GORDON, Patrick 4th of Nethermuir ²

  General Notes:

A possible solution is offered here regarding the uncertain provenance of Patrick Gordon 4th Laird of Nethermuir; that he may have been the son of the second son of Patrick 2nd Laird of Nethermuir. The 1st laird died before 9 March 1630; his son Patrick died in 1643. If George the 3rd laird had no survivng sons then a son of Patrick his brother would have inherited. His background may have been somewhat hidden if it was not fully acceptable in social or religious terms to later generations, after the upheavals and distress of the executution of King Charles I and the Restoration. More work needs to be done but this is a possibility worth exploring:

Old Parish Register
Saint Nicholas Parish Aberdeen
Baptisms

"1634
7 July
Gordone [sic]
Patrik Gordonn and Jeane gellie ane sone his name patrik patrik jack mr wm moir wm cordoner mr rob paul God faths"


'PATRICK GORDON, IV. OF NETHERMUIR. The origin of this Laird is obscure. Patterson, History of Ayr, (i., 220) states that George, the anti-Covenanting laird, was "succeeded by Patrick Gordon of Nethermuir, who married Anna Strachen"; but he does not say who this Patrick was. General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries seems to refer to Patrick, without naming him, as his "unkle." Under date July 13, 1686, he writes ("Diary," 149) "Nethermuir, older and younger, when from hence (Aberdeen), I having given a factory for my effaires to my unkle and the younger Nethermuir," whose name was John, and whom the General calls his "cousin." Now it is true that General Patrick's father had a brother Patrick, but he was dead in 1643. If Patrick, IV. of Nethermuir, was a brother, he must have been born after that date. It is all very puzzling.I do not know when Patrick succeeded to the estate, but he was laird in 1683, in which year a blazoning of a "coat armorial" appertaining to Patrick Gordon of Neithermuir was granted bv the Lord Lyon...
"THERFOR Conform to the tenor of the said act of Parliament I Testifie and make knowen That the Coat Armour appertaining and
belonging TO PATRICK GORDON of NETHERMUIR Lawfullie descended of the familie of HADDO (The present Representer wherof is the Right Honourable George Earle of Aberdein Lord High Chancellor of Scotland) and approven of and confirmed be me to him Is matriculat in my said publict Register upon the day and date of these presents. And is thus Blazoned viz. The said PATRICK GORDON of NETHERMUIRE for his Atchievement and Ensigne Armed and Langued proper, within a bordur parted per fesse argent &c Or above the
shield ane Helmet ansuorable to his degree with a mantle gules doubled argent next (for his crest) over a wreath of his colours is a
dexter hand issueing out of a cloud and throwing a dart all proper with this motto in ane Escroll Majores Sequor which coat above blazoned I declare to be the said PATRICK GORDON of NETHERMURE his Coat and Bearing.
"IN TESTIMONIE whereof I have subscryved this Extract with my Hand and have caused append mv seall of office thereto. GIVEN ATT EDINBURGH The Sexteinth day of March And of our said soveraigne Lord's Reigne The Threttie fyft year 1683
(Signed) ALEXR. ARESKINE LYON."'

'It is possible that Patrick "propelled" his estate. General Patrick Gordon speaks in 1686 of "Nethermuir older and younger." When the Poll Tax was taken up in 1696, "Patrick Gordon of Nethermoor" appears, "his part of the valued rent of Nethermoor being £153;" his spouse, Anna Strachan, and "William Gordon, his sone in familia," figuring at six shillings each. "John Gordon of Nythermoor" appears immediately afterwards: "the said John Gordon hath of valued rent, in Nythermoor, £153, and in Old Mad, ,£266 13s 4d, extending to .£419 13s 4d ("Poll Book," ii., IO).
I have not discovered when Patrick Gordon died. He was alive on Aug. 5, 1704, when he was appointed a Commissioner of Supply for Aberdeenshire ("Acts of Parliament of Scotland," xi., 146).'

from The Gordons of Nethermuir ^{1 3 4}

Patrick married Anna STRACHAN, daughter of Reverend Mr William STRACHAN of Luesk, Minister of Daviot parish and Girsall SMYTH.¹ (Anna STRACHAN was born about 1625 and died in 1699 ⁵.)

  Marriage Notes:

"In 1847, James Paterson published a brief account of the family in his 'History of Ayr' (i., 220-1), based apparently on information from the laird of that period, John Taylor Gordon, who had transferred his main interest and his residence to an estate in Avrshire. Paterson's account runs thus: ....

.... IV. Patrick Gordon of Nethermuir, who married Anna Strachan, and had issue Patrick John William" (page 5)


"One of the witnesses to the bond was Mr William Straquhan, minister of Daviot, probably a relation of Anne Strachan who married Patrick Gordon, IV. of Nethermuir." (page 14)


"Paterson ('History of Ayr,' i., 220) states that George, the anti-Covenanting laird, was 'succeeded by Patrick Gordon of Nethermuir, who married Anna Strachan' " (page 22)


"When the Poll Tax was taken up in 1696, 'Patrick Gordon of Nethermoor' appears, 'his part of the valued rent of Nethermoor being .£153;' his spouse, Anna Strachan, and 'William Gordon, his sone in familia,' figuring at six shillings each." (page 24)


"Patrick Gordon married Anna Strachan, who was alive in 1696 ('Poll Book,' ii., 10). She was granted sasine on the lands of Knaven, the sasine being registered Oct. 10, 1673 ('Register of Sasines'). They had at least four sons" (pages 24 and 25)

from Gordons of Nethermuir ¹