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The Airlie Castle Gardener The Gordons O' Girnoc

Tombstone found in Kirriemuir Cemetery "Erected by James Gordon* sometime Gardener at Airlie Castle In Loving Memory of his wife Betsy Rattray, 1856-1932 The above James Gordon*, 1858-1935 Also Charles Rattray senr, 1822-1895 Isabella Hardie, his wife 1820-1883 Mary Rattray, his daughter 1853-1877 Jessie Rattray, his daughter, wife of James Wilkie, 1861-1917 The above James Wilkie 1863-1943 Elizabeth Rattray, Grandaughter of Charles Rattray 1876-1950"

1881 census - Mains Of Airlie Farm House, Airlie, Forfar James GORDON, Head, Married, age 59yrs, Farmer Of 250 Ac 4 Men & 1 Boy, born Crathie, Isabella GORDON, Wife, age 58yrs, born Tannadice, Forfar Margt. GORDON, Unmarried, Farmer's daughter, age 24yrs, born Kirriemuir James GORDON*, Unmarried, Farmer's Son, age 22yrs, born Cortachy, Forfar Alexr. GORDON, Unmarried, Farmer's Son, age 20yrs, born Cortachy, Forfar Charles GORDON, Unmarried, Son, age 17yrs, Bank of Scot Clerk, born Cortachy

1891 census - Cardean Cottage, Airlie, Forfar James Gordon, Head, Married, age 69yrs, Retired Farmer, born Crathie (born circa 1822) Isabella Gordon, Wife, age 68yrs, born Tannadice, Forfar 4 rooms with one or more windows 1901 census - Airlie Lodge (next to the uninhabited Mansion House & Coach House) James Gordon*, Head, Married, age 42yrs, Woodman, born Cortachy Betsy Gordon, Wife, age 44yrs, born Kirriemuir 3 rooms with one or more windows

Marriage of James Gordon to Betsy Rattray: Married on: 19th August 1884 Married at: The Lodge Airlie Castle (after banns as per the est Church of Scot) Groom: James Gordon, Ploughman, age 23yrs, Bachelor, resident at Mains of Airlie Grooms Parents: James Gordon - farmer & Isabella Sime Bride: Betsy Rattray, Domestic Servant, age 24yrs, Spinster, resident at Airlie Castle Lodge Brides Parents: Charles Rattray - forrester & Isabella Hardy Witnesses: David Lowden & Jessie Rattray & Thomas Reid (Minister of Airlie)

The father of our gardener was fae Deeside - viz: JAMES GORDON, who married ISABELLA SIM, on the 11th June 1849 in Glenmuick Children of James Gordon & Isabella Sim: 1) JANE ANNE GORDON - Christened 15 AUG 1850 Glenmuick August 15th 1850: James Gordon Spital of Muick and his wife Isabell Sim had a daughter born 19th July last and baptised this day - Jane Anne 2) ISABELLA GORDON - Christened 29 SEP 1852 Kirriemuir 3) MARGARET GORDON - Born: 02 JUN 1856 Kirriemuir 4) JAMES GORDON* - Born 07 JUL 1858 Cortachy And Clova 5) ALEXANDER GORDON - Born 31 MAR 1861 Cortachy And Clova 6) CHARLES GORDON - Born 19 APR 1863 Cortachy And Clova So clearly the family flitted over the mounth from Deeside to Angus, circa 1851. Going first to Kirriemuir, later to Cortachy & Clova.

The Occupants of The Spittal in 1851: Jean Robbie was a twenty four year old shepherd's wife who lived there with two infant children. This was probably the wife and family of Alexander, mentioned earlier, and, like other shepherds, he was away from home at the time of the Census. Barbara Robbie, sixty, a visitor, was probably Jean's mother in law. One of the other properties was occupied by a sheep dealer, James Gordon, and his wife Isabella and baby daughter Jean. 1851 census - Spittal of Muick James Gordon, Head, Married, age 31yrs, Sheep Dealer, born Crathie: later - "Farmer of Mains of Airlie " Isabella Gordon, Wife, Married, age 28yrs, born Tannadice Jean A. Gordon, Daughter, 8mths, born Glenmuick

Now this James Gordon senior really has become of interest! After all, he came from Deeside, was born in Crathie, but just after 1851 left the highest farm in Glenmuick (Spittal) for Kirriemuir and Cortachy. One has to wonder how this James Gordon gained the respect of the Ogilvy Lairds to become the foremost estate farmer of Airlie (250acres) Frustrating then that his death certificate, as yet, cannot be traced. He was alive in 1891 aged 69years, when he gave his birth as Crathie (not Glenmuick), but by November 1906 he was dead. As follows:

One wonders how the paths of James Gordon of Crathie and Isabella Sim were to cross. He was from Crathie, yet she was from Tannadice (near Dundee)! Now for Tannadice, that has come up before for the Cortachy Gordons - but right now this writer has forgotten how!

Gordon    John Syme   9/3/1899   Bank Clerk, afterwards Bank Inspector, sometime of 151 Loop Street, Pietermaritzburg, Colony of Natal, d. 11/12/1898 at Brae of Airlie, Kerriemuir, testate   Forfar Sheriff Court

Is this a further son of James Gordon senior?? Given that a search (not exhaustive) has not traced the death of James senior - might he have died overseas i.e Colony of Natal??

It is possible then - that James Gordon senior is of the family of  Joseph's Incredible Bairns. Proof though is definitely required! Can anybody out there help trace the Gordon travellers over to the Cape - during the early 19th century??