GORDON-L Archives

Archiver > GORDON > 1998-02 > 0886949994


From: "Howard & Myrtle Bridges" <>
Subject: Gordon in NC
Date: Sun, 8 Feb 1998 09:59:54 -0500


Here is something for researchers of Gordons in NC. It is from my new book
OUR NATIVE HEATH - Richmond County NC 1779-1899. Anyone interested in
searching the index of this book can do so at: http://
home.att.net/~hbridges/myrtle.htm Myrtle Bridges

15 April 1774. The Bachelor of Leith, Alexander Ramage, Master bound to
Wilmington in N. C. from Caithness and Sutherland in Scotland is forced by
distress of weather to put into Shetland. Taking advantage of this
situation the officers at the Port of Lerwick interview several passengers
and learn the genuine causes of many emigrants leaving Scotland, and going
to America.

William Gordon saith that he is aged 60 and upwards, by trade a farmer,
married, hath six children who emigrate with him with the wives and
children of his two sons, John and Alexander Gordon. Resided last at Wymore
in the Parish of Clyde in the County of Sutherland, upon lands belonging to
William Baillie of Rosehall. That having two sons already settled in
Carolina, who wrote him encouraging him to come there, and finding the
rents of lands raised in so much that a possession in which his grandfather
paid eight merck scots, he himself at last paid sixty. He was induced to
emigrate for the greater benefit of his children being himself an old man
and lame so that it was indifferent to him in what country he died. That
his circumstances were greatly reduced not only by the rise of rents but by
the loss of cattle, particularly in the severe winter of 1771. That the
land on which he lived has often changed masters, and the rents have been
raised on every change; and when Mr. Baillie bought them they were farmed
with the rest of his purchase to one tacksman, (a middleman who leased a
large piece of land from the owner and sublet it in small farms.) at a very
high rent, who must also have his profits out of them. All these things
occurring induced him to leave his own country in hopes that his children
would earn their bread more comfortably elsewhere. That one of his sons is
a weaver and another a shoemaker, and he hopes that they may get bread for
themselves and be a help to support him.

This thread: