GORDON, James in Cluniemore, then Pittyvaich ^{1 2 3 4}

   Another name for James was GORDON, James in Clinnymore.

   User ID: B284.

  General Notes:

"GORDON
JAMES
JOHN GORDON/
M
28/03/1714
145/ 10 15
Aberlour"

from Births and Baptisms


Old Parish Registers
Aberlour Parish Banffshire
Baptisms

"March 28th 1714
Gordon
John Gordon in Aberlour had his son baptized called James witnesses James Coupland & James Chalmer there" ⁶

  Research Notes:

JAMES GORDON in CLUNIEMORE

The reasons for identifying 'James Gordon of Cluniemore' as this James Gordon are, as they often are, circumstantial but probably sound:

1
the age is right

2
parentage fits naming of children: the naming of his second son 'William' in December 1761 may at first appear odd. It is likely to have been as a mark of respect to the memory of William Gordon of Keithmore, son of Dr Alexander Gordon of Keithmore, and therefore his second cousin and contemporary, who died in his early forties in February 1761

3
the Aberlour Gordons were affected by the punishments after the '45, and Mortlach parish was host to a number of relatives and like-affected who were Gordons there too. His uncle, James Gordon of Birkenbush was a named rebel; his nephew, James Gordon younger of Aberlour was also a named rebel. His brother, Patrick, had been out in the '15 and escaped total censure by virtue of an explanatory apology afterwards that he had acted on behalf of his infirm father to comply with duties owed to his superior, the Duke of Gordon. The Duke of Gordon was the patron who used his influence and his lands wherever possible to fulfil his lordly duties towards his extended family in the years after the '45, providing housing and farming or other opportunities for those affected, trying to keep body and soul together. The Aberlour Gordons were somewhat idealistic, but mainly pragmatic and 'went along to get along' when necessary

4
his father's cousin, Dr Alexander Gordon of Keithmore had also been a Jacobite, and on the losing side of the '45. He too had to keep out of sight for a time. He was an ardent Catholic, as were many of the Letterfourie Gordons, and factor to the Duke of Gordon. Some documents from the Tammore papers, reproduced in the Aberdeen Journal, include receipts from Alexander Gordon between 1831 and 1840 for money received in his capacity as factor to Glenrinnes and Auchindoun. Witnesses to these receipts are Patrick Gordon of Aberlour and James Gordon tacksman of the 'woodsett lands of Keithmore'. The former, Patrick was this James Gordon's brother. This James Gordon may have been the James Gordon who was tacksman (or, less likely, it may have been Patrick's son). Alexander Gordon may have been helping out his cousin's sons; their father John Gordon of Aberlour died in 1732. This situation demonstrates the influence the family had in that particular area in the mid-eighteenth century, and explains to some extent the prevalence the community of Gordons and their 'freends' who inhabited the farms and dwellings of Glenrinnes, Dufftown and the parish of Mortlach, including other descendants of John Gordon of Aberlour's son, John Gordon, and the Gordons of Laggan and their progeny who later played a big part in the regiment of the Duke of Gordon.

CLUNIEMORE

Or Clunymore and Clinnymore, is in banffshire, north-east of Tullochallum on the north side of the River Fiddich, and east of Parkbeg. It is north-west of Milltown of Auchindoun.

PITTYVAICH

Also Pitivaich and Pitteveach, The farmhouse, formerly owned by the Stewarts, is situated south-east of Kirktown of Mortlach in Banffshire. It is now a listed building, and potentially at risk. A distillery was built nearby in 1974 by Arthur Bell & Sons, then demolished in 2002. ^{7 8 9 10}

  Noted events in his life were:

1. sponsor at baptism: Christian Barron, 10 June 1759, Mortlach parish, Banffshire, Scotland. John and Barbara Barron at Mill of Mewlack were the parents of the child. John Innes at Walkmill of Balveny was the second sponsor.

2. Disposition to James Gordon of Cluniemore: by Earl of Fife of lands, 28 September 1772, of Hatton of Lhanbryde And The Murraystouns In The Barony of Coxtoun. ¹¹

James married Margaret SIME, daughter of Reverend Mr Walter SIME Minister of Mortlach and Elizabeth STEWART, in May 1754 in Mortlach parish, Banffshire, Scotland.^{1 2} (Margaret SIME was born about 1730.)

  Marriage Notes:

"SIME
MARGARET
JAMES GORDON/
00/05/1754
162/ 20 30
Mortlach"

from Index of Marriages


Old Parish Registers
Mortlach parish Banffshire
Marriages

"9 May 1754
Gordon and Sime
James Gordon and Margaret Sime Daughter to Mr Walter Sime Minister of the Gospel at Mortlach Parishioners after proclamation of Banns were married" ^{2 12}