George Nicol Gordon was born at Cascumpec, Prince Edward Island, on 21 April 1822 the son of John Gordon and Mary Ramsay. After several years of unsuccessful farming, he began his studies for the ministry in 1850 at the Theological Hall of the Presbyterian Church at West River, Pictou, Nova Scotia and the Free Church College in Halifax. During his studies he also served as City Missionary in Halifax and in 1853 offered himself for missionary work in the South Seas. Following a preaching tour of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in aid of foreign missions, he departed for London on 9 October 1855 to pursue medical studies in preparation for the foreign mission field. While in London he married Ellen Catherine Powell who was born in Bow, Essex on 25 May 1833. On 23 June 1856 the couple departed by ship for their mission post on Eromanga in the New Hebrides where they took up residence in June of 1857. Their ministering to the Eromangan population was to be brief. On 20 May 1861, following an epidemic of measles which was blamed on the presence of foreigners, George Nicol and Ellen Catherine Gordon were ambushed and killed by the Eromangans.

Ellen Catherine Powell (b. 25 May 1833) of Bow, Essex, England, married George Nicol Gordon (1822-1861) in London ca. 1855-1856. On 23 June 1856 the couple departed by ship for a Presbyterian Church mission post on Eromanga in the New Hebrides where they took up residence in June of 1857. Their ministering to the Eromangan population was to be brief. On 20 May 1861, following an epidemic of measles which was blamed on the presence of foreigners, George Nicol and Ellen Catherine Gordon were ambushed and killed by the Eromangans.