GORDON, William 3rd of Craig ¹

  Research Notes:

WILLIAM GORDON OF CRAIG: THIRD LAIRD OR FOURTH?

Captain Douglas Wimberley outlines the antecedents of the third laird, the sources that inform us of William Gordon 2nd Laird of Craig and his successors: "William Gordon, Ilnd (2nd) laird of Craig, married Elspet Stewart daughter of Stewart of Laithers, and had issue probably 2 sons and 2 daughters, viz.:\emdash I. Patrick, younger of Craig, heir apparent and fiar of Craig. He married a daughter of Lesley of Wardes, by whom he had 4 sons and 2 daughters ........

Patrick, according to the Balbithan M.S., where he is called third laird of Craig, although he was only called 'laird younger,' or fiar, married the laird of Wardes' daughter (Lesley) with whom he begat four sons, viz., William Gordon, fourth laird [really third if Patrick of Fulzemont is reckoned the first, and Patrick, fiar, is not counted], and John of Drumes [or Drymmeis] : their father, the said Patrick, was killed at the battle of Pinkie 1547. An addition is made in brackets '[and three sons.]'.........

The Harperfield M.S. gives William's issue by 'Elizabeth,' daughter of Stewart of Laithers, as 'two sons, one daughter, 2nd son James of Tillangus, ancestor of the family of this title.' 'Margaret married Forbes of Corsindae;' adds that 'he' [William] 'dyed at Craig in 1555;' it then mentions that 'his grandson, William' [eldest son of Patrick by a daughter of Leslie of Wardhouse] 'succeeded' him as 3rd laird, and that Patrick was killed at the battle of Pinkie 1547, and left another son, John of Drimmies....

William, the Ilnd (2nd) laird of Craig, was deceased at some date between April 1556 and 1559 ('Rec. of Aboyne,' p. 38), and was succeeded by his grandson, William."

all from Family of Craig ¹

William married Clare CHEYNE, daughter of Alexander CHEYNE 8th of Straloch and Unknown. (Clare CHEYNE was born about 1535.)

  Marriage Notes:

"This laird of Craig William 3rd of Craig, (ie grandson of William 2nd) resigned his lands of Johnsleys for a re-grant in favour of himself and Clara Cheyne his spouse, as is shown by the following extract, which is given in Latin......"

"William Gordon, the 3rd laird, married Clara Chein or Cheyne, daughter of the laird of Straloch, by whom he had two sons, viz.:-

I. John, 4th laird of Craig. II. Patrick of Fulzemont or Wheidlemont. According to the Balbithan M.S., he married the laird of Strathloch's daughter (Chein), with whom he begat two sons, viz., John Gordon Vth [IVth], laird of Craig, and Patrick Gordon of Fulzemont (or Whewlemont). Their father, the said William, died 1607."

from Family of Craig ¹