The Seton's of Barnes, Hailes, 'of Moneylagan' in Ireland, Ireland and Nova Scotia

The lands of Barnes had long been in the family, having been awarded by King Robert I, noted in the Index of Charters, &c. By King Robert I:

Thefe Charters following are on twa Leiffs of Parchments in form of ane book 1 Carta to Alexander Seytoun of the barony of Trauernent in vie Edr quhilk William Ferrars forisfecit and the lands of Fawfyde quhilk Alan le Suche forisfecit the lands of Mylyis quhilk the Earl of Buchan forisfecit 2 to Alexander Seytoun of the lands and barony of Seatoun in liberam baroniam Edinburgh 3 to ditto of the town of Seatoun in ane burgh of barony 4 to ditto of ane mercat day on the Sabbath day 5 i to Ditto in French of the lands of Barns and Place Moylin near Haddingtoun.

20 - to Alexander Seton of the lands of Bernes juxta Hadingtoun in vie de Edinburgh

Later, re-confirmed yet again by King Robert III to Sir John Seton as:

7 -  "to John Seytoun of the lands of Bernes and Wintoun"

Of the Seton's of Barnes line, they were occasionally addresed as the "Seaton's of Mionylangan (Moneylagan) in Ireland after acquiring that estate, and which stems from Sir John Seton, 2nd of Barnes, the son and heir of Sir John Seton, Lord Barnes who was himself the 3rd son of George Seton, 7th Lord Seton and his wife Isabel Hamilton and brother to the 1st Earl of Winton and to the great Chancellor of Scotland, Alexander Seton  1st Earl of Dunfermline. There is also a branch of the Barnes family that were for a time known by their more significant estate, as the Seton's of Hailes (or Haillis), from Sir John Seton's second son, Sir George Seton.

Sir John Seton, 1st of Barnes' initial rearing was at the Palace of Seton, and had the influences of foreign dignitaries and the Scottish Royal family of Queen Mary and James VI.  He was Vice Prior of Pluscarden, and showed great promise as a young man, being studious and yet showing great wisdom in his youth.  Likewise, he displayed great talents in the art of military service, of law and of languages, being proficient in Scots and English, as well as French, Latin and Spanish.  With his father's and grandfather's constant services on the Royal family, it is of no wonder that he was influenced by the activities at Court, and in the Diplomatic Service.

Besides the family estate' of Barnes, which he had from his father in May 1585, Sir John also had a grant of land from King James VI while in his youth.  King James him the property of Hailyards, forfeited by James Earl of Morton "for crimes of lese "majestie", however Sir John having been under age at the time of the gift, King James later had to revoke it on 14th November 1582.

His estate was enlarged at a later date to include most of the lands around Amisfield, including Easter and Wester Barnes; those awarded in Galloway; St. Laurence House in Haddington and others.  On the 5th of March 1591-2 there is a confirmation by the King of a charter by ' William Seytoun, brother-german of Robert, Lord Seytoun, to John Seytoun of Barns, Knight, of the half of the lands of Ouhytepark and others, in the lordship of Galloway, below Cree, and of Aultoun and others above Cree, with manors, castles, etc.'

While in France with his father and brothers he demonstrated the high sense of honour, dignity and service and style, also portrayed by his father and grandfather, and served in the Scots Guards in France; serving the French Royal Court as well as the influential family of Guise.  From these connections he was introduced to the Ambassador of the Spanish Court, and being able to serve as an Ambassador-liaison for his father on many occasions, greatly impressed the Spanish Ambassador by his talents.  He was referred to the Court of King Phillip II by the Spanish Ambassador with the highest regards, and having received an invitation from the Court there, was presented with a Commission from Queen Mary to serve as an Ambassador in Spain.

Sir Richard Maitland of Lethington wrote in his 'History', that Sir John Seton was a brave young man who after being sent to France and Rome for his education he went to Spain, to the court of King Phillip II, by whom he was made Knight of the Royal Order of St Jago, at that time the order of knighthood in that kingdom of greatest esteem; In memory whereof, he and his heirs, bear a sword in their coat of arms, being the Badge of that Order.

