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By Dr John M. Bulloch
The Gordons O' Girnoc
Some New Facts about the Gordons of Abergeldie.
By Dr John M. Bulloch
Part 1 - Huntly Express: 27th May 1910
Part 2 - Huntly Express: 3rd June 1910
Part 3- Huntly Express: 10th June 1910
Part 4 - Huntly Express: 17th June 1910
Part 5 - Huntly Express: 24th June 1910
Part 6 - Huntly Express: 15th April 1910
The Gordons of Abergeldie are probably the oldest family of the name in possession of the lands originally granted to them. Nothing is so remarkable in the sociological aspect of genealogy as the fact that nearly at all times in the north-east of Scotland (and probably elsewhere) the holding of land has been most precarious: it is not a modern phenomenon due to "Socialism." There are two distinct reasons for this. The first has been the tendency of the smaller territorial gentry to mix themselves up with political movements (such as the anti-Covenanting struggle, which exhausted the resources of many of them) and to assume the manners of the class immediately above them. Where these temptations have been avoided, there is the constant difficulty of maintaining a direct male line. As a matter of fact, the Abergeldie family itself has failed in this respect, for though the line has been continuously Gordon in name, it was broken in the end of the seventeenth century by the appearance of a heiress (Rachel Gordon), who married another Gordon (of the Minmore family), and thus gave a semblance of continuity to the line.
The continuance of these Gordons is remarkable in view of the pressure of their environment, especially in the case of the Farquharsons, who were to a far greater extent the real inhabitants of the district. Indeed, a great many of the minor Gordon families in the neighbourhood have disappeared altogether, but the Gordons still remain owners, though not occupiers of Abergeldie, which has long been tenanted by the Royal family. Their continuance in the cradle estate is all the more curious because their territorial offshoots have died out altogether. Almost from the beginning they began to percolate down the valley of the Dee. They figured for a time in Midmar, and they established themselves at Peterculter in the estate of Lasts. They were found in the region of the Hill of Fare, and they planted themselves in Grandholm and Perslie - places which know them no more.
I have an unusual affection for Abergeldie family, inasmuch as it was with it that the "House of Gordon" started its tortuous career eight years ago. Since that time much additional information has come to light, and it is that which I venture to present on the present occasion.
Sir ALEXANDER GORDON I of Abergeldie.
He was the son of Alexander, 1st Earl of Huntly, and got various lands - Abergeldie, Tullietermont, Eastoun (in Cromar) and Midmar. The last estate had belonged to the Brown family, but it has not been ascertained how or when Midmar passed into the hands of the Gordons (Littlejohn's 'Sheriff Court,' i., p.38.)
The date of his birth is unknown, but the earliest reference to him occurs in the contract of marriage (11th January 1481-2), between his niece, Lady Elizabeth Gordon, daughter of the 2nd Earl of Huntly, and William Earl Marischal: Alexander Gordon 'of Megmar' (not yet a knight) being chosen as one of the friends of the contracting parties, to whom was referred the clearing up of any difficulties which might arise regarding any of the title deeds involved in the contract ('Antiq. Abd. And Banff,' iv., 34-5.)
Sir Alexander Gordon was Sheriff-Depute of Aberdeen, 1491-4, being the first of the Gordons (save his father) to hold office in the Sheriff Court. His only recorded appearance in court was on the 4th of October 1491, when he presided over the inquest which found that Alexander Fraser of Philorth was "incomposmentis." At this period a Sheriff-Depute does not seem to have had the power, express or implied, to appoint deputes or substitutes under him, but apparently Sir Alexander Gordon assumed it (Littlejohn's 'Sheriff Court,' i., p.439.)
On the 17th of March 1503-4, Alexander Gordon "of Megmar, knight," had a letter of tack of the lands of Strathdee and Cromar, his entry beginning at Whitsunday "tooum" and to last five years with all "proffittis, custum, mertis, woddis, fishingi, courte plante, hereseld, bludewitz, and merchete." He was to pay yearly the "penny-male of the saidis landis, alanerly for all uther service etc.: providing that he sal nocht hew nor sell na grene wod of the said woddis as he will ansuere to the King thairapoun" ("Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland," vol. i., No. 1026.) On the same date he got a letter of "Balezery" of the lands "with courtis to hald, tresspassouris to punys, americiamentis, unlawis, and eschetia to rais till his awne use and profit, in communiforma balliatus (ibid., vol. i., No 1027.) On the 13th of October 1506, Alexander Earl of Huntly got tack of said lands for seven years.
On the 13th of August 1512, Beatrix Hay, relict of Sir Alexander Gordon of Midmar, got a letter of the gift of the lands of "Naterdule" with their pertinences "for all the dais of her life." ("Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland," vol. i., No. 2428.)
The Balbithan MS, states that the second daughter of Alexander Gordon IV of Abergeldie, married Mr Thomas Menzies, Provost of Aberdeen. Dr Littlejohn cites an action ("Sheriff Court Records," i., 318) which shows that this is not the case, for when William Menzies of Ferryhill brought an action against Mr Gilbert Bisset of Pitmuxton on the 23rd of une 1584 (?), it stated that the former was married to "------- Gordoun, lauchfull dochter to ------ Goordoun, now of Abergeldie." The Janet Gordon who married Thomas Menzies of Balgownie, and who was a widow by 29th June 1633 (ibid., ii., 353)may have been an Abergeldie.
GEORGE GORDON II of Abergeldie.
It was probably in connection with the death of Sir Alexander Gordon of Midmar that his eldest son, George, had to face some trouble with the family of Roger who had been connected with Abergeldie since 1358. On March 15th 1506-7, there was special service to Thomas Alex. Andersone, grandson of Christina Roger, of the lands of Abergeldie, held of the Crown and of Gordon of Midmar. Another special service to Thomas Alex. Andersone, grandson of Christina Roger, is dated 5th June 1507, and 7th August 1507 (Littlejohn's 'Aberdeenshire Sheriff Court,' i., 23, 25, 26.) The first entry and one of June 5th 1507 seem to point to a disputed and unsuccessful claim by Christina Roger's great-grandson to the lands of Abergeldie, and this is confirmed by the fact that on the 2nd of March 1505-6, a transumpt was made at the instance of the King's advocate of a charter of the lands granted in 1358 by the Earl of Mar to Duncan, the son of Roger (ibid. i., 115 and "Ant. Abd. And Banff," iv., 715). Littlejohn (i., 23) calls Thomas the grandson, but at i., 115, the great-grandson ("proavus") of Christina.
J. M. Bulloch
(To be continued)
SOME NEW FACTS ABOUT THE GORDONS OF ABERGELDIE.
