| | | JAMES GORDON, ALEXANDER MARIA GORDON, CHARLES EDWARD GORDON Went to U.S.A. XII of Beldorney. (1754-1832). Sold Beldorney. Lost sight of. Executed at Brest, 1769. Of Wardhouse & Kildrummy. | +-------------------------+--+ | | JOHN DAVID GORDON. Admiral Sir J. A. GORDON. (1774-1850) Went to Spain. One of Nelson's Captains. Inherited Wardhouse. (1782-1869.) | +---------------------+---+ | | PEDRO CARLOS GORDON, CARLOS PEDRO GORDON, of Wardhouse, of Wardhouse. 1806-57. 1814-97. | | | +--------------+ | | | JUAN JOSE GORDON, CARLOS PEDRO GORDON, JOSE MARIA GORDON, of Wardhouse, 1844-76. Brig.-General, 1837-66. d.v.p. Author of this book. | RAFAEL GORDON, of Wardhouse. Lives in Madrid. Born 1873. Part I [Illustration: Wardhouse, Aberdeenshire] [Illustration: Kildrummy Castle, Aberdeenshire] THE CHRONICLES OF A GAY GORDON _PART I_ CHAPTER I MY SCOTS-SPANISH ORIGIN At a period in the history of Scotland, we find that a law was passed under the provisions of which every landowner who was a Catholic had either to renounce his adherence to his Church or to forfeit his landed property to the Crown. This was a severe blow to Scotsmen, and history tells that practically every Catholic laird preferred not to have his property confiscated, with the natural result that he ceased--at any rate publicly--to take part in the outward forms of the Catholic religion. Churches, which Catholic families had built and endowed, passed into the hands of other denominations. Catholic priests who--in devotion to their duty--were willing to risk their lives, had to practise their devotions in secrecy.