Lewis Gordon (minister)

Gordon was born in Forres on 24 June 1747, the sixth son of William Gordon, merchant.^[1] He trained as a minister at Marischal College, Aberdeen, graduating MA in 1765, was licensed by the Presbytery of Forres on 19 July 1768 and was ordained at Drainie on 28 September 1768.^[1] He served as minister of the parish of Drainie near Lossiemouth on the north Scottish coast from 1768.^[1][2] His parish included the (then) fishing village of Lossiemouth.^[3] The church dated from 1666.^[4]

He was elected Moderator in 1815 replacing David Ritchie and succeeded in 1816 by John Cook. At this time Gordon had been minister of Drainie for at least 45 years.^[5] He was made a DD by King's College, Aberdeen on 17 May 1815, the day before his appointment as Moderator.^[1]

He was translated to St Giles Church in Elgin on 5 September 1815,^[6] remaining in post until his death at Burghead on 29 June 1824.^[1]

Gordon married Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Logan, Minister of Rafford, on 7 March 1771.^[1] Their children were

• Robert Maxwell (9 May 1772 - 15 Feb 1785, Kinneddar);
• William (8 Oct 1773 - ?);
• John (5 June 1775 - 7 Feb 1802, Calcutta);
• Charles (28 Jan 1777 - 19 Apr 1804, during return from India on board the Harriet;
• Jean (9 Aug 1778 - 11 Jun 1795);
• Lewis (19 Oct 1780 - 5 Dec 1801, India), lieutenant HEICS;
• Fenella (15 Jun 1782 - 15 Feb 1823);
• Elizabeth (18 Jul 1783 - 4 Mar 1789);
• Robina (12 Feb 1785 - ?); and
• Robert (2 Apr 1786 - ?), captain Bombay Engineers.^[1]