It was during the time of the troubles of Queen Mary Stuart, that Sir John had relayed information between his father and the Spanish Court, trying to bring assistance to her aid, on several occassions.  Where King Phillip had been proposed as a husband to the young Queen and who had a great interest in supporting her throughout her life, Sir John was liaison between the King of Spain and the Scottish Royal House, before being recommended with the highest honours from the Spanish Ambassador in France.  Queen Mary Stuart then sent him on a commission as a Diplomat and Ambassador to the Royal Court of King Phillip of Spain.

Given his skills and mastery of many talents and of his sense of honour and loyalty, King Phillip later preferred him to be a gentleman of his chamber, and "Cavalier de la Boca" (which is Master of the Household): he also carried the golden key at his side, in a blue ribbing; all which, were the greatest honours King Phillip could give to any of his subjects, except to be made a Grandee of Spain. For his many services, he had a pension granted to him and his heirs, of two thousand crowns yearly.  While Maitland of Lethington was later at the Court of the King of Spain, he noted of the reputation of Sir John Seton that, "I was certainly informed of the truth of all this."

At the heights of his favour with King Phillip of Spain, was commanded home by King James the Sixth, unwilling to want so gallant a subject out of his court and service. Upon his return home, King James preferred him to be Treasurer of his House and was in great favour with his Majesty.  He was created Lord Barnes (1587 to 1594) of the Lords of Session in Parliament as an Ordinary Lord, in the place of his younger brother Alexander promoted.  Following his services and reputation in Spain, he was likewise created Master of the Kings Household (like that of his father), and Master of the Kings Horse, and was added Treasurer of the Royal Household as well.

He was and active member of the Scottish Parliament during his tenure on the bench as Lord Barnes (Barns/Barnis), and many legal documents are to be found within the Records Office in Edinburgh, noting Sir John Seton and having his Seal upon them.  He was also  was part of the coalition that had begun to put forward the succession of King James to the English crown, along with his two brother's who were at that time Robert, 8th Lord Seton; and Alexander, Lord Fyvie and Prior of Pluscarden.  As Vice Prior of Pluscarden, he had acquired various lands, including those in the Lordship of Galloway,  On 29 July 1592 he had a charter of the lands of Culcaigreis and others, in the lordship of Galloway-under-Cree, which he sold to Thomas Maclellan of Bombie.

His initial residence was at the Seton's mansion at St. Germains House, beside the Palace of Seton and which had at that time consisted of the main block, tower and courtyard.  However, given the impressions that were left upon him from his service in Spain, Sir John had begun a great building at the lands of Barnes bestowed upon him by his father, in the Spanish Castellated style which he completed to vault height before his death, intending that building round a court.  He had also been presented with the castle of Garleton, near to Barnes and which he modestly rebuilt the ruin with a formalized courtyard, which remains can still be seen to this day, and had a 'possession' of Hailes Castle, which later came into his 2nd son Sir George Seton's possession, through his uncle the Earl of Winton's assistance. Besides the family estate' of Barnes, which he had from his father in May 1585, Sir John also had another small grant of land in his youth. The King, some time before November 1582, gave him the property of Hailyards, forfeited by James Earl of Morton "for crimes of lese "majestie"; but, having been under age at the time of the gift, had to revoke it on 14th November 1582.

The ruins of his planned 16th century residence of Barnes are of unusual type, an example of axial planning, it is a rectangle 162'6" by 126'8" with the major axis NE-SW; the walls are of rubble masonry and average 1.8m in width, with a square courtyard.  Square towers project externally from the angles and between these are spaced intermediate towers - two on the NW, one on the SE, and one centrally on the SW. At the highest the walls are 14' but only the vaulted ground floor of the dwelling portion remains.  The walls are laid out in a highly formal symmetrical Spanish-style, which was very advanced for its time, defining a square, intended to enclose a courtyard, with well-defined corner towers.  The remains of Barnes Castle, are in relatively poor condition and have been used latterly as a farm-store.

