His sister, Elizabeth, may have been older than him as at their father's death she had apparently been married for some time, as her eldest son was of marriageable age in 1518.

[3] Sir Robert Gordon stated that John Sutherland, 9th Earl of Sutherland "was weak of judgement, deprived of natural witt and understanding, being able to governe neither himself nor others; bot his sister Lady Elizabeth Southerland (the wyff of Adam Gordon of Aboyn) was full of spirit and witt".

[2] Consequently, Adam Gordon submitted his application, in his wife's name, to the Crown, and a commission was issued by the Chancery of James V of Scotland to William, Lord Ruthven, John, Lord Drummond, and others to act as sheriffs of Inverness, to deal with the service and execution of the breive of idiotry against Earl John.

The earl himself was examined, which according to Fraser shows that he was not a complete idiot, though he was probably of weak intelligence, but appeared to have understood the nature of the proceedings.

In reply he declared his sister Elizabeth and her husband Adam Gordon, and their children as his nearest heirs and immediate successors, and that he gave his full consent and agreement to this.