Part Two - 3rd June 1910 - Huntly Express
On October 9th 1509, the Crown brought an action against George Gordon of Abergeldie about the, apprising of the lands of Midmar and Kynerny, 14 mers and 2s worth per annum: 4 merks of the Main of Echt (ibid. i., 37).
On January 7th 1510-1, Thomas Chapman brought an action (law barrows), against George Gordon of Abergeldie (ibid. i., 42, 73).
JAMES GORDON III OF ABERGELDIE.
The most interesting fact about this laird is that his family began to hive off, his second son, James, getting the estate of Lasts in Peterculter.
ALEXANDER GORDON IV OF ABERGELDIE.
This laird succeeded his father, George, who was killed at Pinkie. The following references serve to identify him:
1557, circa June. - Alexander Gordon of Abergeldie was one of a commission appointed to settle the debateable lands between Ballater and Abergarden (Littlejohn's "Aberdeenshire Sheriff Court," i. 171).
1595, August 8th. - Alexander Gordon of Abergeldie and John Chartours of Kynphaunis brought an notion against John Lord Forbes and Arthur Forbes of Sonahonie and their tenants About the peats cast by the Forbes's tenants on the Hill of Fare (ibid. i. 336).
This laird died on January 3rd or January 23rd 1601 (both dates are given on the same page by Dr Littlejohn ("Sheriff Court," ii., 49).
EASTTOWN (Tarland) - This property belonged in the beginning of the sixteenth century to the Gordons of Abergeldie. The Balbithan MS. describes James, the son of the fourth laird, as "of Eston." His brother William VI of Abergeldie wadsetted Easton with the pendicles called Knowhead and Indego for 10,000 merks to Robert Coutts of Auchtercoul, who acknowledged redemption on June 14th 1622 (Littlejohn's "Sheriff Court," ii., 261). A second wadset right was apparently held by George Dalgarno in Peitthill of Kinmucks, who renounced it on May 27th 1624 in favour of William Gordon of Abergeldie and Alexander Gordon, far thereof. Dalgarno bound himself to obtain a judicial ratification from Janet Forbes, his wife (ibid. ii., 277).
ALEXANDER GORDON V OF ABERGELDIE.
This laird succeeded his father, who died in January 1601, and was in turn dead by May 30th 1601, when his brother William was served his heir. He married Margaret Mackintosh, who, as his widow, had service of her terce of the lands and barony, reserving to Janet Irvine, her mother-in-law the terce which she already had (Littlejohn's "Sheriff Court," ii., 49, 53).
WILLIAM GORDON VI OF ABERGELDIE.
This laird succeeded his brother Alexander. The following references occur, serving to show the extent of his property:
1601, May 30th - Mr William Gordon was served heir to Alexander Gordon of Abergeldie his immediate elder brother in the barony of Abergeldie, including the lands of Abergeldie, Eistoune, and Glencalladeyr. The estate had been in the hands of the Crown since the death of an ancestor on 3rd of January 1601 (Littlejohn's "Sheriff Court," ii., 49).
1601, July 31st - Mr William Gordon of Abergeldie was served heir to his father. Alexander Gordon of Balblair, Midmar, Kynnernie Coresfield and Bethlyne in the parish or Midmar: old value 4 merks; present value 16 merks Market held blench of the Marquis of Huntly: in the hands of Janet Irvine, mother of the heir, as conjunct fuer since the death of the ancestor on January 23rd 1601: reserving the liferents of the said Janet and of Margaret Macintosh, widow of the heir's eldest brother, Alexander Gordon of Abergeldie (ibid., ii., 40).
1605, May 24th - William Gordon of Abergeldie had sasine on the lands of Ballogie etc. (Aberdeen Sasines).
1607 June 20th - William Gordon of Abergeldie brought an action against the tenants of Madlar about peats cast on the Hill of Fare. (Littlejohn's "Sheriff Court," ii., 103)
1608, June 20th - William Gordon brought another action against Nicoll Inchemedden in Medler - about the name peats (ibid.,ii., 114)
1609 June 30th - Abergeldie brought another action against Nicholl Inchmedden and three other men about the same peats, which were part of Gordon's lands of Ballogie (ibid. ii., 146)
1610, August 1st - William Gordon of Abergeldie brought an action against Alexander Irving in Auchmoir and others about the peats upon 12 Auchmoir (ibid., ii., 161)
1613, June 2nd - William Gordon of Abergeldie and Duncan Davidson in Ferrar brought an action against John Kar, burgess of Aberdeen (ibid., ii., 194)
1620, July 12th - William Gordon of Abergeldie brought an action against Alexander Skene of that ilk and his tenants about the peats on the Hill of Fare (ibid. ii., 243) Three days later, Skene brought a counter action against Gordon (ibid., ii., 243) Gordon repeated his action against Skene on Uly 9th 1623 (ibid. ii., 271): July 3rd 1624 (ibid. ii., 277): July 2nd 1625 (ibid. ii., 284).
1621, March 14th - Service, William Gordon of Abergeldie to James Gordon of Midmar, his paternal grandfather, on Carntrarlzean, with mill, etc., held blench of James Earl of Buchan; in non-entry since the death of ancestor, who was killed at Pinkie, September 1547 (ibid. ii., 79)
1622, August 9th - William Gordon of Abergeldie brought an action against Duncan MacWilliam in Kirktown of Glentannar (ibid. ii., 263)
1628, March 20th - William Gordon of Abergeldie and others were commissioned to apprehend Richard McWilliam McCondochie, sometime in the Mill of Innergald, Braemar, and two other men, who were put to the horn on March 18th, at the instance of Alaster Brysoun in Drumcarne in the forest of Elicht ("Privy Council Register").
William Gordon, who died in March 1631, married Elizabeth Seton, a lady who gave a good deal of trouble to her son and her neighbours as follows:
1631, August 11th - Alexander Gordon of Abergeldie sent an application to the Privy Council as follows: - Some years ago he was heritably infeft in the lands of Abergeldie under reservation of liferent of his father, William Gordon of Abergeldie, who died in March 1631. He shortly afterwards obtained warrant from the Lords of Session for the inventory of the goods within the place of Abergeldie, and his own entering on possession, and his mother, Elizabeth Seton, widow of the said deceased, William Gordon, left the said place, and went to the place of Knock, of which she was a liferenter. But on ----- she went back to Abergeldie, and has taken possession thereof with her family, and will not remove. He craved letters charging her to remove, and these were granted ("Privy Council Register"). On September 6th 1832, the tack granted to the "Ladie Abergeldie" of her conjunct fee lands was cancelled in presence of the Privy Council (ibid).
