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James Seton, Representative of Barnes, Vice Admiral of the Royal Navy
and Governor of the Island of St. Vincent
James Seton was Governor of the Island of St. Vincent in the West
Indies (or Caribbean). His father, Sir George Seton of
Barnes, assumed the title of Earl of Dunfermline after the death
of James Seton, 4th Earl in France in 1694, following in the
tradition of his grandfather Sir George Seton who was famed
during the '15 Rebellion, having "Proclaimed" the pretender,
King James at Kelso. James' great-great-grandfather was
Sir George
Seton 3rd Baron of Barnes and of Hailes, Kt., Frequently
referred to as: George Seatton of Hallis, or Dr. Seaton,
who had obtained a Degree of M.A.
granted by University of St. Andrews, Doctor of Theology, and was a fellow
of St. John's College, Cambridge circa 1619-1629, noted in the
"Memorabilia Cantabrigiae" where in he was recommended
personally by King James VI and I.
Sir George Seton
acquired Crichton Castle and the Barony of the same from James
Stewart (the brother of Lord John Stewart, Commendator of
the Priory of Coldingham)
as a result of monies owed, later selling it to Hepburn's of
Humbie in 1649.
He later "quitted" Hailes
Castle during Cromwells sacking of Dunbar and was re-imbursed by the
Government to the sum of 4,700 "in
English money for troops quartered on his tenants and for damage caused by
them" in 1650. Sir George was granted a pension superscribed by Charles II of £1000 stg. yearly from customs of
London, to said Sir George; to Robert Seaton his younger son, and to Marie Seaton his
daughter, for their lifetimes.
In 1773, in recognition of his right as heir-male, James
Seton presented a petition to King
George III to be allowed the title, rank, and privileges of the
Earldom of Dunfermline. The claim was accepted, however, it was not
acted upon due to the want of funds. In the words of Archbishop
Robert Seton of Parbroath, where “it took two English fortunes to
prosecute a peerage case before the House of Lords.”
By his wife, Susan Moray, a great beauty in her day and daughter of
James Moray of Abercairney, in the County of Perth, and of Lady
Christian Montgomerie, daughter of the ninth Earl of Eglinton; he
had, with other children who died young or unmarried, a son and
heir, James Seton II, who was a Captain in St. Vincent and
later a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army. The Governor of St. Vincent died in London at an
advanced age and was very much respected.
James Seton II was the heir of the Governor and was bred to a
military career. He became Brigade Major, and then later a
Lieutenant-Colonel in the British Army. He married Margaret
Findlater, only daughter of the Rev. John Findlater, and had among
other children Catherine, born 23rd May, 1818. She
married John Coventry, Esq. of Burgate House, Hants, formerly
Rector of Tywardteath and great-grandson of the Earl of Coventry.
One of their sons, Bernard Seton Coventry, born in 1887, founded
the Seton-Coventry line. Colonel James Seton died at Brookheath,
Hants, in 1831. | 
