit at the Earl's three courts held " apud lapidem de Mygvethe " a stone at the Earl's great manor of Migvie in Cromar. In 1435 James I. boldly claimed the Earldom for reasons denounced by all the genealogists. In 1436 the lands were in the hands of John Mowat, for in 1438, according to the accounts of the Chamberlain of Mar, a payment is entered out of the rents of Cambusnakist by the King's grant of 10 to John Mowat for his right of the lands for the two previous years. In 1445 and 1446, the receiver of the king's rents is ordered to inquire carefully who is in possession of the lands, and what is their value, and in 1449 he reports them to be in the hands of Alexander, ist Earl of Huntly, and in 1451 the Chamberlain accounts for 10 as the rent of Abergeldie, which is said to be in the Earl's hands. But the Roger claim was still recognised so late as 1507 as I shall show. The Earl of Huntly married Elizabeth, daughter of Lord Crichton, Chancellor of Scotland, and had (Records of Aboyne) : 1. GEORGE, 2nd Earl of Huntly, who married the daughter of James I. 2. Sir ALEXANDER, I. of Abergeldie. 3. ADAM, Dean of Caithness, ancestor of the Gordons of Beldornie, Drummuy, and Sidderay. 4. JANET. 5. ELIZABETH, mar. (i)the 2nd Earl of Erroll, and (2) John, Lord Kennedy. 6. CHRISTIAN, mar. William, Lord Forbes. (74) ABERGELDIE. SIR ALEXANDER GORDON, I. OF ABERGELDIE. (Son of ist Earl of Huntly : died before 1504.) Sir Alexander Gordon clinched the hold that his house had got on Abergeldie. He received various lands in the barony of Midmar. The following dates bear on his annexation of Abergeldie and other estates : 1482. Dec. 26. By deed of gift, James III. granted the lands of Abergeldie to Alexander Gordon (Records of Aboytte, p. 219). 1485. He had a lease from David, Abbot of Arbroath, of the great tithes of the churches of Coull and Kinernie (Antiquities of Aberdeen and Banff, ii., p. 28). 1488. Nov. 22. He got a charter of the lands of Tullitermont from his brother, Lord Huntly (Aberdeen Burgh Sasines, vol. i.). 1489. Jan. 23. He got a grant of the lands of Eastoun in Cromar from the King upon the resignation of John Rutherford of Tarland (Great Seal). 1501. Nov. i'. His charter on Abergeldie and Eastoun, which were incor- porated in one free barony, was confirmed (Great Seal). 1503. He sold Old Midmar to James, Lord Ogilvie of Airlie, who however was to " tak na profit of the said lands " until Gordon's grandsons Alexander or James came of age to complete a marriage either with Janet or Marion, Lord Ogilvie's daughters. If the marriage did not take place, the lands were to remain in the hands of the Ogilvies until the sum of 600 merks was paid (Abergeldie Charter Chest, quoted in the Records of Aboyne, p. 220). Sir Alexander, who died before January, 1504, married Beatrice Hay, daughter of the Earl of Erroll. On Oct. i, 1504, when she was a widow, she was found entitled to her terce of the lands of Carnetralzeane and others in Kinellar, of the davach of Abergeldy and of Easton, and of the lands of the barony of Midmar (Antiq. of Aberdeen and Banff, iii., p. 242). The first laird of Abergeldie had, according to the Balbithan MS. : 1. GEORGE, II. of Abergeldie. 2. WILLIAM, of Netherdale, who lived in Ruthven of Cromar. In 1522 he raided the Corryhoul lands of Agnes Grant, the widow of John McAllan, in Inverernan and took away much booty (Antiq. Aberdeen and Banff, iv., p. 477). In April, 1530, James Gordon of Abergeldie as surety for William, was ordered to pay to Agnes " sex score of yowis price of the pece v schillingis, Ix of wedderis & yeild scheip price of the pece iiij schillinges, & foure score of lambs price of the pece ij schillings. And for the proffictis of the said vj* x . yowis in woll, mylk, & lammis xxvij pundis. The proffictis of the saidis Ix wedderis & yeild scheip sen the tyme of the said spulye three pundis. The proffictis of the said Ixxx lammis sen the said spulye as saidis iiij pundis" (Acta Dom. (75) 8 HOUSE OF GORDON. Cone.}. On March 8, 1532-33, King James V. granted a charter to Agnes Grant, who had by that time married Thomas Cuming, of six bovates of the sunny half of the lands of Craibstone, apprised from James Gordon of Abergeldie for 126 marks due by him as surety for William Gordon's plunder of 60 rams & barren sheep, 100 wethers & 80 lambs (Great Seal). His nephew James, the third laird of Aber- geldie, became surety for him. The Balbithan MS. says he was killed at Ruthven by John Gordon alias John Geer. He married and had MARGARET, who got Netherdale as her tocher (Sasine, 26 May, 1530). 3. JANET, married before Oct., 1501, at which date she was living, Thomas Fraser, Lord Lovat, and had a son HUGH FRASER, Lord Lovat, who was slain by the Macdonalds at Lochlochy, 1544. He was the ancestor of the present Lord Lovat. 4. Daughter, married Mortimer, the laird of Craigievar (Balbithan MS.). 5. Daughter, married Ogilvy of Clova (Balbithan MS.). 6. BEATRIX (alive 1555), married (i) Garden of Dorlaithers ("of whom is come Mr. Robert Garden of Belliemore ") : (2) Ross of Auchlossin (Balbithan A/5.); she was alive in 1574 (Records of Aboyne, p. 222). In 1487 there was a marriage contract (Antiq. Aberdeen and Banff, Hi., p. 299) between the heir apparent of Alexander Irvine of Drum and a daughter of Alexander Gordon of Midmar ; but the ceremony never seems to have been solemnised, and the girl may have been one of the four daughters mentioned in the Balbithan MS. GEORGE GORDON, II. OF ABERGELDIE. (Son of I.: died before 1523.) This laird is distinguished by the fact that he got complete and indisputable possession of the lands of Abergeldie. Like everything connected with the Earldom of Mar, his tenure had been, to 'say the least of it, shaky. The Crown still put forward claims and the Roger family also had a claim. Gordon first cleared off the claim of the Crown : 1507. Feb. 25. The Privy Council decided that George Gordon was " quit fra" the petition of the Crown, which claimed the lands, " because it was clearly sene . . . that the said lands of Abergeldie war destynct and separate lands fra the properte of [the Earldom of] Mar, when it was cled with ane Earl, and quhen it wes uncled with ane Earl, as our soverane Lordis old rollis sene and considered propertis" (Records of Aboyne, pp. 220-1). (76) ABERGELDIE. g Then he got rid of the Rogers' claim : 1507. March 24. By a notarial instrument (in the Abergeldie Charter Chest) dated March 24, 1507 (a month after the Privy Council decree), wherein it is set forth that in the Court of the King's Justiciar held at Dundee, there appeared Thomas, son of Alexander, asserting himself to be heir of Christina Roger, his great grand- mother, in the lands of Abergeldie and others in the Earldom of Mar, and confessing that he had been fully satisfied and paid by George Gordon of Midmar, his rights therein being thereby renounced, and the original charter granted by Thomas, Earl of Mar, to his predecessors being now delivered to the said George (Hist. MS. Com., 6th Report, Appendix). The second laird was alive in 1510, but died before 1523. He married Margaret Stewart (the Balbithan MS. calls her " Grizal "), daughter of the Earl of Buchan. She died in 1534. They had : 1. ALEXANDER, alive in 1503 (Abergeldie Charters), but apparently dead before his father (Records of Aboyne, p. 221): though the Balbithan MS. gives him as third laird. 2. JAMES, III. of Abergeldie. 3. WILLIAM, in Logics (an illegitimate son), who married the daughter of Irving of Tulloch, and had five sons. The Balbithan MS., how- ever, names only four, namely, Alexander, Robert, James and John Gordon of Coull. JAMES GORDON, III. OF ABERGELDIE. (Son of II. : killed at Pinkie, 1547.) On April 24, 1523, the young laird, " having arrived at the years of ' discretion and marriage,' petitioned his guardian [Walter Ogilvie in Boyne] that he might be ' coupled ' in lawful matrimony. Ogilvie . . . offered him his choice of two damsels in every respect equal to himself Janet Sinclair and Elizabeth Ogilvie" (Records of Aboyne, p. 221). But he scorned them both and married Janet Leith, daughter and coheir of George Leith of Barnes, and widow of Alexander Seton of Meldrum. He was returned heir to his father only on October 6, 1534. In 1528 he had confirmation of a charter by John Stewart, Earl of Buchan (his uncle or grandfather), of the lands of Grandoum, Auchmull, Perslie, and others (Great Seal). Abergeldie, as I have shown, had to pay dearly for his uncle William's raid on Agnes Grant. He had to surrender six bovates of the sunny half of the lands of Craibstone. The other part of (77) L 10 HOUSE OF GORDON. Craibstone, in the barony of Grandholm, he sold to James Cheyne, burgess of Aberdeen. Abergeldie was to pay Cheyne " the sovme of sewyntene scoire of merkis in gold of angell nobilis crovnis of weicht unycornis and Leitht crovnis . . . witht ane sufficient lettre of tak . . . of the said landis ... for all the termes ... of fyf- teyne zeiris . . . followinge the rademynge ... of the said landis for tene merkis of pennye maill . . . monye of Scotland and als one sufficient lettre of balyerye of the said landis ... for the said 15 zeiris . . . thane. ... I sail ranunce the said landis ... to the said James " : witnessed 5th August, 1536 (Antiquities of Aberdeen and Banff, iii., p. 222). This transaction gave rise to a feud between the Aberdeen burgh authorities and Forbes of Strathgirnock, who had some claim on the property. The third laird was killed at Pinkie in 1547 (Exchequer Rolls). He had three sons and at least one daughter : 1. ALEXANDER, IV. of Abergeldie. 2. JAMES of Lastis. Mr. Michie says he killed Gilbert Knowles and his son at the Calsayend. The Balbithan MS. says he married (Dec. i, 1574) the daughter of Donald Coutts of Kinarnie and had : (1) THOMAS. (2) JOHN, Ledach, Skene. (3) JAMES, burgess of Aberdeen. (4) ALEXANDER. He may have been the merchant in Aberdeen who wrote very many poems in the Scottish language (Maid- ment's Catalogues of Scotish Writers, p. 120). 3. Mr. WILLIAM, married Janet Cairngill and had Alexander, burgess in Aberdeen (Balbithan MS.). 4. BETRIX. She had for liferent the lands of Knock. This is mentioned in the precept of sasine given to her in 1556. It is unusual to sign sasines, and the designation is curious. The sasine, which is in the Abergeldie charter chest, has been summarised by Mr. D. Murray Rose as follows : " Alexander Gordon de Perslie dilectis meis Johanni Leyth . . . ballivis meis in hac parte Salutem Quia vendidi . . . dilecte mee Beatrice Gordon, sorori honorabilis viri Alexandri Gordon de Abirgeldy, in vitali redditu . . . terras meas de Knock cum suis pertinentiis jacentes in parochia de Glenmyk infra vicecom. de Aberdeen tenandas in capite de me . . . vobis . . . precipio . . . quatenus . . . sasinam dictorum terrarum cum suis pertinentiis dicte Beatrice in vitali redditu . . . certo attornato . . . per lie thak et raip ut moris est . . . tradatis Reservando tamen . . . libere tenementum dictarum terrarum . . . Jacobo Gordon de Leismoir patri meo pro toto tempore (78) ABERGELDIE. Il vitae sui. In cujus rei testimonium presentibus mea manuali sub- scriptione subscriptis sigilum meum proprium est appensum apud Aberdene decimo tertio die mensis Julii Anno Domini Millesimo quinquagesimo Sexto Coram hiis testibus Thoma Chalmer de Cultis Alexandro Chalmer ejus filio Willelmo Cristesoun Magistris Gilberto Murray et Johanne Nicholsoun notariis publicis cum diversis aliis. Alex. Gordon of Parsle Brynkburn with my hand." She was the second wife of Alexander Gordon (3rd son of James Gordon, I. of Lesmoir), I. of Birkenburn. She was the mother of: (1) HARRY, in Knock. He was killed in Nov., 1592, by the raiding party of Mackintoshes who also killed the Baron of Brackley (Earls of Sutherland, p. 217). (2) DUNCAN of Perslie. (3) JAMES. 5. HELEN, "daughter of James Gordon of Midmar and Abergeldie," apparently the 3rd laird, married Thomas Fraser of Durris (Macfarlane's Genea- logical Collections, ii., 323) and became the grandmother of Sir Alexander Fraser, the famous physician who trepanned Prince Rupert, and whose daughter, Carey Fraser, married (about 1678) the third Earl of Peterborough. Sir Alexander's son Charles translated Plutarch (Diet. Nat. Biog.). ALEXANDER GORDON, IV. OF ABERGELDIE. (Son of III. : died 1596.) This laird signed a bond against the regent, 27th April, 1560 (Cat. Scottish Papers L, p. 383), " to expel the French maintained by the Queen dowager and take plain part with the Queen of England's army, sent by her for that purpose ". He was known as " Black Alister," and Mr. Michie (Deeside Tales, p. 140) relates some wild legends about him notably one concerning an attack which he made on the Forbeses of Strathgirnock, who had a bitter feud with the Gordons of Knock. Abergeldie surrounded Strathgirnock's house and broke into it. Forbes was knocked down by a musket ball, and then hanged, and Abergeldie served himself heir to the lands of Strathgirnock, and came into the lands of Knock as nearest of kin. Certain it is he took part in Huntly's rebellion in 1562, and was compelled to ward in St. Andrews (on Oct. 30) under penalty of 5,000 merks. Alexander Irvine of Drum was co-cautioner with him (Privy Council Register). In 1564 his lands were restored to him by (79) 12 HOUSE OF GORDON. Queen Mary (Records of A boy ne). The following items in his career are interesting : 1565. Oct. 12. Abergeldie was one of the assisors at the trial of Alexander Lyon of Aberdeen and his wife for the murder of John Wood of Colpna (Pitcairn's Criminal Trials, i., 471). 1566. May 4. Tack by James, Lord St. John, Preceptor of Torphichen, to Alexander Gordon of Abergeldy and his heirs and assignees "ane or ma being of na hiar degre nor himself," of the teynd schevis of the Kirkis and parochynnis of Tullich and Oboyne, with their pertinents, lying within the diocese and Sheriffdom of Aberdeen for the space of 19 years, which shall begin at the out running of the tacks made by the said Lord St. John to Beatrix Gordon, Lady Auchlossin [who was, according to the Balbithan MS., the grand aunt of the 4th laird] and Mr. Robert Gardyn, hir sone, and to their assignees of the saidis kirkis and teyn sheves for 19 years following the feast of Lammas 1555 : The said Alexander Gordon entering thereto at the feast of Lammas 1574 and paying yearly of teind duty the sum of 75 merks within the burgh of Aber- deen at the feast of St. Bartholomew in August, or at the farthest in a whole yearly sum . . . , within one month next thereafter. At Edinburgh 4 May 1566. Witnesses John Forbes of Brux, Patrick Leyth of Harthill, Robert Abercromby, James Boyd, servant to the said Lord St. John (Records of Aboyne, p. 222). 1568. May 8. The laird of Abergeldie was one of those (including 9 earls, 9 bishops, 18 lords and others) who signed the bond of adherence to Mary against those who had threatened to " tak hir majesties lyfe maist unjustlie from hir, expres aganis all lovable law of God and man " (Calendar of Scottish Papers II., p. 404). 1574. Sept. i. "The quhilk day in presens [at Aberdeen] of my Lord Regentis Grace and Lordis of Secreit Counsaill, compeirt Alexander Gordon of Abirgeldy and producit ane vallentyne deliverit to him for presenting of Matho Frig befoir the Justice or his deputtis, quhilk he ressavit upon the fourteene day of August last bipast : and that same nycht he send away spyis to se gif he was at the Mylne of Hoill, quhair he remainit with his fader. And the spyis remainit thair quhill the deponaris weir cuming, quhilk wes from the day of the same moneth. And efter the resett of this valentyne [Abergeldy] depones that the said Matho come to his faderis hous, and how sone he come the spyis quhom the deponar directit come bak agane and tauld the deponar that he [Frig] wes thair, supponand he sould not haif past away. Notwithstanding befoir the deponaris cuming he wes eschapit." Aber- geldie denied that he gave the spies orders to arrest Matho. On the same day James Gordon of Haddo was surety that Alexander Knowis, younger, burgess in Aberdeen, would be " harmless " of Abergeldie whose uncle James had killed Gilbert Knowles and his son in Aberdeen. Penalty 1,000 (Privy Council Register). 1578. He took part in the attempt to decide a dispute between the Forbeses and the Gordons (Acts of Parliament). 1588. He subscribed a bond at Aberdeen in defence of the " trew religion" and his Majesties government (Privy Council Register). 1592. Sir Robert Gordon (Earls of Sutherland, p. 218) says that Abergeldie as (80) ABERGELDIE. baillie in Badenoch to Lord Huntly was ordered by his master to raid ti. Mackintoshes in Petty for the slaughter of the Baron of Brackley. 1594. Oct. 3. At the battle of Glenlivat Lord Huntly was supported on the left by ' the laird of Abergeldie " (Earls of Sutherland, p. 227). His son Alexander is called " apparent " as late as Oct. 24, 1594, but "of Abergeldie " in 1598. The fourth laird, who "dyed at home," according to the Balbithan MS., married Janet Irvine, daughter of Alexander Irvine, VII. of Drum ( Wimberley's Family of Irvine, p. 6), and had six sons and six daughters : 1. ALEXANDER, V. of Abergeldie. 2. Mr. WILLIAM, VI. of Abergeldie. 3. JOHN of Craibstone : alive 1614; he "had succession " (Balbithan MS.). 4. GEORGE, killed at the battle of Glenlivat, 1594. Birrell in his diary, as quoted by Pitcairn (Criminal Trials, i., 361), says : " The goodman of Dorth and his son were slain at Balrinnes. This Dorth was the brother of Abergeldie." Mr. Michie says he got Knock from his father, who bought the property. There seem, however, to have been two different families of Gordon in possession of Knock. 5. THOMAS of Grandholm. A charter was granted on July 25, 1604, by William Allan, burgess of Aberdeen, with assent of Andrew Hervie of Alrik, and James Hervie, his eldest son and heir, for their interest in terms of a contract between the granter on the one part and Thomas Gordon of Grandholm for himself and Margaret Forbes his wife on the other, granting to them and their heirs male in feu farm the town and lands of Carnefield (i.e. Balgownie) with manor house, etc., also the lands of Danestoun and Corthyburn (St. Machar) : to be held from the granter of the Principal, regents, etc.. of King's College (Laing Charters, P- 357;- O n March 4, 1606, Thomas Gordon of Grandoun was admitted a burgess of Aberdeen (New Spald. Club Misc., i., 101). In 1607 Thomas Gordon of Grandholm granted a letter of reversion in favour of George, Marquis of Huntly, over the lands of Auchoilzie in Glen- muick as principal, and the lands of Brodland, Newton of Watter- nady, as in warrandice, which Huntly had sold him redeemably for 2,000 merks (Records of Aboyne). In the same year Robert Stewart, burgess in Aberdeen, became bond for Gordon in 1,000 merks that he would not reset or intercommune with Patrick and Thomas Fraser, sons of Thomas Fraser, elder of Durris, who had been put to the horn for the slaughter of William Irvine and Robert Burnet. According to the Collections on the Shires of Aberdeen and Banff (p. 231), Grandholm was called Dilspro "while possessed by the Jaffrays". In 1626 Thomas Gordon of Dilspro was caution in 20 (Privy Council Register) that Sir James Gordon of Lesmoir (whose sister Thomas Gordon of (81) 14 HollSE OF GORDON. Grandholm married) should pay his College of Heralds bill (Sir James was made a baronet in 1625). Dilspro had belonged to the Lesmoir Gordons, for the first Laird of Lesmoir had a son Harry of Dilspro. In Nov., 1638, Thomas Gordon, "late of Dilspro," resigned the shady half of the lands of old Govill in New Machar to John Kintie. Thomas of Grandholm married (i) Margaret Forbes, daughter of Alexander Forbes at the Mill of Gellan, and they had sasine on the lands of Carnfetie, July 2, 1604. He married (2) Janet, daughter of Alexander Gordon, 3rd Laird of Lesmoir, and widow of James Crichton of Frendraught, whose son was the host of Lord Aboyne when the latter was burned at Frendraught in 1630. (A Thomas Gordon appears in 1635 as one f the Gordons called on to give caution for their good behaviour, especially in view of the Frendraught affair.) A Thomas Gordon of Dilspro married Margaret, daughter of John Allardyce of that Ilk. (Information from Mr. D. Murray Rose.) Again Thomas Gordon " of Grandhum " was married to Elspet Grant, apparently a widow, for (according to the Privy Council Register, x., p. 486) on March 28, 1616, Alexander Watsoun, messenger in Aberdeen, complained that when he went to summon James Murray, brother of the Laird of Cowbardie, and others, to appear before the Council to answer the charge of ravishing Marjorie Fergusoun, daughter of Elspet Grant (" now wife of Thomas Gordoun of Gran- dum "), and was executing the charge against Arthour Chalmer, in his house in the Kirktoun of Kinnoir, he was attacked by the said Arthur, who " preassit to haif rivene his Majesties blasin of his breist," struck him with " fauldit nevis," and pulled out a long dirk, with which he would have slain pursuer, had he not escaped. Pursuer having gone afterwards to the house of Alex. Mathesoun, messenger, " and efter supper haveing past to his bed for taking the nichtis rest thairintill," the said Arthour, accompanied by Johnne Abircrombie in Sandistoun, and other accomplices, to the number of ten, all armed, came to the house about midnight, surrounded it, " strak in at the windois " with swords and long weapons, forced an entrance at the door, and there- after most cruelly assaulted pursuer, who " narrowlie eschaipit from thame ". The Lords order Chalmer and Johnne Abircrombie to be denounced rebels. The Thomas who married Elspet Grant may have been the son of Thomas of Grandholm, who, according to the Balbithan MS., " had succession " by his first wife. It is just possible that these Grandholm Gordons represented different cadets (which may account for the several marriages mentioned). A Thomas Gordon of Grandholm had at any rate a daughter : AGNES, who married Rev. Thomas Forbes, minister of Keig, son of the 6th Laird of Corsindae. They had : (82) ABERGELDIE. 15 ISOBEL FORBES, who married Robert Lumsden of the Cushnie family (Lumsden's Forbeses). 6. JAMES of Easton. In 1609 (July 13) he brought an action against David Kynnynmonth of Craighall, William Gray of Bandirrane, and George Seton of Parbroth, for remaining unrelaxed from homings of Feb. 20 and June 23 (1609), for not paying complainer as assignee to his brother (William) 6,000 merks as principal and 1,000 expenses, with 720 merks over and above. He married (according to the Balbithan MS.) Marion Scrimgeour, apparently a relation of Sir James Scrimgeour of Dudhope, Constable of Dundee, who frequently was surety for his brother. He had a son by her (Balbithan MS.). Sir John Scrimgeour of Dudhope married Margaret Carnegie whose sister was the wife of a Gordon of Cairnburrow. Was this James laird of Balmoral ? 7. Daughter, married as his second wife Alexander Gordon of Tulloch, Chancellor of Moray, a cadet of the Buckie family (Balbithan MS., p. 62). She bore him three sons who all died young. 8. Daughter, married Thomas Menzies, Provost of Aberdeen (Balbithan MS.). 9. MARJORIE, married (i) Robert Duguid of Auchenhove; and (2) John Leslie, XI. of Balquhain (died 1638) (Balbithan MS.). Duguid was first married to Janet Forbes who divorced him for adultery in 1583. He then con- tracted a marriage with Marjorie Gordon, "as then held incompetently" (Leslie's Leslies, Hi., 442): but on account of his extreme youth, King James VI. granted him remission and dispensation, July 29, 1589, as if he had married Marjorie Gordon for his first wife. By Duguid she had a son William, VI. of Auchenhove, and Robert (Birth Brieve), who married Marie Forbes and had a son Robert in Poland. 10. Daughter, married Patrick Mortimer of Enzie. n. Daughter. 12. CATHERINE (natural), married James Farquharson, I. of Inverey (Michie's Records of Invercauld, p. 112). ALEXANDER GORDON, V. OF ABERGELDIE. (Son of IV. : died 1601.) This laird was an ardent Roman Catholic. The following items refer to him : 1593, March 3. Alexander Gordon apparent of Abergeldie as Principal and Sir James Scrimgeour of Dudhope (probably a relation of his sister-in-law, Marion Scrimgeour, the wife of James Gordon of Easton) as surety gave 2,000 merks assurance not to join the Catholic Earls (Privy Council Register), (83) l6 HOUSE OF GORDON. 1593. May 26. Sir John Gordon of Pitlurg was caution in 2,000 merks for Alexander Gordon, apparent of Abergeldie (i) that by June 15 he should return to the Clerk of Council a bond subscribed by Alexander Irving apparent of Drum, (2) that he should keep ward besouth the water of Dee till he return Lord Marischal's letter allowing his liberty. In respect of the surety he is relieved of his present ward in Edinburgh (Privy Council Register). 1594. June 12. Alexander Gordon apparent of Abergeldie is charged to appear before the King to answer for his good rule and loyalty (Privy Council Register). 1594. July 1 1. He was denounced (along with John Gordon of Newton, Robert Gordon of Savoch, and George Gordon of Cochlarachy and others) for not appearing to answer the charge of being "treasounable practizaris and conspiratoris aganis the true religioun " (Privy Council Register). 1594. Oct. 24. The Privy Council ordered the forfeit of the caution given on June 13, 1593, by Gordon as principal and Alexander Irving younger of Drum as surety for him in 2,000 merks to appear before them. On Nov. 4 there is a warrant under the sign manual freeing Irving as surety (Privy Council Register). 