Reverend William Burnett, Kinnernie - Elizabeth Seton, "Lady Abergeldie" carried on an exhausting struggle with the Reverend William Burnett, the minister of Kinnernie in Midmar for at least ten years. She was conjunct fuar and liferentor of Kinnernie and Tillieduff, and was at war with her tenants therein, especially the minister, with respect to her rents as follows:
1631, December 7th - She brought an action for removal against Burnett, as occupier of one-half of the land of Kinnernie; Alexander Crystie, occuoier of the other half; Alexander Coutts occupier of the mill and mill croft thereof; Alexander Donald, occupier of the croft there; Alexander Gordon and others, occupiers of parts of Knock; John Archie, alias Jamesone, and others, occupiers of parts of Dalfour; Thomas Mackie, occupier of Lenmure; Mr Alexander Gordon and others occupiers of Torsensillie; and William Davidson and another, occupiers of the croft of Stering (Littlejohn's "Sheriff Court," ii., 347.)
1632, February 22nd - She brought another action about rents, against Burnett and other tenants. The decree gave effect to an Act of the Court of the lands held upon January 6th 1632 (ibid. ii., 349.)
1633, February 20th - She then attacked Burnett in his capacity as wadsetter of Banteith, in Midmar, by bringing an action against six of his tenants (ibid. ii., 328). In this action she was associated with Andrew Gray, apparent of Schivas, which gives some colour to the statement made in Burke's "Landed Gentry" that her husband had first married "Francisca Gray, daughter of Andrew, Lord Gray." Burnett did not take all this lying down. On March 6th 1633 he brought an action against the tennants of Sunhonnie, Midmar, and Makternie, and Alexander Gordon, Abergeldie, for his interest. Burnett had a wadset of the lands of Bandtoothe, Kirkton of Kynnairnie, and others, conform to a contract of wadset of June 5th 1628. In the warrandice of the conveyance of these lands he had a disposition of Sunhonnie, Midmar, and Makterrie, and sasine following thereon dated June 17th 1628. Elizabeth Seton obtained a decree ordering Burnett to remove from the principal lands, and he now fell back upon the tenants of the warrandice lands in order to make his security operative and effectual, and obtained this decree against them (ibid. ii., 363). On March 29th 1634, Burnett brought an action against five men in Midmar, one in Sonhonnie, and Alexander Gordon of Abergeldie. The pursuer now obtained decree against the tenants of the lands of Midmar and Sonhonnie, which he held in warrandice. Sasine following upon conveyance by Alexander Gordon of Abergeldie and Katherine Nicolson, his wife, dated June 17th 1628 (ibid. ii., 393).
Elizabeth Seton then began attacking the tenants individually. On February 26th 1636, she brought an action against Thomas Westland in Bantooth and others. The pursuer produced a Court of Session decree for payment dated January 23rd 1636 (ibid. ii., 412). On June 26th 1637 she fought others in Bantooth. In order to secure payment of her annual rent of three chalders and ten bolls of victual, payable from Bentooth, Lady Abergeldie had obtained a decree against the tenants. The purpose of this Sheriff Court action was to have the highest prices of the said victual crop of 1633 liquidated. This was done on the testimony of three local witnesses (ibid. ii., 436).
Then the tenants took to defending themselves, for on June 6th 1638, Thomas Westland in Bantooth and other tenants there brought an action against Mr William Burnett of Carneday. After paying their rents to Burnett, these tenants were sued by Elizabeth Seton, liferenter, of three chalders and ten bolls of victual out of the lands. They now sued for relief (ibid. ii., 453).
The struggle continued down to February 12th 1641, when James Burnett, son and heir, served to William Bissett in Drumquhrenny, and James Blackhall in Ley, his curator, brought an action against Rev. William Burnett at Kinarny, and Thomas Wastland in Badintoothe for his interest. The pursuer had a decree against Alexander Gordon of Abergeldie and Thomas Wastland, dated June 15th 1638. Burnett admitted liability for 12 bolls victual at 8 merks per boll (ibid. ii., 479).
Elizabeth Seton quarrelled with other people as follows:
James Gordon of Balmoral - on January 12th 1633, James Gordon of Balmurrell brought an action against Elizabeth Seton: 58 bolls victual were in the hands of Alexander Gordon of Abergeldie (ibid. ii., 327)
Reverend Alexander Gordon, Glenmuick - On March 29th 1633, Andrew Gray, apparent of Schivas, assignee of "Lady Abergeldie," brought an action (nature not disclosed) against Reverend Alexander Gordon, minister of the Kirk of Glenmuick (ibid. ii., 367).
Leith of Achlie - On March 23rd 1633, John Leith of Achlie brought an action against Elizabeth Seton; cautioner, Andrew Gray, appearand of Schivas: 58 bolls victual, tua pairt thairof meill, and three pairt bear or malt' had been arrested in the hands of Alexander Gordon of Abergeldie (ibid. ii., 328).
In 1639, Alexander Gordon of Abergeldie, Christian Nicolson and his mother, Elizabeth Seton, were on a roll of vassals called by the Earl of Mar (Mar and Kellie Papers: Hist. MSS. Cor., p.10).
J. M. Bulloch
(To be continued)
SOME NEW FACTS ABOUT THE GORDONS OF ABERGELDIE.
Part Three - 10th June 1910 - Huntly Express
ALEXANDER GORDON VII OF ABERGELDIE.
The Family of Abergeldie came nearer to grief in the person of this laird than any of his predecessors or successors. In the first place, he took the fatal step of playing the anti-Covenanting game, so that he fell heavily into debt. Secondly, he quarrelled disgracefully with his wife, and but for the intervention of her brother, Alexander Nicolson, advocate, might have landed himself and her in destruction. His career, so far as we know it, makes melancholy reading:-
1632, December 22nd - The Marquis of Huntly and Alexander Gordon of Abergeldie gave a bond of �5900 in favour of Mark Cass of Cokpen, son of the late Richard Cass of Fordell. On November 23rd 1641, decree was passed against Huntly and Abergeldie at the instance of Cass (Littlejohn's "Sheriff Court," ii., 485)
1633, January 17th - The lands of barony of Abergeldie and the lands of Ballogie and Midmar were apprised from Alexander Gordon the proprietor, at the instance of David Adie, burgess of Aberdeen for the payment of �3166.13s.4d. and the Sheriff's fee of �158.6s.8d. On July 25th 1634, there was another apprising at the instance of Robert Steiven in Tillilaire for 5321 merks odd, and the Sheriff's fee of 266 merks odd. William Duguid of Auchinhuiv acquired right to both these apprisings, made his title real by infeftment, and entered as vassal with the superior, the Marquis of Huntly. On March 25th 1635, he obtained decree for rents against certain tenants of Ballogie and Midmar (ibid., ii., 404).
