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By Dr J. M. Bulloch
Aberdeen Journal' Notes and Queries - Volume II (1909)
Crathienaird means "Crathie-on-the-height," is in the parish of Crathie and has been associated with the Gordons for many years. In 1539 a certain John Reid Gordon appears as one of the King's tenants in Crathienaird (Michie's 'Deeside Tales' page 280.) The connected family of modern times begins with:
THOMAS GORDON of CRATHIENAIRD
I do not know his origin, but his descendants are clear. He had at least two children:
1. John Gordon of Crathienaird (died 1766)
2. ----- Gordon, who married David Farquharson (son of James Farquharson of Tullochcoy, who trace from the Inverey Farquharsons) Dr Michie says they had issue, but gives no names ("Records of Invercauld," page 112)
JOHN GORDON of CRATHIENAIRD
On December the 11th 1739 sasine was granted to John Gordon, eldest son of Thomas Gordon, portioner of Crathienaird, of part of the lands of Lausie and Blairglass, in the shire of Aberdeen (General Register of Sasines)
John Gordon of Crathienaird died December 1766. He signed his will at Milntown of Rippachie on the 19th December 1766, before these witnesses: Alexander Tawse, miller at the Mill of Rippachie and Reverend James Lumsden, Minister of Towie. The document opens thus:
I, John Gordon of Crathienaird, being at the present time sick in body, but, by the Blessing of God, sound in memory, judgement and understanding, and considering myself subject to mortality with the rest of mankind, have thought fit to make my testament."
He died at Milntown of Rippachie the SAME day. ("Aberdeen Journal") There was owing to him certain money by James Farquharson in Balmoral, in a bond by him to William Young in Riebrach, and assigned to Gordon by Young and his children (James and Margaret Young) on November the 13th 1765.
There was also due �36.15s Scots and annual rent thereof contained in a bill of October the 18th 1764 by the late John Ross at Mill of Lairny and James Low in Firfins (?Torphins.)
The will was confirmed on February 28th 1767 (John Forbes of Bellabeg being cautioner) and the Eik on the 3rd of March 1769 (Aberdeen Commissariot.)
John Gordon of Crathienaird married on the 29th of December 1738 Isobel Shepherd (Crathie Register) and had:
1. Rev. Thomas Gordon of Crathienaird, born 1743.
2. John Gordon, born 4th May 1744 (Register.) His father bequeathed him 1800 merks Scots to be paid "at the first term of Martinmas after the years of his apprenticeship are expired, with the ordinary annual rent thereof during the not payment after the said term of payment, and to support him in clothes and other necessarys until the saids years are run."
3. Charles Gordon, born the 30th June 1748 (Register.) He got 1000 merks from his father under the same conditions as John.
4. George Gordon, born 6th July 1752 (Register.) Thomas was instructed under the father's will that "on his own proper charges and expenses to aliment George Gordon, my fourth son, and Patrick Gordon, my fifth son, and by the advice of his and their nearest relatives and friends on the father's and mother's side, to put them to said trades and employments as their genius and inclinations lead and incline them to, and whereby, by the Divine Blessing, they may gain their bread and livelihood in the world, and to pay their apprentice fees if they shall be bred artificers and merchants, and then to pay each of them the sum of 1000 merks money foresaid at the first term of Martinmas after either their attaining to the age of 21 years compleat or after the years of their apprenticeship are expired, with the ordinary annual rent thereafter during the next payment."
5. Patrick Gordon
6. Isobel Gordon, born 25th March 1747 (Register.) Not mentioned in the will.
7. Janet Gordon, born 27th July 1750 (Register.) Her father left her 2300 merks at the first term of Martinmas after her attaining the age of 21 years compleat, or within year and day after her marriage, if it shall happen before that time, (Thomas) being obliged to afford her a decent aliment and support as her father's daughter, ay and until her said portion become payable, which portion is to bear annual rent during the not payment after the terms above expressed.
