James Lyon Masterton (1843-1879)
Lapper
James Lyon Masterton was a lapper in Dundee, Angus, Scotland and is the James Masterton identified in this case of theft from his home in Fenton Street. A few years after his death (at the age of only 35), his widow, Margaret, makes an appearance in the courts.
Genealogy
James Lyon Masterton was the tenth child of David Masterton, weaver and coachman, and Margaret Farquhar which places him as part of one of the groups of Mastertons flourishing in Forfar. He married Margaret Cockburn, domestic servant, in 1868. A fuller genealogy of James Lyon Masterton can be found at this link
Dundee Courier
John Hutcheson or McHugh was charged with the crime of theft, committed by means of housebreaking, he having on the 10th October broken into the house in Fenton Street, Dundee, possessed by James Masterton, lapper, and stolen a pair of trousers, a vest, a coat, and a knife. The accused, who has been previously convicted, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to fifteen months' hard labour.
Dundee Courier
11th November 1872
Dundee Evening Telegraph
A VINDICTIVE FEMALE. - Jane Low or Ossington and Margaret Cockburn or Masterton, both residing in Gray's Square, Hospital Wynd, were accused of breach of the peace. It was proved that yesterday prisoners swore and used threatening language towards two neighbours. Prisoners denied that they used any abusive language, and explained that they went to a neighbour's house to demand a sixpence, which Ossington had given on loan. Instead of getting her money a poker was lifted and Masterton was struck with it. Previous convictions were proved against the prisoners. Ossington was twenty days and Masterton sixty days to prison. On hearing the sentence Masterton became very excited, and declared that when she came out she would give the complainers something for causing her to be put in prison. She afterwards attempted to get at the witnesses, both of whom she threatened with bodily violence, and some difficulty was experienced in conveying her to the cells.
Dundee Evening Telegraph
Friday, 7th April 1882