Allan Masterton (1861-1940)
Linen Factory Worker
Allan Masterton, born in Forfar, was a linen factory worker, and later a general labourer and yarn bleacher. In his early twenties he was fined on at least four occasions in the Police Court, for assault and breach of the peace, mostly on Saturday nights. Drink was no doubt involved!
Genealogy
Allan Masterton was the eldest son of seven children born to Abram Masterton, handloom weaver and Elizabeth Ellis. They belong to the very large family of Mastertons that flourished in Forfar. A fuller genealogy of the extended family of Allan Masterton can be found at this link.
Dundee Courier and Argus
ASAULTING A BLUE RIBBON CAPTAIN. - In the Police Court yesterday - before Bailie Norrie - a young man named Allan Masterton, a bleacher, residing in Lyon Street, was charged with assaulting Robert Wilson, captain of No. 2 corp of the Blue Ribbon Army, in a hall in Victoria Road, on Sunday night. He pleaded not guilty. It was stated in evidence that the accused was disturbing the meeting of the "Army" on Sunday evening. It was said he was the worse of drink, and was making love to a girl by putting his arm round her neck and otherwise rendering himself disagreeable. The captain ordered him to leave the ball, when he struck the captain a blow on the face, which blackened his eye. The charge was found proven, and a fine of 20s, with the option of fifteen days' in prison, was imposed
The Dundee Courier and Argus
Tuesday, 6th November, 1883
Dundee Courier
ASAULTING A WOMAN. - Before Baillie Doig in the Police Court yesterday, Allan Masterton, bleacher, Watt Street, was charged with having, late on Saturday night, or early on Sunday morning, assaulted Elzabeth Carr or Lamond, wife of James Lamond, labourer, in West High Street. He pled not guilty. Mrs Lamond stated that about half-past eleven o'clock on Saturday night, accused, who was drunk, lay down on the pavement near her residence. She advised him to "gather himself up" and go home, and for interfering with him she got two blows on the face and a kick on the left thigh. Other witnesses corroborated, and Mr Stirling said that he had been informed that Masterton was sometimes very wild, and when people wished to act the good Samaritan towards him he knocked them down, and afterwards ran away as fast as he could. The Magistrate characterised prisoner's conduct in this instance as having been very reprehensible, and fined him 15s, with the alternative of ten days' imprisonment.
The Dundee Courier
Tuesday, 5th August, 1884
Dundee Evening Telegraph
A NOISY FACTORY WORKER. - Before Baillie Doig to-day Allan Masterton, factory worker, Watt Street, was charged with having committed a breach of the peace in Castle Street on Saturday night. He pleaded guilty, and was fined 7s 6d, or five days' imprisonment.
The Evening Telegraph, Dundee
Monday, 29th September, 1884
A MOLESTING FACTORY WORKER. - Allan Masterton, factory worker, West High Street, was charged - before Bailie Ferguson yesterday - with having molested John Tyrie and his wife, residing in Dundee Loan, in West High Street, on Saturday evening. He pleaded not guilty, but was convicted on the evidence led, and fined 10s, with the alternative of seven days' imprisonment.
The Evening Telegraph, Dundee
Tuesday, 21st April, 1885