GORDON, James of Ellon, senior Merchant in Edinburgh, Jacobite 1715, Bailie ^{2 3 4 5 6 7}

   Other names for James were GORDON, James wright ¹ and GORDOUN, James.⁶

   User ID: B834.

  General Notes:

"The Errol family had long before this time (1640) acquired the whole barony of Esslemont, and it remained in their possession until 17---, when it passed, by purchase, to James Gordon of Ellon and Esslemont. He was, according to the author of the View of the Diocese, son to a farmer in Bourtie, and a merchant in Edinburgh, and at one time a baillie there, and a rich man. A terrible tragedy took place in his family, when two of his children were cruelly murdered by their tutor in Edinburgh. Robert Irvine, the assassin, after the deed, attempted suicide, but was prevented, and being taken 'red hand,' was summarily executed between Leith and Edinburgh. James Gordon sold Esslemont in 1727 to Robert Gordon of the Hallhead family." (page 512)

from Thanage of Fermartyn

Note: The murders occurred on Sunday 28 April 1717 "near Brughtoun, between Leith and Edinburgh". The two boys were named in reports as John and Alexander, though no baptism for a son named 'John' has been found. The brother nearest in age to Alexander was baptised 'William'.



"Ellon, formerly Kermucks, and, under that name, possessed by Forbes of Watertonn; and, before him, by Kennedy of Kermuck. The possessor of it, by a peculiar right, is Constable of Aberdeen. It has been built anew by the present possessor, Gordon of Ellon, (son to a farmer in Bourtie,) a merchant in Edinburgh, and once a baillie there, and a rich man. And it is accounted herea very great house, the great hall having two rows of windows, and being twenty eight foot high."

"To the north-west side of Ellon, stands the great and stately castle of Ellon. It overlooks the village and the river, and is the country seat of James Gordon of Ellon."

from Collections (published 1843)



"The ruins of Ellon Castle can be seen from various parts of the town. The castle was formerly known as the ancient fort of Ardgith and a number of castles have been built on this site. Sadly, the castle is not currently open to the public, although the impressive Deer Dykes (12 foot high walls) around the castle grounds can be seen from Castle Road. The Castle and estate were bought in 1706 by Baillie James Gordon of Edinburgh who created the splendid landscape garden on the terrace 190 yards long by 15 yards wide held up by a retaining wall some 18 feet high. Baillie Gordon's two sons were murdered by their tutor and his widow sold the estate to the 3rd Earl of Aberdeen."

from Crann Tara



"Gordon
James
5/3/1728
sr., merchant in Aberdeen
Inventory and Petition
Aberdeen Commissary Court
CC1/6/1B"

from Wills and Testaments ^{3 5 8 9 10}

James married Bessie LIVINGSTON on 16 June 1691 in Canongate parish, Edinburgh, Scotland.^{1 2} (Bessie LIVINGSTON was born about 1676.)

  Marriage Notes:

"GORDON
JAMES
BESSIE LIVINGSTON/FR3866 (FR3866)
16/06/1691
685/3 140 10
Canongate"

from Index of Marriages



Old Parish Registers
Canongate parish Edinburgh
Marriages

"1691
May 24 James Gordon wright and Bessie Livingston gave up there [sic] names to be proclamed in order to marriage and was [sic] married the 16 of June"



""Gordon, James, of Ellon
Son of Alexander Gordon, farmer in Bourtie. He married Elizabeth Livingstone and had five sons and six daughters."

from Jacobites of 1715

Note: slight underestimate in number of children



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