David Masterton (1857 - ?)
Ship's Carpenter
David Masterton is not particularly remarkable, but is representative of the large body of craftsmen and tradesmen who learned their trade in the world's foremost industrial nation of the time (Britain) and later decided to take their chances in the emerging economies overseas. In David's case, he emigrated to the USA in 1901 in the prime of his life. His appearance in print was the result of an industrial injury compensation dispute.
Genealogy
This David Masterton is probably the son born on 26 January 1857 of James Masterton, ship block maker in Alloa, and Mary Muirhead. There is a David M Masterton, aged 34 residing in Grangemouth in the 1891 census, with wife Margaret (David married Margaret Mearns in Huntly, Aberdeen, on 29 August 1884). David is therefore a member of the extended Masterton Family originating from the Cramond area of Scotland. There is no apparent record of David in the 1881 UK Census when he would have been 24. It could be he was working abroad gaining experience at that time. There is no death certificate in Scotland yet found for David or Margaret, suggesting they probably emigrated. The most likely match is on the passenger list for the SS Ivernia that sailed from Liverpool arriving at the Port of Boston on 6th November 1901. Both are listed as aged 40 and David's occupation is Carpenter. They declared their ages in the 1930 census as a more realistic 73! By this time they were in Seattle, King County, Washington. For more details on David Masterton's extended family tree, click on this link
A GRANGEMOUTH SHIP CARPENTER'S ACTION OF DAMAGES. -- In the First Division of the Court of Session yesterday, Lord McLaren and a jury concluded the trial of an action which, though in the form of a reduction, practically resolved itself into one of damages at the instance of David Masterton, ship carpenter, Grange Street, Grangemouth, against Carl Heinrich Wilhelm Theodor Diederichsen, owner of the Uhlenhorst, of Kiel, and the master of the vessel. The amount claimed was £500, the allegation being that Masterton sustained personal injuries by being crushed between the Uhlenhorst and another steamer, when lying in Grangemouth harbour. Masterton obtained decree in absence in a previous action at his instance, and the result of the present case, which was brought to have the decree set aside, has been that the jury awarded him £125. Counsel for Masterton - Mr Strachan and Mr Craigie. Agents - Miller & Murray, S.S.C. Counsel for Diederichsen - Mr Jameson and Mr Sym. Agents - Dowie & Scott, S.S.C.
The Scotsman
25th July 1891