REV. THOMAS GORDON of CRATHIENAIRD
He was the eldest son of John Gordon of Crathienaird, to whom he was served heir on the 7th of July 1767, and he was born in 1743. He was the sole executor of his father's will. He went to Marischal College, taking his M.A. in 1761, but instead of becoming a country laird, entered the Church, being licensed by the Presbytery of Kincardine O'Neil the 23rd of April 1768, and ordained the 11th January 1769 as missionary at Crathie, afterwards removing to Glenmuick. He was presented to the Kirk of Aboyne by the Earl of Aboyne in April 1784, being admitted colleague and successor in the following year.
Rev Thomas Gordon married at the Manse of Cluny, Elizabeth Michie, daughter of the Rev. Robert Michie ("Aberdeen Journal," April 23rd 1781.) He died on the 13th of January 1826 in his 83rd year. His widow died on the 3rd of August 1830. He had:
1. John Gordon, who took his M.A. at Marischal College, 1799, and went to Jamaica (Scott's Fasti, iii. 520.)
2. George Gordon of Buxburn. The estate was feued to him the 22nd of December 1827, a charter being granted by the Town Council of Aberdeen January the 1st 1828, for a feu-duty of �162 (Morgan's "Woodside" p.198.) He married at St Paul's Church, Aberdeen the 18th June 1832, Rachel Young, daughter of Provost William Young of Sheddocksley (St Paul's Marriage Register.) She aquired her father's estate of Sheddocksley, and was served heir to her uncle Alexander Anderson of Bourtie on the 10th of December 1852. George Gordon died in 1847, aged 56, and was buried in St Nicholas, Aberdeen. His wife died without issue on the 16th of May 1873 in her 90th year (Munro's "Provosts of Aberdeen," p. 249.)
3. Barbara Gordon, youngest daughter ("Scott's Fasti.")
Tradition assigns another kinsman to the Rev. Thomas Gordon in the person of Charles Gordon, farmer of Crathienaird, who died in 1900. His son James Gordon, now at Crathienaird, tells me, however, that the parson-laird was his father's "grand-uncle." To return to Charles Gordon, he was the son of Charles Gordon and Margaret McPherson, and he died in 1900 at the age of 78. He was a cousin of John Brown. He married Mary Brown and left two sons - James, now at Crathienaird, and Charles, and six daughters (Eliza, Margaret, Mary, Charlotte, Jessie and Jane.) James, now at Crathienaird, married Mary Mathieson.
Some Gordons at Crathienaird were apparently quite unconnected with the laird thereof. One of these is Donald Gordon, Crathienaird who married Euphemia Small, on the 28th of March 1771, and had a son, Donald, baptised on the 2nd of July 1785.
THOMAS GORDON of CRATHIENAIRD
Born 1743, eldest son of John Gordon of Crathienaird and Isobel Shepherd; educated at Marischal College, Aberdeen; M.A. (1761); licen. By Presb. Of Kincardine O'Neil 23rd April 1767; ord. missionary at Crathie 11th January 1769; removed to Glenmuick; pres. By Charles, Earl of Aboyne, in April, and adm. (assistant and successor) 10th June 1784; died 13th January 1826. He married 23rd of April 1871, Elizabeth Michie (died 3rd August 1830) daughter of Robert Michie, Minister of Cluny, and had issue:-
1) John, M.A. (Marischal College, 1799) born 17th March 1782 went to Jamaica;
2) Janet born 23rd June 1785,
3) Barbara born 11th January 1788, died 30th August 1822;
4) George of Buxburn, born 15th April 1791 died 15th December 1847;
5) William born 29th June 1794 died 23rd February 1800
(Aberdeen Journal Notes and Queries, ii., 310-11; Scot. Notes and Queries, iv., 228.)
GEORGE SHEPHERD (? Related to Isobel Shepherd)
George Shepherd was the son of John Shepherd of Invermarkie, Glass; educated at Marishal College, Aberdeen; M.A. (1709); licen by Presb. Of Kincardine o'Neil 3rd of June 1713; called by the Presb. Jure devoluto 22nd of February and ordained 29th March 1716; died 16th December 1752. He married 15th August 1717, Katherine Alexander (predeceased him), probably daughter of Thomas Alexander, minister of Logie-Coldstone, and had issue:-
1) John, preacher at Braemar and Fair Isle;
2) Isobel (married James Brown in Wester Coull);
3) Joseph, deputy chaplain 21st Foot, born 27th August 1726,
4) Elizabeth, born 13th March 1730 (married Francis Smith, slater, Aberdeen.)
