MACKRETH, Margaret

   User ID: A248.

  Research Notes:

MACKRETH

This surname derives from the Gaelic personal name "Rath". Variants found in different areas are McGrath, McCrae, McGraw and McGra.

Margaret married John GORDON of Drummoy and Ballelon, son of Adam GORDON Dean of Caithness, Governor of Petty and Marriota DUFFUS.^{1 2} (John GORDON of Drummoy and Ballelon was born about 1512.)

  Marriage Notes:

"Mr Adam Gordons second Son John Gordon of Drumois married the Vicar of Kilmachlys daughter Sutherland, with whom he begatt four sons viz. Hugh Gordon of Belnatom, Alex Gordon of Sidera, John Gordon of Golspiter, and little John Gordon of Bakes."

from Balbithan MS

Note:
The Balbithan MS places William as third son, whereas Sir Robert Gordon puts him first. Both have George older than John.




"This son of Adam Gordon Dean of Caithness is described by Sir Robert Gordon (p 104) as 'a faithful and diligent servant of Earl John [of Sutherland] who gave him the lands Ballelan in fue.' He bought the lands of Drummoy from Sutherland of Forss in 1598 (ibid. p. 237). The Balbithan M.S. says he married the 'Vicar of Kilmacheys daughter Sutherland' but Sir Robert Gordon says he married a gentlewoman called Margaret Mackreth who was then in service with the Countes of Southerland. Sir Robert (pp. 104, 314) expatiates on her at some length. 'This Margaret Mackreth, long afterward in the long afterward in the time of her widowhood, did foster and bring up Sir Robert Gordoun,now tutor of Southerland and knight baronet [that is to say, the author of the Earl of Sutherland himself]. She was a verie vertuous gentlewoman,much given to hospitalitie, both towards rich and poor, and the best interteyner of strangers, and others that hath been these many yeirs in that province of her estate and qualitie. She died at Doill the yeir of God 1598 and was bureid at Dornogh, much regrated by all that knew her, haveing lived widdow above fourtie yeirs'..."

from Gordons of Embo ^{1 2}