Sir Walter Seton of Abercorn, 1^st Baronet of Abercorn

Sir Walter Seton of Abercorn, 1^st Baronet, had a Charter under the Great Seal of the Lands and Barony and Lairdship of Abercorn, County Linlithgow, in 1662.  Having filled an important position in the Revenue Service of the Government, he was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia by King Charles II in 1663, with the remainder to his heirs-male whatsoever.  His Arms were registered with Lyon Court in 1672.

The hereditary order of Baronets was instituted in Scotland by Charles I in 1625, and as in the earlier English baronetage of James I, only estated gentlemen were selected for the honor.  Scots baronets are called of Nova Scotia, in Canada, because their institution was connected in it’s origin with Sir William Alexander’s scheme of colonizing that country, and his direct family and that of his cousins the Seton’s of Touch, and the Seton’s of Meldrum family in Aberdeenshire, maintained interests in both Nova Scotia and in the north of Ireland, Ulster.

He maintained throughout his life, a large library, and many of his former books can be found for sale in various book collections and auctions. He was an accomplished linguist, and was fluent in Latin, French and the language of the Scots, known as Gaelic.  His life-long career was dedicated to the Revenue Service of the Government, and he was instrumental in increasing the Royal bankroll.

Sir Walter Seton married Christian Dundas, daughter of George Dundas of Dundas, and had several children.  In the tradition of his father and grandfather, he too ensured a high degree of learning for his children and encouraged the study of Law for his sons, and marriages of quality for his daughters.  He was succeeded by his eldest son, Walter, on his death on February 20^th, 1692, as 2^nd Baronet of Abercorn, and his second son Alexander acquired the estate of Hiltly who’s line founded the Swedish branch of the Seton’s family (rep.Robert Seton of Sweden, and present armiger Anders Seton of Sweden, member of the Heraldry Society of Scotland, and Robert Seton of Sweden), and the Seton’s of Preston and Ekolsund.

Sir Walter Seton, 2^nd Baronet of Abercorn, was a distinguished Advocate at the Scottish Bar, and an official of Edinburgh town.  He married Euphemia Murray, daughter of Sir Robert Murray of Priestfield, on the 6^th of September, 1702 and had several children and by whom he was succeeded by his son, Henry Seton.  Sir Walter, 2^nd Baronet of Abecorn died January 3^rd, 1708.