1. �by JAMES DOWNIE Tenant in Crathienaird in memory of his mother ELSPET COUTTS d. 25th June 1782 aged 62 and of JOHN DOWNIE d.29th? June 1775? Aged 25 and of 2 young children. The said JAMES DOWNIE d. 26th September 1819 aged 71. And his spouse MARY LEYS d. 26th December 1851 aged 94.
2. 1827. Erected by JOHN & JAMES BROWN in Crathinaird in memory of their father DONALD BROWN d. in Rinechat aged 73 and his spouse JANET SHAW d. 10th December 1836 aged 85.
3. 1862. In memory of JAMES COUTTS sometime farmer in Crathineard d. 27th May 1859 aged 84 and his wife ELSPAT RIEACH d. 3rd February 1857 aged 81. Erected by their sons WILLIAM & ALEXANDER (spellings as on stone)
4. (In front) In memoriam. Erected in memory of JEANNIE COUTTS wife of CHARLES GRAY d. 7th December 1891 aged 38. Their son ALEXANDER d. in infancy 1st January 1892.2 lines text.
5. 1859. Erected by ELIZABETH DOWNIE in memory of her husband JAMES BROWN farmer in Crathienaird and for 24 years an elder in this parish d. 16th January 1859 aged 63. His wife ELIZABETH DOWNIE d. Crathienaird 3rd March 1876 aged 77.
6. Erected in memory and in affectionate remembrance of HELLEN ROBB d. Crathienaird 6th November 1869 aged 69 also her daughter MARGARET CATTANACH d. Tillygarmont, Finzean 10th April 1918 aged 86. Bottom: 1 line motto.
7. In loving memory of JOHN LEYS d. Bridgend of Bush, Crathie 26th December 1875 aged 61, his wife MARGARET RATTRAY d. 14th January 1895 aged 75. Their daughters EUPHEMIA ROSS d. 22nd August 1887 aged 19, ANNIE d. Khantore 12th September 1908 aged 66. Their son JOHN d. Greenock 26th May 1912 aged 59, MARJORY d. 7th December 1914 aged 59, MARY ANN d. 18th April 1935 aged 74.
8. Here lie the remains of JOHN BROWN sometime farmer in Bush of Crathienaird d. at Wester Micras 18th October 1875 aged 86 and MARGARET LEYS his wife d. Craiglourigan Cottage 2nd August 1876 aged 77. Also of their 5 children FRANCIS d. 1st March 1831 aged 3, FRANCIS d. 27th November 1849 aged 10, MARGARET d. 12th December 1849 aged 14, CHARLES d. 27th December 1849 aged 17, ANNE d. 1st November 1867 aged 37. This stone is erected in affectionate remembrance of his parents, brothers and sisters by JOHN BROWN.
9. This stone is erected in affectionate and grateful remembrance of JOHN BROWN the devoted and faithful personal attendant and beloved friend of Queen Victoria in whose service he had been for 34 years. Born at Crathienaird 8th December 1826 d. at Windsor Castle 27th March 1883. That friend on whose fidelity you count, that friend given you by circumstances over which you have no control, was God's own gift. Well done good & faithful servant etc. (4 lines text)
10.Erected by the sorrowing family in affectionate remembrance of their father CHARLES GORDON d. Crathienaird 1st January 1900 aged 70; their mother MARY BROWN wife of the above d. Tamidhu Cottage 21st December 1917 aged 89. Their son JAMES d. Crathienaird 10th November 1919 aged 63, CHARLOTTE their 4th daughter d. Tamidhu Cottage 6th June 1942 aged 79, JESSIE their youngest daughter d. 9th August 1951 aged 78. (Now face down
(extract taken from 'Gordons of Upper Deeside'):
This 'PRIVATE' work has been excluded as it further's the excellent work of Dr Bulloch.
A family of Gordons owned the small estate of Crathienaird, and the following notes include also various Gordon tenants in that place.