1598. Dec. 9. Registration by John Halyday as procurator of bond by Sir James Scrymgeour of Dudhope, constable of Dundee, for Alexander Gordon of Abergeldie in 2,000 merks not to harm John, Earl of Mar. Subscribed at Dundee, Nov. 30, 1598 (Pnvy Council Register). The fifth laird of Abergeldie married before 1586 Margaret Mackintosh, daughter of William of that ilk, who had previously been the wife of Duncan Grant, Laird of Grant, who died in 1581, and of the Laird of Pitsligo. On April 2, 1604, she had sasine on the lands and barony of Abergeldie (Aberdeen Sasines). On Dec. 21, 1604, she married William Sutherland of Duffus (Great Seal, Nov. 25, 1608) who died before 1616 ; she was alive in 1627 (Eraser's Chiefs of Grant, vol. i.). The Balbithan MS. says he died without issue, but he really left an only daughter : BEATRICE, who had sasine on the lands of Waukindale, Tollibog, Hilloch, Auldtoun, etc., on Jan. 20, 1601 (Aberdeen Sasines, vol. ii.). He also seems to have had an illegitimate son, for according to the Privy Council Register a commission was granted in June 16, 1629, to the lairds of Pittodrie, Glenkindie, Invercauld, Monaltrie, and others to arrest : " ALEXANDER GORDON, the natural son of Alexander Gordon of Abergeldie, Alaster McComeis McFerrucher, his brother on the mother's side, and Robert Smith in Clauch, ane toune in the barony of Abergeldie, who on May 27 were put to the horn at the instance of Marjorie Brebner with Duncan Stewart as son, Robert Stewart in Aberardour (84) ABERGELDIE. 17 and Arthour and James Stewart as brothers, and the remaining kin and friends of the deceased John Stewart in Aberardour for failing to answer for the slaughter of the said John Stewart. Power is given of fire and sword and there is a clause of immunity." The fifth laird died in 1601 and was succeeded by his brother, WILLIAM GORDON, VI. OF ABERGELDIE. (Younger son of IV. : died 1630.) He was retoured heir to his brother on May 30, 1601. He had originally got Birkhall (formerly Stering) from his father. The most in- teresting incident in his career was his connection with the Catholic plot usually known as the " Spanish blanks," by which a Spanish invasion of this country was to be manoeuvred. The chief figures in the business were a Scots priest William Crichton and Father James Gordon, the son of the Huntly who had fallen after Corrichie. Young Abergeldie's con- nection with the scheme may be told thus : 1591. March 7. Row says that on this date William Crichton ("quho hes re- mained in Spaine these two yeares") sent William Gordon, "sonne to Abergeldie, with letteris to M r James Gordon Jesuit to let Papists heir know quhat travel Crichton had taken with the King of Spaine since his arriving thither": and that the King of Spain was to invade England and alter the religion of Scotland by Crichton's advice. Therefore Crichton craved, " be this gentleman," so many blanks and procurations to be sent to him, as could be had of the noblemen here, " for the assureance of his trafficke ". Upon the receipt of the blanks, it was proposed to send, at the end of the spring of 1592, an army of 30,000 men, landing either in the Clyde or in Kirkcud- bright. The answers were taken by George Ker, but he was apprehended at the Isle of Cumbray. He bore many letters. One of them was written in French by Huntly and signed by two other noblemen, regretting " the defeate of the Navall Armie quhilk the King of Spaine called blasphemouslie The Invincible Armado ". Huntly is said to have averred that the Navy had not taken the right time in view of the great winds in harvest " forgeting," adds Row, that " the Lord of Hosts, who comands winds and seas, did avowedlie fight against him, proving his ' Invincible Armado ' verie easilie vincible ". 1593. March 5. William Gordon and others were denounced as rebels for having failed to appear before the Privy Council to answer " touching the hearing of mess and resetting of priestis and papistis " (Privy Council Register). 1594. Oct. 3. He was present at the battle of Glenlivat, for he got remission in 1603 (Spalding Club Miscellany, vol. iv., p. 159). His old friend Father Crichton has left a curious account of the battle (printed by Father Forbes Leith in his Narra- tives of the Scottish Catholics, 1885). (85) M l8 HOUSE OF GORDON. 1602. April 13. Notwithstanding that Huntly had been ordered to arrest certain Papists, it was announced by the Privy Council that Abergeldie and others had not " purged themselves of the excommunication under which they live, but still remain in this country practising against the true religion " (Privy Council Register). 1602. Nov. 21. He had sasine of the lands of Ballogie, Mill hole, etc. (A berdeen Sasines, vol. ii.). 1602. Dec. 20. He had sasine of the Barony of Midmar (Aberdeen Sasines, vol. ii.). 1603. July 20. William Gordon of Kennertie was caution in 2,000 merks that Abergeldie should not harm John and Harry Stewart of Ballagan, Andrew M'Andow, John Moir M'Allaster, Donald M'Allaster (his brother), John M'Comie, John Ker, John Gordon, and James M'Patrick (the last three in Crathie). The bond was signed at Abergeldie before James Gordon, Abergeldie's brother, and others (Privy Council Register). 1605. June 10. Alexander Montgomery, citizen of Old Aberdeen, was caution in 300 merks that Abergeldie should enter John Donald, Findlay Dow and Patrick Ewen in Stradie, ""alleged to be his men, to answer to the Council for going to the house at Craigmonth of Ogle, occupied by William Johnston, tenant of James Fenton of Ogle and breaking up the doors spoilying the goods (Privy Council Register). 1605. July 18. Fenton got Abergeldie and his associates denounced as a rebel for robbing and wounding Johnston. In 1608 Abergeldie's brother-in-law Patrick Mortimer of Enzie was surety in 1,000 that Abergeldie should bring his three servants to the Council. Fenton himself was put to the horn in 1609 for an offence of his own (Privy Council Register). 1607. Feb. 21. John Scrimgeour, apparent of Dudhope, was caution in 1,000 that Abergeldie should not reset his kinsmen Thomas and Patrick Fraser, sons of the laird of Durris, who had been put to the horn on July 22, 1606, for the slaughter of William Irvine of Glassick (Glassel), who married a Margaret Gordon, and Robert Burnet of Cowcardie in June, 1606. On Jan. 13, 1607, Abergeldie reset the Erasers and was fined 1,000 merks (Privy Council Register). 1607. Aug. 13. He had charter under the Great Seal of the lands and barony of Abergeldie. 1608. Feb. 5. Abergeldie was caution in 2,000 for Alexander Irving of Drum (who in turn was caution for his brothers Robert, James, William and John) not to harm the Forbeses, of whom a list is given (Privy Council Register). 1608. Nov. 26. Abergeldie and his old Catholic associate Patrick Butter, son of Patrick, sometime of Marytoun, found caution in 500 merks not to wear hagbuts or pistolets in future (Privy Council Register). 1609. June. He was made a Justice of the Peace for Aberdeenshire. 1611. January 10. Two of Abergeldie's tenants on Easton and Loichmaynis, George and James Ross, complained that albeit the reset and intercommuning with that " vnhappie and rebellious race and handful of wicked people callit " the Clan Gregor was strictly discharged, yet on Aug. 27, 1610, Nicol Davie, accompanied by (86) ABERGELDIE. Ig ten or twelve armed men went to the market of St. Mary's and felled them (the Rosses) to the ground, and wounded them with drawn swords ; and all the people bolted in fear. Davie was denounced as a rebel (Privy Council Register). 1611. Jan. 15. Abergeldie, Sir Robert Gordon of Lochinvar and James Gordon of Lesmoir were caution for the conduct of Lord Huntly after his present ward in Stirling Castle in the sum of 20,000 merks (Privy Council Register). 1611. Dec. 3. Abergeldie was ordered to arrest Coutts of Auchtercoull (Privy Council Register). 1612. Jan. 23. He was ordered to arrest several of the Leslies (Privy Council Register). 1612. July 28. He was ordered to arrest James Gordon of Auchdryne and other " broken men " (Privy Council Register). 1614. April i. The Aberdeen Register of Deeds (as quoted by Mr. Rose) records a contract between Arthur, Lord Forbes, on the one part and William Gordon of Aber- geldie on the other; whereby, for 18,000 merks, the said Lord dispones to the said William Gordon heritably without reversion or regres the town and lands of Lairie with the croft thereof, callit Carrieauchtane, town and lands of Strathgirnock, with the pendicles thereof called Tarnagowne, Candacraig, Lynefork, otherwise called Over- pleuche of Strathgirnok : the town and lands of Easter and Wester Abirgardynes, Kirktown of Abirgardyne, with woods, boiges, fishings on the water of Dee, and Glengardyne scheilling, commonties, common pasturages, pertaining to the said lands and specially to the lands of Lairie, Strathgirnok and Abirgardyne, with the manor place and stanehous foundit upon Wolt on the said lands of Easter Abirgardyne ; all lying in the parish of Glengardyn, barony of Aboyne and shereffdom of Aberdeen : And likewise in security of the said sum the said Lord Forbes has constitut the said William Gordon, his heirs, etc., to be assignees in and to the contents of a reversion given to him by Arthur Forbes of Boigis and Margaret Forbes, his spous, for redeem- ing from them or their heirs the town and lands of Sonehume(Sonehinnie ?) with the pertinents and teynd sheaves thereof lying in the parish of Midmar, barony of Cluny and Sheriffdom of Aberdeen ; by payment of 300 merks : and farther, for security to the said William Gordon of the said lands of Sonehume, the said Lord Forbes has sold the said lands to him : constituting here also the assignee in and to a letter of tack of the teind sheaves of the town and lands of Lairie, etc., above mentioned made to the said Lord Forbes by the Principal, Masters, Regents, and Members of the King's College of Auld Aberdeen for the space of a liferent and two 19 years tack of date at Aberdeen Oct. 13, 1608: And in and to another letter of tack and assedation of the teind sheaves of the said lands, granted to the said Lord Forbes by M r John Strathauchin, person of Kincardine, with the consent of the patron Bishop, Dean, and Chapter of the Cathedral Kirk of Aberdeen, for the space of two liferents and three 19 years, for the yearly payment of 8 merks teind silver and two bolls meall, of date at Aberdeen, Oct. n, 1611. Reserving to the said Arthur Forbes of Sonehume and his said spouse, their right and tack of the teind sheaves of the said lands of Sonehume, during the next redemption thereof from them ; And seeing that the said Lord Forbes has disponed heritably to Alexander, Master of Forbes, his (8?) 20 HOUSE OF GORDON. Lordship's son, the said whole lands, mills, etc., above specified, with the whole living and lordship of Forbes under revision of an angell of gold ; Therefore the said Lord binds himself to give to the said William Gordon a declarator and decreit of the Lords of Council and Sessions upon the lawful redemption of the said lands in favour of the said Lord Forbes, finding and declaring the same to be lawfully redeemed from the said Alexander, Master of Forbes, his son. At Aberdeen, ist April, 1614. Wit- nesses, M r Thomas Menzies of Balgownie, Thomas Gordon of Grandoum, M r Robert Forbes, portioner of Fynnersie, etc. 1617. Sept. 10. He was one of those who appeared before the Privy Council on behalf of the Gordons when the latter and the Hays "choppit hands" and buried the hatchet that had been sharpened over the extraordinarily barbaric murder of Francis Hay, who had shot (in a duel) Adam Gordon of the Gight family (Privy Council Register). 1621. March 14. He was retoured heir to James Gordon, his grandfather, in the lands of Carntralzane, Beldestone and others (Inquis. Spec. Aberdeen). 1621. Dec. 6. He was ordered to arrest certain Macgregors for the murder of William Macpherson (Privy Council Register). 1623. N v - 7- When the Justices of the Peace for Aberdeenshire were ordered to appear in the Tolbooth of Aberdeen all did so except Abergeldie, Gordon of Brackly and another, who, giving no excuse, were each fined 40 (Privy Council Register). 1628. March 20. "Sir" William (he is thus described) was commissioned to arrest several Highland thieves in Braemar and Perthshire (Privy Council Register). 1630. March 25. Robert Skene, younger, Burgess in Aberdeen, son of Robert Skene of Slydie and Erdifork, got decreit against William Gordon of Aber- geldie on a bond to the late Robert Skene, dated May 29, 1618. There was a similar decreit on July 19, 1634, and again on July 22, 1642 (but these last two must have been against the next laird) (Skene's Skenes, p. 76). The sixth laird of Abergeldie, who died at Abergeldie in 1630, married Elizabeth Seton, the " Laird of Peitbroth's " (Parbroath's ?) daughter (Balbithan MS.). Burke (Landed Gentry, 1898) says that he married (i) Francisca daughter of Andrew Lord Gray, but I cannot verify the statement: which "has always been handed down in the family ". According to Baird's Genealogical Memoirs of the Duffs (pp. 137, 138), Catherine Ruthven, daughter of - - Ruthven, provost of Perth and brother of the Earl of Gowrie, married " Gordon of Abergeldie " (William ?) and had a daughter Jean, who married Adam Duff of Drum- muir, who died about 1660. He had five sons and two daughters : 1. ALEXANDER, VII. of Abergeldie. 2. JOHN. The " Livetennand Colonell Gordon, brother to the Laird [of] Abirzeldie," who in 1642 ''schippit " at Aberdeen men for Lord Argyll's regiment in France, as mentioned by Spalding (Troubles, II., 187), may (88) 2. ABERGELDIE. 21 be the John Gordon in Littlemill who had been in perpetual service with the rebels fighting at Inverlochie, Kilsyth and other battles first as captain, then as major and then as Lieut. -Colonel. He appeared before the General Assembly Commission at Aberdeen in May, 1647, and begged for pardon. There was a John Gordon in Littlemill in Ruthven son of Alexander Gordon of Cromellat and grandson of James Gordon, I. of Letterfourie. A John Gordon in Littlemill was excommunicated as a papist, Nov., 1643. A John Gordon in Littlemill was made a burgess of guild of Aberdeen on March 16, 1663, and similar honour fell to his son Patrick Gordon on Oct. 12, 1664. 3. WILLIAM. He was served heir to his father in the lands of Grandoun, Auchmill, Perslie and Craibstone, June 17, 1607 (Inquis. Spec.). 4. THOMAS. 5. JAMES. 6. MARGARET, married Donald Farquharson of Monaltrie (known as Donald Oig). He was an enthusiastic anti-Covenanter ,<* i frequently figures in Spalding and in Brltane's Distemper. On Marcu 15, 1645, he was slain "anent the court de guard a brave gentilman, and ane of the noblest capitans amongis all the hielanders of Scotland ". Next morning his body was found in the "calsey stript naikit, for they had tirrit from of his bodie ane ritche stand of apparrell bot put on the samen day. His corpis ar taken \vp the wynd, and put in ane cloiss kist and had wp to the Cheppelhill, thair to ly on the Castel- hill." On the following day, Sunday (March 17), " Donald wes buriet in the Laird [of] Drumis lyll, with mony wo hairtis and dulefull schottis " (Spalding's Troubles, II., 455-7). Britane's Distemper gives Farquharson a fine character. He was " beloued of all sortes of people ... he gaue proofe of alse much true curraige as any man could hawe. . . . There was no man more humble, no man, saue a prodigal, that cared lesse for to morrow. . . . He was upon a sixe monthes stay at court, so become so weell lyked of, and in so good grace with, his soueraine lord, as he euer after called him his man. ... In fine, nether is my judgment nor my experience able to give a true charectore to the lyfe of this gentleman's singular and most commendable parts." 7. MARY, married a Gray of Schivas and thus increased the influence of the Abergeldies in Buchan, for her brother-in-law Farquharson was the constant companion of Nathaniel Gordon of the Gight family, who was ultimately executed. She gave a great deal of trouble to the Ellon Presbytery, which excommunicated her in 1668 (Mair's Ellon Presbytery Records). " A View of the Diocese of Aberdeen " (Collec- tions for a History of the Shires of Aberdeen and Banff, p. 334) declares that the Grays of Schivas were "still Roman Catholicks" in 1732. (89) 22 HOUSE OF GORDON. ALEXANDER GORDON, VII. OF ABERGELDIE. (Son of VI. : died 1655.) Like his father before him he was all for the old order : and neces- sarily a strong anti-Covenanter. He figures frequently in Spalding, and suffered for his faith : 1626. Sept. 12. Alex. Gordone, " fiar of Abirzeldie," was admitted a burgess of Aberdeen (New Spald. Club Misc., i., 142). 1635. Aug. 7. Alexander Gordon of Abergeldie and other Gordons were summoned before the Privy Council to find caution for their good behaviour (Privy Council Register). His rents this year were 1368 135. 4d. (Michie's Records of Inver- cauld, p. 464). 1639. May. Abergeldie was one of the gentry who gathered round Lord Aboyne at Aberdeen as a counterblast to the meeting of the Covenanters at Turriff (Spalding's Troubles, vol. i., p. 88). 1644. March. Abergeldie was one of the lairds who met Lord Huntly in Aber- deen (Spalding's Troubles, vol. ii., p. 330). 1644. July 6. Thomas Nicolson, advocate, Procurator for the Estates of the Kingdom, complained to the Parliament that he had " by great chairge and expense acquyred not only y e heritable right and property of the landis of Aberzeldie, bot also hes obteint y e gift of ye single escheit and escheit of lyferent of Alexander Gordon of Aberzeldie from y e Kingis Majestic off all landes haldine be the said Alexander of the king, be vertew q r of I [Nicolson] have y e only good and undoubted right to y e said lands of Aberzeldie and to ye mailles and dewtyes therof which I have bestowed and imployed yearly for y e mentinance and intertenement of Katherine Nicolsone my sister, spous to y e said Alexander Gordon and of her sevine childrene. Till latlie dureing the tyme of thir troubles in y e north there are thrie hundreth men and above of these [belong to the Laird of Glenorchy's regiment], which wer leveyed for pacifieing y e saides troubles, who have entered wpoun y e saides landes of Aberzeldie (since the returne of my Lord Marques of Argyle from y e northe) : and [they] satt doune wpoun y e poore tennentes, and quartered therewpon full thrie or four dayes and are as zit ye most pairt of them, wpoun y e saides boundes as I am informed quherby they have not only impoverished and depeopled y e tennents by destroyeing and takeing away all ther cattell, sheepe, and horse, bot also have eatine and distroyed y e haill growand corn wpoun y e saides landes, both of that pairt which wes labored be y e tennentes, and of y e other pairt thereof, which wes in mainesing, [sic] wherby the tennentes will not only be alluterly [sic] wnable to pay me y e fermes for ye next cropt, but also y e poore tennents, and I my selfe, will otherwayes susteine great loses throw y e impoverishing and herrying of y e ground in maner foirsaid ; and yo r lo[rdshi]ps supplicant will be put to great chairges and expens for ye mentin- ance of my sister and her childrine without yo r lo[rdshi]pis provyd remeid." He (90) ABERGELDIE. 23 begs for an order for the removal of the soldiers so that his sister and her children " who are now dispersed in ye cuntry of Angus in severall strangeres houss attending till y e Lord provyde remeid" may return to their home. He asks also that a sum of money should be granted by the Parliament to his sister and her children " who will be destitute of interteinment and mentinance this yere to come in respect of y e dis- troying of y e grounds, goudes and comes ". The Parliament remitted the matter to the Committee of Estates, which declared "that to be publict debt dew" to Nicolson which the Committee "eftir consideratioune and tryall shall think fitting to be re- stored" to him (Acts of Parliament). Spalding (Troubles, II., 418) says that Argyll did not leave " ane four futted beaste " in Abergeldie. 1644. Aug. 9. Notwithstanding Nicolson's petition and position Abergeldie was one of the castles that the Covenanters " be the sond of the trumpet " at the cross of Aberdeen ordered at this date to be razed. But the castle " standis still " (Spalding). In 1732, according to Sir Samuel Forbes, it was "ruinous". 1644. Sept. 16. Abergeldie and Donald Farquharson of Tulligarmont or Monal- trie (his brother-in-law) with several other distressit gentilmen j^ ; - Montrose in Aberdeen and marched to Inverurie (Spalding's Troubles, II., 413). 1644. Nov. Abergeldie was one of those regarding whom the Estates ordered the authorities to " mell with the papistis rentis " in order to recompense Forbes of Echt (Spalding's Troubles, II., 433). 1645. Feb. Abergeldie joined Montrose in his expedition to Lochness (Spalding's Troubles, II., 443). The seventh laird, who died in 1655, married (contract 8 (12) May, 1624) Katherin, sister of Thomas Nicolson, advocate, Edinburgh, the ancestor of the Nicolsons of Glenbervie. They had : 1. ALEXANDER, VIII. of Abergeldie. 2. JEAN. 3. ANNA, married Cruickshank of Tillymorgan. In 1689 she is described as a widow, and at the same date she and her sister Jean are stated to have been granted a pension (Calendar of Domestic State Papers). The dates suggest that they were the daughters of the yth laird. Mr. Michie (Records of Invercauld, pp. 239, 260) says that William Farquharson of Inverey married as his second wife Ann Gordon, " daughter of Abergeldie ". She brought Balmoral to the Farquhar- son family. ALEXANDER GORDON, VIII. OF ABERGELDIE. (Son of VII.) The eighth laird was involved in the feud which arose between John Gordon of Braickley and the Farquharsons of Inverey in September, 24 HOUSE OF GORDON. 1666 (Macfarlane's Genealogical Collections, vol. i., pp. 377-380). In the course of the quarrel Braickley and his brother William and James Gordon of Cults were killed. The affair is recounted in the well-known ballad on the Baron of Braickley. It seems to have been during the life of the 8th laird that Abergeldie was garrisoned by General Mackay's troops. In 1689 Mackay set out to arrest Viscount Dundee, who escaped to Glen Ogilvie and thence to Braemar, where he was protected by Colonel John Farquharson of Invereye (the notorious "Black Colonel"). As Invereye House was very small, Dundee transferred himself to the stronghold of Abergeldie and from there directed the insurrection. Mackay burned the country for twelve miles round Abergeldie, destroying 1,400 houses. He burned Invereye and then descended on Abergeldie, which was held by 72 of his soldiers in 1689. David Guthrie, of Castletoun, minister of Glenmuick, preached to the garrison on Nov. 3, 1689 (Gideon Guthrie, 1900, p. 38). The record of Privy Seal, as quoted in Amelia MacGregor's History of the Clan Gregor, notes under August 13, 1685 : " Eschait Liferent of Alexander Gordon of Aber/eldie, James McGregar, in Glencallater, James McGreigar ther Alexander McGrigar ther James McGrigar ther given to Charles, Earl of Marr, - fferquharsone of Invercald and Mclntosh, Lady Invercald, his mother ". The Particular Register of Sasines for Aberdeenshire notes (vol. xiii., p. 279) that in February 16, 1689, there was recorded " Sasine to Allaster Mcgrigor, sometime in Bal- nacroft, now in Tornawarran, on heritable bond by Alexander Gordon of Aberzeldie, under reversion of 1,000 merks in the lands of Tornawarran. Witnesses Gregor McGregor in Belno, Robert and John McGregors, sons to John McGregor, Portioner of Wester Micrae." The record of justiciary as noted in Amelia MacGregor's History of the Clan Gregor (vol. ii., p. 14) notes that on June 13, 1692, Malcolm McGregor of Ballater and Alexander McGregor, sometime in Clachenturne, now in Tilliechurder, were charged along with Gordon of Abergeldie, at the instance of Robert Steuart of Innerchat with burning his house. The eighth laird married Euphemia Graham, daughter of Robert Graham, the laird of Morphie. She was alive in 1696 (Poll Book). They had : 1. JOHN, IX. of Abergeldie. 2. RACHEL, X. of Abergeldie. (92) ABERGELDIE. 25 JOHN GORDON, IX. OF ABERGELDIE. (Son of VIII. : died 1698.) He married Elizabeth, daughter of (the late) Hugh Rose, XIV. of Kilravock. The marriage contract, which is dated Dec. II, 1694, is witnessed at Kilravock by Sir Charles Ramsay of Balmain, Alexander Rose of Clova, Hugh Rose of Broadly, Captain Charles Gordon in Pitchaise, Mr. William Falconer, minister at Dyke ; and Mr. David Guthrie of Castleton, minister of Glenmuick, Alexander Falconer in Kinstearie, and Henry Rose of Ardersier (Register of Sasines, Elgin, vol. v.). In the Family of Kilravock (page 385) she signs her " deed of destiny" as Betsy Rose, in what Cosmo Innes calls a "s.. Roman hand". Her brother, Kilravock, "instantly makes payment of 7,000 merks in name of tocher. She is to be infeft in 1,400 merks of yearly rent out of y e barony of Abergeldie, and to have the manor house of Abergeldie to live in if she becomes a widow during the life of Euphemia, Abergeldie's mother, and after Euphemia's death to have the house of Knock as a dowery house." The house of Knock was described by Mr. R. A. Profeit in Under Lochnagar. John Gordon died in 1698 without leaving issue and was succeeded by his sister Rachel. In 1696 the value of Abergeldie's property in Glenmuick was "430 out of the total of ;i,i22, and in Kincardine 140 (Poll Book). RACHEL GORDON, X. OF ABERGELDIE. (Daughter of VII.