1st Duke of Gordon

HIS HARD BOYHOOD.
Hi* father, the Marquis, found life far too
much for him, and died in December 1653, leav-
ing one .son ; lid three daughters. The boy "lived
with his lady mother at Elgin very mean," and
can scarcely have dreamed that in thirty years
he would be raised to a dukedom. The March-
ion ess must have 'had a hard time, for she not
only lost her husband, but was ii.nder the lynx-
like eye of the Synod of Moray. On May 2, 1654,
the Synod recomrdended to the Presbytery of
Strathbogie to take notice of her "for her al-
ledged professioue of poperie, she haveing hlr
resilience now in their bounds" (Cramond's "Synod
of Moray," p. 118). On October 3, it is reported
that she openly professes popery and keeps a
priest in her liou.se (ibid., 119), and from that time
onward she was constantly a thorn in their flesh:
1656, May. — The Synod, considering: that
Huntly's children were in danger of being "bred
in pcpperie," ordered the Moderator to write to
the Marquis of Argyll "desyring that course may
be taken for their educatione according to the
older prescribed in the Act of the General As-
semblie made anent the education of papists'
children (ibid, p. 120).
1658, October 5. — Mr William Jameson reported
to the Synod that he had pronounced the sentence
of excommunication against the Marchioness for
her obstinacy in poperie, conform to the ordinance
of the last Synod; whereupon the Synod ordained
the same to be intimated to the several congrega-
tions within the province (ibid., p. 125).
1659, October 4.— There is a reference in the
Presbytery book of Elgin anent the permitting of
Lady Huntly to dwell in Elgin. Five conditions
were laid down:— (1) That she shall bring no
excommunicated papist with her; (2) Permit her
children to be educated in schools, and repair to
the public ordinances; (3) Shall not let any mass
priests go to her house; (4) That she shall' admit
of conference with the ministers of Elgin as often
as offered; and (5) That neither she nor any in
her family "sail vse anie means to ensnare anie
person within Elgin with anie popish errors."
The Synod, out of their love to the recovery of
the lady, advises the Presbytery not to oppose
her "liicomeiug to and dwelling in Elgin up gude
securrtie" (ibid., p. 127).
1660, April 4.— It was reported to the Synod that
she did not seem to keep anv of the qualifica-
tions, nor were any of them observed by her ex-
cept that she did not refuse conference'; "whilk