DONALD GORDON, born 25.7.1705, son of Donald Gordon, may have been related to Peter Gordon in Crathienaird, who appears in the Aberdeen Sheriff Court Register of Deeds and protests, in 1746. It is not known if either was related to the undernoted family.
(I) JAMES GORDON, portioner of Crathienaird, married Janet, daughter of Edward McHardy, and had at least one son, John.
(II) JOHN GORDON in Kerrowerie, married at Crathie, 28.7.1742, Isobel, daughter of the Rev. John Shepherd, minister at Logie Coldstone, and his first wife, Isobel, daughter of his predecessor, the Rev. Thomas Alexander. They had issue:
1. Thomas, of whom presently.
2. John, baptised 6.8.1745.
3. Isobel, baptised 25.3.1747.
4. Charles, baptised 30.6.1748.
5. Janet, baptised 29.7.1750.
6. George, baptised 6.7.1752.
(III) REV. THOMAS GORDON, baptised 4.5.1744, was educated at Marishal College, Aberdeen, and graduated MA. in 1761. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery Of Kincardine Ot Neil, 23.4.1767, and ordained as missionary at Crathic. After a period in Glenimlick parish, he was presented to the living of Aboyne paritsh by Charles,.Earl of Aboyne, and admitted assistant and successor to the Rev.William Forsyth, 10.6.1784. Thomas married 23.4.1781, Elizabeth, 1759 1830, daughter of the Rev.Robert Michie, minister at Cluny, and Janet Irving. He sold Crathienaird, and other lands which the family had acquired, to the Farquharsons in 1814. At his death, 13.1.1826, he left his estate which included the balance of funds from the sale of Crathienaird, Lawsie and Daldownie to his wife. They had issue:
1. John, of whom presently.
2. Janet, born 23.6.1785.
3. Barbara, born 11.1.1788.
4. George, of Bucksburn, born 15.4.1791, who died 15.12.1847. He married Rachel, 1784 1873, daughter of William Young of Sheddocksley, Provost of Aberdeen, 1778 79, 1782 83, by his second wife, Mary Anderson. Their names appear on the Young tomb at St.Nicholas Churchyard, Aberdeen. Rachel purchased the estate of Sheddocksley from her father's trustees in 1825, and held it for about 25 years.
(IV) JOHN GORDON, the eldest son, born 17.3.1782, graduated MA. at Marischal College, Aberdeen, in 1799, and went to Jamaica.
THOMAS GORDON in Bush of Crathienaird was a contempary of John Gordon who married Isobel Shepherd, and was possibly a son of James Gordon. He married Mary Shaw and had issue:
1. Janet, baptised 20.5.1742.
2. Margaret, baptised 13.9.1745.
3. Thomas, baptised 26.4.1747.
4. James, baptised 4.3.1749. who studied at Marischal College, Aberdeen, 1767 71.
CHARLES GORDON and Margaret McPherson were the parents of Charles Gordon, 1830 1900, who farmed in Crathienaird. Charles, junior, married 2.12.1853, Mary, daughter of James Brown and Elizabeth Downie, and had issue:
1. Elizabeth, born Crathienaird, 3.10.1854.
2. James, born 18.5.1856, who farmed at Crathienaird, and died 10.11. 1919. He married Mary Mathieson, who survived him. Their son William, born 1889, married 28.5.1919, Mary, daughter of Robert McHardy and Annie Russel.
3. Charlotte, born 14.9.1862.
4. Charles, born 18.2.1865, who died at Tomidhu Cottage, Crathie, 6.6.1942.
5. Jessie, who died at Dee Valley Nursing Home, Ballater, 9.8.1951, aged 78.
One JEAN GORDON from Crathenaird was buried at Crathie, 12.7.1791.
DONALD GORDON, weaver in Crathienaird, married Jane or Jean Smith, and had Issue:
1. Donald, baptised 30.4.1613.
2. James, baptised 8.6.1618.
3. Elizabeth, twin with James.
4. Jane, baptised 13.7.1620.
5. Catharine, baptised 9.7.1822.
6. Charles, baptised 13.7.1624.