} Rachel succeeded her brother John in 1698. She married (before July 5, 1698) Captain Charles Gordon of the Minmore family, which was a cadet of the Knockespocks and descended from " Jock " Gordon of Scurdargue. Thus, though the direct male line of Gordon of Abergeldie was broken, the name was retained, for Abergeldie is one of the very few estates in Aberdeenshire which have been retained by the same family for so long a period as four centuries. The captain's descent runs as follows (Balbithan MS.} : (93) N 26 HOUSE OF GORDON. "Jock," of Scurdargue, illegitimate cousin of Elizabeth Gordon, had a son, Alexander, of Essy, who had a son, John, I. of Buckie, who had a son, William, I. of Knockespock, who had a son, Alexander, II. of Knockespock, who had a son, Alexander, burgess in Elgin, who had a natural son, William, of Minmore, who had a son, Peter, of Minmore, who married Janet Gordon of Cluny and had a son, Charles, married Rachel Gordon of Abergeldie- Charles Gordon who, described as "in Pitchaise," witnessed his brother-in-law's marriage contract in 1694, signed a bond for the Earl of Aboyne insuring the peace of the country in 1700 (Allardyce's Jacobite Papers, p. 21), and he was made a Commissioner of Supply in 1704 (Acts of Parliament). He built the house of Birkhall in 1715. He had : (1) PETER, XI. of Abergeldie. (2) ALEXANDER. He was at the Grammar School and at Marischal College 1706-1710, and was an advocate and merchant in Aberdeen. An Alexander Gordon, who had served his apprenticeship with Alexander Thomson, was admitted a member of the Aberdeen Society of Advo- cates, June 4, 1718. One of his servants, Charles Davidson, was im- prisoned at Aberdeen for taking part in the rebellion of 1745 (Allar- dyce's Jacobite Papers, p. 237). He acted as tutor and guardian to his nephew Charles, XII. of Abergeldie. He is apparently the Alexander Gordon in Aldihash, Glenmuick, "sometime merchant in Aberdeen," who died Nov., 1751, Charles Gordon of Abergeldie being his executor dative qua creditor. Charles had paid 165 133. 4d. for his grave linen, coffin and funeral expenses ; 36 to a physician " for his pains and trouble " in coming about 18 miles and attending the defunct during his sickness whereof he died ; together with other sums paid to John Watt, Charles Stewart, James Glass, James Mackandrew, Thomas Ogilvy and others. The inventory contains the sum of 225 8s. Scots, as the value of the defunct's household furniture, cow, calf, an old horse and other effects, rouped on Dec. 24, 1751, by Samuel Gordon in Miltown of Braickley and Charles Farquharson in Drum- napark, Joseph Gordon in Birkhall being judge of the roup (Aberdeen Commissariat Testaments). (3) JOSEPH, in Birkhall, was cautioner for his brother Peter's widow, as executrix to Peter's will, Nov. 29, 1735 (he was alive Dec., 1751). I think it was his wife who sheltered the Oliphants of Gask when the latter were in hiding after Culloden. Old Gask, Laurence, 6th laird, lived in the moors near Birkhall for six months under the name of (94) ABERGELDIE. 27 "Mr. Whytt," while his son, the 7th laird, took the name of " Mr. Brown," and this disguise they kept up for 20 years. Gask landed at Maisterland, Sweden, on Nov. 10, 1746. His escape was planned by Mrs. (Eliza) Gordon of Birkhall as described here in a letter to Gask's wife as follows (see the Oliphants of Gask) : Madam The bearer, John Glass, tould me you asked him for a mare I should have of Gasks. When I had the honour of seeing him first, he had a big brown mare. He desired me either to sett her att liberty in the hills, or send her to any place I thought she was safe in. Andrew Forbes, younger of Balfour, came here two days after I gott that mare. He took her along with him and put her into Parks in the Mearns. One Baillie Arbuthnott att Edin- burgh proved the mare to be hiss. Your nephew the Master of Strawthallan knew all the story and seed the threatening letters I gott about her. My nephew Abergeldie when he has the honour of seeing ycur ladyship will inform you likewise. Andrew Forbes sent me an account frorr ^e time off Culloden to August for keeping the mare in Parks, which accoun . have not paid nor do I desire to pay, because I think it reasonable the gentleman who has the nag ought (to) pay that himself. If you please to inform yourself concerning the mare, you will find all to be Truth I have wrote you. All I have belonging your husband is a silver snuff box, which he oblidged me to take as a memo- randum off him. Whenever you please to call for it, I have it ready. No doubt there might have been some small things lost, as I was oblidged to remove them oft times from place to place. If it pleases God to send Gask to his Native Country, he will do me the justice and honour to acknowledge me one of his friends. His watch which I caused mend, he sent an express for it two days before he left Glenesk. I seed a letter from a gentleman, written from Gottenborg, who writes me Mr. White and Mr. Brown is in very good health. I trust in Almighty God you'l have the pleasure off seeing them in triumph soon, and I am with regard and esteem Your Ladyship's most humble servt. ELIZA GORDON. PETER GORDON, XL OF ABERGELDIE. (Son of X. : died 1733.) He entered Marischal College in 1706. He was three times married, (i) to Margaret, daughter of Peter Strahan, Edinburgh ; (2) to Elizabeth, daughter of Lord Gray ; (3) to Margaret, daughter of Sir George Foulis of Dunipace, and sister of Sir Archibald Foulis, who assumed the name of Primrose and was executed as a Jacobite at Carlisle at the same time as the laird of Terpersie, Nov. 5, 1746. Peter Gordon died in Sept., 1733, and left his widow as his executrix. According to his will, (95) 28 HOUSE OF GORDON. which was confirmed Nov. 29, 1735, with his brother Joseph Gordon in Birkhall as cautioner, there was owing to the laird the following sums: 775 3 s - 4 d - Scots, the value of his " sheep, some kine and young store " which were rouped, with Thomas Gordon, portioner of Crathienaird, and John Gordon, his son, as judges. 475 I2S. Scots, the estimated value of his riding horses, plough oxen and some young store on the Mains of Abergeldie. 250 155. Scots, "as the amount of the whole produce of the Mains of Aber- geldie in Peter Gordon's own hand, cropt 1733, that cropt being for the most part bad or wrong in the High Country ; and to which the sums last mentioned, the said rideing horses, oxen, and grain, etc., were appretiate by John Bowman in Gowindargue and John Gordon in Balmorall ". The Bond of Caution by Joseph Gordon, dated Abergeldie, Nov. 22, I 735> an d written by John Gordon, the eldest son of Thomas Gordon, portioner of Crathienaird, is witnessed by Alexander Gordon, Abergeldie, merchant, Aberdeen. The following entries in the Aberdeen Inventories also refer to the will : 1737. March 24. Peter's widow, who had by this time married Harry Lumsden of Cushnie, appeared before the Commissary of Aberdeen, and reported that she had added, eiked and conjoined to the sums of money formerly given up the sum of 149 2s. 6d. received by her for wood sold since the last confirmation. David Lumsden> eldest son to the late Charles Lumsden of Harlaw, was her cautioner. 1740. March i. She accounts for 9 stg. as the price received by her for a "yellow horse," which had belonged to Abergeldie. As stated, Peter's widow, Margaret Foulis, married Harry Lumsden of Cushnie, as her second husband. Peter Gordon had the following children, by which wife I cannot say : 1. CHARLES, XII. of Abergeldie. 2. JANET, died unmarried at Edinburgh, Feb. 14, 1811, aged 87 (Scots Mag.). 3. RACHEL, died unmarried. 4. EUPHEMIA, married in or before 1752 James, 5th Viscount Strathallan, whose father had been killed at Culloden. Her husband held the peerage for four days, April 14-18, 1746, when it was forfeited. He died 1765, and she on July 5, 1796. They had : (1) James Drummond (de jure), 6th Viscount Strathallan. He was an officer in the navy, and died unmarried 1775. (2) Andrew John Drummond (dejure), jth Viscount Strathallan ; a general in the army. His petition for the restoration of the peerage honours was rejected by the House of Lords 1790 ; and, as he died unmarried, the Abergeldie strain in the Drummonds died out. The family honours were restored (96) AbERGELDlfi. 2Q in 1824, to his cousin, the great-grandfather of the present Viscount Strathallan, who was born in 1871, and is heir- presumptive to the Earldom of Perth. 5. JEAN, died unmarried (Burke's Landed Gentry, 1898). 6. BARBARA (daughter by the second wife), married David Hunter of Burnside. CHARLES GORDON, XII. OF ABERGELDIE. (Son of XL : died 1796.) He was born in 1724 (Scots Mag.). He was served heir to his father in 1737 and to his grandfather Charles in 176 He entered Marischal College in 1739. The principal improvements on Abergeldie Castle were made by him. He voted in 1786 for Skene of Skene in the Parliamentary contest against Ferguson of Pitfour. He married (contract Oct. 6, 1750) his cousin Alison, daughter of David Hunter of Burnside "and widow of one Paterson ". "They lived together," says their tombstone in Glenmuick churchyard, " nearly half a century in this part of Deeside, the best of parents, giving a good example in every way and serving to the utmost of their power all who stood in need." The I2th laird died at Birkhall, March 19, 1796, aged 72 (Scots Mag.), and his wife died in March, 1800. He left his eldest son Peter his executor under date Feb. 8, 1783. From the will (Aberdeen Inventories in the Register House) it appears that he had acquired since his marriage in 1750 the following lands : From James Farquharson of Invercauld. The Town and Lands of Toldow, Tombrack, and Altveit, in Glenmuick in excambion for the lands of Dilliefour and Broghdow and the Glen of Glencallater in Braemar and Glenmuick. From Charles, Earl of A boy tie. The Forest of White Mounth and the Haugh of Achallie, commonly called the Haugh of Dalmullachie, in Glenmuick. All these lands, together with Abergeldie, he left to his eldest son Peter. To his other sons, he left 100 merks Scots each, to be paid out of the sums and subjects conquest and acquired by him during his marriage. His daughter Margaret (Mrs. Skene) was excluded as she had already got her marriage portion. There were owing to him at the time of his death the following sums : (97) 3O HOUSE OF GORDON. 14 155. stg. and interest thereof, since due, contained in a bill dated May 20, 1794, drawn by James Gordon, then in Spittal of Glenmuick, now in Tombrack, upon and accepted by John Thow in Haugh and John Donaldson in Lochside. i 55. stg. as the expense of raising and executing horning at the defunct's instance against the said John Thow and John Donaldson, on the foresaid bill. The I2th laird had the following children : 1. PETER, XIII. of Abergeldie. 2. DAVID (3rd son), XIV. of Abergeldie. 3. CHARLES (2nd son), born 1756. He assisted in raising the 7ist Fraser Highlanders formed at Glasgow during the early part of the American War by Lt.-Gen. the Master of Lovat, and got a lieutenancy in the regiment in April, 1776. He went with it to America and got a company in the 26th Cameronians on Jan. 8, 1778. When the Cameronians arrived home in a skeleton state in February, 1780, he became regi- mental major and obtained a brevet lieut.-colonelcy in April, 1783. In 1787, when French intrigues led to the invasion of Holland by the Prussians under the Duke of Brunswick (for according to the Gent's Mag. he possessed a " perfect acquaintance with the topography of Holland" and spoke several continental languages), Gordon accom panied the Duke, and planned the capture of Amstelveen, which was the key of the defences of Amsterdam. As an attack in front was impossible the Duke determined to take the enemy in the rear. Thomas Rowdier in Letters written in Holland says that, to deter- mine if this was possible, Gordon, " who had acted as a volunteer throughout the expedition, was directed to proceed in a boat along the Harlem Meer and make as accurate a survey as possible of the ground behind Amstelveen. This dangerous but important service was executed with courage, ability and success, and our countryman passed several of the enemy's batteries. He proceeded along the Harlem Meer to the further part of it where the lake terminates in a long narrow tongue, which is called the Nieuve Meer. He examined the situation of the ground near the water and returned in safety to the Duke, making his report that the enterprise though difficult was not impracticable. The Duke immediately resolved to undertake it, and a detachment of between 600 and 700 men embarked in float-boats at the valley of Aalsmeer. The troops were ordered to proceed along the Harlem Meer to endeavour to land and gain the high road between Amsterdam and Amstelveen, and then by attacking the post in the rear to make way for the entrance of the Duke's army. As this object was of the greatest importance, the Duke for fear the detachment which crossed the lake should not be successful ordered two companies to endeavour, under cover of the night, to proceed along a footpath (98) ABERGELDIE. 31 by the edge of the water, and in like manner to get the road at the back of Amstelveen. The charge of the embarkation was committed to the same British officer [Gordon]. Under his direction the whole was conducted in such a manner that not one boat was overset, nor one man lost either in embarking or landing the soldiers [at Leile]. After the troops landed they were forwarded under the command of a Prussian officer." Gordon seems to have been recalled to England and made lieut.-colonel of the 4ist Regiment which had till then been a corps of invalids. "Viator A," who had investigated Gordon's career, writing to the Gentleman's Magazine (vol. lx., p. 1066), speaks of Gordon's " intrepidity, activity and military knowledge ". He adds : " Upon the probability of war between the Hou ^s of Austria and Brandenburg, he joined the Prussian army in Sile; in the course of last spring [1780], and from the great estimation in which he was held by the chief personages, there it is probable he would have been conspicuously employed there had a rupture actually taken place. Sensible of the services rendered in Holland by Colonel Gordon, and highly pleased with his intelligence and activity, the King of Prussia not only treated him with every mark of flattering attention, but invested him with the [Prussian] Order of [Military] Merit [which like all foreign Orders, until 1814, carried knighthood with it in England. He got permission to wear it in England, Aug. 3, 1790. Up to 1793 he was the only foreigner on whom this decoration had ever been conferred.] The King of Prussia also I believe gave him the strongest letters of recommendation to the Sovereign of this country. When Colonel Gordon passed through Saxony a short time since upon his return to England, I heard the highest praise bestowed on him by the first military characters in the Electoral service. At Brunswick I heard him mentioned with the greatest esteem and commendation by the most illustrious personages at the Court, and the reigning Duke of Brunswick gave him letters for this country full of approbations and esteem." A letter from Gordon to the Duke of Leeds, dated Dresden, April 3, 1790, says the Duke of Brunswick wished him for his A.D.C., and the Dictionary of National Biography says that Gordon " appears to have gone through the campaign of 1791-2 as British Military Commissioner". In 1793 a large expedition (4,891 strong) went to the West Indies under Sir Charles Grey (ist Earl) and Admiral Jervis. Gordon was one of the three brigadiers (pending the arrival of the Duke of Kent) who commanded the attack on Cas de Navire, at the attack on Mar- tinique, and was thanked in general orders (see Rev. Cooper Willyams' Account of the campaign, 1796). He was employed at the capture of St. Lucia and was made governor of the island. Difficulties and disputes as to prize rights in property in the captured islands led to (99) 32 HdUSE OF GORDON. the most unfounded charges of confiscation and extortion against the sea and land commanders of the expedition. Against Gordon like accusations proved either better founded or more successful. Formal complaints were made against him, in his capacity of governor of St. Lucia, of extortion and taking bribes from disaffected persons to allow them to remain in the island and afterwards breaking faith with them. Gordon was court-martialled and sentenced to refund the money and be cashiered. In consequence of his past services and circumstances disclosed at the court-martial he was allowed to receive the value of his commissions, for the sentence of cashiering was confirmed neither by the authorities in the West Indies or at home. He survived his dismissal more than forty years. He appears to have been in Holland in 1803 and in communication with the home authorities just after the Peace of Amiens. He died in Ely Place, London, 26th March, 1835, aged 79. According to Mr. Hugh Gordon, the iyth laird of Aber- geldie, Sir Charles, was constantly employed by the Foreign Office in various capacities on the Continent from 1799 to 1815. " I well recollect him visiting at my father's house at Blackheath, when I was a boy, as a fine, upright old gentleman, and I have a good portrait of him painted some years earlier." 4. ADAM, of Denmark Hill, London, was born in 1758. He and his brother David, who married sisters, were members of the firm of Gordon & Biddulph, iron manufacturers, engineers and shipbuilders. Mr. John Biddulph, their partner and brother-in-law, was also a partner in the banking firm at Charing Cross, now Cocks, Biddulph & Co. The Biddulphs are an old family, who settled at Ledbury in Hereford in the i7th century. One of them was married to the sister of Major-General Shrapnel, the inventor of shrapnel shell (1793). Adam Gordon married Penelope, the daughter of Michael Biddulph. He died on the 28th May, 1800, leaving an only son : WILLIAM, of Haffield, Hereford, born Dec. 8, 1794. He matricu- lated at Brasenose College, Oxford, in 1812 (Foster}. He was High Sheriff in 1829. He married at St. George's, Bloomsbury, Dec. 21, 1820, Mary, eldest daughter of William Wingfield, a Master in Chancery, by Lady Charlotte Digby (Burke's Commoners). Besides two daughters, Charlotte Florence and Caroline Anne, he had a son : REV. EDWARD WILLIAM, born May, 1828. He was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, 1847-1851 ; M.A. 1854 > an d was called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn 1860 (Foster). He married, at Florence, on May 5, 1855, Mathilde Henriette Adelaide Heloise, (100) ABERGELDIE. 33 daughter of Baron de Hagermann, and died April 29, 1879, leaving issue : (i.) ARTHUR MICHAEL WINGFIELD, born May n, 1859. (ii.) HERBERT EDWARD, born March 4, 1862. (iii.) CLARA GEORGINA MARY, born Dec. 26, 1856. (iv.) EDITH LUCY, born Oct. 23, 1860. (v.) ALICE EMILY, married Arthur Midgley Kettlewell. WILLIAM. He was born in 1765 and was a tertian and magistrand at Marischal College, 1778-80. Then he entered the 6oth Regiment, now the King's Royal Rifles. He was captured (Oct. 19, 1781) at the siege of Yorktown, Virginia, where he commanded the light infantry company of the 7ist Regiment (Michie's Records of Invercauld, p. 184). In recording his death at Dominica on July 6, 1793, in the 28th year of his age, the Scots Magazine says : " It was owing to Major Gordon's gallant conduct at the head of the storming part}' composed of a small column of light infantry, who dashed into the enemy's walls and forced the commandant to surrender at discretion, that the island of Tobago was captured. [The I7th laird of Abergeldie possesses several letters by him dealing with Tobago, copies of resolutions in praise of him passed by the Council of the island. The silver vase, which was presented to his father in his memory, is still preserved as an heirloom in the family.] For during the event, Brigadier-General Ayler, who commanded the main body of the troops, had been obliged to fall back and knew not that the fort had been taken till the fact was announced by the firing of the morning gun and the hoisting of the British colours by Major Gordon. When the attack on the island of Martinique was afterwards determined on, Major Gordon was appointed to the command of the light infantry companies of all the regiments in the Leeward Islands, in which important situation he evinced the same intrepid spirit. And at the landing of the troops on that expedition he pushed forward and penetrated upwards of six miles into the island under every possible disadvantage, exposed to a heavy fire from the enemy, almost incessant rain succeeding scorching sun, and during forty hours under arms, without a morsel to eat or any other cover- ing but the heavens. The House of Assembly at Barbadoes, in which island Major Gordon had commanded the battalion many months, voted to him in June last [1793] an elegant sword as a token of their respect and expression of their approbation of the uniform regularity and good conduct of his troops. And the inhabitants in general testified their regard to him by stocking with every kind of refresh- ment the man-of-war on which he embarked against Martinique, where his gallant and soldier-like conduct in repulsing an attack of (101) 34 HOUSE OF GORDON. the enemy was so peculiarly distinguished that the Comrnander-in- Chief returned particular thanks in public orders." 6. ALEXANDER SINCLAIR, d. s.p. June 30, 1837, a S ecl 77- He was adjutant to the London and Westminster Volunteers. The Abergeldie family possess an oil portrait of him on horseback, with drawn sword, in the uniform of the regiment (Scottish Notes and Queries, 2nd series, i., 95). 7. JOHN, died young. 8. MARGARET, married Oct. 26, 1769, Dr. George Skene, physician in Aberdeen, VI. of Dumbreck. He was made Professor of Natural Philosophy in Marischal College at the age of 19. Mrs. Rodger (Aberdeen Doctors, p. 68) says a portrait of his wife "shows a lady of keen Aberdeenshire features in a mob cap and ribbons ". Dr. Skene died suddenly March 25, 1803, aged 61 : his wife died Jan. 16, 1802, aged 51. He had five sons and six daughters (Anderson's Fasti Academiae Mariscallanae, ii., 46). His fourth son, ANDREW SKENE, became Solicitor-General for Scotland (Skene's Skenes, pp. 73-4). PETER GORDON, XIII. OF ABERGELDIE. (Son of XII. : died 1819.) He was born in 1751 and entered Marischal College in 1762. He was one of the assessors to the Lord Rector in 1804 (Fasti Acad. Marisc., vol. ii., p. 19). Mr. Michie (Under Lochnagar) says he was captain in the 8ist Regiment, which was raised by Colonel William Gordon, brother of the Earl of Aberdeen, and disbanded in 1783. In Deeside Tales Mr. Michie says he was a lieutenant in the Gordon Highlanders, and was instructed to get recruits for the new regiment (1794). The Peter Gordon, however, who was a lieutenant of the Gordons at that date is stated in Gardyne's Gordon Highlanders (p. 20) to have died in 1806. It was in his time that Keith wrote (Agriculture of Aberdeenshire, 1811) Abergeldie abounds in so many natural beauties as are seldom to be met with in one place ; and it is at least doubtful whether the present venerable mansion would not in this Highland district be preferred by a person of taste and sensibility to a modern house of the most correct architecture. He married (i) Mary, daughter of John Forbes of Blackford (Landed Gentry, 1898), and (2) at Glenkindy in April, 1803 (Scots Mag.), Eliza- beth Ann, second daughter of Alexander Leith of Freefield (by Mary Elizabeth, daughter of James Gordon of Cobairdy). Her brother, Sir (102) ABERGELDIE. 35 Alexander Leith, the " Knycht of Glenkindie," was a notable soldier. His second wife died without issue at Palmer's Cross, Morayshire, Oct., 1855, an d was buried in Elgin Cathedral (Descendants of James Young, p. xvi.). It was probably in honour of one of the thirteenth laird's wives that Robert Petrie (1767-1828), the famous Strathardle fiddler, com- posed the air known as " Mrs. Gordon of Abergeldie," to which Mr. W. M'Combie Smith has written a ballad called " A' for Love". It may be noted that Burns's song, " The Birks of Aberfeldy," was founded on an earlier song in which Abergeldie was the place mentioned. The thirteenth laird died at Aberdeen on Dec. 6, 1819, aged 68 (Scots Mag.