Gordons of Birsemoir and Cluny

Patrick Gordon’s father was a descendant of the Gordons of Birsemoir and Cluny (cadet branches of the Gordon Earl’s of Huntly). While there is not a lot of information about his Birsemoir and Cluny ancestors, there is certainly enough to prove the connection to Alexander Gordon, the 3rd Earl of Huntly.

John Gordon

8th Great Grandfather – FFFMFFFMFF

I will start with Patrick’s baptism record. As I mentioned above, it is recorded in the baptism record from the parish registers of Aberdeen¹ that one of his godparents was his father’s uncle Sir Patrick Leslie of Eden (or Iden).

Patrick, baptised March 1, 1664. Godfathers— Sir Patrick Leslie of Eden, Knight; Patrick More late bailie; Patrick Gordone, brother lawful to the said John; Patrick Innes of Taartie ; Patrick Logane ; Patrick Robertsone. eon lawful to the deceased Mr William Robertson, minister of Banchorydevnick ; William Dobie ; Patrick Dobie ; Nathaniel Smith and Alexander Reid.

The same entry confirms his parents as Johne Gordone and Christen Smith. John Gordone and Christen Smythe were married on the 13th December 1653 in St. Nicholas, Aberdeen. They had 9 children 6 boys, including Patrick who was the 3rd son and 3 girls. Sir Patrick Leslie was also the godfather for the eldest child, Christian who was baptised on 15th October 1654.

That Sir Patrick Lesile was godfather to 2 of John and Christen’s children is important, as this provides evidence that John Gordone was the son of Patrick’s sister Beatrix Leslie. The evidence for this conclusion is from a Birth Brieve, where it is asserted that John Gordone and Beatrix Leslie had two sons John and Patrick Gordon², who were living in Poland in 1646, when the birth brieve was recorded.

29th Junij, 1646, in presens of George Cullen, baillie.
The said day, it wes verified and provin be the witnessis vnderwreitin, viz., Patrik Leslie, lait provost of Aberdein, John Gardyn, messinger, and Andro Birny, that Patrik and John Gordons, resident within the kingdome of Poll, ar lauchfull sones to vmquhill John Gordon, burges of Aberdein, procreat betuixt him and Beatrix Leslie his spous, in the holy band of matrimony, and that they ar discendit of honorabill parents, and that the said vmquhill John Gordon his father wes vmquhill John Gordon of Birsmoir, and his mother wes Margrat Gordon, dochter to the laird of Lesmoir, and that the said Beatrix Leslie hir father wes vmquhill Patrik Leslie, sometyme baillie of Aberdein, and hir mother vmquhill Issobell Seatoun, dochter to vmquhill William Seatoun of Balthelny. Quhairvpon the baillie foirsaid ordanit ane testimoniall to be drawin vp vnder the touns secreit seall in forme as effeirs.

John Gordon, Burgess of Aberdeeen

9th Great Grandfather – FFFMFFFMFFF

This birth brieve also states that John Gordon (the father) was the son of John Gordon the First Laird of Birsemoir and his wife Margaret Gordon (of Lesmoir) (see Figure 1). According to Burke’s Commoners, he was also know as “John Gordon of Peltans”. He was a burgess of Aberdeen and in addition to the birth brieve for his two sons, he was mentioned, with his elder brother Patrick, in a commission dated 28th April 1624³.