GORDON, John Viscount Aboyne and Melgum ^{1 2}

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  General Notes:

"This peerage of Aboyne was first created in 1626 in favour of John, the fifth son of the 1st Marquis of Huntly, and his heirs male. John Gordon, Viscount Aboyne and Melgum, was burnt at Frendraught Tower in 1630, leaving issue by his wife Sophia Hay, 5th daughter of Francis, Earl of Errol, an only daughter, so the peerage became extinct. Two years later his elder brother George, Lord Gordon, was created Viscount Aboyne, with special remainder to his second son James."

from Records of Aboyne ²

John married Sophia HAY, daughter of Francis HAY 9th Earl of Erroll and Elizabeth DOUGLAS, in 1626.^{1 2} (Sophia HAY was born about 1600 and died on 12 March 1642 ¹.)

  Marriage Notes:

"Sophia, who had a charter from her father of the lands of Ardgeath, etc., died about 12 March 1642. She was married in 1626 to John, Viscount Melgum, second son of George, first Marquess of Huntly, and had issue a daughter. (Henrietta)"

from Scots Peerage (vol 3)

Note:
"By letters patent, dated at Whitehall 20 April 1632, reciting the death of Viscount Melgum without heirs-male of his body, George, Lord Gordon, eldest son of the first Marquess of Huntly, was created Viscount Aboyne for the life of his father with remainder on his own death or succession to the Marquessate to his second son James and his heirs-male bearing the name and arms of Gordon. In terms of this patent Lord James ultimately became Viscount Aboyne." (Scots Peerage volume 1)




"John, created Viscount of Aboyne and Melgum in 1627. He married Sophia Hay, fifth daughter of Francis, Earl of Errol, and they were infeft in the Lordship of Aboyne on 8th July 1626. He perished in the fire at Frendraught in 1630, leaving a daughter. His widow was given Aboyne Castle as a dower house, and an interesting account of her residence there is to be found in Blackhall's 'Briefe Narration.' "

from Records of Aboyne

Note: Gilbert Blakhal names "Ladye Isabelle" as the fifth daughter of the 9th Earl. He also mentions a sister of Sophia, named as "ladye Margarite" who lived with the Countess of Aboyne. Blakhal describes the Countess as "a noble, liberal and thankful ladye as ever lived." ^{1 2 3 4}