}, and was buried in Glenmuick Churchyard, and was suc- ceeded by his brother David, for his only daughter (by his first wife), KATHERINE, died at her uncle's house, Dulwich Hill, Camberwell, January 26, 1802, in her i8th year (Scots Mag.). DAVID GORDON, XIV. OF ABERGELDIE. (Younger Son of XII. : died 1831.) Born in 1753, he is probably the David Gordon who was at Marischal College 1768-72. He began his career in the army, for he was captured at the siege of Yorktown, Virginia, Oct. 19, 1781, along with his brother William (Michie's Records of Invercauld, p. 184). He was back at Birkhall by Aug. 24, 1782 (p. 191). He was, as stated, a member with his brother Adam of the firm of Gordon & Biddulph. He married June 15, 1789,1118 brother's wife's sister Anne, daughter of Michael Biddulph of Ledbury. Mr. Michie says that it was in his time that there arose a complication of march interests between the estates of Abergeldie and Birkhall which was finally settled in the law courts in an action by the late laird Mr. Hugh Mackay Gordon and King Edward VII., then Prince of Wales. The Laird of Abergeldie lost his case. David Gordon was served heir to his brother Peter on Feb. 28, 1820 (Services of Heirs). He died Oct. 22, 1831, aged 78. Mr. A. I. McConnochie states (The Royal Dee, p. 77) that the last occasion on which we have mention of birch wine being produced at Abergeldie was at the funeral of this laird. In 1810 the author of The Scenery of the Grampian Mountains got some of the " excellent birch wine" from the thirteenth laird, and it seemed to him to be " superior to the finest champagne ". David Gordon's wife died Feb. 26, 1841. He had four sons and three (103) 36 HOUSE OF GORDON. daughters. I may say that all these later descents are taken from the article in Burke's Landed Gentry (1898), which was specially corrected by the late Mr. Hugh Mackay Gordon : 1. CHARLES DAVID, born October 30, 1790. He was at Harrow with Lord Byron, with whom he was a great favourite. Letters from Byron to him (dated Aug. 4 and 14, 1805) are printed in Mr. Prothero's Byron. In the latter Byron says: Believe me, my dearest Charles, no letter from you can ever be unenter- taining or dull, at least to me. On the contrary, they will always be productive of the highest pleasure as often as you think proper to gratify. Byron once visited him at Abergeldie. He married, April 22, 1819, Marian, eldest daughter of Robert Phillips of Longworth, Here- ford (by a daughter of Michael Biddulph of Ledbury). He died Nov. 24, 1826, leaving four daughters : (1) ANNA MARIA, married in 1871 Count von Schmising Kerssen- brock, and died May, 1889. She had the superiority rights over Birkhall. They were bought up by the Prince of Wales, now King Edward VII. (2) KATHERINE FRANCES, married in 1842 Duncan Davidson of Tillychetly, Aberdeenshire, and died Feb., 1868. She had an only son : Henry Oliver Duncan Davidson of Tillychetly (born 1856), who is an assistant master at Harrow School. He is married and has issue. (3) ISABELLA MARGARET, married (i) in 1854 Anthony Gibbs of Merry Hill, Herts, brother of the ist Baron Aldenham, and (2) in 1866 R. H. Lee Warner of Tyberton Court, Hereford. She died March 15, 1895. (4) EMILIA LUCY. 2. MICHAEL FRANCIS, XV. of Abergeldie. 3. ROBERT, XVI. of Abergeldie. 4. ADAM, born March 30, 1801. He married at Topsham Church, Devon, Nov. 8, 1825, Susan, sixth daughter of Rev. John Swete of Oxton House, Devon, and lived at Blackheath near Charlton, Kent. He died Jan. 14, 1839. She died March 21, 1861, leaving seven sons and a daughter. (1) HUGH MACKAY, XVII. of Abergeldie. (2) LEWIS, XVIII. of Abergeldie. (3) CHARLES VINCENT, Colonel, Madras Corps, born Dec. 2, 1829. He went through the whole of the Mutiny. He married (i) June 15, 1854, Emma Morgan (died 1859), second daughter of Charles Godwin, and (2) in 1866 Frances Edith, eldest daughter of George Olliver of Kingston, (104) ABERGELDIE. 37 Sussex. He died June 6, 1897, having had two sons by his first wife and the rest of his children by his second : i. COSMO HUNTLY, born June 13, 1855. Major in the Buffs (East Kent Regiment). He went through the Zulu War. He married, Oct. 19, 1892, Ida Mary, daughter of Captain O. W. Ford, late Bengal Army. ii. ROBERT FRANCIS, born Aug. 24, 1856 ; died May 30, 1861. iii. CHARLES GERALD, born Oct. 15, 1868; Captain Stein- acker's Horse in the South African War, 1900-1. iv. GEOFFREY SETON, born Nov. 2, 1880; Lieut. East Yorkshire Regiment (gazetted May 26, 1900). v. JOHN EDMUND, born June 9, 1887. vi. FLORENCE. vii. HELEN BLANCHE. viii. CONSTANCE EVELYN. (4) REV. ADAM STEPHENSON, was born on Nov. 27, 1831, and was educated at Oriel College, Oxford, 1850-1854; M.A. 1856. He was curate of Chelsfield, 1855-69. He lives at the Villa Gourdon, Cannes. He married Aug. n, 1869, Julia Isabella, daughter of Rev. I. W. Baugh, rector of Ripple, Worcester. She died Feb. 9, 1892. (5) DUNDAS WILLIAM, born March 24, 1833. He entered the Bengal Artillery, and was killed at Lucknow on Jan. 8, 1858. (6) COSMO, born Nov. 2, 1837 ; Major, Madras Staff Corps, died July 19, 1878. (7) JAMES HENRY, C.B., D.S.O., born Jan. 25, 1839. He entered the service of the East India Company and was attached to the 4&th Madras Native Infantry in 1857, and entered the Madras Staff Corps in 1869. He became Colonel in 1883, and served in the Burmese War, 1885-6. He was granted the D.S.O. in 1887 and created C.B. in 1893. He married, Jan. 28, 1869, Arabella, 2nd daughter of the late Charles Hewit Sams of Lee, Kent (his brother Hugh, the late laird of Abergeldie, married her elder sister), and has i. CHARLES CECIL, Captain, Royal Scots, born Sept., 1871 ; died April, 1899. ii. GEORGE HAMILTON, Captain, Royal Engineers, born March 29, 1875. iii. LUCY, married 1889, Lieut. -Col. Willoughby Verner Constable, R.E. iv. JULIA MARGARET ARABELLA. (8) ANNE CECILIA GORDON. 38 HOUSE OF GORDON. 5. ANNE PENELOPE, died 1868. 6. HARRIET MARGARET, died 1865. 7. MARY ANNE, married, May 6, 1824, Rev - William Swete, brother of the wives of her brothers Adam and Michael, and died 1859. MICHAEL FRANCIS GORDON, XV. OF ABERGELDIE. (Son of XIV. : died 1860.) He was born April 21, 1792, and married, at Kenton, Devonshire, on Aug. 31, 1820, Caroline, fifth daughter of Rev. John Swete of Oxton House, Devon. His brother Adam married her younger sister, while his sister Mary Anne married the latter's brother. The fifteenth laird died Dec. 31, 1860, and was succeeded by his brother, Admiral Gordon, for his sons predeceased him. He had : 1. FRANCIS DAVID, born July 24, 1821. Was a law student at Edinburgh, 1839-40. He was killed at Jhansi in 1857 during the Mutiny. 2. JOHN HENRY, born Jan. 7, 1824 ; died April 20, 1848. 3. MICHAEL LAWRENCE, born Sept. 3, 1833 ; died Oct. 27, 1850. 4. WILLIAM HERBERT, born May 29, 1840; died Dec. 6, 1850. 5. CAROLINE ANN, married, 1854, E. P. St Aubyn, Lt.-Col. Madras Army, and has issue. 6. MARGARET, married Rev. F. Cardew and has issue. 7. BERTHA, married at Gettisham, Devon, on October 4, 1855, Charles Gordon, a doctor at Pernambuco, Brazil, where she died Dec. 4, 1857. Dr. Gordon, who is the son of James Gordon, Ballater, was a bajan and magistrand at Marischal College, 1846-48. He took the M.D. of King's College, 1850. From Pernambuco he went to Pieter- maritzburg, Natal, where he and his brother were living in Feb., 1900. He married again. He had two daughters by his first wife : (1) MARGARET ALICE, died at Algiers, March 23, 1883. (2) BERTHA, died at Bath, Jan., 1872. (3) CHARLES AUSTIN, the son by the second wife, was educated at Oxford and became a mining engineer. When the Boer War broke out in 1899 he joined the Imperial Light Horse, and was present at Elandslaagte, being afterwards be- sieged in Ladysmith. On Dec. 17, 1900, he was accidentally wounded at Johannesburg, and lost his left leg. (106) ABERGELDIE. 3Q ROBERT GORDON, XVI. OF ABERGELDIE. (Brother of XV. : died 1869.) Robert Gordon was born Sept. 7, 1796. He entered the Navy, May 24, 1810, as a second class volunteer on board H.M.S. Phcebe (44 guns). In this vessel subsequently to the reduction of the Isle of France he contributed (May 20, 1811), while cruising off Madagascar in company with H.M.S. Astrea, Galatea and Racehorse, to the capture, after a long and trying action with the French, of three 4o-gun frigates. The Phcebe had seven men killed and twenty-four wounded. On May 25, five days later, he was present at the surrender of the Nereide and of the settlement of Tamatave, and in the following summer he co-operated in the conquest of Java. Becoming a midshipman (Jan., 1813) on H.M.S. Centaur, he cruised in the North Sea and Channel, and was transferred (Jan., 1814) to H.M.S. Tonnant bearing the successive flags on the North American and Cork stations of Sir Alexander Cochrane and Sir Benjamin Hallowell, under the former of whom he took part in many operations against the Americans, and was present at the attack on New Orleans. On July, 1816, he was transferred to H.M.S. Queen Charlotte, the flagship of Lord Exmouth, who invested him with the rank of Acting Lieutenant, thus enabling Gordon to share in that capacity in the bombardment of Algiers, Aug. 27, 1816. He subsequently served on H.M.S. Iphigenia (at Jamaica), Ontario and Confiance, Herald and Pearl (on the West India Station). This last vessel was put out of commission in Dec., 1834, and by 1849 he had not been employed again. He attained post rank 1857 (O'Byrne's Naval Biographical Dictionary}. He was sometime Deputy Master of the Corporation of Trinity House. He died s.p. Feb. 18, 1869, and was succeeded by his nephew. HUGH MACKAY GORDON, XVII. OF ABERGELDIE. (Nephew of XVI. : died 1901.) He was born on Sept. 24, 1826. Col. Munro, A.D.C. in Jersey to General Hugh Mackay Gordon, was his godfather. He was a retired (107) 40 HOUSE OF GORDON. Lieut.-Col. and Hon. Col. of the 2nd Volunteer battalion of The Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment. On May 19, 1859, he married Susan Amelia, elder daughter of the late Charles Hewit Sams of Lee, Kent, whose younger daughter married his brother, Colonel J. H. Gordon, D.S.O., C.B. He died at the Courtyard, Eltham, at 10.30 A.M. on March 19, 1901, leaving no issue. Mr. Gordon, who had a house and stayed during the summer months at Ballater, took a very great interest in the history of his family he communicated with the present writer on a point of genealogy only six days before his death. He had resided in Eltham over thirty years, and took the keenest interest in the affairs of his parish and its neighbour- hood. Indeed he was so closely connected with Eltham that the local paper, the Eltham Times, in a long obituary (March 22) made no mention of his having been laird of Abergeldie. The journal says : He was for twenty-five years a member of the Eltham Vestry, retaining his seat upon that body until its dissolution last year under the new London Local Government Act. It was an anomaly of the Local Government Act of 1894 tna t the formality of appointing a chairman at each meeting had to be respected. But Colonel Gordon, whenever present and it was seldom he missed an attendance was elected to the chair, and the kindness, courtesy and ability with which he presided over the deliberations of that sometimes turbulent body can only be properly appreciated by those who were privileged to sit under his presidency. Colonel Gordon was one of those who were strongly opposed to Eltham being included in the Woolwich Muni- cipal Borough. He felt that Eltham, having more in common with Lee than with Woolwich, which comprised the area administered by the Lee Board of Works, should be itself created a Municipal Borough. But when it came to be officially decided that Eltham must be annexed to Woolwich, Colonel Gordon threw his whole heart into securing for the parish such representation upon the Borough Council as should make the new alliance, so far as Eltham was concerned, a success. Those who attended the inquiry held by the Commission under the London Government Act for the purpose of hearing evidence prior to the final adjustment of the proportion of representatives for the three parishes comprising the Woolwich Borough were struck with the force and pertinacity with which he, in his capacity as representing the parish, argued in favour of Eltham's representation being increased. Had his health permitted, there js no doubt that Colonel Gordon wouhl have been Eltham's first Alderman upon he new Borough Council. For manyjears Colonel Gordon was a churchwarden of the Parish Church, an office from wh ; jft he retired in 1898. He was a trustee of all the Eltham charities, was treasure 6f the Eltham National Schools since 1876, and formerly twenty years treasurer of oe Eltham Cottage Hospital, until he resigned the appointments this ( 1900-1901 N ,.Xnter in consequence of failing health. To mark their appreciation of (108) ABERGELDIE. 41 Colonel Gordon's great services to the Cottage Hospital, of which he was one of the founders, and largely instrumental in establishing the new hospital, the subscribers at the annual meeting a fortnight ago gave directions for a resolution of thanks to be engrossed on vellum and presented to him ; and, anxious that he should not entirely sever himself from an institution which owed so much to his kindly interest, elected him president for the ensuing year. The managers of the Eltham National School, at their meeting on 6th March, when Colonel Gordon's resignation from the treasurership of the schools was before them, passed a resolution placing on record their great regret that he had found himself obliged to resign the office he had held for so many years. . . . Colonel Gordon was also, up to the time of his death, presi- dent of the Eltham Rose and Horticultural Society. But Colonel Gordon did not confine his services entirely to the parish in which he had made his home. He was a Justice of the Peace for the counties of London and Kent, and there was no more regular attendant than he upon the judicial bench at Clerkenwell ; he was also a familiar figure upon the magisterial bench at the Blackheath Petty Sessional Court. He was chairman and treasurer of the Green- wich Pier Company, a liveryman of the Goldsmith's Company, and a prominent and ardent freemason, as well as an honorary member of the Oddfellows. Colonel Gordon was a colonel of the West Kent Volunteers, from which he retired, with the long service medal, Upon attaining the age limit. He was one of the original volun- teers, joining the ranks of that useful arm of the Imperial forces when it was first established. All classes learned to love and respect him and the poor had no truer friend. His estate was valued at 68,746 i6s. yd. gross, and 67,669 os. i id. net. He bequeathed To the executors 500 for accumulation until the lease of Abergeldie Castle to trustees for Queen Victoria shall expire, and then to apply this sum to put in order the roads on the Abergeldie estate, many of which in his opinion had not been kept in proper order ; and the trustees may also apply this fund in payment of the expenses of contesting the claim of the Duke of Fife to seats in the Parish Church of Crathie. He bequeathed also 2,000 in trust for accumulation until the expiration of the lease, and then, if it shall not be renewed, for the purchase of furniture for Abergeldie Castle and Abergeldie Mains or farmhouse, to devolve as heirlooms with Abergeldie, also the sword given to his great-uncle by the Westminster Light Horse Volunteers ; and the vase of Dresden China flowers brought over by Sir Charles Gordon as a present fol the Prince Regent. To his god-daughter, Arabella Sams, 500 ; to other children of Mr. J. S. Sams, 250 each ; to his brother James Henry, 500 ; to his nephew Cosmo Huntly Gordon, 1,500; to his sister Anna Cecilia, 2,000; to his sister-in-law Mrs. Francis Edith Gordon, 100 and cottages at Preston, Sussex ; to the children of his late brother Charles Vincent Gordon, other than Cosmo, 1,000; to the children of his brother James Henry, 1,000; to his brother Lewis Gordon, his wife, 1,000 ; and to the children of his brother Lewis, other than his eldest son, 1,000; to his cousin Margaret Cardew and her children, 200; and to (109) P 42 HOUSE OF GORDON. Margaret Mabel Lennox, daughter of his partner, 100 ; and to his wife 1,000, the furniture of his house at Eltham, and the income of a sum of 30,000, which, subject to her life interest, is to be in trust as to one-third for his brother James Henry and his children, as to one-third for his said sister Cecilia during her life, with power of appointment to her of 5,000, and as to the remainder of her share for his brother James Henry and his children ; and as to the remaining one-third for his nephew Cosmo Huntly Gordon for life, and subject to his life interest, as to 5,000 as he may appoint and as to the remainder of his share for the other children of the testator's brother Charles Vincent ; he devised the house which he had lately built at Ballater in trust for his wife during her life and subject to her life interest ; for his brother James Henry during his life and subject to his life interest for his nephew Cosmo Huntly ; and the effects at Ballater are to devolve as heirlooms therewith. Mr. Gordon left his residuary estate to his wife. LEWIS GORDON, XVIII. OF ABERGELDIE. (Brother of XVII.) The present laird was born on Jan. 23, 1828. He married, July 17, 1862, Louisa Isabella, 4th daughter of William Lyall, and has 1. REGINALD HUGH LYALL, born July 14, 1863. He is married and has one daughter, Gertrude Alice Margaret. 2. BERTRAM FULLER, born March 10, 1868 ; married Florence, 2nd daughter of Charles Lorking Rose ; no issue. He is in business. 3. LEWIS MALCOLM, born May 13, 1873. He is 2nd officer in the P. and O. Company, and a sub-lieut. in the R.N.R. 4. KENNETH FRANCIS, born Feb. 2, 1877. He is curator bonis of his father. 5. WILLIAM MAURICE, born 1880. He is in business. He is serving (Nov., 1901) with a section of the London Scottish Volunteers who are attached to the Gordons in South Africa. I am indebted for this information about his brothers and sister to Mr. Kenneth Francis Gordon. 6. EMILY FLAXMAN, ABERGELDIE. 43 OTHER GORDONS IN THE ABERGELDIE. COUNTRY. Several Gordons in the district of Abergeldie are difficult to connect. Some of these may be connected with the Gordons of Knock or the house of Braichley. I simply print my notes on them for the use of other investigators. Abergeldie. Maidment in his Catalogues of Scotish Writers (p. 120) prints a manuscript (in Wodrow's hand) which states that " Mr. Alexander Gordon, a mer- chant in Aberdeen of the House of Abergeldie, wrote very many poems in th& Scottish tongue which were very elegant and learned, for all his letters he wrote to his wife were poeticall ". Jervise (Epitaphs, II., 164) says that a daughter of Abergeldie married a medical officer in India named Gordon, the son of a notorious poacher " Jamie " Gordon. Mary (?) Gordon married Nathaniel (?) Morren. Mrs. Harper, Aberdeen, tells the present writer that her ancestor Nathaniel (?) Morren married a Mary (?) Gordon of the Abergeldie family about 150 years ago. "This Morren returned from France or Belgium with one of the Gordons as secretary, valet, barber surgeon or in some other more or less menial capacity. He fell in love with one of the daughters, Mary Gordon. The family opposed the marriage, and the pair went off. together, but were shortly after forgiven and received back to Abergeldie. A farm was bought for them, and they settled somewhere near Rayne (Barflet may have been the name). My grandmother, Harriet Morren, was the grand-daughter of this pair, and the Gordon Christian names remained in his family George, Hugh, etc." I cannot trace this alliance. Aucholzie. The estate of Aucholzie, pronounced " Achwillie," is dealt with at length in Michie's Records of Invercauld (pp. 26-37), Aucholzie. The estate was long held by a family named Stewart, and on July 9, 1714, we have the marriage contract registered between Anna, daughter of Robert Garden of Corse, and Alexander, son of William Stewart of Aucholzie (Records of Invercauld, p. 28). The Earl of Aboyne ultimately became proprietor of the lands in consequence of the debts due to him by James Stewart. The lands passed in 1766 to the Farquharsons of Invercauld, and were finally sold to Sir James Mackenzie of Glenmuick. A family of Gordons occupied Aucholzie from about 1750 to 1875 (with the exception of the years 1815-17 when it was let). In 1875, when Aucholzie was sold to Mackenzie, the grazing was turned into a deer forest. The founder of the family, so far as I have been able to discover, was (m) 44 HOUSE OF GORDON. DONALD, who went to Aucholzie, about 1750, from Bridge of Lee, Glenesk. According to Mr. John Gordon, Cullisse, Nigg, he married Small, Altonree, Glenmuick. Her sister Euphemia married Peter Gordon, in Ardmeanach, Glenmuick, who is now represented by Mr. D. Stewart Ramsay Gordon, Edinburgh. According to another account Donald Gordon married (possibly as his second wife) Elspet Taggart, a widow (she is described on the stone in Glenmuick Churchyard ,as Elspet Donald, probably her maiden name). She and her husband died in 1810, aged 80 (Jervise's Epitaphs, and information from Mr. William Gordon, Auchallater). Donald Gordon had i. JAMES, born 1757 ; married (i) about 1786 Ann Leys (died 1791), and (2) Ann Gordon (died 1827). James had (1) WILLIAM (by the first marriage), born 1788, died 1875. He married (1833) Helen Fletcher, and had i. JAMES, died young, ii. WILLIAM, went in 1870 to Auchallater, where he still resides, iii. JOHN, died young, iv. ANNIE, married John Watson, and has a son and two daughters, v. MARGET, married her cousin, James A. Gordon, Arabella, and died 1900. (2) DONALD (by first marriage, died young). (3) ALEXANDER (by second marriage), born Feb. 8, 1794. He married and had issue : now all dead. (4) SAMUEL (by second marriage), born March 24, 1798. He went to Ross-shire in 1854. He married Helen Hunter of Polmood,Forfarshire,and had i. JAMES A. GORDON, of Arabella, Nigg, Ross-shire. He married his cousin, Marget Gordon (died 1900), and has four daughters, Annie, Elizabeth, Meta and Ada. (Information from Dr. J. Scott Riddell.) ii. JOHN, at Cullisse. He married Jane Forbes Paterson. He has (i.) ALEXANDER PATERSON. (ii.) SAMUEL HUNTER. (iii.) ANNIE HUNTER. (iv.) JANE GRINDLEY, married to Dr. John Scott Riddell, surgeon, Aberdeen. (5) JANE, born Feb. 9, 1804. (112) ABERGELDIE. 45 Ardmeanach. I am indebted to Mr. D. Stewart Ramsay Gordon, Edinburgh, for some details of this family. A John Gordon was tenant in Ardmeanach, Glen- muick, in 1696 (Poll Book}. He may have been the father, or grandfather, of i. JOHN GORDON, born at Ardmeanach about 1720. Mr. D. S. R. Gordon says that tradition assigns the origin of the Ardmeanach Gordons to the family of Knock, and an old aunt of his, Margaret Stewart, "said her mother prided herself on belonging to the Gordons of Braichlie ". Mr. Gordon also tells me that his family claims kin with some Gordons in Lethnot, Forfarshire. To return to John, born about 1720, he married in 1752 - Watt, and had (1) PETER, married Euphemia Small, Altonree, Glenmuick, whose sister married Donald Gordon, Aucholzie. As a marriage present Peter got a punch bowl from the laird of Abergeldie. It is now in the possession of Mr. D. S. R. Gordon. Euphemia Small lived to be nearly a hundred years of age. Peter had i. SAMUEL (the youngest of the family), born at Upper Aucholzie, July, 1797. He married in 1832 Mary Ramsay, of Newbigging, Forfarshire (de- scended from William Forbes VI. of Newe). He went to Bellamore in 1805, and died there at the age of 88. He owned Woodside, near Brechin. He had (i.) D. STEWART RAMSAY, born at Wood- side in 1845. He married Mary Glegg, and has a son a. REGINALD GLEGG, born at Valparaiso, Chili, Sept. 26, 1878. (2) SAMUEL, tenant of Tombreck, died Dec., 1798, aged 48 (Jervise's Epitaphs). He had a daughter i. JANE, who died at Newton of Tullich, May 9, 1874, aged 103 (Jervise's Epitaphs). Balmoral. The first reference I can find to Balmoral occurs in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland under 1539, when Alexander Gordon and John Gordon appear as tenants of Balmoral, while John Reid Gordon was a tenant of Crathienaird. There was a James Gordon of Balmoral in 1633 when the Book of Annualrentaris (Spalding Club Miscellany, Vol. III.) was compiled. He owed money to Alexander Keith, por- tioner of Duffus, and to George Irvine of Dorvattie (Dornasillie ?). In 1629 the King granted Patrick Gray of Invergowrie and his heirs and assignees the lands of Hayis- toun and Scrogiefield in Forfar which James Gordon of Balmoral resigned (Great Seal). I suggest that this James who is described as " of Balmorall," valued at 88, in ("3) 46 HOUSE OF GORDON. 1635 (Michie's Records of Invercauld, p. 463) is the James of Easton (son of the 4th laird of Abergeldie) the husband of Marion Scrimgeour, who apparently was a relative of Sir James Scrimgeour of Dudhop, Constable of Dundee. In 1696 Charles Farquharson was laird of " Balmurell " (Poll Book). He was the second son of William Farquharson of Inverey, by his second wife, Anne Gordon, " daughter of Abergeldie," who brought the estate of Balmoral to the Farquharsons. They held it until it was bought by Earl Fife, from whom it passed, after a tenancy by Sir Robert Gordon, brother of the (premier) Earl of Aberdeen, to Prince Albert. The Aberdeen Inventories in the Register House contain the will of John Gordon in Balmoral, who died 1750. He declared in his will that he " cannot write ". The will is dated Oct. 9, 1750, and the executor is James Gordon in Balmoral, the testator's eldest son. He left 10 merks Scots for the poor of Crathie. There was owing to him 600 merks contained in a bond dated Nov. 22, 1714, granted by him to the now deceased James Farquharson of Balmoral. The will was confirmed Feb. 4, 1767, James Gordon in Belnacroft being cautioner (bond signed at Abergeldie, Jan. 26, and witnessed by Charles Gordon of Abergeldie). John Gordon married Margaret M'Donald and had 1. JAMES, "eldest son". Executor of his father's will, 1767. He was left the " equal half of the croft " (of the tack held by his father) for the year 1751 ; and the other half to be divided between his wife Margaret M'Donald and his second lawful son, 2. DONALD. 