GORDON, James of Knockespock, Laird of Auchlyne ³

   Another name for James was GORDON, JAMES of Knockespick, Esq.,.⁴

   User ID: W708.

  General Notes:

"GORDON
JAMES
GEORGE GORDON/
M
31/10/1694
180/ 10 18
Clatt"

from Births and Baptisms



"James ... was the eldest son of George Gordon of Knockespock, by his first wife, Mary, daughter of Dr. Moir of Scotstown. George was the second son of Harry of Auchlyne, who again was the fifth son of William Gordon, III. of Terpersie by his wife, a daughter of Gordon of Leichiston, son of James, I. of Lesmoir. George Gordon had purchased in 1705 from his kinsman, John Gordon of Glenbucket, the well-known Jacobite general, the property of Knockespock. This John was connected with the Terpersie family, his mother being a daughter of Patrick Gordon of Badenscoth; while his grandfather was George Gordon of Noth, who acquired Knockespock, probably by wadset, in 1640 from Captain James Gordon of Knockespock (the last laird of the old Buckie line)."

from House of Gordon


After the forfeiture of the estate of Terpersie in 1746 when Charles Gordon 6th Laird was executed as a Jacobite, it was James Gordon of Knockespock who purchased the forfeited estate. It took until 1779 for the claims to be settled.

James Gordon went to the West Indies as a planter and prospered. He invested his money in the West Indies as well as in Great Britain. He was generally known in his early years as of St Kitts. He bought Moor Place in Hertfordshire, England and a property in St James, London. He also aquired Terpersie at Clatt in Aberdeenshire, Scotland after paying money to Lady Terpersie whose husband, Charles Gordon, had been executed. James was second cousin to this Charles Gordon.

He became Chief Justice of St Christopher from 1735-1741 and joined the Council of Antigua in 1741. He bought Crabbs, 400 acres, and Martins, 126 acres, from Valentine Morris for 11,500 pounds sterling on 1 April 1767.

James Gordon left a will dated 1766, which can be studied in The History of the Island of Antigua, volume 2. He died on 8 April 1768 without any issue, leaving James Brebner Gordon and Francis Grant Gordon his nephews and coheirs, 'the said James Brebner to bear my name and arms'. At the time James Brebner was in the West Indies.

With thanks to Judith Grimes and ANTIGUA-L Archives, who provide much detailed and important information.


"The estate of Terpersie was forfeited, and with the other confiscated properties was purchased by the York Buildings Company. It was afterwards acquired by James GORDON, a reputed descendant of the old family, who was a prosperous merchant in St. Kitts, in the West Indies, and died in 1770. He was succeeded by his brother Colonel Henry GORDON, who, dying in 1787 was followed by his second son Harry GORDON of Knockespock then fell to James Adam BREMNER, who assumed the surname and arms of GORDON. He was grandson to Mr. Whitbread, M.P. and great-grandson of Margaret, eldest sister of James GORDON, of St. Kitts, wife of James BREMNER, farmer in Towie of Clatt. He died in 1854, when the estates fell to Sir Henry Percy GORDON, Bart., great-grandson of Barbara, youngest sister of the above James GORDON, of St. Kitts, through her marriage with William GRANT. Their son, who was a captain in the navy, substituted the name of GORDON for that of GRANT, and his eldest son, General James Willoughby GORDON, who was created a baronet in 1818, was the father of the above Sir Henry, who dying 29th July 1876 was succeeded by Hannah GORDON, daughter of Harry GORDON, the last proprietor of that name, and wife of Admiral William Abdy FELLOWES, whose son, Mr. H.G. Fellowes GORDON is now proprietor of both Terpersie and Knockespock."

from aberdeen_epitaphs.pdf ^{2 3}

  Research Notes:

THANKS

Warm thanks to Judith Grimes, for her generosity with information about this family and related others.

James married Mary HERRON.^{1 2} (Mary HERRON was born about 1720 and died after 8 April 1768.)