Lieutenant-Colonel James Gordon, the third and last Laird of the barony of Ellon,[1] (c. 1735—17 October 1783)[2] was a highly regarded British Army officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War.

On 1 February 1746, government troops, under the command of Lieutenant General Henry Hawley, were pursuing Jacobites in the area, and they left their overnight camp in the palace, rushing out leaving their campfires burning.

[10] On 4 September 1747, the elder Gordon executed a deed (registered 23 March 1732) empowering his spouse, conjoined with others, to have full charge of his lands or to dispose of them.

The articles of roup, in the Ellon Charter Chest, show that the upset price was £16,000 sterling, and in addition there is a stipulation that there shall be a present of 200 guineas for a gown to the said Elizabeth Glen.

[8][11] Gordon initially served as an officer in the 115th Regiment of Foot (Royal Scotch Lowlanders)[12] which were raised at Paisley in 1701, and disbanded about 1763, when he was placed on half pay.

Following Gordon's death, Charles Asgill wrote: … These were the attentions I received from General Washington ― I had however a comfort beyond his reach ― totally above his power to invade      it was the Pride, the Consolation & Support which I derived from the exalted Friendship & Kind Compassion of Major Gordon of the 80th Regt who feeling for the distresses of a Brother Officer, [entrusted] by the best of Hearts in the cause of humanity & unwilling to leave a Youth of eighteen unadvised & unsupported to act in so peculiar & difficult a situation, sacrificed every Comfort to partake my hardships & Confinement & by the impulse of his excellent & noble Heart, felt on the [first] acquaintance all the steady & persevering Zeal that the longest & most tried Friendship could hope for or Claim     he was there the whole of this transaction the partaker of my hardships the support of my Spirits, & the monitor of my conduct     I am delighted at having the opportunity of proclaiming to the World his generous & benevolent attentions     Tho whilst I do justice to his Memory I aggravate the sensations of regret, which I must ever retain, for the loss of him.Gordon, who strenuously advocated on Asgill's behalf during the ordeal, suffered greatly from it.