1692] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 177 I do this upon my unkles recommendation and advice

Passages from the diary of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries : A.D. 1635-A.D. 1699"

1692] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 177

I do this upon my unkles recommendation and advice, albeit I know that
this Laird of Pitfoddels his father manycd twice, and gott considerable por-
tions, without being infeft in a furr of land so long as his father lived, and
diverse others too long here to mention.

Thus you see how punctually I have answered every particular of your
letter, which you but litle observe in answering of myne, and leaves out the
maine thing, wliich is the accounts of the rents of the lands, and how dis-
posed. And now you haveing for your owue proper use so much of the lands,
I expect hereafter a more exact account of what I have reserved for myself
which may move me not to forgett you when I dy.

This yeare of my age hath been a sad and unfortunate yeare to me,
haveing lost both my sons in law ; the eldest whereof, Collonell Strasburg'
was burycd but fyve dayes ago, the other in May last ; two of the com-
pleetest and best qualifyed men in this countrey. Collonell Strasburg hath
left a son and two daughters, and Major Crawfuird a posthumous son.

[In a letter, of the same date, to his uncle, James Gordon of Westertown, he forwarded con-
veyances of the lands of Auchleuchries, to his son John.]

COPT OP THE DISPOSITION GIVEN TO MY SON JOHN, OF MY LANDS OF
ACHLUICHRIES IN SCOTLAND.

Be it knowne to all men by thir presents, that I, Patrick Gordon of
Achluichries, Generall over the Selected Regiments of his Imperiall Majesty
of All Russia, do hereby fully and freely dispose and give over the heritable
right of all the lands of Achluichries, lying within the parish of Crowdan, in
the shire of Aberdeen, in Scotland, to ray oldest son, John Gordon ; reserv-
ing only for me and my wyfe our lyferents of the two pleughs of Easter
Achluichries, and that free from all publick dues and burthens or any the
least other particular duty or acknowledgment to any person whatsomcver ;
as also, two thousand punds Scottish as a portion for one of my sons who
may come to Scotland and setle there, and to whom it shall be assigned ; yet
this summe of two thousand punds Scottish to beare no annuall rent untiil
the first Whitsunday after he shall come to Scotland, and then the aforesaid
summe to be delivered to him, or assignes, or to be left upon annuall rent
as he pleaseth. I will also that my said son John be countable to me for
the yearly rents of the said two pleughs of Easter Achluichries, and that free
of all publick dues and burthens ; and the said money to be given out to

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