Old family; or, The Setons of Scotland and America

206 AN OLD FAMILY. [a.d.
John Seton of Balfour and Catharine Halyburton of Pitcur,
his spouse, had a daughter " Agnes, who married, in 1657,
Seton of Lathrisk."
The last Laird of Lathrisk was John Seton, and about 1720
the property passed away from the family, which then sank
into obscurity.
THE SETONS OF CLATTO.
There was a disreputable family of Setons who lived some
four hundred years ago on Clatto Hill in Fifeshire. Their
crimes brought them finally to a tragic and sudden end. It
is only too probable that they were a branch of Parbroath.
It was a lawless age, and it is a long time ago. The story is
told by the Rev. Peter Barclay in the Old Statistical Account
of Scotland, I., 381, as follows:
" The lands of Clatto, which constitute the east end of the parish of
Kettle, and through which lay the old road from Cupar to Kinghorn,
belonged to a family of Setons who are celebrated in tradition for the most
cruel robberies and murders. The grounds about Clatto Den are still
desert. In the face of the brae, which forms one side of the den, is a cave
that is said to communicate with the old castle or tower of Clatto, a furlong
distant, the remains of which are still visible. The same cave is said to
have had another opening to the road, at which the assailant rushed out on
the heedless passengers, and dragged them into the cavern, whence there
was no return. All appearance of a cave is now obliterated by the breaking
down of the banks. A similar cavern was found not many years ago at
Craighall in Ceres parish. Of these Setons many stories, replete with the
superstitions of preceding ages, are still current among the country people.
One may suffice. One of the Scottish kings, said to be James IV., passing
that way alone, as was common in those days, was attacked by a son of
Seton's. The king having a hanger concealed under his garment, drew it,
and with a blow cut off the right hand that seized his horse's bridle. This
hand he took up, and rode off. Next day, attended by a proper retinue, he
visited the Castle of Clatto, wishing to see Seton and his sons, who were
noted as hardy, enterprising men, fiited to shine in a more public station.
The old man conducted his familv into the king's presence. One son alone
was absent. It was said that he had been hurt by an accident, and was
confined to bed. The king insisted on seeing him, and desired to feel his
pulse. The young man held out his left hand. The king would feel the