Henry Masterton (1852-1936)
Builder, Farmer and Councillor
Henry Masterton, at various times a stonemason, house builder and farmer, was born in Largo, Fife, and in later life served as an elected member of the Kirkcaldy and District School Board and as an elected councillor.
Genealogy
Henry Masterton was the third son of John Masterton, linen weaver, and Janet Bennett White, who had married in 1844 in Largo. He was an elder brother of William Masterton, teacher of arithmetic at Dollar Academy. John Masterton, their father, was the eldest of six children born to John Masterton and Christian Birrel. Henry Masterton therefore belongs to the large group of Mastertons that flourished in the Largo area. He married Margaret Gray in 1875 in Gallatown, Dysart. Fuller details of his extended family can be found at this link.
KIRKCALDY AND DYSART LANDWARD.-Result of poll:- Magnus Speedie, Inverore, 286; Andrew Graham, Raith Home Farm, 241; Miss Oswald, Dunnikier House, 228; Henry Masterton, Mitchelston Farm, 209; William Cunningham, mine inspector, Boreland, 164; Rev. Dr Begg, Abbotshall, 160; Thomas Marshall, miner, Boreland, 98. Unsuccessful-Rev. D. A. Morrison, Dysart, 90.
The Scotsman
4th May, 1909
A letter was read from the clerk to Scoonie Parish Council regarding the stoppage of an alleged right-of-way from Largo Road, past Blacketside Farmhouse, to the Cupar Road.
Mr H. Masterton said he knew the road well, and had used it forty-five years ago as a boy. He also called on some of the farmers in the vicinity, and one told him that he had used the road for fifty-seven years, and never was interfered with.
Mr Muir - Is this not a question for the Parish Council to deal with?
The Clerk (Mr D. Beveridge) - The Parish Council have represented to us that a right-of-way has been obstructed, and the District Committee are bound to take means to vindicate these rights.
Mr Masterton thought it was more a question of keepers interfering, and he suggested that the clerk be instructed to write Mr Gilmour, the proprietor, in the first place, to ascertain if the right-of-way had been interfered with by his instructions.
This was agreed to.
The Scotsman
2nd August, 1909
At a meeting of the Tribunal for Kirkcaldy district, at Kirkcaldy yesterday, a resolution signed by the chairman of the various Tribunals in the county was submitted calling upon the authorities to cancel all exemptions granted to young men under 25 years of age, whether engaged in mines, munition works, controlled establishments, or otherwise. Mr Masterton, Mitchelstone, said nothing was a greater scandal than the number of young men retained in the mines, although they were only getting two days' work each week. The chairman was authorised to sign the resolution on behalf of the Tribunal.
The Scotsman
28th April, 1917
THE following gentlemen have had their names added to the Commission of the Peace of the County of Fife:-
...David Mackie, 6 Roseberry Terrace, Leven. Henry Masterton, Mitchelston, Dysart....
The Scotsman
30th August, 1917
MASTERTON.- At Kirkcaldy Hospital, on the 18th January, HENRY MASTERTON, of 12 Institution Street, Kirkcaldy, aged 83 years. Funeral from house at 3 P.M. on Wednesday the 22nd to Dysart Cemetery. Friends please accept this (the only) intimation and invitation.
The Scotsman
21st January, 1936