A strong Covenanter, Gordon was called "the good Earl John" by his associates.
He fought against the royalist marquess of Montrose at the Battle of Auldearn in 1645, but afterwards rendered good service to Charles II.
According to Sir Robert Gordon, John Gordon, 14th Earl of Sutherland dealt nobly with Alexander Murray, his wife and his children in respect of the ancient and faithful service that the family had given to the Sutherlands.
According to Gordon, the estate of Aberscross ("Abiscors") became so overburdened with debt that it would never again be redeemed by the true and lawful heirs.
[2] John Gordon, 14th Earl of Sutherland was married to Lady Jean Drummond, daughter of James Drummond, 1st Earl of Perth, by whom he had four children:[3] He married second Anna Fraser, daughter of Hugh Fraser, 7th Lord Lovat.