Alexander Gordon and Robert Mure, Kirkcudbright and South Carolina.
The Charleston Daily News. (Charleston, South Carolina) on July 07, 1871, carried the following obituaries.
IN MEMORIAM.
Alexander Gordon and Robert Mure.
At a meeting of the corporation of the First Presbyterian Church of Charleston, held on the evening of July 3d, 1871, Mr. A. S. Johnston offered the following preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:
The angel of Death has recruited his legions, and added two more victims to the grand army of the virtuous and good, and it goes marching on to its final reward.
This church mourns to-day the absence of two of its brightest ornaments – most cherished members and strong supports.
Since we last met it has pleased God, in His Infinite wisdom, to remove from our midst Alexander Gordon and Robert Mure, both natives of Kirkcudbright, Scotland, and, since their sojourn in their adopted homes, active members and ruling elders of this church.
A long and intimate social and religious association, taught us to recognize and appreciate those sterling virtues and high moral principles which adorned and Illustrated their lives, and which was so beautifully delineated in their deaths.
lt is with profound humility that we, as Christians, bow before the Divine Majesty, and recognize in this dispensation of Providence, that "our loss is to them gain," and that their spirits, wafted to brighter homes, are in the enjoyment of eternal bliss.
Both of our deceased brothers engaged the esteem, confidence and respect of both pastor and people, and held for four years the highest position of trust in our church. In all times of trouble and distress they were never found wanting in extending a helping hand, cheering the afflicted, and, by their high religions tone, giving moral dignity and strength to all undertakings with which they were connected.
With this church they were peculiarly and dearly connected, and principally through their energy, zeal and sound judgment, combined with true Christian magnanimity, are we indebted for support and comfort in times of our sorest trials.
All classes of our community have united in ex
Resolved, That in the deaths of Alexander Gordon and Robert Mure, this church has lost two of its oldest and most esteemed officers – earnest friends, liberal contributors, and exemplary members.
Resolved, That this be recorded upon the minutes of this corporation, and that blank pages be Inscribed to their memories.
Resolved, That a copy or these proceedings be sent to the bereaved families of the deceased, accompanied with the hearty condolence of this church.
Resolved, That the same be published in the morning papers of this city and Southern Presbyterian and index of Columbia; also the papers of Kirkcudbright, Scotland, be requested to copy.
R.B. Dowie, Secretary.
The Wigtownshire Free Press carried the following notice:
GORDON, Alex. - Died 13/1/1871 - At High Street, Kirkcudbright, on the 13th instant, Alex. Gordon, Esq., of Charleston, South Carolina, aged 70 years.
The OPR's for Kirkcudbright record an Alexander Gordon born 28th September 1800 (parents Alexander Gordon & Margaret McCartney.) There is a broken gravestone (140) at St Cuthbert's Churchyard, Kirkcudbright for this family. Alexander Gordon senior had a printing business in Kirkcudbright's High Street.
There is an interesting episode in the life of Robert Muir recorded on the Internet. An entry in Wikipedia includes:
Robert Mure, a British-born Charleston merchant, was arrested in New York. Mure, a colonel in the South Carolina militia, had a British diplomatic passport issued by Bunch, and was carrying a British diplomatic pouch. The pouch contained some actual correspondence from Bunch to Britain, and also pro-Confederate pamphlets, personal letters from Southerners to European correspondents, and a Confederate dispatch which recounted Bunch's dealings with the Confederacy, including the talk of recognition.
There is a more complete account on the website at allan-mitchell.org.uk. Below is only a small (and edited) part of the text.
Mure is a Scotchman; that his relatives reside in the vicinity of Kirkcudbright, Scotland; that he has resided in Charleston about thirty years; that before the breaking out of this rebellion he held a commission in a Charleston militia company; that during the last spring he was acting as a field officer of a Charleston regiment; that he was in such service during the attack on Fort Sumter and that he is a citizen of the United States, having been naturalized many years ago. He professed that the rebellion had ruined his business of cotton merchant; that he was in the habit of visiting Europe annually and always took with him the dispatch bag of the British consul as an accommodation for himself; that as soon as it became known that he was about to leave for Europe letters were left at his house by everybody......
The website of the St. Andrew's Society of Charleston records that Mure was their president from 1859 to 1871. The entry includes a little genealogical information:
Mr. Mure, like many of his predecessors, was a native of Scotland having been born at Kirkcudbright in 1812. For nearly 30 years he was a merchant Charleston. At the time of his death he was President of the Charleston Chamber of Commerce.
Robert Muir's birth date is recorded in the Kirkcudbright OPR's; born 18th July 1812, parents Robert Muir and Elizabeth Carson. I could find no memorial for either Robert Muirs at Kirkcudbright, but Elizabeth Carson or Muir is recorded on the gravestone (50) of her father John Carson, 'shipmaster', Kirkcudbright. Another gravestone at St Cuthbert's, a large table stone, remembers an Andrew Muir (sic), late provost of Kirkcudbright, who died in 1806. Also recorded on that stone is his son William, a merchant, who died at Charleston.