3. JEAN, "my youngest daughter," spouse to Robert Mitchell "presently" (1750) in Balmoral got 50 Scots under her father's will. Crathie. Thomas Gordon, Crathie, had a son James who was at Marischal College, 1767-71 (Anderson's Fasti Academiae Mariscallanae}. Littlemill (Crathie). A broken headstone in Glenmuick Churchyard refers to Alexander Gordon of Littlemill, and his wife Bessie Smith who came from Birse. I have an interesting letter from Mr. J. Leask, Bombay, bearing on this descent. Alexander Gordon died in 1809, aged 82, and his wife in 1800, aged 59. They had a son i. GEORGE, who died at Leith, 1834, aged 64. Like his forbears for genera- tions he was a farmer at Littlemill. He married Betty Gauld (died at Littlemill, 1866, aged 80). Betty Gauld was the daughter of a farmer at Migvie who had married Mary Moir. Her brother Donald had a daughter who married John Skeen of Tarland and had, among others, Surgeon William Skeen (three of whose sons are doctors) and Surgeon Andrew Skeen, whose widow married in 1887 Sir Henry Thoby Prinsep, High Court Judge at Calcutta. George Gordon and Betty Gauld had a large family. Among these : (i) GEORGE, died at sea. (a) JOHN, engineer, London. ("4) ABERGELDIE. 47 (3) WILLIAM, began life as a planter in Ceylon, and then farmed at Littlemill. He died in 1897. His Daughter married Mr. J. Leask, Bombay. (4) DUNCAN, died in Ceylon. (5) JAMES, died in Ceylon. (6) MARY (Mrs. Lancaster, London). (7) AGNES, married Simpson, Aberchirder, and is dead. John Gordon, weaver, the brother of Alexander Gordon, who married Bessie Smith, was the father of 1. GEORGE, - 2. ALEXANDER, ) brewers > Caledonian Road, London. 3- J OHN 4. JAMES, 5. DOUGLAS. j- mechanical engineers, London. LIEUTENANT-GENERAL HUGH MACKAY GORDON. There was a lieutenant-general in our army at the beginning of the century who bore the same name as the I7th laird of Abergeldie, and yet, though he is said to have been " in some way " connected with that family, the precise relationship is difficult to trace. His father, according to information sent me by the late laird of Abergeldie, was an Alexander Gordon of Boston (Mass.), a merchant. His mother was Miss Jean Mackay, " who was said to have been born at Inverness about 1718, and who was a grand-daughter of Captain Hugh Mackay of Scoury, Sutherlandshire. She died in Edinburgh," on June 29, 1789 (according to the Scots Magazine), when she was a widow. Mr. George H. Gordon of Somerville, Mass., tells me, how- ever, that Gordon was named after Dr. Hugh Mackay, a Scots resident in Boston, who was a friend of his father. He was the fourth son. His eldest brother, George, was baptised in Boston, Aug. 6, 1755 ; Alexander, the second, on Aug. 21, 1757, and a sister Anabella on ("5) 48 HOUSE OF GORDON. April 27, 1758. Mr. G. H. Gordon also notes that Hugh M. Gordon, who was baptised in King's Chapel, Boston, on Sept. 5, 1760, was a pupil at the Boston Latin School 1766-7, at which he had as a school- mate Sir David Ochterlony, a general in the East India Service. Mr. B. F. Stevens, in his Campaign in Virginia, and Cannon, in the Historical Record of the i6th Regiment, give these particulars about him : He served as a volunteer under Sir William Howe in America, 1775-6; was ensign in the 715! Regiment, 1777 ; lieutenant in the i6th Regiment, 1778 ; and sailed from New York for the West Indies, joining his regiment at Pensacola in January, 1779. He stayed there until 1780, when he was sent to solicit reinforcements from the Commander-in-Chief, returning to Pensacola in 1781. He was taken prisoner while A.D.C. to Major Campbell. He got his company in 1788, and went to the East Indies in the following year. He was present at the capture of the Cape of Good Hope in 1795. He became brevet major in 1796. He was Quartermaster-General in Bengal, 1797. He became brevet lieut.-col. in 1798; and major in 1799. He re- turned to England in 1801. He was military secretary to the Commander-in-Chief in Ireland in 1805, and Lieutenant-Governor in Guernsey in 1816, in which year he was colonel of the i6th Foot. He was a lieut.-gen. in 1821. He also commanded the British forces in Madeira for a time. The I7th laird of Abergeldie possessed two most interesting views of the town of Funchal dedicated to the general and drawn by one of his A.D.C.'s, a Portuguese officer. He also had a large mass of his letters and papers at Eltham, and a portrait of him by Opie. General Gordon died in Dean Street, Mayfair, on March 12, 1823, and was buried in a vault under St. James's Church, Piccadilly. (116) HOUSE OF GORDON. COCLARACHIR THE REVEREND STEPHEN REE, B.D. NEW SPALDING CLUB. Q PREFATORY NOTE. A GENEALOGICAL deduction of the Gordons of Coclarachie is given in the Balbithan MS. (pp. 51-3), and it is singularly accurate as far as it goes. This deduction is reproduced, with additions, in Temple's Thanage of Fermartyn (pp. 276-9). The early members are briefly noticed in Lord Huntly's Records of Aboyne (pp. 168, 210). The present accounts are drawn up according to the scheme of the general editor, Mr. J. M. Bulloch. Mr. W. F. D. Steuart of Auchlunkart has kindly granted me free access to his charter chest, and also permission to publish the documents that form the Appendix. For the families of Auchintoul and Ardmeallie I have had the use of all the notes that Mr. Bulloch had collected regarding them, and have also received much aid from Dr. Cramond, Cullen. Assistance has also been readily given in various ways by Rev. James J. Calder, Clerk of Strathbogie Presbytery ; Mr. J. G. Fleming, Solicitor, Keith ; Mr. R. B. Gordon, Procurator Fiscal, Elgin ; Mr. Muir- head, Commissioner for the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, Fochabers ; Sir J. Balfour Paul, Lyon King of Arms ; and Captain Wimberley, Inverness. S. R. BoHARM, February, I0O2, THE LAIRDS OF COCLARACHIE. JOHN GORDON of Scurdargue. WILLIAM of Tullitermont. I PATRICK of Fulzemont, GEORGE, I. of Coclarachie. GEORGE, II. I I GEORGE, III. I GEORGE. i 1 GEORGE, IV. =;= HN larachie. ill Jo GEORGE ALEXANDER JAMES V. of Coc l.ofAuchintoul. II. of Auchintoul. of Ardmeallie. JAN VI. of Cot [ES Jarachte. 1 1 1 ADAM. JOHN. HARRIET. Died 1779. Died young. = Andrew Steuart of Auchlunkart. \ CHRISTIAN. Col. James Abercrombie of Glassaugh. PATRICK STEUART. I ANDREW STEUART. I WILLIAM F. D. STEUART. (120) COCLARACHIE. The lands of Coclarachie lie in the parish of Drumblade, Aberdeen- shire. On December 6, 1425, Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar and Garioch, granted the half of the lands of Culclarochy and the sixth part of the lands of Gerry to Alexander Seton, Lord Gordon (Antiq. Aberd. and Banff, iii., 517-8). These lands were apparently given to found the chaplaincy of St. Mary of Coclarachie, for on March 20, 1557, Mr. David Carnegy, rector of Kinnoul, and possessor of the chaplaincy, feued the lands to Mr. Thomas Ker (Ibid.}. On December 9, 1564, Thomas Ker of Coclarachie granted a letter of reversion of the lands of Begeshill in favour of William Leslie of Balquhain, and renewed it in November, 1566 (Leslie's Family of Leslie, iii., 44-5). Afterwards this half came into the possession of the Marquis of Huntly, and in 1617 was acquired by George Gordon. The other half of Coclarachie was held in 1504 by Alexander Winton of Andat, in the parish of Tarves, for in a Head Court held at Aberdeen on January 9 of that year the Laird of Andat was found in default for his lands of Coclarachie (Coll. Aberd. and Banff, pp. 111-3). This half passed to his two daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret. Elizabeth Winton was the second wife of George Gordon of Milton of Noth, and her only child, Jonet Gordon, succeeded to a fourth part of Coclarachie. Jonet Gordon married Patrick Forbes of Kinmuck, in the parish of Keithhall, and her son, Alexander Forbes, in 1560 sold his fourth part to his mother's half-brother, George Gordon of Blairdinnie. Margaret Winton received sasine on a fourth part of Coclarachie in 1518 (Exchequer Rolls, xiv., 606). She married William Leslie, eldest son of George Leslie of Aikenway in the parish of Rothes, Morayshire, and grandson of George, first Earl of Rothes; and her son, George (121) 6 HOUSE OF GORDON. Leslie, was served heir to her in a fourth part of Coclarachie on October i, 1549 (Retours). On July 15, 1557, George Leslie obtained from the Marquis of Huntly the lands of Tocher in the parish of Rayne, Aberdeen- shire, in exchange for his fourth part of Coclarachie (Reg. Mag. Sig., December 12, 1557). This fourth part was acquired by George Gordon in 1587. Coclarachie remained in possession of this family till 1767. The arms borne by Gordon of Coclarachie, not recorded, appear to have been : Azure, three boars' heads erased within a bordure or. GEORGE GORDON, I. OF COCLARACHIE. (Died before 1534.) George Gordon, of Milton of Noth in the parish of Rhynie, also designed " of Coclarachie" in right of his second wife, was a son of Patrick Gordon of Fulzemont. According to the Balbithan MS. (p. 51) he was the fifth son, but according to Lord Huntly's Records of Aboyne (p. 210) he was the fourth son. "George Gordoun of Coclaraquhy" is one of the sureties nominated in a contract, dated at Elgin, November 9, 1527, between Elizabeth, Countess of Sutherland and her husband, Adam, Earl of Sutherland on one part and their son and apparent heir, Alexander, Master of Suther- land, on the other part ; but he is not among the sureties who took oath, on November 17 following, in accordance with the contract (Orig. Paroch. Scot., ii., 664-5). This absence may point to his death at that time : he was dead before May 18, 1534, when his daughter had sasine on Coclarachie. George Gordon of Milton of Noth married (i) a daughter of Oliphant of Berridale, widow of Calder of Asloun, and by her had (Rec. of Aboyne, p. 210) : 1. GEORGE, afterwards of Coclarachie. 2. JAMES. 3. BESSIE. Probably this is the Bessie Gordon who married Laurence Leith of Kirkton of Rayne, from whom descend Leith-Hay of Leith- hall (Burke's Landed Gentry Leith-Hay). (122) COCLARACHIE. 7 He married (2) about 1512 Elizabeth Winton, daughter of Alex- ander Winton of Andat, who was heiress of a fourth part of Coclarachie, and who died in 1526. The only child of this marriage was 4. JONET, who as heir to her mother got sasine on a fourth part of Coclarachie, May 18, 1534 (Appendix I.). She married Patrick Forbes of Kinmuck (brother of Mr. Duncan Forbes of Monymusk), who appears, as portioner of Coclarachie, on a jury of appretiators of Middle Pitfodels, June 6, 1539 (Reg. Mag. Sig., iii., 2133). On June 23, 1554, Alexander Forbes was served heir to Jonet Gordon, portioner of Coclarachie, in a fourth part of Coclarachie, etc. (Retours). By a charter, dated at Aberdeen, November 15, 1550, and confirmed under the Great Seal, December i, 1554, Alexander Forbes son and heir of the late Patrick Forbes of Kynmukkis (with consent of Mr. Robert Lumisden, his curator) sold his fourth part of Coclarachie to his paternal uncle, Mr. Duncan Forbes of Monymusk, with reservation of his liferent of the same. This sale must either have been a formality during his minority, or have been afterwards cancelled, for on February 10, 1560, Alexander Forbes sold the lands to George Gordon of Blairdinnie. GEORGE GORDON, II. OF COCLARACHIE. (Son of I.: executed 1562.) George Gordon of Blairdinnie, in the parish of Clatt, was the eldest son of George Gordon of Milton of Noth and Coclarachie. By a charter, dated at Aberdeen, November 16, 1556, and confirmed under the Great Seal, August 13, 1586, William, Bishop of Aberdeen, feued to George Gordoun of Blairdynnie, " the hauch of Bogy " in the parish of Clatt. On February 7, 1560, George Gordon bought the fourth part of Coclarachie that belonged to Alexander Forbes, the son of his half- sister, and he got sasine thereon on February 10 following, being described in the instrument of sasine (Appendix II.) as " Georgius Gordoun hereditarius de Blairendenny ". He was taken prisoner at the battle of Corrichie in October, and was executed at Aberdeen on November 2, 1562, at the same time as Sir John Gordon, second son of the Marquis of Huntly (Balbithan MS., p. 52 ; Macfarlane's Genealogical Collections, i., 237). He married a daughter of John Gordon of Tilphoudie, who was (123) HOUSE OF GORDON. second son of Adam Gordon of Aboyne and his wife Elizabeth, Countess of Sutherland, and by her had : 1. GEORGE, his successor (Rec. of Aboyne, pp. 42, 210). 2. BESSIE (Temple's Fermartyn, p. 277). GEORGE GORDON, III. OF COCLARACHIE. (Son of II. : died 1633.) George Gordon, III. of Coclarachie, was a minor at the time of his father's forfeiture and execution, but was included in the remission for Corrichie, granted February 26, 1567 (Spalding Club Misc., iv., 155). On November 20, 1587, he bought from the Earl of Huntly a fourth part of Coclarachie (Appendix III.). Having joined the Earl of Huntly and having been present at the Battle of Glenlivet in October, 1594, he was again forfeited, and did not obtain remission till April 2, 1603 (Spald. Club Misc., iv., 159). On March 16, 1615, he obtained con- firmation under the Great Seal of the charter of February 7, 1560, by which his father had acquired from Alexander Forbes a fourth part of Coclarachie, it being explained that the delay in obtaining confirmation had been caused by his father's death soon after the purchase and his own minority at the time of his father's death. Having resigned the fourth part purchased in 1587, he received from the Marquis of Huntly on May 21, 1617, a charter on the three fourth parts of Coclarachie, redeemable on payment of 6,000 merks (Appendix IV.). He thus obtained the whole of Coclarachie, which remained in possession of his descend- ants till 1767. This laird also acquired other lands in Aberdeenshire. 1582. He is said in Records of Aboyne, p. 168, to have been made a burgess of Aberdeen in May, 1582, along with other followers of Huntly. This is probably founded on the extract in Spald. Club Misc., v. 52-3, where the entry " Ge. Gordoun of Clockrachy " occurs, but in New Spald. Club Misc., i., 77, the entry is given as "Go. Gordoun of Clochrathn". 1590. August 8. He found James Gordoun of Knokespik cautioner for him that James and George Leslies in Tailyeauch shall be harmless of him (Privy Council Register). 1591. July 23. Bond of caution of date July 17, for 1,000, by him for John Lumsden of Cuscheny that he will not harm James Robertson in Westir Lochell. John Lumsden of Cuscheny grants a bond of same date and for same amount for (124) COCLARACHIE. 9 William Strachan of Glenkindie that he will not harm the same James Robertson (Ibid.). November n. He was witness of a notarial instrument executed at Lesmoir (Rec. of A boy ne, p. 170). 1593. March 3. He was surety in 1,000 marks for John Gordoun of Auchan- nachie that he should do nothing in hurt of his Majesty's government nor take part with George, Earl of Huntly, etc. (Privy Council Register). 1594. June 12. He was charged to appear before the King and Council to answer concerning " persute and invasioun of his Majesties declairit tratouris, re- bellious and unnaturall subjectis, treasonable practizaris and conspiratouris aganis the trew religioun presentlie professit within this realme, his Majesties persone and estate and libertie of this countrey". Failing to appear on July n, he was then denounced rebel (Ibid.). 1600. He was tenant of Huntly's lands of Learge in Cabrach (Spald. Club Misc., iv., 281). 1602. He and Bessie Duncan, his spouse, had sasine on the third part of lands of Corbanchrie, Overtouris, Cokstoun, Jempsone, Duncanstown and New Merdrum, Balnakellie, etc. (Records of Aboyne, p. 168). On ijth May there is sasine on the half lands of Merdrum and Balnakellie in favour of him and Bessie Duncan, his spouse, in liferent, and to Alexander and George Gordon, their sons, heritably (Ibid., p. 168). 1603. By a charter dated at Huntlie, May 23, 1603, and confirmed under the Great Seal, January 12, 1604, George, Marquis of Huntly, sold to him Birkinhill, Fidlerseat, Bordelseat, and Kirkhill in the parish of Gartly, redeemable on payment of 6,000 merks. 1607. He and George Gordoun, his son and heir apparent, were witnesses to a charter, dated at Grantulie and Buckie, April 28 and May 13, 1607, and con- firmed under the Great Seal, July 4, 1608, by which Alexander Gordoun of Baldornie, George Gordoun, his elder son and heir apparent, and John Gordoun of Buckie for his interest, sold to Abraham Forbes of Blackton the lands of Waster Foullis, Craig- mylne and Eister Lochill in the lordship of Monymusk. To him was directed the precept of sasine in the charter, dated at Aberdeen, May 27, 1607, and confirmed under the Great Seal, February 14, 1609, by which Arthur, Lord Forbes feued to Robert (Forbes), commendator of Monymusk, the lands of Tilliryauche and Tullauchvayneis in the barony of Cluny. He was a witness of mutual bonds of caution, dated at Aberdeen, December n, 1607, by Robert (Forbes), commendator of Monymusk, and Abraham Forbes of Black- toun that they would not harm Alexander Irving of Drum (Privy Council Register, viii., 636-7). 1608. December 10. He got sasine on Tailzeoche (Sasines). 1612. By a charter dated at Aberdeen, June 4, and confirmed under the Great Seal, July 28, Francis, Earl of Errol sold to him the town and lands of Bomatuithill, the shady half of the Maynis of Slaynis, the town and lands of Auchmabo, the town (125) R io HOUSE OF GORDON. and lands of Brogane, with the mill of Brogane in the parish of Slains. George Gordoun, apparent of Coclerauchie, was one of the witnesses. July 28. He was one of those to whom a commission was granted to apprehend and try according to law certain persons of the names of Gordon and Grant in Upper Banffshire, "brokin men, committing oppin reiffis, privie stouthis, slauchteris, mutila- tionis, soirningis and utheris insolencyis " upon the good subjects in the adjacent parts (Privy Council Register}. 1617. "George Gordone of Blerindinie and Talzeauche " was one of the feuars of the Bishopric of Aberdeen within the parish of Clatt (Munro's Old Aberdeen, i., 57). 1619. May 13. He and his sons, Alexander and Mr. William, gave their con- sent to the sale, by James Ogilvy of Auchleuchries and Marjorie Gordoun, his spouse, of Waster Auchleuchries (Gen. Pat. Gordon's Diary, p. 205). 1629. May 17. With consent of his sons, Alexander Gordon of Merdrum and Mr. William Gordon, doctor of medicine, he made provision for his grandson, George Gordon, in view of his marriage with Grissell Seton, daughter of Alexander Seton of Pitmedden (Appendix VI.). George Gordon, III. of Coclarachie, married Bessie, daughter of James Duncan of Merdrum. Bessie Duncan survived her husband. In a court held at Aberdeen, February 20, 1634, by William Cordoner, sheriff-depute, " Bessie Duncan, relict of umquhill George Gordone of Coclarachie, declarit be Doctor Williame Gordoun, doctor of medicine, her sone, that shoe hes hir lyfrent of the third pairt landis of Coclar- achie, wedset of the Merques of Huntlie for the soume of 6,000 merkis. Quhairof thair is to be defaisit that the said Bessie is restand to Mar- jorie Duncan, hir sister, the yeirlie annuelrent of 2,000 merkis, with the quhilk yeirlie annuelrent the wodsett is granted and no uther wayes ; and that shoe is restand to Alexander, Mr. Hew and Williame Gordones, hir children, Mr. Robert Bisset of Lesindrum, George Gordoun of Raynie, and Williame Seatoun of Hadow, equallie amongs them, 600 merkis ; to George Gordoun of Coclarachie, 500 merkis " (Spald. Club Misc., iii., 123). In 1636 " the guidwyff of Coclarachie " was residing in Old Aberdeen (Munro's Old Aberdeen, i., 354) ; and probably the charter of liferent to Grissell Seton on December 15, 1643 (Appendix VII.), was granted shortly after Bessie Duncan's death. This laird had four sons and four daughters. i. GEORGE, the eldest son, died before his father. He is mentioned in notices of his father, 1602, 1607, 1612; and was dead before June 18, 1618, when his widow was wife of John Gordon, younger of Craig (126) COCLARACHIE. II (Reg. Mag. Sig.}. He married Jean, daughter of James Gordon of Lesmoir, and by her had : (1) GEORGS, IV. of Coclarachie. (2) JAMES (Balb. MS., p. 52) ; or ALEXANDER (Wimberley's Gordons of Lesmoir (1893), p. 109, from Prony MS. ; also Theodore Gordon's MS.). 2. ALEXANDER, of Merdrum. On May 17, 1602, he got sasine on the half lands of Merdrum and Balnakellie. See notices of his father, 1602, 1619, 1629. On December 18, 1634, he was one of those who were ordered to be summoned as witnesses regarding the disorders that had arisen in the north since the burning of the house of Frendraught (Spalding's Trubles, i., 423). On February 22, 1637, he gave evidence regarding certain accusations made by George Gordon of Rhynie against Mr. Henry Ross, minister of Rhynie. On October 20, 1638, he was chosen by the Presbytery of Strathbogie ruling elder to the General Assembly, and the same presbytery, on April 24, 1644, chose " for Rhynie and Essie, Alexander Gordon of Merdrum " as one of a " list of able men from euerie parochin for to be insert in a commission for sorcereris and charmeris". On July 26, 1646, he was one of those who were ap- pointed to "estimat and appreciat " the manse of Rhynie. He was one of the elders of Rhynie who were present at a presbyterial visita- tion of that parish on August 13, 1651 (Presbytery Book of Strathbogie, pp. 13, 19, 53, 67, 207). He married and had, at least, one son and two daughters : (i) JAMES, of Merdrum. James Gordon, younger of Merdrum, appeared before the Presbytery of Strathbogie on February 23, 1648, and confessed his accession to the late rebellion, and was ordained to "satisfy" in his parish church; but on May 17 the minister of Rhynie reported that "James Gordon of Merdrum had fled the boundis for the tyme ". In 1651 the presbytery summoned before them all delin- quents who had not then obeyed their injunctions, and on October 29 " compeired James Gordon in Merdrum . . . and being humbled in sackcloathe was accused of quadrilaps in fornicatioune, deserting his repentance, contempt of the Session of Rynie, drunkenness, relapsing into rebellion with James Grahame, and the setting lightly of his father and his admonitiounes. Confessed all ... was ordained to satisfie the discipline of Rynie in sackcloath thrie quarters of a yeare, for purgeing away the long continued scandell of his former ill spent life in maner abouewritten . . . promised obedience therunto in euerie thing according to his abilitie" (Ibid., pp. 85, 89, 213). He had sasine on (127) 12 HOUSE OF GORDON. Merdrum in 1654 (Sasines). He married and had three daughters, Margaret, Jean, and Marie, who had sasine on New Merdrum in January, 1669 (Cadenhead's Family of Cadenhead, p. 36). (2) BARBARA, who married (i) Orem, and (2) on December 24, 1663, William Lunan in Dallob, son of the Rev. Alexander Lunan, minister first of Monymusk and after- wards of Kintore. By her second husband she had a son, William, and a daughter, Anna, both of whom married and had issue (Ibid., pp. 32-6). (3) ELSPET, who married William Gordon of Sockach (Balb. MS., P- 45). 3. HEW. He was witness of a bond of caution dated at Straloch July 16, 1621 (Privy Council Reg., July 25, 1621). By a charter, March 9, 1633, James Ogilvy of Auchleuchries, proprietor of the lands afternamed, and Hew Gordon, lawful son to George Gordon of Coclarachie, with consent of Marjorie Gordon, spouse of the said James Ogilvy, granted certain parts of Auchleuchries to Marie Ogilvy, daughter of said James Ogilvy, and future spouse of John Gordon, third son of the deceased Patrick Gordon of Nethermuir, and to their heirs. By a charter, August 19, 1633, Sir Alexander Hay of Delgatie, immediate superior of the lands afternamed, granted to Hew Gordon, lawful son to the deceased George Gordon of Coclarachie, the lands of Easter and Wester Auchleuchries (Gen. Pat. Gordon's Diary, p. 207). [March, 1645] "as Montross is in Angouss, the Viscount of Fren- dracht, the Lord Eraser, the Maister of Forbes, thair freindis and folloueris leaves thair houssis and cumis to the feildis, and beginis to oppress whome they culd overtak. And first thay mell vpone the hie way with Hew Gordoun, sone to George Gordoun of Coklarachie " (Spalding's Trubles, ii., 462). 4. WILLIAM, A.M., doctor of medicine. See notices of his father, 1619, 1629, an d of his mother. He may have been the William Gordon, A.M., who was Mediciner at King's College, Aberdeen, from 1632 to 1640 ; but no direct proof has yet been discovered. 5. MARJORIE. She married (1604) James Ogilvy, younger of Blerack, and had a daughter, Marie, who married (1633) John Gordon of Auch- leuchries and had issue, of whom the second son, Patrick, became a General in the Russian army, and had, by his first wife, a daughter, Katherine Elizabeth, who married Major-General Alexander Gordon of Auchintoul. 6. Daughter, who married Mr. Robert Bisset of Lessendrum, and had issue. 7. Daughter, who married William Seton of Hadow. 8. CHRISTIAN, who married George Gordon of Rhynie and Sheelagreen, and had issue. (128) COCLARACHIE. 13 George Gordon, III. of Coclarachie, died in 1633 between March 9 and August 19, as is shown by the charters referred to under notice of his third son, Hew. GEORGE GORDON, IV. OF COCLARACHIE. (Grandson of III. : died 1663.) This laird succeeded his grandfather in 1633, though he and his first wife had received, on the occasion of their marriage in 1629, a charter on Coclarachie and also on Overblairton and Pettens in the parish of Belhelvie, Aberdeenshire (Appendix VI.). On October 6, 1643, he sold the lands in Belhelvie to George Davidson, burgess of Aberdeen (Scottish Notes and Queries, ii., 102) ; but he also acquired lands in the parish of Marnoch, Banffshire, including the barony of Auchintoul. 1635. He was one of those to whom a commission was granted on March 19, 1635, to apprehend certain rebels and " brokin men " who were oppressing the Laird of Frendraught and his tenants; and on August 7, 1635. he was one of those who were charged to appear personally before the Lords of Council and to find sufficient caution "for observing his majestie's peace and keeping of good rule and quyetnes in the countrie under paine of rebellion " (Spalding's Trubles, i., 426, 429). 