Gordons of Nethermuir

CEORCE CORDON, "OF
NETHERMUIR."
Died 1768.
George Gordon remains a mystery. He
was the son of Patrick Gordon of Nether-
muir, and figures in the Poll Book of i6g6.
According- to the "London Magazine, " he
must have been born in 1688. His father in
his will, July 2, 1724, refers to the "absence
and misfortune of my son George Gordon."
What that "misfortune" was is a mystery.
His "absence" was in London. It will be
noted that he was passed over in his father's
will, any legacies going to the heirs of his
body. He does not figure in the Services of
Heirs, and does not seem to have really held
the estate of Nethermuir at all. Paterson
("History of Ayr," i., 220) says he died'
without succession about 1731. As a matter
of fact he died on February 15, 1768. We
are indebted for the information to the
"London Magazine" (vol. 37, p. 118), in the
following terms: —
"George Gordon of the Middle Temple,
late of Nethermuir in North Britain, Esq.
[died Feb. 15, 1768], aged near eighty; a
gentleman of primitive [sic] honour and
integrity, great erudition, remarkable for
his profound knowledge of the laws and
constitution of this kingdom, and not less
so for his amiable and beneficent behaviour
in private life. His writings in the cause
of liberty have enlightened and improved
thousands, though the name of this bene-
factor to the public as an author was known
only to his particular friends."
The death was announced in the "Gazet-
teer" of Feb. 17, 1768 — "On Monday, George
Gordon, Esq. of the Middle Temple," and
in the "Gentleman's Magazine" (vol. .38,
p. 04) — "George Gordon, Esq., of the Middle
Temple."