It cannot be said therefore that he took advantage of his opportunities in advancing his own financial position. After his death, indeed, a charter of his lands of Barnes was given to Alexander, at that time Lord Urquhart, his brother, because they were forfeit to the Crown through the original gift of them to Sir John never having had Royal sanction.

However, it was not doubted that if he had lived some time after the King's coming to the crown of England he would have highly advanced him in honour and fortune, and given his stature and positions, and having already been knighted and being both a Baron and Lord of Justice and in Parliament, and was to have been made an Earl as his two brothers had been after his decease. 

He did however marry Anna Forbes, the eldest daughter to the 7th Lord Forbes, by whom he had two lawful-legitimate sons and a third illegitimate son (Hannibal Seton, who had numerous descent), and one daughter, Mosea. His eldest son succeeded him, and his second son who was said to have died a young man was actually Sir George Seton of Hailes. Sir John himself died in the strength of his age, a relatively young man, having contracted an illness (likely the Plague) and was buried in the College Kirk of Seton, and he was succeeded by his eldest son, also styled "Sir John Seton, 2nd of Barnes".

Although the later Arms registered for the Seton's of Barnes contain a "sword supporting an imperial crown", the Seal of Sir John Seton of Barnes is differenced with a cross-crosslet fitchy, which is readily mistaken for a sword, and for which cross-crosslet fitchy supporting a crown is the symbol of the Knights of St. Iago (or of St. James/Santiago).

Hannibal Seton, of Haddington also 'of Moneylaggan', Ireland

The record of Haddington:

The Testamentar and Inventory of the Goods pertaining to umquhile Robert, Earl of Wintoun, Lord Seytoun, within the parish of Tranent and constabulary of Haddington, who died on 22nd March 1603, faithfully made and given up by himself, as far as the nomination of executors and legacies : and partly by Dame Margaret Montgomerie, Countess of Wintoun, his relict spouse, so far as concerning the Inventory... : "...To Hanniball Seytoun son natural
to umquhile Sir Johne Seytoun of Barnis Knicht my brother ane hundreth pundis ..."

'Sir John Seaton' (2nd) had in 1642 lands in Ireland Lodge, v. 81, p. 379. Note, he and Lady Longford fled for safety against the rebels to Castle Forbes.
Hannibal Seton son to Sir John Seton, 12 May 1656. — Haddington Sheriff-Court Records

Hannibal Seton who also had settled for a time on the family estate in Ireland, before returning to Scotland and becoming a Burgess of Haddington; as well as other issue noted in the historical records of County Longford and surrounding areas in Ireland:

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD

Under this state of things the following landed gentlemen of the County of Longford and their families were dispossessed of their estates, which were either sold to Cromwellian troopers or other adventurers  the hereditary owners having to transplant themselves and their families beyond the Shannon immediately :


County of Longford, 1657
In 1657, Cromwell assumed the title of Protector and a sovereignty over the three kingdoms, which so disgusted his co-regicides that they withdrew from his army, and left him to enjoy his glory alone ; and the same year he ordered one Christopher Grough to make out a list of the " forfeiting" Papist proprietors in each county in Ireland. This list embraces the names of all those whose estates had been confiscated, but from which they had not been driven, but were allowed to remain in a state of dependency ; and in many cases, as if by the intervention of a kind Providence, the officers of the Commonwealth, as well as those who were to receive the lands, either failed to claim them or were persuaded by some momentary consideration not to disturb the old proprietors, and merely held the deeds which subsequently made them landlords ; otherwise there had been no native Irish left in Longford County.

County of Longford, 1657
Barony of Shrule
Twenty confiscations ; no addresses given :

Nicholas Barne well, James Dillon, Edmond Ffarrell, Ffergus Ffarrell, Francis Ffarrell, Grarrett Ffarrell, Thomas Fitzgerald, James Ffarrell, John Ffarrell, Lisagh Ffarrell, Richard Ffarrell, Teig Ffarrell, Thomas  Fitzgerald, Charles Fox, John Murtagh, John Murlogh, James Quinn, and Sir John Seaton.

