John Gordon (Aberdeen MP) facts for kids

John Gordon (born around 1655 – died 24 August 1730) was an important Scottish merchant and politician from Aberdeen. He served as a council member and the top leader, called the Provost, of Aberdeen. He was also a member of the British House of Commons, which is like a parliament, from 1708 to 1710.

John Gordon's Early Life

John Gordon was born to John Gordon, a merchant from Aberdeen, and Christian Henderson. In the 1680s, he worked as a business agent, called a factor, in a place called Campvere. This was a special port in Friesland, Netherlands, where Scottish traders often did business.

In 1682, he became a burgess of Elgin. This meant he had special rights as a citizen there. He also continued his business in Rotterdam until at least 1702. John Gordon married his cousin, Janet Gordon. Her father, Alexander Gordon, was a representative for Aberdeen in the Parliament of Scotland.

Becoming a Politician

John Gordon was a strong supporter of the Presbyterian church. This was important in Scottish politics at the time. His uncle, Alexander Gordon, became the top leader of Aberdeen, the Lord Provost, in 1688. His uncle strongly supported the new King.

John Gordon also became very active in Aberdeen's government. He was a council member for the town from 1705 to 1709. Then, he served as the Provost himself from 1706 to 1708. He was the first person to sign a letter from the council to Queen Anne. This letter showed their loyalty after a planned French invasion in 1708 was stopped.

Serving in Parliament

In 1708, John Gordon was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for the new area called Aberdeen Burghs. His local council gave him instructions. They wanted him to protect the interests of the church and support funding for the war against France.

He didn't take a very big part in national politics. He mostly worked on a few local issues in Parliament. It's not clear which political group he fully supported. However, as a Scottish Presbyterian, he voted with the Whig government. He supported their decision to take action against a person named Dr. Sacheverell.

In 1710, John Gordon was removed from the Aberdeen Council. People were not happy with his performance in Parliament. He was encouraged not to try for re-election. So, he stepped down in the 1710 general election.

The "Rabbling of Deer" Incident

A difficult event happened the next year. The church leaders in Aberdeen wanted John Gordon's son, also named John, to become the minister in a place called Old Deer. But the old minister, who belonged to a different church group, refused to leave. The people in the town supported the old minister.

When the Gordons and their supporters tried to enter the church, a crowd of people stopped them. This event became known as the "rabbling of Deer." Even though his son eventually became the minister, this incident led to new laws. These laws strengthened the position of the other church group, the Episcopalians.

Later Life and Legacy

John Gordon returned to the Aberdeen council from 1714 to 1715. However, a group called the Jacobites took control of the council during a rebellion in 1715. He served again from April 1716 to 1719.

From 1717 to 1718, he was once again the Lord Provost of Aberdeen. During this time, he worked to remove members of the Episcopalian and Jacobite groups from the University of Aberdeen. When he retired from the council, he was given an honorary burgess title for Old Aberdeen.

John Gordon passed away on 24 August 1730, at the age of 75. He was buried in St. Nicholas’ church in Aberdeen. He had one daughter and one son who were still alive when he died. Three of his other sons had passed away before him.