GORDON, Alexander elder, 1st Baronet of Cluny (of the First House), Sir ^{1 3}

   User ID: B495.

  General Notes:

"1608, February 23. - Alexander Gordon of Cluny has a charter of various lands from the King, including Auchterarne, Cults, etc., which Alexander Gordon of Lesmoir had resigned (Great Seal, vi., No.. 2036). Eight years later Cluny resigned these lands to the King, and they were granted to George, first Marquis of Huntly, who gave them to Lawrence, his fourth son, whom failing, to the Viscount Aboyne, who perished at the burning of Frendraught in 1630."

from Lesmoir




"15 Dec 1614

Tack by Alexander Gordoun [Gordon] of Cluny to John, Earl of Mar, of teindsheaves of land of Easter and Wester Micrass and Auchintowle [Auchintoul], in parish of Tullyche [Tullich], sheriffdom of Aberdeen, for term of 19 years."

from GD124/8/11




"9 Sep 1629

Disposition by Sir John Leslie of Wardes, Kt, Bt, to Sir Alexander Gordoun [Gordon] of Cluny of teinds of various lands in parishes of Leslie, Kinethmont [Kennethmont], Inche [Insch], Logiedurnoche and Chrystiskirk [Christskirk], in sheriffdom of Aberdeen, and of right of patronage of kirk of Inche, said sheriffdom."

from GD124/8/29




"6-18 Apr 1630

Charter by John, Earl of Mar, to Sir Alexander Gordoune [Gordon] of Cluny, Bt, of lands of Gareauche [Garioch], eg, lands of Duncanstoune, Gillanderstoune, Donydure, Rochmuriell, Dauche of Ardinie, half of lands of Warthill, lands of Dornoche [Durno] and Milton of same, parts of lands of Harlaw and Inverurie, lands of Tullifourie [Tilliefoure], Knokinbarid, Knokinorgin, in lordship of Gareauche, sheriffdom of Aberdeen, under reservation to Elizabeth Gordoune, spouse of John Leslie of Wardes, of liferent of lands of Tullifourie and others; and instrument of sasine following."

from GD124/1/329




"In the troubled years of the 1630s and '40s Cluny appears as a loyal adherent of Lord Huntly, who employed him on political errands. In June 1638 Lady Huntly died at Cluny's lodgings in Old Aberdeen - lodgings in the sense of a town house - and he was with Huntly in Aberdeen in October of the same year for the signing of the Confession of Faith. In the following year he was away twice; once returning in one of the King's pinnaces escorting a merchantman with stores of weapons, and later in April when he went south with letters from Huntly to the King - a journey which was never completed, as he was recalled when he reached Edinburgh.

On 27 May 1637 he lost some of the weapons which he had brought in by sea, when his house in Old Aberdeen was attacked by Montrose's men; they ''broke up the Laird of Cluny's yettis in Old Aberdeen and Hall Door, went in and took six score pikes'. He was in England again between February and June of 1640, travelling on both occasions by sea."

from Cluny Castle



The Register of the Privy Council of Scotland during the reign of Charles I recorded several occasions during 1634, 1635 and 1636 where "Sir Alexander Gordoun of Clunie", along with others, was put to the horn for non-payment of debts. The consequences were serious:

"But they remain at the horn and take no notice thereof. George Leslie compearing for himself and the other pursuers, but none of the defenders compearing, the Lords ordain the latter to be charged to render their respective houses, viz., William Gordon of Cottoun, his house of Gordon-smylne; Sir Alexander Gordon, his house of Clunie and his house in Old Aberdene; George Gordon of Newtoun, his houses of Neutoune and Tulliemeneth; William Abercrombie, his house of Mylnetown of Dor-noche; William Leslie, his house of Bogend of Ryhill; Sir John Leslie, his houses of Wardes and Tilliefour; John Gordon of Innermerkie, his house of Innermerkie; and William Couts, his house of Clunie, and to enter their persons in ward within the Castle of Blacknes until they shall have satisfied the letters of horning, and that within fifteen days after being charged, if they be within the country, and, if they be without the same, within sixty days of the charge published against them at the cross of Edinburgh and pier and shore of Leith, upon pain of treason." ^{5 6 7 8 9}

  Research Notes:

There are very conflicting genealogies around for this family, and the reader should beware: the non-expert has little chance of knowing which might be more accurate.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Witness: at baptism, 27 November 1641, Old Machar parish, Aberdeen, Scotland. ¹⁰

Alexander married Violet URQUHART of Craigfintry, daughter of John URQUHART of Craigfintry, Tutor of Cromarty and Eldest Daughter GORDON.¹ (Violet URQUHART of Craigfintry was born about 1583.)

  Marriage Notes:

"Elspet (Gordon), Lady Wardes, married as her second husband, June 22, 1641, Sir Alexander Gordon of Cluny, whose first wife was a daughter of Urquhart the Tutor of Cromarty (Balbithan MS., p. 21)."

from Newton




"His (Sir Thomas Gordon's) eldest Son Sr Alexr. Gordon Barronet of Cluny married the Laird of Craigstons daughter Urquhart who was tutor of Cromarty, with whom he begat one son Sir Alexander Gordon heir of Cluny, who married the Laird of Wardhouse daughter who dyed in France without succession."

from Balbithan MS ^{1 3}

Alexander next married Elizabeth GORDON of Newton, Lady Leslie, daughter of John GORDON of Newton and Margaret UDNY, by 4 August 1641(legal business).^{1 2} (Elizabeth GORDON of Newton, Lady Leslie was born about 1586 and died on 2 December 1642 in Durham, England ¹.)

  Marriage Notes:

"Elspet or Elizabeth (Gordon). She figures under both names. The Newton MS. calls her Elizabeth. She was twice married, (1) to Sir John Leslie, VI. of Wardes, 1st Bart., and (2) Sir Alexander Gordon of Cluny."

from Newton




"His (Sir Alexander Gordon, younger's) father the said Sir Alexander Gordon of Cluny married to his second wife the Laird of Newtons daughter Lady Wardess."

from Balbithan MS




"4 Aug [c 1641]

G[ordon], E[lizabeth, wife of Sir Alexander Gordon of Cluny, widow of Sir John Leslie of Wardes]
To [George] Leslie of that ilk.
Legal business"

from RH9/2/111 ^{1 2 3}