By order of the Governors of Ireland, a census of this country was taken in the year 1659, when the population of the County Longford was found to be laid out as follows :
In the barony of Longford there were 396 Irish and 67 English. The gentlemen residing in the barony were : Sir Arthur Eorbes, Castle-Forbes ; Alexander Aghmooty, Ballybrian ; William Pillsworth Minard ;  Lieutenant Thomas Babington, Longford ; and Hannibal Seaton, of Moneylagan.

The principal Irish families were : MacDonnell, 10 people; Farrells, 17; O'Hagans, 6; MacElvay, 5; Knowlan, 5; Quinn,
4 ; and MacKay, 4. The total population of Longford barony in those days was 463 people, all told ; of these, 52 formed the population of Longford borough.

Sir George Seton of Hailes

As the second son of Sir John Seton 1st of Barnes, his education was provided for by the family at Seton Palace, and under the tutelage from his uncle Robert Seton, 8th Lord Seton and 1st Earl of Winton.  After completing his initial studies, he  obtained a Degree of M.A. granted by University of St. Andrews, Doctor of Theology, and was later 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.  He was sent abroad for his education, which given early death of his father and the politics of the day meant that a more modest education was effected and rather than being sent to France he was on the recommendation of King James VI and I to St. John's College at Cambridge in England. There he was a noted scholar and was frequently referred as George Seatton of Hallis, or Dr. Seaton. 

With the assistance, or investment, of his uncle (cousin) George Seton 3rd Earl of Winton, he acquired and then sold the lands and Barony of Crichton Castle 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, and the following year he "quitted" Hailes during Cromwells sacking of that Castle and the area around 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.  In 1650, Hailes was largely dismantled by Cromwell's forces during the raids in Scotland, along with many other Seton strongholds, and left in ruins. 

Admitted a Burgess and Guild of Leith 12.05.1652, along with his younger son Robert, he remained active in the support and financing of the Royal family, and in seeing them returned from exile, for which his estates were heavily fined and which nearly brought him to ruin  Nevertheless, following The Restoration, Sir George was Knighted and was eventually 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" for his loyal services.  His son, Robert Seton married the daughter of the Earl of Eglinton and had a son, also Robert Seton who was half-brother to the 4th Earl of Findlater and Chancellor of Scotland.

Charter by the same to George, Earl of Wintoun, his heirs-male and of taillie, of the lordship and barony of Haills, with the castle and fortalice, except the portions thereof disponed to the said George principally, and to Francis, Earl of Buccleuch, in warrandice and security, as therein mentioned ; with the patronage of the church of Hauche, called the prebendary of Lintoun and chaplainry of Markle ; lands and barony of Auldhamstoks, with patronage of the church thereof and of the chaplainry of Coldbrandspeth and hospital thereof; lands of East Craig and Hoprig, and of Morhame, with tower and fortalice, mill, etc., and patronage of the kirk thereof, lying within the shire of Edinburgh and constabulary of Haddington ; lands and barony of Creichtoun, with castle and manor-place, etc., with patronage of the provostry of Creichtoun and chaplainries thereof; lands of Murehous, within the shire of Edinburgh, for the principal; the lands of Quhitsun, etc., with patronage of the kirk thereof, in the shire of Berwick; lands of Ferningtoun, with hospital of the same; lands of Langnewtoun, with tower, mill, etc., in the shire of Roxburgh ; lands and barony of Dryvisdaill and Carruthers, with patronage of the kirk of the latter place, in the stewartry of Annandale and shire of Dumfries ; lands and barony of Dunsyre, Lanarkshire, of Kirkmichael, Terraughtie, Drumlark, Mabie, and Cruiks ; lands and barony of Earlstoun, etc., in shire of Dumfries : and in like manner granting to the said George, Earl of Wintoun, and his heirs aforesaid heritably, and to the aforesaid Francis, Earl of Buccleuch, and his heirs-male, etc., in special warrandice and security, under the conditions contained in a contract between the said Francis, on one part, and Charles Stewart, son and heir of the late Francis Stewart, who was eldest son of the late Francis, Earl of Bothwell, the said George, Earl of Wintoun, and George Seton, Doctor of Divinity, and some other persons, on the other part, of date 1647 and 1648; the lands of Traprain ; lands of Nether Hailes, being parts of the said lordship and barony of Hailes, lying in the constabulary of Haddington and shire of Edinburgh: which all and sundry lands, baronies, etc., belonged before to the said Francis, Earl of Buccleuch, and were resigned by him in Exchequer at Edinburgh, for this new infeftment, with 4000 ... to the said George, Earl of Wintoun, etc., and erecting again the barony of Hailes. Dated 1st March 1648. — Lib. lviii. No. 141.

