GRANT, Elspet 'of Auchorachan' ¹

   Another name for Elspet was GORDON, Elspet goodwyff of Minimor.¹

   User ID: X866.

  General Notes:

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  Research Notes:

AUCHORACHAN

Although we do not yet know who the parents of Elspet Grant were, there may be a link indicated between her and the Grant family of Auchernick and Nevie. Her son, Harry, married into the family of the Stewarts of Nevie. It is possible her own mother was a Stewart, since Harry (or Henry) is a given name much used in Stewart families.

The land was fought over by lawyers of Gordons and Grants at this time:

'In a document dated March 12, 1612, John Grant of Freuchie, assigned his interest in certain lands in Strathavon (Strathowne) to "Alexander Gordoun, elder of Strathowne, proprietor of the lands and barony of Strauthoune, ... and Dame Agnes Sinclair, Countess of Errol, his spouse."

The assignment was in settlement of a long standing dispute, and recited that, on August 24, 1562, and later charter of September 30, 1568, the "deceased George Earl of Huntly, Lord Gordoun, Badzenoche, and Straithowne" had assigned "in liferent for their lifetimes" an interest in the same lands "lying in the lordship of Stratawin and shire of Banff" to "John Grant of Freuchie, grandfather of John Grant, now of Freuchie."

The agreement specifically ratified a decree obtained "before the Lords of Council and Session" of January 22, 1603, ordering that John Grant of Freuchie remove himself and his tenants from Auchorachan and other properties. John Grant's assignment included:

"all rights and tacks of teinds which he or his predecessors had acquired of the parishes of Inveravin and Kirkmichael, in so far as they extended to the teinds, both parsonage and vicarage, of the lands and barony of Strathowne, lying within the said two parishes, for payment of 200 merks to Mr. William Clogye and his successors chancellors of Moray, for the relief of the said John Grant of Freuehy, who paid 400 merks yearly, and to pay the taxation upon remaining teinds† pro rata. Reserving the teindsheaves and vicarage of the lands of Tombrakachie, Navie, and some other lands which were wadset* to various persons, during the time they remained in wadset, but whenever they should be redeemed by the said Alexander Gordon, he was to have right to the said teinds."

from Chiefs of Grant ^{1 2}

Elspet married William GORDON of Minmore, cadet of Knockespock, son of Alexander GORDON Burgess in Elgin and Daughter STEWART.¹ (William GORDON of Minmore, cadet of Knockespock was born about 1602 and died in September 1674.)

  Marriage Notes:

"William Gordon is credited by the Balbithan MS. with having been twice married to ladies of the family of Grant : (1) Janet Grant, whose parentage is not stated ; and (2) 'Grant of Auchorachan's daughter.' 'Elspet Gordon, goodwyff of Minimor,' witnessed a baptism on April 7, 1640. She seems to be the 'gentlewoman (spouse to Mr Gordon of Munmore') who, when Huntly was captured at Delnabo, December, 1647, took him word to Blairfindy that the men of the country would rescue him. (Illustrious Family of Gordon, ii., 546.)"

from Minmore Gordons ¹