Henry Masterton (1843-1898)

Henry Masterton (1843-1898)

Civil Engineer

Henry Masterton was an example of the enterprising Scottish "men o' pairts" who acquired skills that could be marketed successfully outside their native Scotland. He was born in Falkirk and worked at various times in London and Devonport, ending his life in Barnstaple when County Surveyor for North Devon.

Genealogy

Henry Masterton's obituary published in the Minutes of Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers (reproduced below) states that he was born on 12th March 1843. This places him as the third child (and only son) of Peter Masterton (1807-1869), a journeyman carrier, and Helen McNab (1802-1872) who were married in Falkirk on 12th January 1836. Peter and Helen have four children recorded in the OPR:

A fuller genealogy of the extended family of Henry Masterton can be found at this link.

Peter was the fifth child (and third son) of Henry Masterton (1775-   ), brick maker, and Marion Walker (1775-   ) who were married on 11th July 1795 in Bo'ness (Borrowstounness), West Lothian. Henry was most likely the fifth-born child (and second son) of James Masterton and Margaret Fechnie who were married on 23rd May 1767 in Falkirk.

By 1865, Henry was working in Westminster and in 1875 (third quarter), he married Catherine Moncur, daughter of Jacob Moncur, baker, with whom Henry had been lodging for at least the previous 6 years at 425 Kingsland Road, Hackney, London. No records of any children born to Henry and Catherine have yet been found. In the 1891 Census, Henry and Catherine are living in Boutport Street, Barnstaple with no other family members present.

The Western Morning News

In connection with the North Cornwall branch of the railway now being constructed from Halwill to Launceston two iron girders 84 feet long, and weighing about eighteen tons each, were yesterday lifted into position over the Great Western Railway at a point near Ridgegrove Bridge, about a quarter of a mile from Launceston, by means of a derrick and by the aid of an engine from the Great Western Railway Company connecting that portion of the line. The work was carried out under the direction of Mr. Masterton, the contractor's engineer. Hundreds of spectators witnessed the undertaking, which occupied most of the day. An attempt was made a week ago to fix the girders, but owing to some mishap the work was not accomplished. It had to be carried out yesterday as there was no traffic on the line from Tavistock to Launceston from ten o'clock in the morning until six in the evening. Men from Bristol have been engaged for about three weeks in bolting and preparing the girders, which stood on six trucks.

The Western Morning News
Monday 28th September, 1885

HENRY MASTERTON, [born 12th March, 1843] The North Cornwall Railway Works, Launceston.

He served a pupilage of 5 years (1857-1862) to the late Mr. Alexr. Black, Engineer and Surveyor, Falkirk, being subsequently engaged by him for 3 years (1862-65) as an Assistant, employed upon the Parliamentary plans and sections of the Dunfermline and Queensferry Branch, the Great Highland Railway, the Grangemouth Railway, etc., as well as on the works of the Falkirk Water Supply and town improvements, the setting-out and construction of the Grangemouth Railway and Docks, and the construction of many mineral Railways, besides large mining surveys above and below ground; from 1865 to 1866, he was in the office of Mr. W. R. Galbraith, M. Inst. C.E., whom he assisted in surveys connected with the opposition to the Axminster, Bridport and Lyme Regis Railway, upon the construction of the Southampton and Netley Railway, and also in the drawing-office; from 1866 to 1871, was employed as an Assistant Surveyor upon a large building-estate at Hackney (Sir John Cass's), preparing plans, laying out and superintending construction of sewerage works, as well as in laying out land for building purposes. In 1873 was again engaged by Messrs. Galbraith and Church, MM. Inst. C.E., since which time he has been employed in the design of bridges, etc., for the different Railways and works constructed by them, and in Parliamentary plans and sections for various Railways, Waterworks, and improvements; from September 1881, to March, 1885, was Resident Engineer-in-charge, under Mr. Galbraith, of the works of the Surbiton and Guildford, and Leatherhead Branches of the L. & S. W. Railway (20 miles in length), and is now Resident Engineer of the first section of the North Cornwall Railway (14 miles in length), under Messrs. Galbraith and Church.