Hailes had been obtained by a Royal Grant in March 1647 and again in 1648. The Estate and Barony of Hailes was passed from Chancellor Seton, to the 3rd Earl of Winton who purchased the Estate and was confirmed by Royal Charter, which was passed to his son, Alexander, Viscount Kingston, and which was held in fee by his cousin of the Barnes family, Sir George Seton, then called 'of Hailes'. His descent eventually sold their interest in the Estate when Viscount Kingston sold Hailes in 1700, to Sir David Dalrymple, Bt., Senator of the College of Justice.

Noted in the Register of Testaments

(Top of column 2 page 645, under) ['XVII. George, fifth Lord Seton'] : — Test. 24 Aug. 1655 of Robert Seaton, eldest lawful son to Sir Geo. S. of Haills, Knight. Ed r Com. Records, b. m. 99 x beg. Vide

Test. 30 Aug. 1665 of Robert S. of Haills, ib. middle. (of the family of Winton).

Test. 3 July 1661, of Sir Geo. Seatton of Haills, Kt., mention of E. of Winton, and Lord Kingston, b. m. 98 middle. Sir Geo. Settone of Hailles knighted at Perth day of Nov. 1650. Balfour, Annals, v. 4, p. 179.

Test. Robert Seton of Hailes. Ed r Com. R. b. m. 43. Robert Seaton son to the deceased Sir Geo. Seaton mentioned along with Sir Geo. Stirling of Glorat, Bart., 16 Feb. 1679, Privy Seal Rec cl vol. 3, 1675-1685, b. m. 89 middle. 2

Test. Sir Geo. Seaton of Hailes, 3 July 1661, b. m. 91 near beg.

Inventory of the Papers of Captain Robert Seton, Grandson of Sir George Seton of Hailes.

1. Parcel containing a very large number of receipts for money, and discharged accounts
— not arranged, and of various dates, 1688-1705.

2. An Edinburgh Burgess and Gild Ticket — date illegible.

3. Precept under the sign-manual of Charles 1. directed to Sir John Mallarie, Kt.,
Governor of Skipton, for payment of £200 to Sir Francis Cobb. Dated at Newarke, 28th
October 1645.

4. Band by David Litle in Tranent to Mr. George Seatoun of Hailes. 8th May 1649.

5. Band by James Dunlape, Writer, Edinburgh, to Sir George Seatton of Hailes. 4th
October 1650.

6. Gift under the sign-manual of Charles 11. in favour of Sir George Seaton of Hailles
for the yearly pension of £1000 English. Dated at Perth, 26th November 1650.

7. Indenture between Dame Barbara Cobb, widow, and Sir William Cobb. 1st Decem-
ber 1677.

8. Bond by Robert Seattoun to Harie Sinclair, writer, Edinburgh. London, 19th August
1680.

9. Agreement between Robert Settoun, son to the deceased Robert Settoun of Hailes,
and James Charteris, W.S., on their departure for London (to go together). Edinburgh, 15th
March 1682.

10. Letter, the Earl of Findlater to Robert Seaton, Cullen. 29th January 1685.

11. Letter to Lieutenant Seton. 9th May 1687.

12. Letter from John Gifford. 2nd January 1688.

13. Commission under the sign-manual of James vn. to Robert Seton to be ' Captain
Lieutenant,' dated 1688. (Imperfect from decay.)

