Seymour was born in 1631 her parents were Sir Edward Alston, physician, and importantly Susanna Hussey.

[2] Her first marriage was to George who was the son of Sir Harbottle Grimston, 2nd Baronet and they were given Verulam House, near St Albans as a home.

Her father paid £10,000 as a dowry to the Seymour family but he negotiated her independence and a personal income of £300 per year for his daughter.

[1] In December 1671 she and John became the Duchess and Duke of Somerset and this rise in station required additional expense.

Her father's foresight was now apparent as the pre-nuptial agreement had specified that she would remain a Royal Duchess and have access to her husband's estates.

[4] In 1631 to left £250 to extend the existing school house and provide free education to poor children from Tottenham.

There is a substantial charity that remains that supports education in Haringay called the Tottenham Grammar School Foundation.

[9] One of the trustees of the Duchess's will was her brother-in-law, Sir Samuel Grimston, 3rd Baronet, who refused to convey the prescribed lands and income to the hospital until he was ordered to do so by the Court of Chancery.