1643. He was one of "the Committee appointed by the Estaitis for the taxa- tione and loane of moneyes within the shirefdome of Abirdein," which met at Aber- deen on October 3, 1643, and on that day he, Sir Robert Gordone of Straloch and George Gordone of Knockaspock, were appointed a sub-committee for the district of the Presbytery of Strathbogie. He was also present at meetings of the Committee on October 4, 1643, and January 6, 1644 (Spald. Club Misc., Hi., 143-7). He married (i) in May, 1629, Grissell, daughter of Alexander Seton of Pitmedden, by whom he " begat sons and daughters " (Balb. MS., p. 52) :- 1. GEORGE of Auchintoul. See p. 17. 2. ALEXANDER of Auchintoul. See p. 18. 3. JAMES of Ardmeallie. See p. 27. 4. MARIE, who married in March, 1659, John Grant in Lettoch, eldest son of James Grant of Auchernick (Elgin Commissary MS. Records, 26th June, 1684). Grissell Seton died in 1644, and George Gordon, IV. of Coclarachie, married (2) in December, 1645, Elizabeth, daughter of Alexander Fraser of Philorth, and widow of William Meldrum of Haltoun of Auchterless (129) 14 HOUSE OF GORDON. (Appendix VIII.). Elizabeth Eraser had, by her first marriage, an only child, Isabella Meldrum, who married in May, 1664, William, eldest son of John Forbes of Asloun (Appendix IX.). The children of the second marriage were : 5. JOHN, who succeeded to Coclarachie. 6. CHARLES. 7. JANET, who in September, 1696, became the second wife of Alexander Leslie of Little Wartle and had no issue (Appendix XL). George Gordon, IV. of Coclarachie, died in 1663. On August 5, 1664, a warrant was passed under the Great Seal appointing Elizabeth Eraser tutrix-dative to John, Charles and Jonet Gordon, her lawful children, mention being made therein that a year and a day had elapsed since the death of George Gordon of Coclarachie (Auchlunkart Charter Chest). JOHN GORDON, V. OF COCLARACHIE. (Son of IV. : died 1714.) John Gordon, V. of Coclarachie, the eldest son by the second marriage of George Gordon, IV. of Coclarachie, was a minor when his father died in 1663, and received sasine on Coclarachie in February, 1670. He was a student at King's College, Aberdeen, in 1668 (Fasti Aberd., p. 487). The valuation of Coclarachie in 1696 was 330 6s. 8d. Scots (Poll Book, ii., 271). He married in December, 1679, Anna, daughter of Sir James Baird of Auchmedden (Appendix X.), by whom he had : . lalive in 1696 (Poll Book, ii., 271), but died before their father. 2* /\LEX AN D t/ Rj j 3. JAMES, who succeeded to Coclarachie. 4. CHRISTIAN. 5. ANNA, who married in June, 1712, James Lunan, eldest son of Alexander Lunan, M.A., minister of Daviot, Aberdeenshire (Appendix XII.). 6. ISOBEL. John Gordon, V. of Coclarachie, died on July 8, 1714. (130) COCLARACHIE. JAMES GORDON, VI. OF COCLARACHIE. (Son of V. ; died 1771.) James Gordon, VI. of Coclarachie, was served heir to his father on July 14, 1721 (Index of Heirs), and a Crown precept of sasine on a fourth part of Coclarachie was issued in his favour on July 24, 1721 (Auchlun- kart Charter Chest). He was elected a burgess of Banff on September 30, 1727 (Burgess Ticket in Auchlunkart Charter Chest). On February 26, 1767, he sold the lands of Coclarachie to Alex- ander, Duke of Gordon, but sasine was not taken till May i, 1771 (Index of Charters in Gordon Castle). He married, in 1730, Jane, daughter of Robert Bisset of Lessen- drum, by whom he had : 1. ADAM, who died in 1779, his sisters being served heir to him on August 4, 1779 (Index of Heirs). 2. JOHN, who was a student at Marischal College, Aberdeen, 1772-73 (Anderson's Fasti Acad. Marisc., ii., 344), and died before his brother. 3. HARRIET, who married in December, 1778, Andrew Steuart of Auchlunkart, in the parish of Boharm, Banffshire, second son of George Steuart of Tanachie in the parish of Rathven, Banffshire. He was a Writer to the Signet in Edinburgh, being admitted on July 15, 1763, and he was elected a burgess of guild of Aberdeen in 1767. In 1771 he bought the lands of Auchlunkart. Andrew Steuart died at Peterhead on October 10, 1798, and his widow died at Auchlunkart on September 10, 1814. Their children were : (i) PATRICK STEUART, of Auchlunkart, succeeded also to Tanachie on the death of his cousin, George Steuart. At Edinburgh, on June 21, 1800, he was admitted one of H.M. Royal Company of Archers (Auchlunkart Charter Chest). He married on November 9, 1820, Rachel Missing Duff, daughter of Lachlan Gordon of Park, by whom he had an only son, Andrew Steuart. He died at Paris on March 25, 1844, aged 64, and his widow died at Auchlunkart on May 8, 1872, aged 84. i. ANDREW STEUART, of Auchlunkart and Tanachie, B.A. Cantab., 1844 (First Class in Classical Tripos, and a Senior Optime), M.A., 1848, was M.P. for Cambridge, 1857-62. In 1885 he resigned Auchlunkart and Tanachie in favour of his only 16 HOUSE OF GORDON. surviving son, William. He married, in 1847, his cousin, Elizabeth Georgiana Graham, third daughter of Thomas Duff Gordon of Park, and by her (who died on March 28, 1888) he had : (i) PATRICK STEUART, died in infancy, (ii) GEORGE ALEXANDER STEUART, scholar of Winchester College ; died June, 1865. (iii) THOMAS GORDON STEUART, died young, (iv) WILLIAM FRANCIS DAY STEUART, now of Auchlunkart and Tanachie, married in 1899 Florence, daughter of S. Ham- mond, Woolwich. (v) HARRIET ELIZABETH STEUART, married in 1871 General William Gordon, C.I. E., youngest son of the late Adam Gordon of Cairnfield, Banffshire, and has issue, (vi) RACHEL ELEANOR STEUART, married, in 1880, Hastings A. Clarke, Achareidh, Nairn, and has issue, (vii) LOUISA MARY STEUART. (viii) MABEL STEUART, married, in 1894, C. A. Seton, Preston, Linlithgow, and has issue. (2) JAMES STEUART, Captain, Royal Scots, killed at St. Sebastian on September 2, 1813, unmarried. "Captain Steuart's brilliant but short career was terminated in front of the castleof St. Sebastian while reconnoitring along with Major- General Hay, to whom he was aide-de-camp : he received a musket ball in the head and survived about an hour, leaving a character most honourable and as an officer most distinguished " (Scots Mag., Ixxv., 799). (3) GEORGE STEUART, Midshipman, R.N., died in February, 1820, unmarried. (4) MARY STEUART, who married David Monypenny (Lord Pit- milly), one of the Senators of the College of Justice, and died on December 2, 1808, without issue. 4. CHARLOTTE, who married Col. James Abercrombie, of Glassaugh, Banff- shire, son of General James Abercrombie of Glassaugh, but had no issue. James Gordon, VI. and last of Coclarachie, died at Aberdeen on November 29, 1771, in the 77th year of his age (Aberdeen Journal). THE GORDONS OF AUCHINTOUL. GEORGE GORDON, IV. of Coclarachie. GEORGE, I. of A uchintoul. ALEXANDER, II. of Auchintoul. ALEXANDER, III. GEORGE of Dorlaithers. r ~1 ALEXANDER, IV. GEORGE. ! I ) FREDERICA GORDON or ALEXANDER, V. CATHARINE, VI. DE ROSENWALD, VII. The arms of Gordon of Auchintoul as recorded in 1765 are : Azure, a mullet between three boars' heads couped or within a bordure of the last. Crest : a demi-boar proper. Motto : " Bydand ". GEORGE GORDON, I. OF AUCHINTOUL. (Son of George Gordon, IV. of Coclarachie: died 1661.) George Gordon, I. of Auchintoul, was the eldest son, by the first marriage, of George Gordon, IV. of Coclarachie. On July 8, 1646, the King granted the lands and barony of Auch- intoul, in the parish of Marnoch, Banffshire, to George Gordon of Coclarachie, in liferent, and to George Gordon, his eldest son, in fee, and to the heirs of the body of George Gordon, junior ; whom failing, to Alexander Gordon, second son of George Gordon, senior, and his heirs (Reg. Mag. Sig.). The " noblemen, gentlemen and heretouris" of Aberdeenshire held meetings at Aberdeen on November ir and December 2, 1659, at the request of General Monk, and elected commissioners to meet him and (133) s 18 HOUSE OF GORDOtf. confer with him on the affairs of the time. Among those present at the first meeting was the " Laird of Auchintoull younger," and at the second meeting " Auchintoull Gordoune" (Rec. of A boy ne, pp. 319, 323). He died before his father in 1661, unmarried, and his next brother, Alexander, was served heir to him on July 24, 1661 (Retours). ALEXANDER GORDON, II. OF AUCHINTOUL, LORD AUCHINTOUL. (Brother of I '.: died 1710.) On the death of George Gordon, I. of Auchintoul, his brother german, Alexander Gordon, succeeded to Auchintoul in accordance with the provisions of the charter of July 8, 1646. 1669. At a meeting of the Synod of Moray in April, 1669, the Presbytery of Strathbogie gave in a report regarding the papists within their bounds, among whom was Alexander Gordon of Auchintoul ; and the Synod enjoined the Presbytery to begin a process against him. The same injunction was renewed at next meeting of Synod in October following. In April, 1670, the Presbytery reported to the Synod that Auchintoul was under process. At subsequent meetings of Synod the same report was given in till April, 1672, when the Presbytery reported that he had been called before the Privy Council, and that consequently the process against him was laid aside (Synod of Moray MS. Records). 1678. July. Infeftment was given in the town and lands of Auchintoul and others to Alexander Gordon of Auchintoul in liferent and to Alexander Gordon, his eldest lawful son, in fee; the liferent of Isobel Gray, spouse of the said Alexander Gordon, elder, being reserved, and the foresaid lands being erected into a barony to be called the barony of Auchintoul (Geneal. Mag., 1901, p. 361). 1684. January 8. He was admitted an advocate (Brunton and Haig's Senators of the College of Justice, p. 431). 1687. February 2. He witnessed a deed executed at Delmanie, in the parish of Boharm, Banffshire (Auchlunkart Charter Chest). 1688. June 15. He was admitted an Ordinary Lord of Session (Fountainhall's Decisions, i., 506). As the Revolution took place soon after, he held office only for a few months, but continued to be known as Lord Auchintoul. 1704. May 15. The list of papists given in to the presbytery of Strathbogie by the minister of Marnoch includes " Alexander Gordon of Auchintoul, sometym Senator in the College of Justice, baptized and brought up in the reformed protestant religion which he professed in his youth till he went to France, since which time he has been a professed papist ; his children all born and bred in the Romish religion, and forisfamiliat ; there are only two daughters with him, viz., Mary and Margaret, unmarried, both papists" (Blakhal's Narration, Spalding Club, p. xxxvi.). (134) COCLARACHIE. IQ 1709. February 10. William Duff of Braco on February 21, 1707, sent his servant to the house of Auchintoul, who counted down " on the table in specie current at the time" the amount of the principal and interest of a debt of 1,000 Scots due upon bond by his deceased father to Alexander Gordon of Auchintoul ; and upon Auchintoul's declining to accept the money, the servant consigned it in the hands of Grant of Ruddry and protested that Braco was free of interest in time coming. Among other reasons for declining to accept the money at that time, Auchintoul alleged that "there was a rumour, then dispersed and which ultimately fell out, that the money of Scotland was to be called in and made conform to that of England in terms of the Union, and he apprehended that Braco was taking advantage to palm upon him the loss" that would thereby arise, and which he estimated would amount to about 500 merks. The Lords of Session found that Auchintoul should have accepted the money when it was offered and that the loss must fall on him (Fountainhall's Decisions, ii., 490). Lord Auchintoul married Isobel Gray, " daughter of Gray of Braik and niece of Lord Gray" (Life, prefixed to Major-Gen. Gordon's Peter the Great}, "with whom he begat three sons and daughters" (Balb. MS., P- 52). 1. ALEXANDER, succeeded to Auchintoul. 2. GEORGE, was in Monedie in 1704, when he and his wife, Barbara McKenzie, with "but one chyld, on the breast," were returned as among the papists in the parish of Marnoch (Blakhal's Narration, p. xxxvi.), was in Monedie in 1709 (Strathbogie Presb. Rec.\ and was afterwards of Dorlaithers, in the parish of Turriff, Aberdeenshire. He perished at sea in 1716 on his way to Holland (Balb. MS., p. 52). He married Barbara, daughter of Alexander Mackenzie of Ardloch, and niece of Sir George Mackenzie, first Earl of Cromartie (Fraser's Earls of Cromartie, ii., 53), and by her (who died on May 26, 1762, aged 80) he had "three sons and a daughter" (Balb. MS., p. 52). The eldest son, Alexander Gordon of Dorlaithers, succeeded his uncle in Auchintoul. The second son, George, who died in July, 1762 (Marnoch Sess. Rec.), married, and had two daughters : the elder, Frederica, married Quieten de Rosenwald in the service of the Emperor of Germany, and in 1798 succeeded her cousin, Catharine Gordon, in Auchintoul ; the younger, Christine, married Theiner de Retheim, Major in the German army: and both were widows in 1798 (Auchintoul Titles). 3. JAMES, "third son to the Laird of Auchintoul, living in the house of Cairnborrow," was included in the list of papists given in to the presbytery of Strathbogie by the minister of Glass on May ii, 1704 (Blakhal's Narration, p. xxxvi.). He married (f) a daughter of Barclay of Cottcairn (Balb. MS., p. 52), and she died under circumstances indicated in two letters printed in Fraser's Earls of Cromartie (ii., 51-3). (135) 20 HOUSE OF GORDON. In one of the letters Sir George Mackenzie, first Earl of Cromartie, writing to John, Earl of Mar, on November 30, 1707, says: "This day one James Gordon, a sonne of the quondam Lord Auchintowl, had a persuit against Duff of Braco for comeing with 29 or 30 armed men to seaz the said James on account of a ryot committed by him on Alexander Alexander. Braco defended himself as being oblidged, as a baron, to seaz any committers of ryot, as also he had the shirrefs warrand to search and seaz the said James. The advocats for James alleadge this to be a gross ryot in Braco and ane infringment of our act of Habeas Corpus, &c. But unhappily, by Bracos clamorous irruption into the hous, his lady who was a while befor brought to bed did from the fright fall into a fever and dyed. Now that which is notable in this process is that Braco did raise a lybell against Gordon for raising so scandalous lybel against him and befor any procedur he pleaded that Gordon, the persuer, should also enter the pannell. . . . The Lords made Gordon also enter the pannel. . . . We are next day of court to hear them on the principal! cause." The other letter is from Barbara Mackenzie, wife of George Gordon, to her uncle, Sir George Mackenzie, first Earl of Cromartie, and, though not dated, was evidently written a short time before the Earl's own letter. MY LORD I took the freedom to writ in sommer with my husbands brother to your Lordship, who owns himself much bound and oblidged to your favour and civility, and I no less, who flatter myself with the fancy that a share of them were on my account, for which I render your Lordship my cordiall thanks, and intreats your protection and friend- ship to him in an action he has befor your Lordship wherin he pur- sues Braco for the death of his wife. I need not enter on the detail of the affair, you'll be sufficiently acquainted with it ; but one thing I must say, the poor gentilman has but too great raison to pursue Braco in this affair, he having occasioned the death of a very good wife, my particular friend, their being no room left to doubt but his affrighting of her was certainly the occasion of her death, who was known befor that, particularly to myself, to be one of the strongest and healthfullest women in the countrey. My Lord, I must sollicit your favor and beg your justice not only in my brother-in-laws behalf but likewise in my own and all women who are bearing children, for how can we secure ourselves against the being affrighted out of our lives if this go un- punished ? These people, with whom my brother has to do, boast so much of their wealth that they undervalue and despise men of meaner fortuns and think to do all and secur for themselves against all events with their money. But I have no fears on that head, being long agoe convinced of your Lordships judgement, integrity and justice. My COCLARACHIE. 21 Lord Auchintoulle, who presents you with this, can inform you better than any man, having been witnesse to all the sad tragedie ; and I'le assure you, my Lord, that nothing, no not his sons concern, will make him say any thing contrary to truth. I'm always glaid to hear of your Lordships health, and wishes and prays for the continuance of it. My husband kisses your hands and longs to be known to you. My sister Mary do's the same but particularly, my Lord, Your most obedient neece and humble servant, BARBARA MCKENZIE. James Gordon married (2) Margaret Chalmers, daughter of a solicitor in Edinburgh, who survived him and died at Edinburgh on January 21, 1739, leaving two daughters (Edinb. Commissariat, Dec. 12, 1740). (1) KATHERINE, died abroad, unmarried, in 1768 (Edinb. Com- missariot, April n, 1769). (2) CLEMENTINA, married at Edinburgh in 1751 James Elphinston, and died at London in 1778. Elphinston was a native of Edinburgh, who removed to London in 1753 and set up an academy at Kensington, which he successfully carried on till 1776. He died at London on October 8, 1809, aged 88, being survived by his second wife, a daughter of the Rev. James Falconar and niece of Bishop Falconar. He was a friend of Johnson and other prominent literary men of his time, and was himself the author of several educational works (GentJs Mag., Nov., 1809). 4. Daughter, married John Gordon of Letterfourie (Balb. MS., p. 18). 5. MARY, 6. MARGARET, Darned '" Lord Auchintoul died at Auchintoul in 1710. ALEXANDER GORDON, III. OF AUCHINTOUL. (Son of II. : died 1751). The third laird, the eldest son of Lord Auchintoul, was the most distinguished member of the family. He was born at Auchintoul on December 27, 1669, and at the age of fourteen was sent to Paris to complete his education. During his stay in France he entered the French army and rose to the position of Captain. Returning to Scotland after the Revolution he did not find the position of public (137) 22 HOUSE OF GORDON. affairs to his mind, and accordingly about 1692 he went to the continent and soon found his way to Russia. There he joined the Russian army, then under the command of his kinsman, General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries. His first commission was obtained under exceptional circumstances. Not long after his arrival he was present at a marriage, where some young Russians, notwithstanding his remonstrances, per- sisted in speaking in contemptuous terms of all foreigners, and specially of Scots. The dispute proceeded from words to blows, but ended in Gordon's favour. A complaint having been lodged against Gordon, he was summoned before the Czar himself to answer for his conduct. Having heard Gordon's account of the incident, the Czar said " Well, Sir, your accusers have done you justice in allowing that you beat six men ; I also will do you justice " ; and thereupon he gave him a Major's commission. In the same year Gordon was made a Lieutenant-Colonel, and three years later, in 1696, he had command of a regiment at the siege of Azof. When the Czar in 1700 gave liberty to the slaves on condition that they should become soldiers in his army, Col. Gordon specially distinguished himself by his skill in training the new men in the methods that had been adopted for reforming the army. At the disastrous defeat of the Russians by the Swedes at Narva on November 30, 1700, Col. Gordon became a prisoner of war, and remained in the hands of the Swedes for nearly seven years, having been released by exchange only in September, 1707. Immediately after his release he met the Czar at Pleskow, was ordered to accompany him to St. Peters- burg, had frequent conferences with him there, and was raised to the rank of Brigadier. In the following year he was made a Major-General, in reward for the successes he had gained over the Polish troops. While in service in Poland in 1711 he heard of his father's death, and having obtained permission to leave the Russian service he returned to Scot- land in the end of that year. He at once began to make several im- provements on the house of Auchintoul, and he also enlarged his estate by the purchase, in 1712, of the lands of Laithers in the parish of Turriff, Aberdeenshire. On June 27, 1713, he was served heir general to his father (Index of Heirs). In the rebellion of 1715 he took a prominent part. He attended the Earl of Mar's hunting-match at Braemar on August 27, and was also present at the meeting at Aboyne on September 9, at which it was COCLARACHIE. 23 decided that the time had come to take up arms. Thereafter he was sent into the Highlands to raise the western clans, and soon collected a body of over 4,000 men. An attempt to surprise Fort William proved unsuccessful, and he then marched towards Inverary with a view to giving the Jacobites of Argyleshire an opportunity of joining his standard. After Gordon had been some time before Inverary, thereby preventing the Earl of Islay from taking action, the Earl of Islay in October "appointed Clanronald and Glengary to treat with Sir Duncan Campbell of Lochnell and Lieut.-Col. Campbell of Finab on the part of General Gordon, and it was agreed that Gordon and his people should abandon Argyleshire and compensate the poor people for their losses, and on the other hand that the Hanoverian troops should not molest the clans " (Townshend MSS., Hist. MSS. Com. Reports, p. 164). There- upon Gordon withdrew his men towards Perthshire, arriving at Drum- mond Castle about the beginning of November, and on November 10 joined the Earl of Mar's army. At the battle of Sheriffmuir on November 13 the centre of the first line, which proved victorious over the Government troops, was under the command of Gordon. When the Chevalier's army reached Montrose on February 3, 1716, it was placed under General Gordon and he received from the Chevalier a commission "to command the army till dispersed and to act and in all things contribute as much as in him lay to the common safety " of the men. The army reached Aberdeen on February 6, when General Gordon intimated the instructions he had received ; and thereafter he conducted the march westwards to Badenoch, where the men who had not already withdrawn quietly dispersed. From the time that he received full command he conducted the march with such prudence and skill that, though closely pursued, he lost few of his men (Browne's Hist, of the Highlands, chaps, xii.-xiv.). Thereafter he retired to the Highlands and in 1717 escaped to France. In February, 1719, he was at Bordeaux in consultation with those who were planning the invasion of 1719, which ended in the defeat at Glenshiel on June 10, 1719. When it was reported that the Spanish ships were to sail from Passage on March 8, " General Gordon falling sick a few days after, it was found he could not make the voyage" (Oliphant's Jacobite Lairds of Gask, p. 452) ; but in April he, with forty other officers, left Bordeaux in two Swedish ships (Dickson's Jacobite Attempt of 1719, p. 247). He was (139) 24 HOUSE OF GORDON. included among those attainted for treason, but by being misnamed Thomas in the Act of Attainder of 1716 he did not lose his estates. Major-General Gordon did not return to Scotland till 1727, and thereafter he lived quietly the life of a country gentleman. On June 28, 1729, he received from James Mitchell of Auchanacie in the parish of Keith a discharge for 10,000 merks which had been borrowed on the security of the lands of Auchintoul (Sasines). He did not take any part in the rebellion of 1745, though the leaders of the rebel forces were in communication with him in February, 1746 (Oliphant's Jacobite Lairds of Gask, p. 182). The village of Aberchirder was founded by him in 1746, the first feus being given off in that year (Dr. Cramond in Aberdeen Free Press, September 24, 1901). In his later years he occupied his time in writing a life of the Emperor of Russia, under whom he had served, which was published in two octavo volumes at Aberdeen in 1755, with the title The History of Peter the Great, Emperor of Russia, to which is prefixed a short General History of the Country from the rise of that monarchy, and an account of the Author's life. Major-General Gordon married (i) in 1699 or 1700 Katherine Elizabeth, elder daughter of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries, and widow of Colonel Strasburg of the Russian army, and by her (who died in December, 1739) he had several children who all died in infancy. He married (2) Margaret, eldest daughter of Sir Thomas Moncrief of that Ilk, by whom he had no issue. His widow died at Edinburgh on September 19, 1788 (Scots Mag.). Major-General Gordon died at Auchintoul on July 31, 1751 (Scots Mag.), and was buried in the churchyard of Marnoch. Having no sur- viving issue he was succeeded in Auchintoul and Laithers by his nephew. ALEXANDER GORDON, IV. OF AUCHINTOUL. (Nephew of HI. : died 1763.) Alexander Gordon of Dorlaithers, eldest son of George Gordon of Dorlaithers, was served heir general to his uncle, Major-General Alex- ander Gordon of Auchintoul, on July 24, 1753 (Index of Heirs). Alex- ander Gordon of Dorlaithers joined the rebels as a volunteer in 1745, (140) COCLARACHIE. 