James Masterton (1865-1926)
Headmaster
James Masterton, apparently a studious and diligent learner, intent on advancing his knowledge and prospects, spent his entire career in education, initially as a pupil-teacher in Forfar, then spending two years at the Church of Scotland Training College in Edinburgh (the Normal College, now Moray House School of Education in the University of Edinburgh) and ended his career as headmaster of Albion Road School in Edinburgh.
Genealogy
James Masterton was eleventh in a family of thirteen born to William Masterton, linen weaver, and Betsy Alexander of Forfar. This places him as part of the large group of Mastertons in and around Forfar and Dundee. William's parents were David Masterton and Margaret Farquhar who had been married in 1824 in Forfar. David in turn was the seventh child of Alexander Masterton, weaver, and Margaret Thom. A fuller genealogy of the extended family of James Masterton can be found at this link.
He lost his elder son in the Battle of Arras in 1917. Second Lieutenant William Murray Masterton, attached to 16th Royal Scots, died from wounds on 10th June 1917.
The Forfar Herald
MR JAMES MASTERTON, son of the late Mr William Masterton, has passed first in the first class at the Normal College.
The Forfar Herald
Friday 4th March, 1887
The Scotsman
On the recommendation of the School Management Committee, it was agreed, out of 47 candidates, to appoint Forbina T. Wallace, Markinch, female assistant in North Merchiston School, at a salary of £65 per annum. The next vacant female assistantships are to be filled from Jessie I. Cochrane, Bo'ness; Maggie Fernie, Eyemouth; Catherine Scrymgeour, Edinburgh; and Elizabeth Turnbull, Leeds. The following appointments of male assistants were also made, on the recommendation of the School Management Committee, the salary of each being £85 per annum:- Andrew W. Dick, Edinburgh, and James M. Doggart, Kirkcaldy, to Bristo School; James F. Ross, Perth, to North Merchiston School; William Walker, Dumfries, to Lothian Road School; and James Masterton, Dalkeith, to Canonmills School. There were 48 candidates for the five vacancies. It was agreed that Francis M. Crosbie, Edinburgh; David Macnally, Edinburgh; and John Pollock, Larkhall, should be appointed to the next vacant male assistantships. It was agreed to appoint Mr Robert Williamson, M.A., at present an assistant in South Bridge School, first assistant in that school at a salary of £130.
The Scotsman
8th November, 1887
THE PROMOTION LISTS.
From the long leets of ten names for five places on each of the three lists for promotion under the Edinburgh School Board to (1) headmasterships, (2) first assistantships, (3) infant mistress-ships, the candidates have been selected:-
John Bowie, M.A., London Street School.
Robert T. Collet, Dalry School.
James F. Hair, M.A., Gillespie's Higher Grade School.
James Masterton, B.A. (Lond.), Broughton (Elementary) School.
John F. Walker, Sciennes School.
The Scotsman
16th February, 1912
A MEETING of Edinburgh School Board was held yesterday afternoon in the Board's offices, Castle Terrace, Edinburgh. Mr James Clark, K.C., presided.
The following recommended appointments were confirmed:- Mr James Masterton, to be headmaster of Preston Street School. First assistants transferred:- Mr Wm. Shaw,....
The Scotsman
9th July, 1912
MASTERTON.-At 81 Willowbrae Avenue, Edinburgh on the 23rd inst., JAMES MASTERTON, B.A. (London). (Funeral arrangements later.)
The Scotsman
23rd January, 1926
DEATH OF EDINBURGH HEADMASTER. - The death has taken place at his residence, 81 Willowbrae Avenue, Edinburgh, of Mr James Masterton, B.A. (London), the headmaster of Albion Road Public School. Mr Masterton, who was 60 years of age, was a pupil-teacher in Forfar East Burgh School from 1880 to 1884, and was later a teacher in Forfar Academy. In 1885 and 1886 he attended the Edinburgh Church of Scotland Training College, and he was first at the end of the second year of training. He also attended Edinburgh University, and had prizes in six of his classes. In February 1888 he became an assistant in Canonmills School, Edinburgh. In October 1899 he was transferred to Broughton School, and in 1904 he was promoted first assistant in Warrender Park School. Mr Masterton went back to his old school at Broughton in 1905 as first assistant. He was promoted headmaster of Preston Street School in 1912, and he had been headmaster of Albion Road School since 1st December 1916.
The Scotsman
26th January, 1926
MASTERTON.-At 16 Bridge Street, Penicuik (the house of her brother, W. Thomson), on Tuesday, 5th March 1935, AGNES THOMSON, wife of the late JAMES MASTERTON, B.A. (Headmaster, Albion Road School.) Funeral (private) to Piershill Cemetery on Friday, 8th March, at 3.30 P.M.
The Scotsman
7th March, 1935