Joseph Gordon was born at Bovaglie, a tenant farm of about 18 acres of hill pasture, leased from the Gordons of Abergeldie on the river Dee. Other farms on the estate include Balnacroft, Buailteach, The Camlet, The Genechal (Khantore), Linquoch, Littlemill, Loinveg (Lynvaig), Newton, Tilfogar, and Woodend. Several families occupied each farm. Bovaglie is about four miles southeast of Crathie (about 80 mins walk).
The third son of Joseph Gordon (c.1760–1850) and his first wife, Rachel Tastard, Joseph was baptised on 4 February 1795 at Crathie.
He received a rudimentary education in Glenmuick, and in his early twenties, entered the Earl of Airlie’s service and became butler at Cortachy Castle. After a decade in service, he moved to Montrose and started a drapery business there, becoming a baillie of the town.
In September 1841, he emigrated to New South Wales on board the Anne Milne, landing at Sydney on 17 January 1842. After two years in Sydney, in November 1844, he moved to Bathurst, where he established himself as a general merchant, making for himself a considerable fortune. In the 1850s, he became involved in political action against the Gold Regulations Act. Keenly interested in political and church matters, he later published a book of his poetry, diaries, and letters to individuals and to the newspapers written during his sojourn in Australia.
In the late 1860s, he returned to Scotland. As a trustee of the estate of his brother, John Gordon, he and his fellow shareholders were found liable in the City of Glasgow Bank crash, and he was called upon to contribute £30,000 towards a settlement of the bank’s debts. Joseph continued writing after his return to Britain. Despite his good fortune, he never married. He died 15 March 1881 at his home 'Springfield,' Dundee, and left this property and £2,500 to his nephew, James Gordon (1826-1906).
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Source: Supplied by Michael Ward from family research.