2$ and in 1746 the rental of Dorlaithers was said to be 60 sterling, with a mansion house in "pretty good condition " (List of Rebels, Scot. Hist. Soc., pp. 30, 312). He married Helen, second daughter of Alexander Irvine of Drum, and by her (who died on December 6, 1764, aged 64) he had a son, Alexander, and a daughter, Catharine, who both succeeded to Auchintoul. The fourth laird died on June 2, 1763, aged 58 (Jervise's Epitaphs, ii., 224). ALEXANDER GORDON, V. OF AUCHINTOUL. (Son of IV.: died 1768.) Alexander Gordon, V. of Auchintoul, succeeded his father in 1763. He was an officer in the rebel army of 1745 (List of Rebels, Scot. Hist. Soc., p. 30) ; and was in France in 1748, when he received from the King of France a gratuity of 800 livres (Browne's Hist, of the Highlands, Stuart Papers, No. cxxiv.). From John Abernethie he bought the town and lands of Corskie in the parish of Marnoch and had sasine thereon on May 15, 1764 (Sasines). He died unmarried on March 30, 1768. CATHARINE GORDON, VI. OF AUCHINTOUL. (Daughter of IV. : died 1797.) Catharine Gordon was served heir to her brother, Alexander Gordon of Auchintoul, on August 12, 1768 (Index of Heirs). On September 19, 1772, sasine was granted to Lord Adam Gordon of Prestonhall in liferent and Miss Katherine Gordon of Auchintoul in fee upon the barony of Auchintoul ; and on September 23, 1772, sasine was granted to James Irvine of Kingcaussie in liferent and Katherine Gordon of Auchintoul in fee upon the lands of Mid Culvie and others in Marnoch (Sasines). She died unmarried in June, 1797, and was succeeded by her cousin. FREDERICA GORDON OR DE ROSENWALD, VII. OF AUCHINTOUL. ' (Cousin of VI.) Frederica Gordon, widow of Quieten de Rosenwald, was served heir of provision special to her cousin, Catharine Gordon of Auchintoul, (141) T 20 HOUSE OF GORDON. in the barony of Auchintoul and the lands of Laithers on July 12, 1798 (Index of Heirs), and that year sold the lands to John Morison, after- wards of Bognie. On May 10, 1799, Christine Gordon, widow of Theiner de Retheim, Major in the service of the Emperor of Germany, resigned her half of the lands of Corskie in favour of her sister, Frederica Gordon, widow of Quieten de Rosenwald in the service of the Emperor of Germany ; and on June 17 Madame de Rosenwald sold the whole lands of Corskie to John Morison of Auchintoul (Auchintoul Titles). According to tradition, the weather of the first winter that Madame de Rosenwald and her sister spent in Scotland after the death of their cousin was so severe that they resolved to return to Germany ; but the vessel in which they sailed was never heard of again and was believed to have foundered in a storm (Banff- shire Journal, July 30, 1889). (142) THE GORDONS OF ARDMEALLIE. GEORGE GORDON, IV. of Coclarachie. JAMES, I. of Ardmeallie. PETER, II. of Ardmeallie. ALEXANDER, II. of Logie. JAMES of Banchory. I I I JAMES, III. of A rdmeallie. ROBERT, III. of Logie. THOMAS of Premnay. The arms of Gordon of Ardmeallie as recorded in 1721 are : Quarterly : ist and 4th, Azure, three boars' heads erased or within a bordure of the last charged with eight crescents (referring to the Seton descent) gules ; 2nd and 3rd (for Meldrum), Argent, a demi otter issuing out of a bar wavy sable. Crest : a boar's head erased or. Motto : " Byd bee ". JAMES GORDON, I. OF ARDMEALLIE. (Son of George Gordon, IV. of Coclarachie ; died 1723.) James Gordon, I. of Ardmeallie, was the third son, by the first marriage, of George Gordon, IV. of Coclarachie. He obtained possession of the lands of Ardmeallie in the parish of Marnoch, Banffshire, between 1672 and 1674. The former proprietor was John Gordon. There is recorded in the Elgin Commissary Records, on October 24th, 1681, a discharge, " written be Johne Gordone of Ardmellie and subscribed at Patrick Brouns hous in the Raws of Strathbogie the fourth day of July 1672 befor thir witnesses James Innes in Ardmellie and Johne Gordone of Ardmellie," by which James Gordon, merchant in Aberdeen, having received " nyne bolls and thrie firlotts of oats with the fodder," discharged his uncle, Robert Gordon sometime in Ardmellie, of a bond, dated May 17, 1672, for "thrie scoir and seven merks". James Gordon of Ardmeallie was the husband of Isobel Meldrum on January 16, 1674, when she and her two sisters were served heirs portioner to Mr. John Hay of Logie, their uncle (Rctours). (143) 28 HOUSE OF GORDON. Through his wife James Gordon of Ardmeallie became in 1674 portioner of the lands of Logie in Crimond, Aberdeenshire. Mr. John Hay of Logie died 1673 and left these lands to the three daughters of his sister who had married Peter Meldrum of Laithers, and these three sisters were served heirs portioner on January 16, 1674. Mary, the eldest, had married David Stewart of Newton, commissary of Moray ; Isobel, the second, had married James Gordon of Ardmeallie ; and Elspet, the youngest, had married Mr. David Gumming, minister of Edinkillie in Morayshire. Before 1696 David Stewart and James Gordon had acquired Mrs. Cumming's right, as they alone appear as portioners of Logie in the Poll Book (ii., 48). David Stewart died in February, 1705, and his widow died in June, 1708 (Index of Heirs) ; and shortly after James Gordon acquired the whole of Logie. 1679. December 15. He witnessed the marriage contract of his half-brother, John Gordon of Coclarachie (Appendix X.). 1696. May 5. He had sasine on an annualrent of 6,600 merks out of Rattanach and Knachland in the parish of Rothiemay (Sasines). September 26. He gave his consent to the marriage of his half-sister, Janet Gordon (Appendix XI.). 1700. November 7. He was chancellor of the jury that condemned James Macpherson, the freebooter (Cramond's Banff, i., 101). 1708. March 15. He was made an ensign in Aberdeen on account of the threatened invasion of the French (Aberdeen Burgh Records). July 2. His wife was served co-heir to her sister, Mary, widow of David Stewart, commissary of Moray (Index of Heirs). James Gordon of Ardmeallie married Isobel, second daughter of Peter Meldrum of Laithers, by whom he had three sons and a daughter: 1. PETER, succeeded to Ardmeallie. 2. ALEXANDER, succeeded to Logie in Crimond before 1721 (Coll. Aberd. and Banff, p. 426). In 1746 the laird of Logie was said to have a rental of 260 sterling, with "a fine house" (List of Rebels, Scot. Hist. Soc., p. 305). He married, and had a son and two daughters : (i) ROBERT, succeeded to Logie. Robert Gordon, younger of Logie, joined the rebels at Edinburgh in 1745 (Ibid., p. 91), and was one of those who were excepted by name from the general pardon of June, 1747 (Gent.'s Mag., June, 1747; Chambers' Rebellion 0/1745-6, 7th ed., p. 482). On October 4, 1752, he was served heir to his father (Index of Heirs). (144) COCLARACHIE. 29 He seems to have sold the lands of Logic. He married and had twin sons and a daughter. i. JAMES, born at Milton of Drum in the parish of Peterculter, Aberdeenshire, was a farmer at Logic in Crimond and afterwards at Mains of Orrock in the parish of Belhelvie, and was distinguished for improvements in the cultivation of turnips. He died at Aberdeen on November 6, 1841, aged 89 (Scottish Notes and Queries, viii., 99 ; Smith's Hist, of Aberdeenshire, p. 428). ii. ALEXANDER, twin brother of James, was a student in Arts at Marischal College, Aberdeen, 1763-67, and thereafter studied medicine at Aberdeen and Edinburgh. Having obtained a certificate from the Corporation of Surgeons, London, he entered the Royal Navy in 1780 as a surgeon's mate, was raised in 1782 to the rank of surgeon, and served on H.M.S. Otter. In 1785 he was placed on half- pay, and, after spending some time in London in the special study of midwifery, he went to Aberdeen and began general practice there. In 1786 he was appointed physician to Aberdeen Dispensary, and was annually re-elected till he left Aberdeen. While in Aberdeen he gave lectures on midwifery to medical students. In 1788 he received the degree of M.D. from Marischal College. In January, 1796, he relinquished his practice in Aberdeen, having been called on to resume active duty in the Navy ; and in the same year he was admitted a Member of the Corporation of Surgeons, London. In 1799 he was invalided home, and went to Logic, the residence of his brother, where he died on October 19, aged 47. In 1795 he pub- lished a Treatise on the Epidemic Puerperal Fever of Aberdeen, which was reprinted at Edinburgh in 1822 as an appendix to Dr. William Campbell's Treatise on the Epidemic Puerperal Fever of Edin- burgh, 1821-22. Dr. Campbell says in his preface (p. xii.) "To the present work I have added the valuable essay of Dr. Gordon as an appendix, for it is now entirely out of print, although a publica- tion of the first practical utility, and one the possession of which must be desirable to every man in practice, since to its author we are (M5) 3O HOUSE OF GORDON. unquestionably indebted for having been the first to prove that puerperal fever was not quite so untractable as the plague, but that it might on the contrary be successfully encountered ". The value of the treatise was again recognised in 1849, when it was reprinted by the Sydenham Society (Anderson's Fasti Acad. Marisc., ii., 131, 334; Scottish Notes and Queries, viii., 99 ; Biog. Note by his grandson, Dr. A. Harvey, in reprint of Treatise on Fever, 1849; Rodger's Aberdeen Doctors, pp. 46, 67). Dr. Gordon married in 1783 Elizabeth Harvey, and by her (who was born on February 21, 1760, and died on March 10, 1840) he had two daughters. (i.) MARY, born on November 12, 1784, married Dr. Robert Harvey of Braco near Inverurie, and died on June 14, 1818, leaving, with other children,.a son Alexander Harvey, A.M., M.D., Pro- fessor (1860-78) of Materia Medica in the University of Aberdeen, (ii.) ELIZABETH, died on January 7, 1793, aged 6. iii. Daughter, died, unmarried, at Banff on July 29, 1824, aged 70 (Aberdeen Journal). (2) ISOBEL, died, unmarried, at Aberdeen in March, 1780 (Aberdeen Commissariat, Gen. Reg. House, July 20, 1780). (3) ELIZABETH, died, unmarried, at Aberdeen on August 8, 1790 (Aberdeen Journal). 3. JAMES was a merchant in Aberdeen. He purchased in 1724 the lands of Banchory in the parish of Banchory-Devenick, Kincardineshire, but sold them in 1743 to Alexander Thomson, advocate in Aberdeen (Coll. Aberd. and Banff, p. 265; Henderson's Banchory-Devenick, p. 20); and in 1741 possessed lands in the parish of Premnay of the annual value of 766 133. 4d. Scots (Scottish Notes and Queries, 2nd series, ii., 120). He died at Aberdeen on February 6, 1751, aged 67. " He acquired a considerable fortune by merchandize, with an irre- proachable character; was universally esteemed for many valuable qualities and distinguished for his benevolent and peaceable disposi- tion " (Aberdeen Journal). His brother, Alexander, had from him on loan 11,200 Scots (Aberdeen Commissariat, Gen. Reg. House, June 20, 1753). He married (i) Margaret, daughter of Robert Cumming of Bjrness, and had two daughters, who on May 7, 1740, were served COCLARACHIE. 31 heirs portioner to their aunt, Ann Gumming, daughter of Robert Gumming of Birness (Index of Heirs) (1) ANN, who married in 1757 John Gordon of Craig, and died in 1774, leaving issue. (2) ISOBEL. He married (2) Mary, daughter of James Buchan of Auchmacoy, and had (3) THOMAS, who was served heir to his father on November 9, 1751 (Index of Heirs). He succeeded to his father's lands in the parish of Premnay ; and also acquired Sheelagreen in the parish of Culsalmond, and in 1798 Heathcot in the parish of Maryculter (Henderson's Lower Deeside, p. 201). He died at Suffolk Street, London, W.C., on July 19, 1819, aged 73 (Gent.'s Mag.), and was succeeded by his sister, Mary. He bequeathed to the parish of Premnay 1,000 and to the parish of Culsalmond 600, the interest of which sums is applied for the support of the poor of these parishes (Smith's Hist, of Aberdeenshire, pp. 462, 1166). (4) MARY, who married on January 21, 1768, Dr. (afterwards Sir) Alexander Bannerman, Professor of Medicine in King's College, Aberdeen, and had issue (Anderson's Officers, etc., of King's College, p. 38). She succeeded to her brother's lands, but soon sold them. 4. MARY, married Skene of Lethintie (Balb. MS., p. 53). James Gordon, I. of Ardmeallie, died in 1723 ; for in June, 1723, it was reported to the Kirk Session of Marnoch that "James Gordon of Ardmeallie, lately deceased," had bequeathed 100 merks for the poor of the parish (Marnoch Session Rec.). PETER GORDON, II. OF ARDMEALLIE. (Son of I. : died 1762.) Peter Gordon, II. of Ardmeallie, was the eldest son of James Gordon of Ardmeallie. 1709. April 24. Peter Gordon of Ardmeallie was one of the heritors of Marnoch (Marnoch Session Rec.). 1726. August 10. He had sasine on part of the moss of Tilliedoun (Banff Sasines). 1729. March n. He had sasine on an annualrent of 200 merks out of Haddo in the parish of Forgue (Sasines). (147) 32 HOUSE OF GORDON. 1733. He bought the lands of Barrie in the parish of Marnoch from William Duff of Crombie (Antiq. Aberd. and Banff, ii., 426). 1747. September 4. He and his spouse had sasine on a tenement in Portsoy (Sasines). 1748. May 27. He was one of those qualified to wear arms after the Jacobite rebellion (Banffshire Journal, May 30, 1899). 1750. March 20. The presbytery of Strathbogie visited the school of Marnoch and ascertained that, although they had on February 15, 1749, "recommended all schoolmasters to take particular care that the several schoolhouses should not be alienated to any other purpose than the teaching of youth allenarly, and had ordered every schoolmaster to get an extract of this resolution as a sufficient warrand for them not to give up the schoolhouses for to be used for selling of ale and other abuses at mercats or other publick occasions, which the presbytery understood had been frequently practised, particularly at Marnoch," yet Patrick Gordon of Ordmelly, after being shown a copy of the presbytery's resolution, had by letter demanded from the schoolmaster, John Smith, the keys of the schoolhouse for Marnoch fair on March 6, 1750, and " Mr. Smith still refusing to deliver up the keys, James Gordon, younger of Ordmelly, with several others in company, did on the said day in a violent and riotous manner break open the door both of the schoolhouse and school- chamber, breaking and destroying the seats belonging thereto, and making use of the schoolhouse through that day for selling of ale and other purposes. The presbytery looking upon this as a matter of publick concern . . . and having discoursed with Ordmelly thereanent," resolved that they would, " if he persisted in claiming any property in the said schoolhouse in time coming, take care to guard against any encroachments of the like nature, and this they intimated to him " (Strathbogie Presb. Rec.}. He married (i) in 1706 Ann, daughter of Robert Bisset of Lessen- drum (Temple's Fermartyn, p. 252), by whom he had three children who died young; and (2) Mary, eldest daughter of James Duff of Crombie (Baird's Duffs, p. 46), by whom he had : 1. JAMES, who succeeded to Ardmeallie. 2. ARCHIBALD, who received from his father, on June 30, 1733 (Sasines), the lands of Zeuchrie, part of Ardmeallie, but died, unmarried, in September, 1741, before his father. On April 5, 1753, his brother, James, was served heir to him in these lands (Index of Heirs), his father having renounced his right in the lands (Sasines, September 28, 1753)- 3. MARY, who married John Gordon of Avochie, in the parish of Huntly, and died on April 5, 1785, leaving issue (Jervise's Epitaphs, ii. 382). 4. HELEN, who married John Innes of Muiryfold, in the parish of Grange, and had no issue. Peter Gordon, II. of Ardmeallie, died at Ardmeallie in April, 1762 (Marnoch Session Rec.). (148) COCLARACHI^. 33 JAMES GORDON, III. OF ARDMEALLIE. (Son of II. : died 1791.) James Gordon, III. of Ardmeallie, was the eldest son of Peter Gordon of Ardmeallie. In 1757 he had sasine on February 8 on Ardmeallie, on May 5 on Barrie, and on May 6 on Northfield (Sasines). He married on January 25, 1757, Janet, daughter of John Leith of Leith-Hall (Scots Mag.). He died at Ardmeallie on July 31, 1791 (Scots Mag.), and after his death the lands were sold to John Morison, afterwards of Bognie. (149) THE GORDONS OF COCLARACHIE. APPENDIX OF DOCUMENTS. I. In Dei nomine amen per hoc presens publicum instrumentum cunctis pateat evidenter et sit notum quod anno domini millesimo quingentesimo trigesimo quarto mensis vero Maij [die] decimo octauo Indictione septima pontificatus sanctissimi in Christo patris domini et domini nostri dementis pape diuini anno vndecimo in notarii public! et testium subscriptorum presentia personaliter constitutus honestus vir Patricius Drum de Cardndavit atturnatus et eo nomine honorabilis domine Jonete Gordoun filie quondam Georgij Gordoun de cujus atturnatus mandate michi notario publico subscripto lucide constabat documento sub data apud Edin- brucht decimo die mensis Aprilis anno regnj supremi domini nostri regis vigesimo quiquidem Patricius Drum atturnatus nominatus quo supra quasdem literas papiro scriptas formam sasine et possessionis in se continentes a nobili et potente domino Jacobo murraue comite ac vicecomite principali de Aberdein sigillo sui officij varrantatas et munitas in medium produxit et presentauit fide digno viro Johanni Bessat vni de maris deputatis vicecomitatus de Aberdein vigore quarum literarum ipsarum Johannem Bessat requisivit quatenus sibi Patricio Orum nominate quo supra statum sasinam et possessionem omnium et singularum terrarum quarte partis terrarum de Kovclairochy cum quarta parte molendini et pertinentiis earundem cum dimedia sexte partis terrarum de Garrye et quarta parte terrarum de Drumdurnotht cum pertinentiis daret et deliberaret secundum vim formam et effectum dictarum literarum dicto maro directarum quasquidem literas per prefatum marum cum reverentia qua decuit receptas michique traditas et intellectas subsequente verborum forma perlegi et ad noticiam circumstantium deduxi James erl of murraif leftenand generall of Scotland and scheref principali of Aberdein to George Bessait mair of fee of the said scherefdoum and to his deputs greiting for samikill as we haif resauit ane precept of our souerane lords chappell charging ws to causs possessioun to be giffin to Jonet Gordoun or hir lauchfull attornay of all and haill the fovrt pairt of the lands of Kovclairoquhy with the fovrt pairt of the myll of the samyn and of the half of the sext pairt of Garry and of the fourt pairt of the lands of Drumdurnotht with thair pertinents as in our souerane lords precept derekit to ws thairapoun mair fullely is contenit of the quhilk precept the tenour follouis Jacobus Dei gratia rex Scotorum (150) COCLARACHIE. 35 vicecomiti et balliuis suis de Aberdene salutem quia per inquisitionem de mandate nostro per vos factam et ad capellam nostram returnatam compertum est quod quondam Elizabet Wentoun mater Jonete Gordoun latoris presentium obijt vltimo vestita et saisita vt de feodo ad pacem et fidem nostram de totis et integris terris subscripts cum suis pertinentiis viz. de quarta parte terrarum de Kovclairoquhy cum quarta parte molendini eiusdem et dimedia sexte partis terrarum de Garrye et de quarta parte terrarum de Drumdurnotht cum suis pertinentiis jacentibus in regalitate de Gareacht infra balliuiam westram et quod dicta Joneta est legitima et propinquior heres eiusdem Elizabet matris sue de dictis terris cum quarta parte molendini prenotati cum pertinentiis et quod est legitime etatis et quod de nobis tenetur in capite Vobis precipimus et mandamus quatenus dicte Jonete aut suo certo atturnato latori presentium sasinam predictarum terrarum cum quarta parte dicti molendini cum suis pertinentiis juste habere faciatis sine delationesaluo jure cuilibet capiendo securitatem de Ixx libris de fermis dictarum terrarum cum quarta parte dicti molendini cum suis pertinentiis existentium in manibus nostris per spacium septem annorum vltra elapsorum ratione varde que ferme extendentes annuatim ad x libras nobis debite et hoc nullo modo omittatis presentibus post annum minime valituris teste me ipso apud Edinbrucht octauo die mensis aprilis anno regni nostri vigesimo primo We charge you therefor that incontinent thir our lettres sein ye pass with the said Jonet or with hir lachfull attornay to the said fovrt pairt lands of Kuovclarachy with the fort pairt myll of the samyn and to the half sext pairt lands of Garry and to the fovrt pairt lands of Drumdurnotht with thair pertinents and gif till hir or thaim heritabill stait and possessioun of the said lands with thair pertinents saiffand all vthir mens rychts becauss we haif takin ane honourable man Villiam Forbes of crossindavy cautionar and souertie for the byrunning malis of the forsaid lands awand to our souerane lord efter the form of his precept derekit to ws thair- apoun and this on na vaas ye leif ondoun as ye vill ansuyr to ws apoun the executioun of your office the quhilk to do we commyt to you coniunctly and seueraly our full povers be this our precept deliuering the samyn be you devly indorsait and execouit againe to the berar giffin wnder our seall of office at Aberdein the xvi day of Maij in the zer of God ane thousand vc xxxiiij zers Post quarumquidem literarum lecturam prefatus Johannes Bessait marus antedictus accessit ad dictam quartam par- tem de Kovclarrachy et ibidem super solum earundem per traditionem terre et lapidis ut moris est sasinam et possessionem dictarum terrarum quarte partis de Kovclarachy cum pertinentiis prefato Patricio Orum atturnato nominato quo supra tradidit et deliberauit ipsum Patricium nominatum quo supra in quodam domo dicte quarte partis includens igne extincto habitatoribus expulsis investiuit et inclusit secundario prefatus marus accessit ad quartam partem molendini de Kbvclarrochy et in omnibus fecit similiter tertio dictus marus accessit ad dimediam sexte partis de Garry et in omnibus fecit similiter quarto predictus marus accessit ad quartam partem terrarum de Drumdurnotht cum suis pertinentiis et in omnibus fecit similiter et in signum dicte sasine et possessionis antedictus marus elegit sibi bouem vnum nigri coloris cum cornubus albis pertinentem magistro Johanni Smolt tenenti in dicta 36 HOUSE OF GORDON. quarta parte de Drumdurnotht Super quibus omnibus et singulis prefatus Patricius Orum dum ut premittitur investitus atturnatus nominatus quo supra a me notario publico subscripto sibi fieri petiit instrumentum vnum vel plura publicum vel publica Acta erant hec apud Kovclarrachy et molendinum eiusdem et Garry horis decima et vndecima ante meridiem vel eo circa et apud Drumdurnacht hora quarta post meridiem aut eo circa sub anno die mense indictione et pontificatu quibus supra Presentibus ibidem discretis et honestis viris magistro Johanne Gordoun Johanne Maky Johanne Covbayn Georgio Leslie Patricio Dauistoun magistro Johanne Smolt testibus ad premissa vocatis pariterque rogatis. Et ego Willelmus Dauidsoun presbyter Aberdonensis diocesis sancta apostolica auctoritate notarius publicus quia etc. ABSTRACT OF I. Instrument of sasine attesting that on May 18, 1534, Patrick Orum of Cardn- davit as "attorney for Jonet Gordoun, daughter of the late George Gordoun," pro- duced letters from James, Earl of Moray, Sheriff Principal of Aberdeen, containing Crown precept of sasine which enjoined sasine to be given to Jonet Gordoun, as legitimate and nearest heir of Elizabeth Wentoun, her mother, of the fourth part of Kovclairoquhy with the mill of the same, of the half of the sixth part of Garrye, and of the fourth part of Drumdurnotht, and stating that William Forbes of Crossindavy had become security for 70 Scots, feuduties resting for seven years ; and that accordingly John Bessat, one of the mairs of Aberdeen, gave sasine in presence of Mr. John Gordoun, John Maky, John Covbayn, George Leslie, Patrick Davistoun and Mr. John Smolt ; the notary being William Davidsoun. On the outside of the Instrument is this note: "23 Junij, 1554 product, et admiss. in assisa," i.e., " 23 June, 1554, produced and admitted in an assize " evidently the assize at which Alexander Forbes was found heir to his mother, Jonet Gordon. II. In Dei nomine amen per hoc presens publicum instrumentum cunctis pateat evidenter et sit notum quod anno incarnationis dominice millesimo quingentesimo sexagesimo mensis vero February die decimo Indictione quarta pontificatus Pij pape quarti anno secundo in mei notarii publici et testium subscriptorum presentiis per- sonaliter constitutus honestus vir Georgius Gordoun hereditarius de Blairrendenny habens et tenens suis in manibus quandam cartam alienationis pergameno scriptam cum precepto huiusmodi sasine sub sigillo et subscriptione manuali honesti viri Alexandri Forbes sigillatam et subscriptam sibi Georgio Gordoun suisque heredibus et assignatis de et super totis et integris quarte partis omnium et singularum terrarum de Cokclaroquhy quarte partis ville et terrarum de Nevbiging quarte partis crofte de Futty vnacum duabus bovatis terrarum de Garry ac etiam quarte partis molendini de Cokclaroquhy nuncupati molendini de Ryalbain cum terris molendinariis et astrictis multuris omnium et singularum predictarum terrarum cum universis suis COCLARACHIE. 