GORDON, David of Nethermuir ³

   Another name for David was GORDON, David in Knaven.²

   User ID: H118.

  General Notes:

'We have ... the weight of a long-standing genealogical tradition indicating a descent from the Haddo Gordons in (1) the Balbithan MS.;
(2) a grant of arms in 1683 to Patrick Gordon of Nethermuir, the Lord Lyon describing him as 'lawfullie descended of the familie of Haddo;' while (3) Lord Fountainhall (1646-1722) describes Patrick Gordon, younger of Nethermuir, who was lost in the wreck of the 'Gloucester' in 1682, as 'President Haddo's cousin.' '

from The Gordons of Nethermuir ²

  Research Notes:

NETHERMUIR and KNAVEN

This is situated in the parish of New Deer, Aberdeenshire, between new Deer village and Auchnagatt, going south east from the village along the A 948. Knaven is slightly south west of Nethermuir itself. ⁴

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Jury member, 6 October 1584. ² 'I think David of Nethermuir may be identical with David Gordon, in Knaven, who was one of the jury in the special service of Mr Robert Maitland, nephew of Mr Robert Maitland, Dean of Aberdeen, on Oct. 6, 1584 (Littlejohn's "Aberdeenshire Sheriff Court," i., 310). Knaven had been in the possession of another branch of Gordons, the descendants of David's ancestor, Jock of Scurdargue, by his "hand-fasted" wife, Macleod.'

2. Gave caution, 4 October 1594. ² '"David Gordon of Nethermuir," gave caution to Parliament, sitting at Aberdeen - Thomas Menzies of Durne being surety for him in £100 - to keep ward in Aberdeen and one mile thereat till freed by the King, and in the meantime not to repair to His Majesty's presence or place of residence with out his license ("Privy Council Register,"
v., 184).'

David married Janet MAITLAND.^{1 2} (Janet MAITLAND was born about 1550.)

  Marriage Notes:

"David Gordon of Nethermure married the goodman of Achencrives daughter Maitland, with whom he begat two Sons and Daughters, viz Gordon of Nethermuire and James Gordon of Knawen."

from Balbithan MS




"The next account of the family is contained in a MS. pedigree of 1670, now in Gordon Castle, as follows :

'The Genealogie of David Gordon of Nethermuir, 3d sone to James, 4th Laird of Haddo, by Margery Menzies.

This David married Janet Maitland, daughter to the Deane of Abd., brother to Achincreeve, by whom he had 3 sones - Patrick of Nethermuir ; James of Knawen; Jhon, who went to Polland ; two daughters Jean married to Jhon Bennerman of Aslide ; Janet married to Patrick Ferqhar." (pages 3 and 4)


"David Gordon is given by the old genealogists as a son of James Gordon, III. of Haddo. Mr W. A. Lindsay, Windsor Herald, in his account of the Earls of Aberdeen in the 'Scots Peerage,' speaks (i., 85) of David as 'supposed ancestor' of the Gordons of Nethermuir. We have, however, the weight of a long-standing genealogical tradition indicating a descent from the Haddo Gordons in (1) the Balbithan MS. ; (2) a grant of arms in 1683 to Patrick Gordon of Nethermuir, the Lord Lyon describing him as 'lawfullie descended of the familie of Haddo;' while (3) Lord Fountainhall (1646-1722) describes Patrick Gordon, younger of Nethermuir, who was lost in the wreck of the 'Gloucester' in 1682, as 'President Haddo's cousin.'

James, III. of Haddo, who died before May 23, 1582, married Marjory Menzies. Paterson says his son David was born about 1540.

I think David of Nethermuir may be identical with David Gordon, in Knaven, who was one of the jury in the special service of Mr Robert Maitland, nephew of Mr Robert Maitland, Dean of Aberdeen, on Oct. 6, 1584 (Littlejohn's 'Aberdeenshire Sheriff Court,' i., 310). Knaven had been in the possession of another branch of Gordons, the descendants of David's ancestor, Jock of Scurdargue, by his 'hand-fasted' wife, Macleod." (page 8)

from Gordons of Nethermuir

Note:

The Balbithan MS regularly designs the James Gordon who married Marjory Menzies as the fourth laird of Haddo, whereas elsewhere he is referred to as the third. The distinction hinges on whether the son or grandson of Jock Gordon of Scudargue is designed as first laird. ^{1 2}