THE DESCENDANTS OF ALEXANDER MIDDLETON, D.D. GEORGE MIDDLETON, eldest son of Alexander Middleton, D.D., Principal of King's College, Aberdeen, was baptized, as has already been said, February 25th, 1645. He married about 1669, at the age of twentyfour, Janet, daughter of James Gordon, of Seaton, in the county of Aberdeen, who could have been then only seventeen, as the register of her baptism bears date 28th March, 1652. George Middleton, who adopted his father's profession, was appointed minister of Glamis in 1670, which living was in the gift of the Earl of Strathmore, the husband of his cousin, Lady Helen Middleton. He was made Regent of King's College in 1674, afterwards Sub-Principal; and on his father's resignation, in 1681, he succeeded him as Principal. "He was a man of singular life and conversation, of great learning, and qualified to be a principal in any university in the kingdom." He held his office until 1717, when he was removed by a royal visitation. His death occurred in his eighty-second year. The date of his burial is 28th May, 1726. Janet, his wife, survived him twenty-six years. She was interred in the burial place of the family of Seaton, January 17th, 1753, at which time she must have reached the age of 101. Dr. George Middleton's portrait is likewise preserved in the University of Aberdeen. His issue are, thus entered in the register of Aberdeen I. Patrick, baptized 22nd November, 1670. 2. James, 31st January, 1674. 3. Margaret, 3rd June, 1675. 4. Thomas, 21st June, 1677. 6. Patrick, 14th March, 1680. 9. Elizabeth, 20th September, 1685. 11. Janet, 31st January, 1690. 12. Robert, 16th February, 1693. 13. Thomas, 26th November, 1695. The first four children probably died young, as there seems no further record concerning them. John, fourth son, and fifth child, baptized 27th September, 1678, became an officer in the army. He married, about 1712, Miss Elizabeth Cunningham, by whom he had issue 1. John, baptised 25th March, 1713, who died before his father. 2. George, baptized 11th July, 1714. John Middleton was chosen Member of Parliament for the borough of Aberdeen at the general election of 1713, and sat until his death, twenty-six years afterwards.1 August 1st, 1714, he signed the proclamation of his Majesty George I., at St. James's.2 In 1715 he purchased the lands of Seyton, or Seaton, in the shire of Aberdeen, which had belonged to his maternal grandfather, Gordon of Seaton, from Mr. James Fife, who bought them from Mr. Gordon.3 On October 15th of this year, Colonel Middleton is especially mentioned as accompanying the Duke of Argyle, then Commander-in-chief, with other officers and gentlemen unnamed, to the camp of Stirling, with the intention of frustrating the supposed intention of the Earl of Mar to cross the Forth at the bridge.1 A royal charter, dated February 13th, 1721, granted the lands of Seaton to Colonel John Middleton, his heirs and assigns. He was appointed to the command of the 25th Regiment of Foot, 17th June, 1725; and to the 13th Regiment of Foot, 29th May, 1732. On 21st March, 1733, he had another charter of the estate before mentioned, and other lands, which were erected into the Barony of Seaton in favour of himself, in life-rent; and after his decease, to George Middleton, his son, and his heirs, whom failing, to the nearest heirs of the said Colonel John Middleton whatsoever. After this he was styled Middleton of Seaton. Colonel Middleton lost his wife in 1734. She was buried in Aberdeen, April 17th. The rank of Brigadier-General was bestowed on him in 1735. He was also Governor of Holy Island. July 26th, 1738, another charter under the Great Seal was taken out by Brigadier-General Middleton of Seytoun to himself in life-rent, and Mr. George Middleton, advocate, his son, in fee of the lands of Fettercairn1 and a variety of other lands. The titles narrated and confirmed in this charter show that the lands therein contained originally belonged to the first Earl of Middleton, and after his death were adjudged by several creditors. It appears that the 1 Jervoise says that he changed the name of the estates from Middleton to Fettercairn. (Memorials of Angus and Mearns.) Earl of Strathmore purchased these debts, and afterwards conveyed them to General Middleton, who then took out this charter to the whole lands. It is probable that he had some hopes of succeeding to the earldom. General Middleton of Seaton died 1739, at the age of sixty-one. George Middleton of Seaton and Fettercairn, his only surviving child, was admitted a member of the Faculty of Advocates in 1734. He married, September, 1736, Lady Diana Gray, daughter of Harry, third Earl of Stamford; and had by her a son George, who died in infancy, and was buried at Aberdeen, 30th January, 1746. George Middleton conveyed to his wife the lands of Seaton and some other lands. died 11th August, 1772, in his fifty-ninth year, leaving no surviving issue. He Lady Diana Middleton, on the 10th December, 1776, took out a charter of the lands conveyed to her by her late husband, in favour of herself and her heirs and assigns whatsoever. She died 14th January, 1780. The estates were after her death sold by her heirs, and those of her late husband's.1 Fettercairn House was purchased by Sir John Stuart, Bart.2 His only 1 Thomas Gordon's letters to Sir C. Middleton in Appendix. 2 Statistical Account of Scotland, in the British Museum. |