The Gordons O' Girnoc
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(Toll dubh - Black hole)
Location: OS 346 912
This was a farm town.
1669 - William or John Michie with his ten lambs.
1669 - Alex Gordon had a total of twelve.
End of 17th century - was the 'gentleman' Sammell McDougall.He appears on the 1696 Poll Tax - paying �3.12s for himself and his wife. He had five servants, two of the men having an annual salary well above the norm of the time. The servants were listed as John Stewart, John Ley, Alaster McDougall, Jean Bowman and Anna Testart."
Circa 1820 - the tenant was John Gordon. 'Black Jock of Toldow' (had very dark hair & complexion) One of his sons, Francis Gordon, was what in his day was usually known as a 'sawayer'. This Francis, like many of his companions became an alcoholic. He apparently he did have family but sadly ended his days in the Glasgow Poor House.
1841 - Duncan Cattanach rented the property of 'Tolduh'. He had a large family and employed three farm servants. He later emigrated to Australia
1841 census - Tolduh
Duncan Cattanach, age 40yrs, Farmer, yes born in parish (mother was Ann Glass)
Margaret Cattanach, age 30yrs, yes born in parish
Mary Cattanach, age 8yrs, yes born in parish
John Cattanach, age 7yrs, yes born in parish
Jean Cattanach, age 5yrs, yes born in parish
James Cattanach, age 2yrs, yes born in parish
James Cattanach, age 30yrs, Ag lab, yes born in parish
John Reid, age 15 yrs, Ag lab, yes born in parish
Peter Gray, age 30yrs, Labourer, yes born in parish
1860's - Peter Gordon succeeded Duncan Cattanach and during his occupancy in the 1860's the houses were all rebuilt and the roofs slated. The farm underwent great improvement and was enlarged by the addition of part of Tombreack. This Peter Gordon was a member of the Gordon family of Bovaglie.
Various OPR finds relating to Toldhu:
1) Samuel Gordon, in KNOCK. He had three brothers - John and Charles in TOLDOW and Alexander, who was killed in a recruiting row with the 29th Regiment at TARLAND July 1776. They were tried and acquitted at Aberdeen, 12th September 1776 (Aberdeen Journal, 16th September 1776)
2) John Gordon, and Jean Gordon, both in GLENMUICK, married 7th December 1788,
And had in TOLDHU:
John, bp 18th November 1789
Alexander, bp 14th January 1795
3) Joseph Gordon, BOVAGLIE, and Margaret Stewart, TOLDU, had:
Alexander, bp 2nd May 1801
Robert, bp 19th May 1802
4) John Gordon, TOLDHU, married Jean Stewart, ALTHALLICH, 16th March 1819:
Francis, bp 2nd July 1803
William, bp 8th March 1815
William, bp 8th March 1816
Testament of a Toldhu Stewart:
Stewart Alexander 21/7/1881 farmer, residing at Tolldhu, united parish of Glenmuick, Tullich, and Glengairn, d. 04/10/1880 at Tolldhu, testate, spouse of Mrs Mary Michie or Stewart Aberdeen Sheriff Court Inventories
There were two men named John Gordon in Glenmuick parish at the same time, both of whom married women called Janet Stewart or Stuart. An attempt is made here to separate the families.
JOHN GORDON, possibly son of another John Gordon, by his wife Jean Gordon, married 10.3.1819, Jane Stewart in Alltcailleach, and and had issue:
1. Anne, b. Toldhu, bapt. 30.6.1822.
2. John, b. Toldhu, bapt. 18.6.1823.
3. Betty, b. bapt. 6.5.1826.
4. James, b. Forresterhaugh, bapt. 6.6.1828.
5. Barbara, born Spittal, bapt. 20.5.1830.
JOHN GORDON married 29.11.1818, Jane Stewart, and had issue:
1. James, b. Blacharage, bapt. 13.11.1819.
2. Alexander, b. Blacharage, bapt. 4.12.1820.
3. Anne, b. Braichlie, bapt. 24.1.1826.
4. Margaret, b. Easter Micras, bapt. 10.10.1828.
5. Michael Francis, b. Birkhall, bapt. 13.9.1833.