14. Commission to Robert Seaton to be Captain in Sir Edward Hale's Regiment. 27th
November 1688.

15. Attestation that Robert Seaton has received the Sacrament. 168- (?).

16-18. Three letters from Sir William Cobb, dated 2nd and 14th January and 2nd
February 1690-91.

19. The Testament of Dame Frances Smith, wife of Sir Edward Smith, Bart. 28th
November 1692.

20. Letter from to Robert Seaton, Esq. 28th February 1692.

21. Obligation by Rebecca Hayes. Dated 23rd March 1692-93.

22. Letter from to Captain Seaton. 29th October 1694.

23. Messenger's Copy of Privy Council Warrant for the arrest of Captain Seton for high
treason. Kensington, 23rd February 1695-96.

24. Baile for Robert Seton, Esq.

25. Draft Letter of R. S. to Sir William Cobb. August 1697.

26. Letter to Lady Cobb. 29th June 1699 [89?].

27. Memorandum of Accompts between T. W. and R. S. 1695.

28. Release by Alexander, Earl of Eglinton, to his nephew, Robert Seton. 6th February
1700.

29. Letter of Procuratory (Missive) by the Earl of Eglinton to Robert Seton. 21st
October 1700.

30. Articles of Agreement between Joseph Sanders of Legh (Leith), merchant, Thomas
Sanders of London, merchant, and Robert Seton. 3rd November 1701.

31. Letter from John Bogle, Glasfgow], to Captain Robert Seton. 8th August 1705.

32. Packet containing fifteen letters of various dates from Lady Barbara Cobb, a memo-
randum-book, and an envelope containing a lock of the hair of Sir John Fenwick, beheaded
on Tower Hill, London, 28th January 1696-7.

33. A Diploma of the University of St. Andrews to Master George Seton, with fine seal
attached. 1629.

34. Household Book of Lady Barbara Cobb from about 1660 to 1680.

35. Ane Compt of the losses of Sir George Seattoun of Hailes and his Tenants within
the parish of Prestonhaugh since the Inglisch armie came into Scotland. 1650-51.

36. Charge of the Money received by James Millar of Gurlabank belonging to Sir George
Seattoun of Hailes from 28th August 1651 to 28th September 1652.

The papers referred to in the preceding Inventory were found in an old trunk in one of the cellars below the dome of the Register House, Edinburgh, in November 1895, by Mr. M. Livingstone, Deputy Keeper of Records, to whom we are indebted for the interesting list.

The annexed pedigree will show the relationship of several of the persons referred to : — Hugh, seventh Earl of Eglinton.


Sir George Seton of Hailes.

Alexander Montgomerie, eighth Earl of Eglinton, who's daughter Lady Anne Montgomerie married Robert Seton, son of Sir George Seton of Hailes.  When he died, she married 2nd James, third Earl of Findlater.
 
Captain Robert Seton, only son and heir of Robert Seton of Hailes, and half-brother to the 3rd Earl of Findlater.

Marie Seton, second child and only daughter of Robert Seton of Hailes.



It had hitherto been unable by earlier writers to ascertain the parentage of Sir George Seton of Hailes, who, before being knighted, appears in the Great Seal Register as ' Mr.' and ' Dr.' In the elaborate Diploma of the University of St. Andrews (No. 33 of the Inventory), he is described as a Doctor of Theology and a Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge. However it was later determined that in fact, he was the second son of Sir John Seton, 1st of Barnes who had not 'died young' as previous writers had claimed, and who's line had been completely ignored.

The Edinburgh Burgess Ticket (No. 2), of which the date is illegible, relates to either
the Robert Seton who married Lady Anne Montgomerie, or to his son, also Robert.

The 'Attestation' (No. 15) is from the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Middlesex.

Sir William Cobb (Nos. 7 and 16) was probably son and successor of Sir Francis Cobb
(No. 3) by his wife ' Dame Barbara.'

The 'Arrest' mentioned in No. 23 was in all likelihood connected with the 'Assassination
Plot' against William of Orange, in which Sir John Fenwick (No. 32) was concerned.