Sir Alexander Seton, 1st Baronet facts for kids

Sir Alexander Seton of Pitmedden, 1st Baronet, Lord Pitmedden (born around 1639 – died May 29, 1719) was an important person in Scottish history. He was a lawyer, a judge in Scotland's highest court, a criminal court judge, and a member of the Scottish Parliament.

Growing Up

Alexander Seton was the youngest son of John Seton of Pitmedden. His father was a Royalist, meaning he supported the King. In 1639, John Seton was fighting in a battle at the Bridge of Dee. Sadly, he was shot and died when he was only 29 years old.

Alexander and his older brother were just babies when their father died. Their mother, Elizabeth, and the boys were forced to leave their home. Their family's land was taken by the Covenanters, who were against the King. Later, their mother remarried. The boys were then cared for by a relative, George Seton, 4th Earl of Winton. He helped them both go to the University of Aberdeen.

Alexander's older brother, James Seton, joined the English Navy. In 1667, during a Dutch attack on the English fleet at Chatham, James was badly hurt. He died soon after. This meant Alexander became the head of the family.

His Career and Public Service

Alexander Seton became a member of the Faculty of Advocates on December 10, 1661. This group was made up of Scotland's top lawyers. In 1664, King Charles II made him a knight.

On October 31, 1677, he became a judge in the highest court, called the Court of Session. He was then known as Lord Pitmedden. Later, on July 5, 1682, he also became a judge in the criminal court. On January 15, 1684, King Charles II gave him a special title: a baronet of Nova Scotia. This made him Sir Alexander Seton, 1st Baronet.

Sir Alexander represented Aberdeenshire in the Scottish Parliament in 1681, 1685, and 1686. He was very brave and independent. He spoke out against King James VII's plans to change some laws. Because of this, the King removed him from his judge positions.

After the 1688 Revolution, King William III offered to make him a judge again. But Sir Alexander said no. He felt it would go against promises he had made to King James VII. After this, he stopped working as a lawyer and judge.

In his personal life, he worked hard to get his family's land back from debt. He also had a very large collection of books. A painting of Sir Alexander Seton, Lord Pitmedden, was kept in an old house called The Grange, Edinburgh for many years. It is still owned by the Lauder of Fountainhall family today.

Family Life

On March 11, 1669, Sir Alexander married his cousin, Margaret. She died on October 19, 1723. Margaret was the daughter of William Lauder, who was a lawyer and clerk for the Court of Session. Sir Alexander and Margaret had ten children:

• Sir William Seton, who became the 2nd Baronet of Pitmedden. He was also a Member of Parliament for Aberdeenshire.
• Alexander, who was a doctor for the military and worked for the Duke of Marlborough.
• James, who was a merchant in Danzig. He did not have any children.
• Thomas, who was a doctor and never married.
• George, who lived in Mounie, Aberdeenshire, and was a lawyer.
• Elizabeth, who married Sir Alexander Wedderburn, 2nd Baronet.
• Margaret, who married Sir John Lauder, 3rd Baronet.
• Anne (1676–1764), who married Sir William Leslie Dick of The Grange, Edinburgh.
• Jean (died 1768), who never married.
• Isabel, who never married.