GORDON, James 'Apparent of Knockespock', and 3rd of Arradoul, Captain

   Another name for James was GORDON, James of Wrays.³

  General Notes:

"JAMES GORDON III. OF ARRADOUL.

He was the son of William Gordon of Arradoul, and at first had the land of Wrays, which in 1570 had been in the hands of a Thomas Gordon. He is sometimes called 'apparent of Knockespock,' thus:

1634, Jany. 13. Registration of sasine dated Dec. 2, 1633, of James Gordon, apparent of Knockespock, and Jean Bisset, his future spouse, of Knockespock, in Kirktoun of Clatt, on a charter by George Gordon of Terpersie, dated at Clatt Dec. 2. A witness to it is James Gordon, 'nepote' of the said George Gordon of Terpersie (Particular Register of Sasines, Aberdeen, viii. f. 412).

from Gordons of Cairnfield

Notes:

1

'nepote' in Scots can have a variety of relationship meaning, including grandson and nephew, but it can be so general as to indicate any blood relationship. In this case it was very probably George's grandson, who became 4th laird of Terpersie.

2

The fact that the (feu) charter is by George Gordon of Terpersie indicates that he was the feudal superior in this land holding. ³

  Research Notes:

KNOCKESPOCK

The 'transfer' of Knockespock may have occurred in this generation. It was less a transfer and more a return to a feudal superior.

William Gordon became 4th laird of Knockespock when his father died about 1631. In Gordons of Cairnfield, J.M.Bulloch wrote:

'William Gordon seems to have disposed of the lands of Knockespock about 1634. He is still described as late as Aug. 7, 1635, as "of Knockespock," but he also appears as ''of Arradoul" at the same time. He was baillie to Lord Gordon ("Mackintosh Muniments," No. 385), and much in the confidence of the Huntly family.'

The 4th laird William's son, James was known as

'Captain James Gordon "Apparent of Knockespock", and 3rd of Arradoul'

James had a son, Robert, to whom J.M.Bulloch referred in Gordons of Cairnfield. It seems to have been with Robert that the association with Knockespock dissolved with that family, possibly about 1663 or thereabouts, at his death,and reverted to their feudal superiors of Terpersie, probably in the lifetime of William, 3rd laird of Terpersie.

William, or his son James, the 4th laird, would have been free to assign the land within his own family. This appears to have been what happened, since the brother of James, William's son, Henry, had a son John who was later referred to as the Laird of Knockespock, certainly by 1680. The latter also had a son, John, more famously known at a later time as 'old Glenbucket'. These two John Gordons, before the Glenbucket title was ever used in that family, were known as John Gordon elder of Knockespock and John Gordon younger of Knockespock. Witness:
a]
At Clatt 1680:
"The names of the elders of Clat are as followes, John Gordon of Knokespoke, Arthur Dalgarno in Blairdinny, Thomas Paterson, Andrew Couper, John Shirreffe, who being called did compeir with such of the heritors, and masters of families as were present."

from Exercise of Alford

b]
In the section BONDS BY HERITORS IN PRESBYTERIES OF KINCARDINE AND ALFORD TO CONCERT MEASURES FOR THE PEACE OF THE COUNTRY, 1700.
is found among other names in the text
"Arthour Forbes of Achintoull Roderick Forbes yor of Brux John Leith of Leithhall and John Gordon of Knockaspak
for the presbiterie of Alford to meitt at Kincardine the tenth day of May ensuing"
and
"Sic Subscribetur
(among many other heritorswho signed)
J. Gordon of Laso
Nathaniell Fforbes of Argeith
Jn. Gordon of Knockaspak yor
H. Lumsden of Cushney
Ja. Gordon of Newbigging
F. Gordon of Craig"
and
c]
Further down the same section
"We undersubscrybing Hertors Within the Presbitries of Alford and Kincardin Haveing Mett at Scotsmilne the dait of thir presents and Haveing Conserted Measures for Secureing Our selves ffrom the Violent Depredations and robberies that are Daylie and Nightly comitted In all Corners of the saids Presbitries Have unanimously of our owin Goodwill Condescended to Pey ane Merk Scots aff off the Hundreth Pounds of Valued rent to be uplifted and appoynted ffor any Person or persons that shall apprehend the persons off Allaster Moir alias Mckdonald Angus Mckdonald alias the Haked Stier John Mckdonald alias the Laird of Glendy John Roy alias Mckinriach Alaster riach and Donald Riach Angus Dow Roderick and Alaster MckDonalds sons to Duleowir Allaster or any others whom John ffarquharsone of Invercald Wm fforbes of Craigivar Harie ffarquharsone of Whyt House Roderick fforbes younger off Brux Arthour fforbes of Auchintoule John Leith of Leith Hall and John Gordoune Elder of Knockespick whom the saids Heritors hath appoynted to meit the tent of May next at Kincardine o neill ffor ffurthe secureing the peace of the Countrie SHall Think ffitt to be Apprehended as notorious robbers and thieves"

Later, when Glenbucket estate became available and was purchased either by John Gordon elder or younger of Knockespock, Knockespock was sold, but remained within the family. In an email of September 2013 Judith Grimes wrote:

'George (Gordon of Knockespock) became the VIII Laird of Knockespock after purchasing it from his kinsman, John Gordon of Glenbucket on 23 March 1705. (Ref: Captain Douglas Wimberley in the Appendix of "On the Family of Gordon of Terpesie with a Table of their Descendants".)'

Gordons Under Arms, in referring to Adam Gordon of Park, who sold Glenbucket estate, gives this account of the sale:
"Eldest son of Adam (d. 1693), of Glenbucket, and Jean Douglas, of the Glenbervie family. 1696, imprisoned his mother for thirty days in Glenbucket Castle (as she complained to the Privy Council). 1701, got into debt, and had to dispose of the property to John Gordon, of Knockespock, father of the notorious Jacobite, General John Gordon, of Glenbucket."

There are references in the Strathdon Parish Register of Baptisms from February 1703 onwards which refer to 'John Gordon elder and younger of Glenbucket' as witnesses. One such is in June 1705, that is, after October 1704 when House of Gordon says John Gordon of Knockespock died. If these dates are correct as given, this last must refer to 'Old Glenbucket', the Jacobite leader and his son, also called John, who was probably born in the early 1690s. Whether 'Old Glenbucket's father, John, who died in 1704, was the elder John referred to as John Gordon of Glenbucket in the baptisms before October 1704, we can only speculate. ^{3 4 5 6 7 8}

James married Jean BISSET, daughter of Robert BISSET 12th of Lessendrum and 2nd Daughter GORDON, after 13 December 1634.^{1 2} (Jean BISSET was born about 1620.)

  Marriage Notes:

"His (James 3rd of Knockespock's) eldest son William Gordon of Knockespock married the Laird of Gairns [David Garden of Garden's] daughter with whom he begat sons and Daughters viz James Gordon and Captain Alexander Gordon. The sd James married the Laird of Lessendrum's Daughter Bisset and begat . . . The said James went to France Captain in a Regiment and dyed there 1643."

from Balbithan MS ²