John Gordon, 16th Earl of Sutherland, was born in 1661.

He married Helen , daughter of Lord Cochrane. He supported the revolution of 1688 and was a commissioner for the union of England and Scotland. He was a Scottish representative peer in four parliaments, president of the board of trade and manufactures, and lord-lieutenant of the eight northern counties of Scotland.

He aided in putting down the rising of 1715 in the defeat of the Jacobite rebellion.

He resumed the name of Sutherland instead of Gordon. In 1719 by decree of Lyon Court, he was thereafter recognised Chief of the clan Sutherland .

Children:

• William Gordon, Lord Stathnaver who married Catherine Morrison .
• Jean Gordon b. abt 1692 Scotland d. Virginia USA