GORDON, Alexander elder, Baronet of Cluny, Sir 1
- Born: About 1581
- Marriage (1): URQUHART, Violet of Craigfintry 1
- Marriage (2): GORDON, Elspet on 22 June 1641 1
- Died: About 1644, Abroad 2
User ID: B495.
General Notes:
Alexander was a witness at a baptism:
Old Parish Registers
Old Machar parish Aberdeen
Baptisms
27 November 1641
"The Said day Maister Williame Strachan Minister in Old Aberdeen ane sone called Alexander Sir Alexander Gordone of Cluny knight barroner Alexander Gordone of birsmore Mr Alexr gardyne elder Mr alexander middletoun subprincipal mr alexr gardyne regent and alexr spalding witnesses"
"In the troubled years of the 1630s and '40s Cluny appears as a loyal adherent of Lord Huntly, who employed him on political errands. In June 1638 Lady Huntly died at Cluny's lodgings in Old Aberdeen - lodgings in the sense of a town house - and he was with Huntly in Aberdeen in October of the same year for the signing of the Confession of Faith. In the following year he was away twice; once returning in one of the King's pinnaces escorting a merchantman with stores of weapons, and later in April when he went south with letters from Huntly to the King - a journey which was never completed, as he was recalled when he reached Edinburgh.
On 27 May 1637 he lost some of the weapons which he had brought in by sea, when his house in Old Aberdeen was attacked by Montrose's men; they ''broke up the Laird of Cluny's yettis in Old Aberdeen and Hall Door, went in and took six score pikes'. He was in England again between February and June of 1640, travelling on both occasions by sea."
from Cluny Castle
The Register of the Privy Council of Scotland during the reign of Charles I recorded several occasions during 1634, 1635 and 1636 where "Sir Alexander Gordoun of Clunie", along with others, was put to the horn for non-payment of debts. The consequences were serious:
"But they remain at the horn and take no notice thereof. George Leslie compearing for himself and the other pursuers, but none of the defenders compearing, the Lords ordain the latter to be charged to render their respective houses, viz., William Gordon of Cottoun, his house of Gordon-smylne; Sir Alexander Gordon, his house of Clunie and his house in Old Aberdene; George Gordon of Newtoun, his houses of Neutoune and Tulliemeneth; William Abercrombie, his house of Mylnetown of Dor-noche; William Leslie, his house of Bogend of Ryhill; Sir John Leslie, his houses of Wardes and Tilliefour; John Gordon of Innermerkie, his house of Innermerkie; and William Couts, his house of Clunie, and to enter their persons in ward within the Castle of Blacknes until they shall have satisfied the letters of horning, and that within fifteen days after being charged, if they be within the country, and, if they be without the same, within sixty days of the charge published against them at the cross of Edinburgh and pier and shore of Leith, upon pain of treason." 3 4
Research Notes:
There are very conflicting genealogies around for this family, and the reader should beware: the non-expert has little chance of knowing which might be more accurate.
Alexander married Violet URQUHART of Craigfintry, daughter of John URQUHART of Craigfintry, Tutor of Cromarty and Eldest Daughter GORDON.1 (Violet URQUHART of Craigfintry was born about 1587.)
Marriage Notes:
"Elspet, Lady Wardes, married as her second husband, June 22, 1641, Sir Alexander Gordon of Cluny, whose first wife was a daughter of Urquhart the Tutor of Cromarty (Balbithan MS., p. 21)."
from House of Gordon 1
Alexander next married Elspet GORDON, daughter of John GORDON of Newton and Margaret UDNY, on 22 June 1641.1 (Elspet GORDON was born about 1586 and died on 2 December 1642 in Durham, England 1.)
Marriage Notes:
"Elspet or Elizabeth. She figures under both names. The Newton MS. calls her Elizabeth. She was twice married, (1) to Sir John Leslie, VI. of Wardes, 1st Bart., and (2) Sir Alexander Gordon of Cluny."
from House of Gordon
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