Proposed by WM. R. GALBRAITH,

Richd F. Church Richard Butler E.A. Cameron
William Francis Jno. Salter C.T. Lucas
William Jacomb John Aird John Wilson
George B. Bruce W. H. Bidder Basil P. Ellis
Arthur S. Hamand Edw. Geo. Rivers  

The Institution of Civil Engineers
Candidate circulars submitted prior to election
(Elected 2nd February 1886)

HENRY MASTERTON (1843-1898)

During the most of the nineteenth century the various turnpike trusts were responsible for the maintenance of the more important county roads and the Devon Quarter Sessions was responsible for many major bridges by employing a County Surveyor who was responsible to them for the condition of these bridges and various county buildings.

The year 1888 was significant in the history of local government administration as it saw the establishment of the County Councils as the elected bodies and provided the framework for the County Councils as they are known today. For the first time the Counties assumed control of the main roads, while the remainder were under the control of borough, urban and district councils.

The new Councils set about appointing their County Surveyors, who would now have responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of main roads and county bridges. Devon, no doubt because of its size, decided to apportion the county into four divisions, each with its own surveyor. Existing surveyors were retained, with Edward Harbottle taking charge of the Western District and John Little the Eastern District. Two new appointments were made. Henry Masterton, formerly a civil engineer at Devonport, took charge of the Northern District and C G S Acock the Southern District.

In 1897, when Harbottle and Little retired, the county was divided into two divisions, with Masterton taking charge of the North and Acock the South Division. Sadly, Masterton died a year later and he was replaced by Samuel Ingram, who had previously been District County Surveyor for Bridgwater.

Notes provided by North Devon Record Office
Tim Wormleighton, Principal Archivist

Obituary

HENRY MASTERTON, born on the 12th March, 1843, obtained his engineering training under the late Mr. Alexander Black, of Falkirk, to whom he was articled in 1857. He subsequently remained with that gentleman as an assistant, employed on work in connection with the Dunfermline and Queensferry Railway, the Grangemouth Railway and Docks, and the Falkirk Waterworks. In 1865 he came to Westminster, and entered the office of Mr. W. R. Galbraith. From 1866 to 1871 he was engaged as an assistant surveyor, under Messrs. Glasier and Son, on a large building estate at Hackney, preparing plans, superintending the construction of sewerage works, and laying out land for building purposes. In 1873 Mr. Masterton re-entered the service of Messrs. Galbraith and Church, by whom he was employed in the design of bridges and on various railway work. From September , 1881, to March, 1885, he acted as Resident Engineer, under Mr. Galbraith, on the Surbiton and Guildford and the Leatherhead branches of the London and South Western Railway, and in 1886 he was similarly occupied on the North Cornwall Railway, under Messrs. Galbraith and Church. On the completion of that work he became Resident Engineer on the construction of the Plymouth, Devonport and South Western Junction Railway from Tavistock to Devonport.

In 1890 Mr. Masterton was appointed by the Devon County Council Surveyor for the northern division of that county. In 1897 it was determined to divide the county into only two districts, and Mr. Masterton was appointed one of the two surveyors. Being permitted to undertake work on his own account, he carried out the laying of the water-main across the Tamar to Saltash, the widening of the Taw Vale Parade, and the laying of the impounding sewer at Barnstaple; and he conducted, for the Town Council of the latter place, the negotiations in connection with the construction of the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway. He also acted as Engineer to the Sutton Harbour Improvement Company at Plymouth. Mr. Masterton died at his residence, Boutport Street, Barnstaple, on the 18th September, 1898, from the effects of a chill. He was an able engineer, and was held in great respect by all who came in contact with him. He was elected an Associate Member on the 2nd February, 1886.

Institution of Civil Engineers
Minutes of Proceedings, vol 135, 1898-9
Obituary
page 367