1633, July 12th - Alexander Gordon of Abergeldie brought an action against Alexander Anderson, sometime in Strathgirnock and William Brebner in Crossfield (ibid., ii., 371)
1634, March 29th - Alexander Gordon of Abergeldie and James, Lord Carnegie, were commissioned to apprehend John Finlay in Camlet of Abergeldie, who had been put to the horn for robbery ("Privy Council Register")
1635, March 24th - Mr William Douglas, maisser, compeired personallie, before the Lords of Privie Counsell, declared that according to the order given unto him for charging the haill barons of the name Gordon, being in town for the time, to find caution for keeping the Acts of Parliament made against broken men, he had warned and charged the laird of Abergeldie to sett the said caution." Thereupon the laird of Abergeldie, "being of tymes callit and not compeirand, nather caution found to him to the effect foresaid, the lords in respect of the laird of Abergeldie, his countemacies and neglect of the Counselei's ordinance, ordains letters to be direct to denunce him His Majestie's rebell." ("Privy Council Register")
1635, June 17th - The rents, stock and teinds of the davoch of land of abergeldie belonging to Alexander Gordon, and comprising Ballochalloch, Mill Croft, Lynbeg, Camlet, Bovaglie, Dremnapark, Balnacroft, Tulloch, Choguir, Chactanturn (Clachanturn?) and Mains of Abergeldie were �250 Scots; Balmoral belonging to James Gordon was returned at �132 Scots (Michies 'records of Invercauld,' page 463.)
1635, August 7th - Alexander Gordon of Abergeldie was put under caution to keep the peace ("Privy Council Register")
1636, March 31st - The laird of Abergeldie was charged with resetting Patrick Gilroy McGregour and John Dow Garr McGregour (ibid.)
1637, March 7th - Alexander Gordon of Abergeldie was one of several men charged with resetting "broken lymmars" of the Clan Gregor and other broken clans of the "Hielands," and furnishing them with "meate, drink, poulder lead, lunt and other things, in proud contempt of law and justice." (ibid.)
1637, March 14th - The lords ordered Abergeldie to be confronted with Mr Instalker (?), and to find caution not to be depart till he be relieved under the pain of 5000 merks (ibid.)
1641 - Alexander Gordon of Abergeldie is mentioned in a roll of delinquents (ibid.)
Alexander Gordon married in 1624, Katherine Nicolson, sister of Thomas Nicolson, advocate, Edinburgh, and quarrelled with her. The following are stages in their disagreements:
1632, July 3rd - Donald Farquharson of Inchemarroun, cautioner for Abergeldie, for his compeirance this day eight dayes to underly the Counsellis censure tuiching his misbehaviour towards his ladie under the pane of five thousand merks ("Privy Council Register")
1634, September 17th - Gordon's wife complained to the Privy Council as follows:
"After manie insolencies, unnatural and violent wrongs committed upon her be her spous," she was forced to summon him before their lordships, who took a very good course in justice between them by modifying to her "a little portion out of her husband's estate for entertaining her and her children" during the time of their lordships thought meet to separate them. At that time her husband was resolved "to disherish the compleaner's children, and to sell and put away his whole estate in defraud of thame." To prevent this she was constrained by her brethren, for the standing of his house, and for the welfare of her children, to go home with her husband, so that they might obtain infeftment of some part of his estate to his son. Her husband then faithfully promised "that he sould carie that respective dewtie to the compleaner, quhilk became ane husband to his wyfe," and "gave his hand under his hand that he sould never strike, hurt, nor wrong her in her bodie" under penalty of 2000 merks to be paid to Sir James Nicolson, her brother, yearly for her maintenance during her life, the payment thereof to begin at the first term after such injury should be proved before their lordships, and that by her own oath and deposition only. This bond had been repeatedly violated by Gordon. On October 15th 1633, "he fell out in many opprobrious and disgracefull speeches against her, thinking to have stirred her up to anger against him, that thereby he might have a quarrel against her; but, finding that her patience could not be tempted that way, he then in a great rage and furie addrest himselfe to her, resolved to have putt violent hands on her person, were not he wes stayed be a gentleman named Arthur Ross, present for the time." Again, on April 24th 1634, he "violentlie shot the compleaner to the doore, constrayning her thereby to ge beg her ludging for two nights in one of her tenants houses, during quhilk tyme he battened the poore servant woman that attendit her in her sickness, and shot her also to the doore." In May 1634, when she returned home to his house of Ballogie, "he after his accustomed fell out in his rayling speeches against her, threatening her to condescend to apie thing he craved, and either to quyt him or renunce her conjunct fee, as formerlie he had urged her to doe, and the queyt her brethren, or she to queyt him for ever." When she refused "he then threatened to cast her on a horse and to carie her back to Abergeldie, and if she preast to come away to compleane of her evill usage that he sould send twentie-four Hielandmen in her way to wrong her, swearing manie execrable oaths that there wes no sinne to kill her. And, she preassing to come away, to have sought some helpe in this her distresse and miserie, he came violentlie upon her, patt hands on her person, till shoe sould give him the little money she had - and then he bade her to go to the divell. And when he (sic) gave the money, he would not giver her so much as a plaid to put about her, nor a sarke to put on her backe, although she intreatted him pitifullie to doe the same."
Finally, while she stayed with him at Ballogie, he frequently withdrew himself from the house for twenty days at a time without leaving her so much as a penny to maintain herself and her five children, or any victualis in the house, so that they were brought to the extreme point of famishing, and she was forced to go with the children in her hand, begging from some of the tenants, who though, they had been previously discharged by the laird to give her even a peck of victual, were so moved with pity at her distress that they gave her of their own meal. Mr Robert Forbes, minister of Eyck, knowing her necessity and want, sent her some victual from his house, and has sometimes met her and the children going to the tenants' houses to seek meat: and sometimes he took her home to his own house. At last she was forced to come away with two of her children and beg from her friends, "sieing that both in hyme of her chyldbirth and ever since she went home with him last, by abstracting of the ordinarie mentenance from her and her bairns, he had brought her to the poynt of begging alreadie from his tenents."
Her husband, having thus violated his bond and incurred the penalty, she craved that letters may be directed against him for payment thereof. Charges were given to Gordon, but he did not appear before the Council. The lords having seen the bond referred to (which was registered in the Books of Council and Session) decerned that Gordon had incurred the penalty contained in the bond, and ordained him to pay the same yearly to Sir James Nicolson, beginning the first term's payment at Whitsunday next, 1633, and to continue the payment during Katherine Nicolson's lifetime. The truth of the complaints was held to have been established by the deposition of the lady ("Privy Council Register," 2nd series, Vol., v., pp 370-2).
