When Paterson succeeded his grandfather in the baronetcy on 14 December 1759 he took one of the sisters under his care and increased the allowance to his mother slightly.
[2] He married Lady Anne Hume Campbell, daughter of Hugh Hume-Campbell, 3rd Earl of Marchmont on 23 October 1755.
Another account, probably by John Ramsay of Ochtertyre described Paterson as “not a popular character” and notorious for his gambling, ruthlessness and dissolute life.
[5] Paterson was linked by marriage to the Marchmont interest and was returned as Member of Parliament for Berwickshire at a by-election on 15 April 1779.
At the 1780 general election he was faced by a challenge from other members of the Marchmont family and his nephew by marriage Hugh Hepburne-Scott stood against him.