MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOE. ix 



brother-in-law's estate of Toucli-Seton, in the county and 

 neighbourhood of StirHng. The family with which Sir 

 Henry thus became aUied by marriage is one of great an- 

 tiquity in Scotland, his lady being daughter of Hugh Seton, 

 Esq. of Touch, hereditary armour-bearer, in right of his 

 wife, to his Majesty for that kingdom. The family of 

 Touch, or, as it is more properly termed, Touch-Seton, 

 derive their origin from an ancestor who lived in the reign 

 of Alexander I. of Scotland, son of Malcolm Oanmore, 

 (1109.) This family was distinguished in Scottish History, 

 and performed many loyal and gallant achievements 

 during the wars of England and the various civil contests 

 in Scotland. Sir Christopher, the descendant of Dugald 

 Seton, the ancestor of the Touch family, became allied to 

 the royal family of Scotland by his marriage with Chris- 

 tian, sister to King Robert the Bruce ; from which alliance 

 was descended Alexander, who was created Baron Seton 

 de Gordon* in the year 1408. The Setons of Touch- 

 Seton lay claim to the Barony of Seton de Gordon in 

 right of their ancestor, on whom this title was conferred 

 as above mentioned, and from whom they are lineally de- 

 scended, t 



The house on the AUanton estate, which Sir Henry, 

 shortly after his marriage, made his permanent residence, 

 was an ancient castellated building, with a large tower 

 for the purpose of defence, as was common at that 

 period, which had been erected in the reign of James I. 

 (1422,) by Sir Allan Steuart;]: on his return from France, 



* See Douglas' Peerage, vol. i. (fol.) p. 643. 



t This family is at present represented by Lady Seton Steuart, only surviving 

 daughter of Sir Henry Steuart, who succeeded to the representation and estates 

 of the family of Touch in the year 1835. 



Z "In the 8th of Eichard II. 1385," (we quote from the family manuscript 

 already referred to,) " when that monarch invaded Scotland with an army of 

 sixty thousand men, and burned Perth, Dundee, and other places. Sir Kobert's 

 son Allan, and his grandson Sir Allan, then commanding a body of troops who 