1637, March 16th - Alexander Gordon of Abergeldie appeared before the Privy Council for himself and Mr Alexander Nicolson, advocate, in the name of Katherine Nicolson, his sister, spouse to Abergeldie, and submitted all the difference between Abergeldie and the lady to John, Earl of Traquair (the Lord High Treasurer) and to Patrick, Archbishop of Glasgow. James Gordon of Balmorro was Abergeldie's cationer not to leave the town under pain of 5000 merks. The parties obliged themselves to abide, underly and fulfill "what ever the said judges sall decerne heerin, but appellation, reclamation, or gainsaying whatsoever." James Gordon of Balmoral and Robert Farquharson of Cavernie became cautioners and sureties for Abergeldie, "that he sall not depart furth of the town till he be warranted." (ibid.)
It will be noted that Katherine Nicolson speaks of her five children. I have been able, however, to note only three.
ALEXANDER GORDON VIII OF ABERGELDIE.
This laird, the son of the seventh, married Euphame Graham, and died in the parish of Dundee, "the ---- day of ---- 168 --." His inventory (�241.6s.8d) was given up by his widow on October 21st 1692. It shows that Alexander had granted a bond of 800 merks on November 15th 1684 (registered in the Sheriff Court Books of Aberdeen, 28th June 1688) to John Gordon of Breachly, who had assigned it November 1st 1688, to Alexander Young in Tallow (Toldow?): who in turn had assigned it to Euphemia Graham, November 6th 1690. Gordon as principal, and John Graham of Crigie as cautioner, had granted a bond of �1616.16s on July 25th 1663, to the late William Hay of Haystoune, dated July 25th 1663, and registered in the Forfar Sheriff Court Books, February 3rd 1670. It had been assigned in December 1677, by Gray, to Sir Patrick Lyon of Carse, at whose instance a decreet was obtained against Gordon before the Lords of Council and Session, November 9th 1686. Lyon transferred it to Gordon's widow in August 1692.
The following debts were due to Gordon:
�1000 or a part of �1200 contained in a bond granted by the late William Gray of Haystoune, as principal, and William Gray, his eldest son, as cautioner to Mr Robert Arskyne, residenter in Dundee, and registered May 3rd 1670. It was assigned by Robert Arskyne to Margaret Muit (Mowat?), James Fyfthie, Robert Lyndsay, and Nicolas Ouchterlonie agreed that �1000 of the �1200 would belong to Margaret Muit with the proportional part of the expenses and annual rents, after the decease of Nicola Ouchterlonie, and transferred their shares to her, February 6th and 13th 1671: registered at Dundee, June 8th 1673. On May 19th 1673, Margaret Mouit, with the consent of Duncan Gordon, her husband, transferred the �1000 to the late Alexander Gordon. Eleven years annual rent of the said �1000 amounted to �660. A third item due to Gordon was �166.13s4d as the proportion effeiring to the �1000 of the sum of �200, which was the whole liquidate expense contained in the said bond. The will was confirmed at Brechin on October 21st 1692, Mr Arthur Farquharson of Coults being the cautioner (Brechin Commissariot Testaments, vol., 8.)
With reference to Duncan Gordon - a rare name in the family - it may be noted that Alexander Gordon IV of Abergeldie, had a nephew, Duncan Gordon of Perslie.
The appearance of the GRAYS in the affairs of Alexander VIII of Abergeldie, also goes to confirm the suggestion that Alexander VII married a Gray as his first wife.
J. M. Bulloch
(To be continued)
SOME NEW FACTS ABOUT THE GORDONS OF ABERGELDIE.
Part Four - 17th June 1910 - Huntly Express
RACHEL GORDON, X of ABERGELDIE
The direct line of Abergeldie died out in her father, but she continued the Gordon strain by marrying Captain Charles Gordon, a scion of the Minmore family from across the hills. He was a capable man of affairs, and was employed as arbiter in local disputes. In 1703 (1705?) he was in Edinburgh on some such business for Lord Mar. Communicating to him from Abergeldie, November 26th 1703 (1705?), his wife wrote ("Records of Invercauld," 116):-
"I shall wish ye make all haste to come home ye can. Your children are, blessed by God, in good health. Wishing the Lord may be with you, and restore you and those in company with you to your own again, grant us a happy meeting, I am my dearest, your most affectionate spouse.
P.S. - My dear, will all the trouble you have, buy me an apron of coloured Irish (Highland) tartan or caligo.
Captain Charles had trouble of his own, in the matter of grazing rights, and got into trouble with the Earl of Aboyne as superior of the forest of Breckach, which belonged to the Earl, all except those part sold in feu farm as sheilings and grazings to the lairds of Abergeldie, Braichlie, and Aucholzie. The cattle pasture belonging to the latter began to be deer forest. Mr Michie quotes a very interesting document about this dispute. It must have been written after 1702, as it speaks of the late Earl of Aboyne, who died in 1702, and his son who was a minor then ("Records of Invercauld," 278-280):
"This total subversion of the ordinary use of the said wholl forest and sheallings both by superior and vassalls into a grasing for low country cattoll did not only exterpat the King's deer, and utterly ruin the poor country round it for want of the usall pasturages for ther proper crofts, but created such animosities and misunderstandings betwixt them, particularly betwixt Charles Earl of Aboyne, the present Earoll, his grandson, and Alexander Gordon, then of Abergeldie, and John Gordon, then of Braichlie, that what by processings, dryvings, law borrows, and other mutual acts of bad neighbourhood, they was all put to considerable charges and troubles, and were never reconciled, or that affair anyways adjusted untill the day of all ther deaths. Therefore what, by reason of the Late Earl Charles, his minoritie, the revolution and army about that time a praye to all grazing cattoll, the late John Gordon of Braichlie going wrong in the head, and imprisonment, and consequently incapable of looking after any business, and then the non-age and death of the late John Gordon of Abergeldie, things stood much as they were without any noticeable occurrence or variation until after the death of the late Earll that arose a fresh process put upon the old score of grazing upon Glengusachin betwixt the present Earll's tutor and the present Charles Gordon of Abergeldie, which yet depends and has already stood the family an hundred pounds sterling, of charges which will be clearly seen by the tutor and his factor's accounts, although come to no issue to this day."
DAVID GORDON, XIII of ABERGELDIE
It was either this laird or his brother Adam Gordon who is referred to in the "Political State of Scotland," in 1788, by Sir C. A. Adam (p81.):
"Charles Gordon of Abergeldie, a small estate. One son a colonel (Sir Charles?); the other (William?) a captain; a third a banker with the Drummonds in London, who is in a flourishing way: will be influenced by Dundas and the Duke of Gordon: went last with Skene."
In 1800 David Gordon had "a capital messuage, office, lodge, garden and ground on Dulwich Hill, containing 32 acres and 33poles: rent �130 (William Young's "History of Dulwich College," 1889, pp 325, 354.)