37 pertinentiis jacentibus in dominio de Drumblait et infra [vicecomitatum de Aberdeen] per prefatum Alexandrum Forbes factam et concessam quamquidem cartam vnacum precepto sasine discrete viro Andrea Makie balliuo in hac parte dicti Allexandri Forbes et in huiusmodi precepto specialiter nominato exhibuit et presentauit qui- quidem balliuus dictam cartam cum precepto huiusmodi in manibus suis recepit et mihi notario subscripto deliberauit . . . quodquidem preceptum perlegi et exposui cuius tenor sequitur subsequenti verborum forma Allexander Forbes portionarius de Cokclaroquhy dilectis meis . . . coniunctim et diuisim balliuis meis in hac parte specialiter et irrevocabiliter constitutis salutem Quia vendidi et alienavi hereditarie . . . Cokclaroquhy suis heredibus et assignatis totam et integram quartam partem meam omnium et singularum terrarum et molendini subscriptarum viz. quartam partem ville et terrarum de Cokclaroquhy . . . mando quatenus sasinam et posses- sionem hereditariam . . . prefato Georgio Gordoun suis heredibus et assignatis . . . tradatis . . . sigillum meum proprium est appensum apud Aberdeen septimo die . . . Presentibus ibidem . . . Gordoun in Cokclarroquhy Jacobo . . . ibidem Wilhelmo Bisset ibidem et Johanne ... in Balquharne testibus ad premissa vocatis . . . Et ego vero magister Johannes Grey clericus, etc. ABSTRACT OF II. Instrument of sasine attesting that on February 10, 1560, "George Gordoun, hereditary proprietor of Blairrendenny " produced a charter of sale with precept of sasine, dated at Aberdeen February 7, 1560, by "Alexander Forbes, portioner of Cokclaroquhy," and received sasine in "the fourth part of the town and lands of Cokclaroquhy, the fourth part of the town and lands of Newbiging, the fourth part of the croft of Futty, with the two oxgangs of the lands of Garry, as also the fourth part of the Mill of Cokclaroquhy, commonly called the Mill of Ryalbane . . . lying within the barony of Drumblait and county of Aberdeen " ; in presence of ... Gordoun in Cokclaroquhy, James . . . there, William Bisset there, and John . . . in Balquharne ; the notary being John Grey. The instrument is to a large extent illegible through damp. The charter of sale of February 7, 1560, was confirmed under the Great Seal on March 16, 1615 (Reg. Mag. Sig.}. III. In Dei nomine amen. Per hoc presens publicum instrumentum cunctis pateat evidenter et sit notum quod anno incarnationis dominice millesimo quingentesimo octuagesimo septimo mensis vero Decembris die secundo ac regni S.D.N. Jacobi sexti Dei gratia Scotorum regis anno. ... In mei notarii publici et testium sub- scriptorum presentiis personaliter comparuit Georgius Gordoune de Coclerathie tenens et habens suis in manibus quandam cartam nobilis et potentis domini Georgii Gordoune comitis de Huntlie etc. preceptum sasine in fine eiusdem continentem (i53) 38 HOUSE OF GORDON. sigillo et subscriptione manuali dicti domini Georgii Comitis de Huntlie roboratam de data infrascripta per eundem dominum Comitem confectam datam et concessam dicto Georgio Gordoune de Coclerathie heredibus suis et assignatis de et super totis et integris [terris] quarte partis ville et terrarum de Coclerathie quarte partis de Newbiging crofte de Futtie et quarte partis molendini de Coclerathie nuncupati lie Myll de Ryalbane et quarte partis multurarum omnium et singularum predictarum terrarum et quarte partis silue et nemorum et quarte partis lie Cruikhaiches ex boriale partis aque de Bogy jacentis occupate per Joannem Strachin cum universis*et singulis suis pertinentiis jacentibus infra dominium de Drumblet et vicecomitatum de Abir- den provide viro Jacobo Duncan de Merdrem balliuo dicti domini Georgii Comitis de Huntlie in hac parte virtute dicti precepti specialiter constitute exhibuit et presentauit Quamquidem cartam preceptum sasine in fine eiusdem continentem prefatus balliuus ad manus recepit et mihi notario publico [subscripto] ad perlegendam publicandam et interpretandam contulit quam ego etiam ab eodem recipiens eandem . . . alta et intelligibili voce perlegi et in vulgari nostro idiomate exposui et publicavi cuiusquidem precepti in fine dicte carte [contenti] tenor sequitur et est talis Insuper Jacobo Duncane de Merdrem balliuis nostris coniunctim et diuisim presentium tenore irreuocabiliter constitutis precipimus et firmiter mandamus quatenus vos seu vestrum aliquis ad prefatas terras et molendinum accedat et ibidem per terre et lapidis fundi lie clap et happer vt moris donationem statum sasinam et possessionem hereditariam realem actualem et corporalem totarum et integrarum illarum quarteriarum seu quarte partis ville et terrarum de Coclerathie [etc. as above] prefato Georgio Gor- doune de Bleirdenie suis heredibus et assignatis vel ejus procuratori presentium latori juxta formam prescripte carte in omnibus et per omnia indilate tradatis vel tradat ad quod faciendum nostram plenariam et irreuocabilem tenore presentium potestatem In cuius rei testimonium huic presenti carte preceptum sasine in se continent! manu nostra vt sequitur subscripte sigillum nostrum proprium est appen- sum apud Essilmont vigesimo die mensis Novembris anno domini millesimo quin- gentesimo octuagesimo septimo coram his testibus domino Patricio Gordoune de Auchindoun milite Jacobo Abircromby et magistro Francisco Cheyne de Crage et sic subscribitur George Erll of Huntlie Post cuiusquidem precepti lecturam et publi- cationem vt supra dictus Georgius Gordoune dictum Jacobum Duncane balliuum antedictum humiliter et cum instantia requisivit etc. . . . et in signum huiusmodi possessionis dictus balliuus sibi elegit unam bouem arabilem nigri colons cornuatam et appretiari fecit ad nouem liberas pecuniarum huius regni super quibus etc. . . . Acta erant hec etc. . . . Presentibus ibidem Joanne Strachin in Balquharne Joanne Lyonne in Gerrie Wilhelmo Wat in Coclerathie Joanne Reidfurd illicdem Joanne Micheall illicdem et Joanne Gordoune seruitore dicti Jacobi Duncan de Merdrem testibus ad premissa rogatis pariterque vocatis. Et ego vero Georgius Cheyne clericus diocesis Aberdonensis regali auctoritate notarius publicus etc. (54) COCLARACHIE. 39 ABSTRACT OF III. Instrument of sasine attesting that on December 2, 1587, " George Gordoune of Coclerachie " produced a charter (with precept of sasine) by George, Earl of Huntly, in favour of said George Gordoune which precept describes the lands as "the fourth part of the town and lands of Coclerachie, the fourth part of Newbiging and croft of Futtie, and the fourth part of the mill of Coclerachie now called myll of Ryalbane, with the mill lands, and the fourth part of the multures of the forsaid lands, of the wood and groves, and the fourth part of Cruikit Haiches lying on the north side of the water of Bogy occupied by John Strachin," and enjoins sasine to be given to " George Gordoune of Bleirdenie," and was signed and sealed at Essilmonth on November 20, 1587, before Sir Patrick Gordoune of Auchindoun, James Abir- cromby and Mr. Francis Cheyne of Crage and that sasine was given by James Duncan of Merdrem, in presence of John Strachin in Balquharne, John Lyonne in Gerrie, William Wat in Coclerachie, John Reidfurd there, John Micheall there, and John Gordoune, servant to the said James Duncan of Merdrum ; the notary being George Cheyne. IV. Omnibus hanc cartam visuris vel audituris Georgius Marchio de Huntlie Dominus de Enzie et de Gordoun et Badzenot hereditarius proprietarius terrarum aliorumque infrascriptorum Salutem in Domino sempiternam. Quia virtute cuiusdem contractus initi et confecti inter nos cum consensu et assensu nobilis et potentis principis Ludovici Lennocie ducis Comitis de Dernelie Domini de Tarbolton Methuen et Aubignay et Georgii domini Gordoun et Francisci Gordoun filiorum nostrorum pro eorum interesse super terras aliaque subscripta ab vna et Georgium Gordoun de Coclarachie et Elizabetham alias Bessie Duncan ejus sponsam partibus ab altera pro summa sex millium marcarum vsualis monete regni Scotie nobis per dictum Georgium Gordoun gratanter et integre persoluta predictum Georgium et dictam ejus sponsam heredes suos et assignatos in terris aliisque subscriptis modo subse- quente infeodare tenemur prout in dicto contractu de data presentium latius con- tinetur Noveritis igitur nos cum consensu et assensu personarum suprascriptarum dedisse concessisse vendidisse alienasse et hac presenti carta nostra confirmasse . . . memoratis Georgio Gordoun et Elizabethe alias Bessie Duncan ejus sponse eorumque alteri diutius viventi in conjuncta infeodatione et heredibus masculis dicti Georgii Gordoun et assignatis quibuscunque hereditarie totas et integras terras nostras tres quarterias seu quartas partes davate terrarum de Coclarachie viz. ville de Coclarachie et crofte vocate crofte de Futtye terrarum de Newbiging et Lytle Mylne et tres quarterias nostras molendini de Coclarachie molendini de Ryalebane nuncupati terrarum molendinariarum multurarum et sequelorum eiusdem cum omnibus et singulis earundem domibus . . . jacentes infra vicecomitatum de Aber- dene vnacum decimis garbalibus dictarum trium quarteriarum. . . . Tenendas et habendas totas et integras prefatas tres quarterias . . . de me heredibus meis (i55) 40 HOUSE OF GORDON!. masculis et assignatis . . . Reddendo inde . . . vsualis monete regni Scotie . . . Et nos vero prefatus Georgius Marchio de Huntlie . . . prefatas tres quarterias . . . contra omnes mortales varrantizabimus . . . Insuper dilectis meis Johanni Leyth in Bucharne et vestrum cuilibet ... In cujus rei testimonium huic carte nostre ex chirographo magistri Roberti Bissat scribe manu nostra subscripte sigillum nostrum est appensum apud Huntlye vigesimo primo die mensis Maij anno domini millesimo sexcentesimo decimo septimo coram his testibus Hugone Gordoun de Cultis Patricio Mortimer filio quondam Johannis Mortimer de Cragivar Johanne Andersone in Dunbennan et dicto Magistro Roberto Bissat. To the charter this note is appended : Sasina data 23 Maij 1617 per Johannem Leyth in Bucharne balivum Hugoni Gordoun attornato dictarum terrarum inter septimam et octauam matutinam pre- sentibus ibidem Alexandro Pyrie Gulielmo Gallan Alexandro Gib in Coclarachie et Alexandro Laird servitore dicti Georgii testibus ad premissa vocatis et rogatis. M. R. BISSET, notarius publicus. ABSTRACT OF IV. Charter by George, Marquis of Huntly, in favour of George Gordoun of Coclarachie and Elisabeth, alias Bessie, Duncan, his spouse, of the three fourth parts of the davach lands of Coclarachie, in implement of a contract of sale of same date whereby the said Marquis sold the said lands for 6,000 merks to said George Gordon and his spouse, reserving power of redemption. The charter is signed and sealed at Huntlye May 21, 1617, in presence of Hugh Gordon of Cultis, Patrick Mortimer son of the late John Mortimer of Cragivar, John Andersone in Dunbennan, and Mr. Robert Bissat writer of the charter. V. Omnibus hanc cartam visuris vel audituris Georgius Gordoune de Coclarachie hereditarius proprietarius terrarum aliorumque subscriptorum salutem in Domino sempiternam. Quia virtute cujusdem obligationis per me factae datae et concessae dilectae meae Bessetae alias Elizabethe Duncan meae sponsae pro causis in eadem contentis ipsam in vitali redditu pro toto tempore vitae suae in terris aliisque sub- scriptis modo subsequente infeodare teneor prout in dicta obligatione de data apud Colpnay septimo die mensis Julii anno domini millesimo sexcentesimo decimo septimo latius continetur Noveritis igitur me dedisse concessisse et hac presenti carta mea confirmasse . . . memoratae Elizabethe alias Bessie Duncan meae sponsae in vitali redditu pro toto tempore vitae suae totam et integram meam quarteriam seu quartam partem davatae terrarum de Coclarachie viz. . . . jacentem in baronia de Drumblait infra vicecomitatum de Aberdeen Tenendam et habendam . . . Insuper dilectis meis ... In cujus rei testimonium huic presenti cartae preceptum sasinae in se continenti ex chirographo Magistri Roberti Bisset scribae manu mea subscriptae (156) COCLARACHIE. 41 sigillum meum est appensum apud Coclarachie octauo die mensis Augusti anno domini millesimo sexcentesimo decimo septimo coram his testibus Alexandro Gordoun in Mairdrum meo filio Johanne Gordoun in ... ismilne et dicto Magistro Roberto Bisset. Alex r Gordoun vitns George gordoune Jhon Gordoun vitnes of Coclarachye M. R. Bisset witnes ABSTRACT OF V. Charter by which George Gordon of Coclarachie, being bound, by an obligation dated at Colpnay, July 7, 1617, to infeft his beloved spouse, Bessie Duncan, in certain lands in liferent, grants to the said Bessie Duncan his fourth part of the lands of Coclarachie in liferent. The charter is signed at Coclarachie August 8, 1617, in presence of Alexander Gordoun in Mairdrum, his son, John Gordoun in ... and Mr Robert Bisset, writer of the charter. VI. Omnibus hanc cartam visuris vel audituris Georgius Gordoun de Coclarachie proprietarius terrarum molendinorum aliorumque subscriptorum eternam in Domino Salutem. Quia virtute contractus matrimonialis initi et confecti inter me pro me ipso et onus in me pro Georgio Gordoun nepote meo suscipientem et dictum Georgium Gordoun juniorem pro se ipso suoque interesse cum consensu Alexandri Gordoun de Merdrum et Magistri Gulielmi Gordoun medicine doctoris cura- torum prefati Georgii Gordoun junioris pro eorum interesse dictumque Alexan- drum Gordoun de Merdrum pro se ipso jure et titulo suo ab vna et Alexandrum Setoun de Petmedden pro se et onus in eum pro Griselda Setoun filia eius legittima [suscipientem] dictamque Griseldam pro se et suo interesse partibus ab altera de data presentium teneor et astringor prefatum Georgium Gordoun juniorem in villis terris molendinis aliisque subscriptis modo et forma infra designatis infeodare Noveritis igitur me dictum Georgium Gordoun de Coclarachie pro perimpletione illius partis dicti contractus matrimonialis penes hoc infeofamentum conficiendum et intuitu dicti matrimonii secundum formam eiusdem contractus dedisse concessisse alienasse et hac presenti carta mea confirmasse . . . dicto Georgio Gordoun nepoti meo et heredibus masculis inter eum et prefatam Griseldam Setoun procreandis quibus deficientibus dicto Georgio Gordoun juniori et heredibus suis masculis et assignatis quibuscumque omnes et singulas villas et terras meas de Overblairtoun alias vocato Colpnay ad boream cum pendiculo eiusdem vocato Vastburne cum molendino jam pridem super terris de Overblairtoun edificato cum terris molen- dinariis multuris sequelis croftis et pertinentiis earundem villam et terras de Pettens cum omnibus earundem domibus . . . jacentes infra baroniam de Baheluie et vicecomitatum de Aberdeen Reservando Jeanne Gordoun domine de Crag vitalem (i57) X 42 HOUSE OF GORDON. suum redditum terrarum de Pettens cum pertinentiis et dimedii pendiculi terrarum de Wastburne juxta titulo quern de iisdem habet (sine periculo vitalis redditus dicte Griselde Setoun terrarum de Overblairtoun molendini eiusdem et alterius medii pendiculi de Wastburne et croftarum eedem dispositarum virtute dicti contractus) necnon totam et integram quartam partem lie Davauche landis de Coclarachie viz. . . . jacentem infra baroniam de Drumblaitt et vicecomitatum antedictum necnon alias tres quartas partes meas dictarum terrarum vocatarum Davauch landis de Coclarachie viz. . . . jacentes infra dictum vicecomitatum de Aberdeen . . . Reservando tamen mihi et Bessete Duncan mee sponse vitales nostros redditus totius dicte ville et terrarum vocatarum the Davache landis de Coclarachie . . . Et ego vero dictus Georgius Gordoun de Coclarachie heredes mei . . . omnes et singulas predictas terras . . . (exceptis vitalibus redditibus dicte Jeanne Gordoun et Griselde Setoun et annuo redditu dicto Alexandro Gordoun trecentarum marcarum spectanti- bus et exceptis vitali meo redditu et predicte mee conjugis terrarum suprascriptarum cum pertinentiis vt premissum est) contra omnes mortales warrantizabimus . . . Insuper dilectis meis ... In cujus rei testimonium huic presenti carte mee preceptum sasine in se continenti manu Magistri Gulielmi Barclay advocati scripte manu mea subscripte sigillum meum proprium armorum est appensum apud Coclarachie decimo septimo die mensis Maii anno domini millesimo sexcentesimo vigesimo nono coram his testibus Magistro Roberto Bisset de Lessindrum Alexandro Gordoun de Mardrom Johanne Jessiman meo servitore et Magistro Roberto Petrie scriba. Alex r Gordoun Vitnes George gordoune M. R. Bisset witness M. Robert Petrie witness Jhon Jessiman vitnes ABSTRACT OF VI. Charter by which George Gordoun of Coclarachie (in implement of a marriage contract of same date between himself and his grandson George Gordoun, with con- sent of Alexander Gordoun of Merdrum and M r William* Gordoun, doctor of medicine' as curators of said George Gordoun, junior, on the one part, and Alexander Setoun of Petmedden and his daughter, Grissell Setoun, on the other part) grants to George Gordoun, his grandson, " the town and lands of Overblairtoun otherwise called Colpnay on the north with the pendicle of the same called Vastburne, with the mill . . . and the town and lands of Pettens . . . lying within the barony of Baheluie and county of Aberdeen (Reserving to Jean Gordoun, lady of Crag, her liferent of the lands of Pettens . . . ), as also the fourth part of the davauche lands of Coclarachie ... as also the other three fourth parts of said davauch lands of Coclarachie . . . (Reserving to himself and his spouse, Bessie Duncan, their liferents of said davauch lands of Coclarachie)." The charter was written by M r William Barclay, advocate, and signed at Coclarachie May 17, 1629, i presence of M r Robert Bisset of Lessin- drum, Alexander Gordoun of Mardrom, John Jessiman, servant to George Gordoun, senior, and M r Robert Petrie, writer. (158) COCLARACHIE. 43 VII. Omnibus hanc cartam visuris vel audituris Georgius Gordone de Coclarachie hereditarius proprietarius terrarum aliorumque subscriptorum eternam in domino salutem. Noveritis me pro observatione certe partis literarum dispositionis per me Grissille Settone mee conjugi in vitali redditu durantibus omnibus sue vite diebus de data presentium factarum datarum et concessarum proque causis onerosis inibi expressis assedasse . . . prefate Grissille Settone mee conjugi in vitali redditu durantibus omnibus sue vite diebus totam et integram quartam partem ville et terrarum de Coclarachie quartam partem ville et terrarum de Newbigging quartam partem crofte de Futtie cum duabus davatis terrarum de Garrie ac quartam partem molendini de Coclarachie nunc vocatum molendinum de Ryalban cum terris molen- dinariis . . . jacentes infra dominium de Drumblait et vicecomitatum de Aberdein ad me hereditarie spectantes necnon totas et integras meas alias tres quarterias seu quartas partes dictarum terrarum de Coclarachie crofte de Futtie Newbigging et molendini de Coclarachie . . . jacentes vt supra. . . . Insuper dilectis meis . . . In cujus rei testimonium huic presenti carte mee manu Andree Massie notarii publici scripte manuque mea subscripte sigillum meum proprium armorum est appensum apud Aberdein decimo quinto die mensis Decembris anno domini millesimo sexcen- tesimo quadragesimo tertio coram his testibus magistro Alexandro Davidsone advocato Richardo Rutherfuird burgensi burgi de Aberdein et Andrea Massie predicto. ABSTRACT OF VII. Charter by which George Gordon of Coclarachie (in implement of letters of disposition of same date) grants to Grissell Seton, his spouse, his fourth part of Coclarachie and also the other three fourth parts, in liferent. The charter was signed at Aberdeen, December 15, 1643, in presence of Mr. Alexander Davidson, advocate, Richard Rutherfuird, burgess of Aberdeen, and Andrew Massie, notary, writer of the charter. VIII. Omnibus hanc cartam visuris vel audituris Georgius Gordoune de Cocklarachie hereditarius proprietarius terrarum molendini aliorumque subscriptorum salutem in domino sempiternam. Noveritis me pro perimpletione mee partis cuiusdam contracti matrimonialis inter me ab vna et Elizabetam Fraser relictam quondam Willielmi Meldrum de Haltoune ab altera partibus de data presentium initi et confecti virtute cuiusquidam contracti dictam Elizabetam Fraser in vitali redditu et pro omnibus sue vite diebus in terris molendino aliisque subscriptis modo subsequente infeodare teneor igitur dedisse . . . prefate Elizabete Fraser . . . totas et integras tres quar- terias davate terrarum de Cocklarachie viz. . . . ac etiam totam et integram illam (159) 44 HOUSE OF GORDON. alteram quarteriam seu quartam partem dicte ville et terrarum de Cocklarachie . . . tanquam principales necnon totas et integras villas et terras de Altoune et Newtoune de Monedies terras et villam de Whytmuire terras et villam de Muireailhous villas et terras de Myresyde et villas et terras de Carnehills . . . omnes jacentes infra parochiam de Aberchirder et vicecomitatum de Banff et hoc in speciale varrantum et securitatem dicte Elizabete Fraser ... In cujus rei testimonium presentibus (per Patricium Fraserum scribam Edinburgi scnptis) manu mea subscriptis sigillum meum est appensum apud Fraserburghe die mensis tredecimo Decembris anno domini millesimo sexcentesimo quadragesimo qumto coram his testibus Alexandro Frasero de Philorth Joanne Fraser de Pittulie Joanne Baird clerico vicecomitatus de Banff et dicto Patricio Frasero testibus ad premissa vocatis rogatis et requisitis. ABSTRACT OF VIII. Charter by which George Gordoune of Cocklarachie (being bound by a matri- monial contract of same date between himself and Elizabeth Fraser, relict of the late William Meldrum of Haltoun, to infeft the said Elizabeth in the liferent of certain lands) grants to said Elizabeth Fraser in liferent the three fourth parts of the davach lands of Cocklarachie . . . and also the other fourth part ... as the principal lands, and also, as warrandice lands, "the towns and lands of Altoune and Newtoune of Monedies, the town and lands of Whytmuire, the town and lands of Muireailhous, the towns and lands of Myresyde, and the towns and lands of Carnehills ... all lying within the parish of Aberchirder and county of Banff". The charter was signed at Fraserburgh, December 13, 1645, in presence of Alexander Fraser of Philorth, John Fraser of Pittulie, John Baird, sheriff clerk of Banff, and Patrick Fraser, writer, Edinburgh, writer of the charter. IX.. In Dei nomine amen. Per hoc presens publicum instrumentum cunctis pateat evidenter et sit notum quod anno incarnationis dominice millesimo sexcentesimo sexagesimo quarto mensis vero Maii die vigesimo quarto regnique S. D. N. Caroli secundi Dei gratia Magne Britanie Francie et Hibernie regis illustrissimi fideique defensoris anno decimo sexto In mei notarii public! ac testium subscriptorum presentia in fundis terrarum molendini terrarum molendinariarum aliorumque sub- tusscriptorum personaliter comparuit Petrus Chalmer servitor Elisabethe Fraser domine de Cocklarachie procurator pro et nomine Issabelle Meldrum filie legittime quondam Willielmi Meldrum aliquando de Haltoun habens et tenens suis in manibus quendam contractum matrimonialem initum et confectum inter Johannem Forbes de Asloune pro seipso et onus in se suscipientem pro Willielmo Forbes ejus filio legittimo natu maximo et dictum Willielmum Forbes pro seipso cum speciali con- sensu memorati Johannis Forbes sui patris et utrumque cum uno consensu et assensu (160) COCLARACHIE. 45 ab vna et dictam Issabellam Meldrum ab altera partibus de data apud Cocklarachie sexto die Maii proximo elapso Quis contractus continet preceptum sasine subinsertum in fine ejusdem. . . . Quemquidem contractum . . . prefatus Petrus Chalmer. . . . Waltero Forbes de Blacktoun balivo in hac parte per dictum preceptum specialiter constituto presentavit . . . cujus precepti sasine saltern partis hujus in favorem dicte Issabelle tenor sequitur et est talis And for infefting of the said Isabell Meldrum in her conjunct fee and warrandice lands particularlie aboverehearsed, the said John Forbes, elder of Asloun hes made . . . Walter Forbes of Blacktoun . . . his baillies in that pairt requyring and desyring them ... to passe . . . and give and deliver . . . possession of the saids ten chalders victuall besyds the customes (reserving two chalders of the saids ten in maner abovementioned) yeirlie to be uplifted foorth of the saids toifnes and lands of Dorrisaill, the Muir Badinapeat, the croft called the Brigend of Alfoord and of that pleughe of the Maynes called the Overtoun, and in speciall warrandice of the samen, of so much rent foorth of the saids lands and Maynes of Asloun and miln of the samen with the miln ... as will be answerable and equivalent to any prejudice or distres the said William Forbes or Issabell Meldrum his said future spous shall sustayne during her lyfetyme through want of any pairt or portioun of her lyferent lands abovewritten, to the said Issabell Meldrum. ... In witnes whereoff both the saids parties have subscribed thir presents with their hands (writtin be Alexander Cuie, servitor to Robert Sharp, shereff clerk of Banff) day yeir and place forsaids befor thir witnesses Adam Forbes late tutor of Brux and John Forbes and James Miln servitors to the said Elisabeth Fraser. . . . Post cujusquidem contractus . . . perlecturam etc. . . . Coram his testibus Roberto Forbes filio legittimo dicti Johannis Forbes de Asloun Petro Taylior in Asloun Willielmo Greinlaw servitore dicti Willielmi Forbes et Waltero Innes servitore dicti Walteri Forbes de Blacktoun et diversis aliis ad premissa rogatis et requisitis. Ego vero Walterus Simson clericus Aberdonensis diocesis . . . notarius publicus etc. ABSTRACT OF IX. Instrument of sasine attesting that on May 24, 1664, Peter Chalmer, servant of Elisabeth Fraser, lady of Cocklarachie, as procurator for Issabella Meldrum, lawful daughter of the late William Meldrum of Haltoun, produced a matrimonial contract (dated at Cocklarachie, May 6, 1664) between John Forbes