GORDON, Alexander (d.1753), of Ardoch (now Poyntzfield), Ross.

In 1710, Gordon, a member of the Squadrone, was dismissed as collector of the customs at Inverness for brandy running. On the representations of his brother, Sir William Gordon, and his brother-in-law, Robert Munro, he was to be reinstated in November 1714; but this was successfully opposed by Argyll, who had apparently promised the town council of Inverness that the existing collector should be continued, on the understanding that they should vote for his candidate, William Stewart

During the Fifteen Gordon was sent by his relation, the Earl of Sutherland, to London to apply for assistance, returning with a lieutenant-general’s commission for Sutherland, £100 sterling, and a thousand stand of arms. In a duel in 1716 with the son of the 7th Lord Cathcart, who had accused his brother of cowardice, he was badly wounded and Cathcart was killed.2Sir Wm. Fraser, Sutherland Bk. i. 336; Cal. Treas. Bks. and Pprs. 1714-19, p.183; Stair Annals, i. 322-3; HMC Laing, ii. 186-8. Succeeding Henry Cunningham as muster master, he was also elected provost of Fortrose, which he claimed

will enable me to carry on his Majesty’s affairs in that country. The doing whereof successfully and faithfully, as I reckon it my greatest honour, so it shall be the greatest study of my life.3Stowe mss 239, f. 28.

Returned for Inverness Burghs in 1722, but unseated on petition, he did not stand again. In his last years he is said to have become ‘consecrated to the cause of godliness’, through the influence of his wife. He died in March 1753.4D. F. Sage, Memorabilia Domestica, 11; J. M. Bulloch, The House of Gordon (New Spalding Club), i. App. I, p. 15.