CRAIBSTONE
Two of the sons of the fourth Gordon of Abergeldie settled themselves on lands near Aberdeen - John getting Craibstone and Thomas getting Grandholm. Craibstone came to the family in 1536, and Grandholm in 1582.
It was James Gordon III of Abergeldie (killed at Pinkie) who acquired Craibstone, for in 1536 James Cheyne sold it to "ane honorabill man" James Gordon of Abergeldy (Morgan's "Woodside," p150.) An old cess book gives John Ceyne as owner of Craibstone in 1558, but the Gordons of Abergeldie reappear before the end of the century.
The first Gordon actually settled on Craibstone was John Gordon, who is described as "of Craibstone" as early as 1595. He was a son of Alexander Gordon IV of Abergeldie, and seems to have been connected with Last, in Peterculter, which had been in possession of his uncle James, son of James Gordon III of Abergeldie. In 1628, John Gordon, "now of Craibstone," is described as "sumtyme" of Lasts. Dr Littlejohn ("Sheriff Court," ii., 160) cites a case (June 10th 1610) in which Alexander Cuming of Culter brought an action against John Gordon of Craibstone:-
It seems to be the last act of a dispute regarding the lands of Lastis, which had been settled by a decree of the Court of Session in an action of declarator of redemption at the instance of the late Alexander Cuming against John Gordon. The Act of Court contains a consent by Gordon to relinquish possession, a ratification by him of the Court of Session decree, and an obligation that Margaret Cultis, his wife (James Gordon of Lasts is said to have married a Coutts) should appear before a judge ordinary, and give her consent and ratification. On the other hand, Cuming, as representing Alexander Burnett of Leys, who had right to the ward, relief, and non entries of the barony during the minority, and also for himself, discharged Gordon of all payments that could be asked of him for his occupation of the lands. The original donator to the ward, etc., was Alexander Earl of Dunfermline, Lord Fyvie, etc., Chancellor of Scotland, who assigned his right to the laird of Leys.
The fact that James Gordon of Lasts and John Gordon of Lasts both married ladies of the name of Coutts might suggest that the Balbithan MS had made a mistake in calling John by the name of James, but as we have seen, a James undoubtedly was of Lasts in the year 1584. A John Gordon in Lastis was accused, on January 13th 1607, of resetting Patrick and Thomas Fraser (sons of Thomas Fraser of Durris), who had murdered William Irving and James Burnet on July 12th 1606 ("Privy Council Register.")
The identity of John Gordon of Craibstone is established by the fact (Littlejohn's "Sheriff Court Records," ii., 123) that when William Gordon of Abergeldie was served heir to his father, Alexander, June 17th 1607, there was reserved to John Gordon of Craibstone, brother german to the heir, his right to Craibstone: to Thomas Gordon, Grandoun, another brother, his right to Grandoun and Perslie: and to James Gordon, another brother, his right to Auchmull.
John Gordon appears first as "of CrZaibstone" as early as 1595, as follows:
John Gordon, appears first as "of Craibstone" brought an action against Henry Forbes and his tenants about the peats in the moss of Newhills and Chalmerlains myris ("Aberdeenshire Sheriff Court Records," i., 333)
1593, September 22nd - John Gordon of Craibstoune had an action brought against him by Patrick Gardyn and Alexander Setoun of Auchinhuif about the corn, bear, and oats sown within the bounds of Bellit Crag, Measones Meadow, and Gallie Moss, belonging to Gordon. John Gordon burgess of Aberdeen, was cautioner (ibid., i., 337)
1606, July 4th - John Gordon of Crabstone and two others had an action brought against them by Mr John Cheyne of Petfichie (ibid., ii., 89).
J. M. Bulloch
(To be continued)
SOME NEW FACTS ABOUT THE GORDONS OF ABERGELDIE.
Part Five - 24th June 1910 - Huntly Express
1606, September 13th - John Gordon "of Craibiestowne" brought an action against Henry Forbes of Newhills and John robertson, his tenant, in reference to the "cornis sawin upone the east syid of the hill of Bromoun" (ibid., ii., 92.)
1606, October 25th - Katherine Gordon, widow of William seton, portioner of Sklaittie, and wife of Patrick Gardyn in Banchory, discharged all her rights in the shadow half of Sklaittie, Mill of Sklaittie, Wagleye Croft, Millhill Croft, fishings etc., to John Gordon of "Crabistoune" (ibid., ii., 94.)
1609, April 4th - David Forbes of Puttachie, as a minor, revoked an obligation whereby he had become cautioner to John Gordon of Crabistoune on behalf of John Forbes of Tillikerrie (ibid., ii., 143)
1610, July 31st - John Gordon of Craibistoune was cautioner in an action by Robert Forbes of Echt against Robert Forbes of Tillioche, about the peats in the mosses of Finnersie (ibid., ii., 161.)
1610, August - John Gordon of Craibistoune and his brother, Thomas Gordon of Grandoun, became cautioners for Beatrice Gordon, widow of John Forbes of Echt, against whom, as liferentrix of the lands and barony of Echt, Robert Forbes of Echt obtained an order of the Court of Session to cause her to maintain the buildings, etc., and "on nowayis to waist, cast doun, cutt, or distroye the planting or pollece (policies) nor yit intromit with the treis, tymber, grouthe or planting of the saidis woids and forrestis" (ibid., ii., 162.)
1612, September 19th - William Paull, alias Burnet in Skletie, consented to remove from four oxengait of Skletie belonging to John Gordon of Crabistonne (ibid., ii., 185.)
1615, June 13th - At the Aberdeen Town Council riding of the marches it was found that John Gordon of Craibstone and his tenants had "tellit, rewin out, and destroyit are great pairt of the Chapman rod, and had carit and spurrit out be soathe the samen, and the said toune of Aberdene's propertie this yeir and diversis yeiris bygane, to whil novation, the said baillie maid ingane, to whilk novation tuik instrumentis" (Morgan's "Woodside," p.152.)
1618, April 22nd - John Gordon of Craibstone was made a burgess (ex gratia) of Aberdeen ("New Spalding Club Miscellany," i., 120.)
1621, April 24th - John Gordon of Craibstoun brought an action against John Watson there (Littlejohn's "Sheriff Court Records," ii., 218.)
1622, September 17th - John Gordon of Craibstoun brought an action against James Andersone, alias Walker, in Milnehill, about the crop growing upon the "pownd fauld of Sklaittie." (ibid., ii., 264.)
1623, February 3rd - John Gordon of Craibstoun brought an action against Alexander Galloway in Kingiswallis (ibid., ii., 267.)
1631, November 30th - Alexander George, younger, messenger at the Mill of Cullarlie, brought an action against John Watson and others in Crabstoun and John Gordon of Crabstoun for his interest (ibid., ii., 346.)
