Alexander Seton, 1st Viscount of Kingston

Sir Alexander Seton, 1st Viscount of Kingston, (March 13, 1620 - died October 21, 1691). A Cavalier, his was the first dignity Charles II conferred as King.

Family

Alexander was the son of George Seton, 3rd Earl of Winton (1584 - 1650) by Anne, daughter to Francis Hay, 9th Earl of Erroll (d.1631).

Child Knight

At the early age of twelve, he received King Charles I on a visit to Seton Palace, delivering himself of a Latin oration at the iron gates of the palace in the presence of His Majesty. There and then the King conferred upon him the honour of knighthood, remarking as he did so: "Now, Sir Alexander, see that this does not spoil your school; by the appearance you will be a scholar."

Excommunication

After extensive travels in foreign lands Sir Alexander came home in 1640. But, refusing to sign the Covenant in 1643, he was excommunicated in Tranent Church, and had to flee to France.

Cavalier

Upon returning he was entrusted with important State business by King Charles II, who created him Viscount of Kingston February 14, 1651 with limitation to the heirs male of his body. His title was taken from a village of that name in Dirleton parish, about two miles south-west of North Berwick. On the day of his creation, Sir Alexander was, with a gallant little garrison, defending Tantallon Castle against Oliver Cromwell who had laid siege to it. Following twelve days and a "battering with grate canon" the defenders were compelled to surrender, but only after quarter had been granted to them in recognition of their bravery.

In 1668 Lord Kingston was appointed, by the King, commander of the Haddingtonshire Militia.

Marriages

He married four times, of which: (1) February 1650, to Jean (d.August 1651) only daughter of Sir George Fletcher, Gentleman of the Privy Chamber in Ordinary to King Charles I, and brother of Sir Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun, a senator of the College of Justice; (2) 22 July 1652, Elizabeth (30 May 1632, Stoneypath Tower, near Garvald, - Wednesday 21 October 1668, Whittingehame) sister and heir of Archibald Douglas of Whittingehame. (No issue to the 3rd & 4th marriages).

By his first wife Lord Kingston had one daughter, Ann, born at Seton House on 24 April 1651, who married James Douglas, 3rd Lord Mordington (b.1651).By his second wife Lord Kingston had ten children, 7 boys and 3 girls. He was succeeded in his honours and estates by his eldest surviving son Archibald Seton, 2nd Viscount of Kingston (1661 - 1714), who died unmarried, and was succeeded by his brother James Seton, 3rd Viscount Kingston, who was disgraced and, says Chambers, forfeited. He too died issueless.

Burial

Lord Kingston was buried October 25, 1691, within the parish church of Whittingehame, Haddingtonshire.

References

* "The House & Surname of Setoun", by Sir Richard Maitland, et al, reprinted 1830.
* "The Scots' Peerage" by Sir James Balfour Paul, under 'Seton, Viscount of Kingston', page 196.
* "The Seven Ages of an East Lothian Parish - Whittingehame", by the Reverend Marshall . Lang, T.D., Edinburgh, 1929, pps: 142-146.