1632, December 5th - John Gordon of Crabstoun brought an action against William Clerk in Kingiswallis and Andrew Henderson in Lang-kannio (ibid., ii., 360.)
1633, February 13th - John Gordon of Crabstoun brought an action against William Clerk in Kingiswallis and Andrew Henderson in Langkarne about the price of meal (ibid., ii., 363)
1634 July 25th - Mr James Sandilands, Commissary of Aberdeen, brought an action against John Gordon "in" Craibistoun, James Gordon, his eldest lawful son, and other tenants of Craibistoun: sasine dated August 27th 1632 (ibid., ii., 397). Sandilands became proprietor of Craibstone about this time.
1635, August 7th - James Gordon of Craibstone was put under a caution to keep the peace ("Privy Council Register")
1636, July 30th - Mr James Sandilands, Commissary of Aberdeen, brought an action against Walter Jamestone (?) in Tulloche and John Fraser in Sklaittie for rents which they had in use to pay to John Gordon, "sometime of Craibstoune." (ibid, iii., 19.)
1637, June 14th - John Gordon "sumtyme in Craibistone, now in Kinmundy," was ordered to pay "for ane buriell 10 merkis." (ibid., ii., 462.) John Gordon is described, July 19th 1643 as "sometime of Craibstone, then of Tulloch" (ibid., iii., 19).
In 1628, John Gordon was married to Margaret Coutts, but in 1643 (ibid., iii., 19) Christian Forbes is given as his wife. He had at least two sons:
1. James Gordon - On August 5th 1621, there appeared before the session of Old Machar, Geillis Gray, presenting "ane barne of half ane yeir auld on baptist, alledging the samya to be to James Gordon, younger of Crabstoun, and in re-spect the barne is at the poynt of deathe and that the woman gave her ayt that the barne wes begottin to the said James Gordon, the session willit the minister to baptise the barne (Munro's "Old Aberdeen," ii., 4.) In 1633 James Gordon "of Crabstone" owed 200 merks to John Coutts of Culairlies ("Book of Annual Rentaris": Spalding Club Miscellany, iii., 91.) James Gordon died before July 19th 1643, When Helen Hay, widow of James Gordoun, sometime fuer of Crabstoun, and Captain Robert Keithe of Hardslaiki, her husband, brought an action against John Gordon, sometime of Crabstoun, then of Tulloche, and Christian Forbes his wife. The document sought for was a contract or back bond, said to contain certain provisions in favour of the pursuer and her husband, the parties to it having been Mr James Sandilands of Crabstoun, Commissary of Aberdeen, the defender John Gordon, and the deceased James Gordon. Sandilands and two advocates in Aberdeen, who were called, were assoilzied, but decree was passed against John Gordon and his wife ("Littlejohn's Aberdeenshire Sheriff Court.")
2. John Gordon - "merchant and travellar within the Dominion and Kingdome of Swain, within the town of Copperberrie. Four witnesses informed the Sheriff of Aberdeen on October 16th 1628, that they knew this John (who was then dead) "to have bein sone natural repute and haldin procreat betwixt Johne Gordoun, sumtyme of Lastis, now of Craibstoun, and Elspet Keith his mother, and brother on the father syd procreat as said is, to James Gordon, fiar of Craibstoun, eldest lawful sone to the said John Gordon of Craibstoun (Littlejohn's "Aberdeenshire Sheriff Court" ii., 309, 332.)
J. M. Bulloch
(To be continued)
SOME NEW FACTS ABOUT THE GORDONS OF ABERGELDIE.
Part Six - 15th April 1910 - Huntly Express
The GORDONS of KENNERTY and BRAICHLIE
John Gordon, Last of Braichlie - born 1659
With this laird the direct line of the Braichlie Gordons, so far as we can trace it, comes to an end. He was the son of John Gordon, the murdered laird: and Duncan Gordon in Wardhead, who was present at his baptism, says in 1665, he was "seaven yeirs of age." He was educated at the Grammar School of Aberdeen, where he won the silver medal for archery. It is illustrated and described in the "Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland" (xxviii., 458):
Oval, silver medal: 8 inches by 2 7/16 inches; weight, 19dwt.; made by Alexander Galloway, goldsmith, admitted a craftsman in Aberdeen in 1671.
Obverse (fig. 156), within a laurel wreath border the arms of John Gordon of Breachly - three bears' heads erased: helmeted and mantled: no crest: over the initials I.G., and below all - of Breachly.
Reverse (fig. 157), within an engraved laurel border - dlitiis non itur ad astra - Ionnes Gordonus Sexto Vicit. 1672 - Agr.
On April 12th 1672, John Gordon, eldest son of the late John Gordon of Braichlie was made an honorary burgess of Aberdeen (New Spalding Club Misc., ii. 437). In 1674 "Joannes Gordon of Brachlie" was admitted to the first class at Marischal College ("Fasti Mariscallanae," ii., 243.)
We do not know very much about him. Despite the trouble with the Farquharsons, we see that John Gordon "of Braichly" witnessed at Braichly, on July 30th 1683, a bond of relief to Robert Farquharson of Invercauld, by Donald Farquharson of Belfour ("Records of Invercauld" p251). John of Braichlie was clearly a man of some importance, for he was a Commissioner of Supply in 1685, 1689, and 1704 ("Acts of Parliament" ix., 72, 84, 142, 146).
Braichlie passed out of the Gordons' hands in 1708, after being in their possession nearly 240 years. John seems to have got into financial difficulties, for on August 4th 1708, George Gordon, tutor to the Earl of Aboyne, granted an adjudication of the lands of Breickly, Toldow, and Tombreck in favour of Isaac Fullarton, proceeding upon the Decreets of Adjudication at the instance of George Gordon of Knockespock and Alexander Keir of Mains, to which Fullarton had aquired right. Sasine followed thereon, February 2nd 1709. It may be remembered that John of Braichlie's great-grandmother was a Gordon of Knockespock. The lands were ultimately acquired by the Farquharsons by the following processes (detailed in the "Records of Invercauld" pp42-3):
1712, March 20th - Fullarton disposed of the lands of James Fergusson, advocate, in trust for John Farquharson of Invercauld, sasine following on March 21st and 25th 1712.
1723, August 10th - Lord Aboyne resigned the lands in favour of John Farquharson, proceeding upon the procuratory in the disposition of Fullarton.
1727, April 22nd - The Earl granted a charter of resignation and navodamus to Farquharson. Instrument of sasine followed in due course.
1766, June 23rd - The Duke of Gordon's charter to James Farquharson of Invercauld, with consent of the Earl of Aboyne, proceeding upon the above resignations; he granted June 23rd 1766, and confirmed July 14th 1801
Some further details might be found in the parcel (xii) of papers in the Invercauld Charter Chest, which contain old papers relative to the lands of Melgum, Kinaldie, Braichlie, and others between the year 1681 and 1710, as noted by Mr Michie who apparently did not examine them, in the "Records of Invercauld" (p. 505). Parcel i. Also contains some Braichlie documents between 1693 and 1706.
John Gordon continued to be called "of Braichlie" after the sale of the estate, just as in the case of the Gordons "of Glenbucket" were called after they had left their ancestral homes, for on June 10th 1723, John Gordon of Braichlie granted a tack of teinds to Henry Ferguson of Ballatrach. The index to the "Aberdeen Commissary Record" which notes this calls him "of Brucklay," but this is clearly a mistake. On the other hand, the Privy Council refers on May 18th 1598, to John Gordon of "Brakla" and his brother William, when Brucklay seems to be meant.
The last laird seems to be the John Gordon of Breachly who married Anne Allardyce (baptised March 1st 1666), daughter of John Allardyce of that ilk, and Lady M. Graham (Burke's "Family Records," p.7, and Mr Murray Rose's article on the Allardyces of that ilk in the "Stonehaven Journal" 1902?)
Whether he had issue or what became of him I cannot say. Like the author of the Balbithan MS. - "Here I find myself run aground for further and better information," and hope the reader "will excuse this rude and imperfect draft." It is just possible that his descendents betook themselves to the parish of Peterculter, where Kinnertie lies.
William Anderson ("Genealogy and Surnames" 1865; p.104) claims, but wholly without proof, that Alexander Gordon, brewer in the Caledonian Road, London, one of the Littlemill Gordons, was a 'descendant' of the Braichlie Gordons. In that very year, 1865, Alexander Gordon registered his arms in the register of the Lord Lyon at Edinburgh thus (see Balfour Paul's "Ordinary," No. 1865): - "Azure, three boars heads, couped, Or, armed and langued, Gules; On a chief, argent, three stars of six points of the first. Crest: a stag's head, preope. Motto - 'Vigilando.'"
Anderson gives an illustration of the arms.
Braichlie, "formerly the seat of the Gordons of Braichlie (an ancient family)," was a "ruinous castle" in 1732, when the "View of the Diocese of Aberdeen" was written ("Ant. Abd. and Banff," i., 640). The present mansion was built by Sir James Mackenzie of Glenmuick on the site of the old castle, and commands one of the finest views in the neighbourhood of Ballater.
The MAINS of BRAICHLIE - PETER GORDON
Although we cannot follow up the main line, we know something of other Gordons connected with the lands of Braichlie and probably descended from the Braichlie family. First there was a Patrick Gordon in the Mains of Braichlie:
1701, May 11th - "The heritors, being met with the elders, (in obedience to an edict formerly served by the minister for that end) for electing of a church magistrate according to ye Acts of Parliament, found it necessary yr, be one in each parish of ye three and yr;fore did by yr unanimous vote elect and chuse Patrick Gordon in ye Mains of Braichlie, to be ye Kirk Baillie for ye parish of Glenmuick, recommending to ye minister to obtain a deputation for him from ye sherief of Aberdeen at ye first conveniency." On the margin at the point about Patrick there is the note - "It took no effect." - Glenmuick Kirk Session Record, as transcribed by the Rev. J. R. Middleton.
MILNTOUN of BRAICHLIE - SAMUEL GORDON
A Samuel Gordon in the Milntoun of Braichlie was rather an important person in the middle of the 18th century. It is curious that the modern Milton of Braichlie is almost a mile from Braichlie, and is on the opposite side of the Muick. It is about 400 yards from the manse, and was possibly a larger house than the manse. At anyrate, on two occasions, March 1747 and March 1748, the Kirk-Session met at Milntoun of Braichlie for the distribution of the poor's money or the "box money." It is still more curious that Milton is on a site where water power could never have been available, whereas at Braichlie itself water power was easily got. Mr Middleton tells me that the site of Milntoun would suggest a wind mill rather than a water mill. "Of this, however, there is no indication, and I never heard the suggestion made."
I may add that Samuel, though a rare name among the Gordons, is frequently found in Upper Deeside, the first mentioned being Samuel Gordon, son of George Gordon: He entered Douai in 1652, on the recommendation of Captain Gordon of Abergeldie, but was sent away by reason of his illegitimacy.
1745, January 3rd - Samuel Gordon in Milntown of Braichley drew a bill upon Alexander Stewart, late of Aucholzie, for �72.9s., payable on November 3rd ("Record of Invercauld" p.29). On September 23rd, 1745, Stewart granted a bond of �100 Scots to Gordon, who assigned it on December 14th 1749, to James Glass of Inchbobart. Stewart, who was a rebel, died in May 1746, leaving �925, and his widow claimed a third of it. Samuel Gordon in Miltoun of Braichley was one of the cautioners. Stewart's nephew, James Stewart, only son of his brother James, was pursued by the Earl of Aboyne in 1756.
1748, May 7th - Samuel Gordon was present at the Kirk-Session meeting as one of three elders. His residence is not mentioned.
1754, July 31st - Samuel Gordon in Brackly and Charles Farquharson, sub-factors of Monaltry, were stated by the tenants to have imposed "several hardships and acts of oppression." On this date the Barons of Exchequer appointed a Commission to be made out for Captain John Forbes of Newe, Alexander Leith of Glenkindy, Captain Alexander Grant, the Sheriff-Depute or his substitute of Aberdeenshire, or any two of them, to which the depositions of the tenants on the subject ("Scottish Forfeited Estate Papers," Scot. Hist. Soc., p.156).
Samuel Gordon, Braichley, married Ann Bowman, and had Elspeth, baptised 1744.
The following are the other Samuels in the district arranged chronologically:
17---, - Samuel Gordon in Knock had three brothers - John & Charles in Toldhu and Alexander who was killed in a recruiting row at Tarland in 1776. Samuel Gordon in Knock had Margaret baptised 1779; Charles baptised 1781; and Alexander baptised 1783.
1771 - Samuel Gordon married Ann Watt, Glenmuick, and had Jean born June 1771, died May 18th 1874 aged 103 years, and Alexander, died 1860 at the age of 86 years.
1773 - Samuel Gordon Dorsincilly had Alexander born 1733 and Jean born 1728
1775 - Samuel Gordon married Isabel White, Tombreck
1781 - Samuel Gordon, Aucholzie, married Helen Hunter, Lethnot.
1832 - Samuel Gordon, Bellamore, Glenmuick, married Mary Ramsay, Lethnot.
ALEXANDER GORDON, BRAICHLIE
Alexander Gordon, Braichlie, had the following issue:
" Charles Gordon, baptised July 15th 1778
" Jean Gordon, baptised June 12th 1770.
J. M. Bulloch
The End.