James Masterton (1846-1929)
Timber Merchant
James Masterton was a timber merchant in Edinburgh, and lived in Ellerslie, Corstorphine, the wealthiest of the Edinburgh suburbs, with his brother Alexander, manager of Granton gasworks. In his will he bequeathed to the city of Edinburgh an original letter from Robert Burns to the poet's brother William.
Genealogy
James Masterton was the eldest child of Alexander Masterton and Ann Dickson. They belong to the large group of Mastertons from around the Cramond and Kirkliston area. The Mrs Stenhouse referred to in the "Thanks" notice is his sister Ann who married John Stenhouse. The "Miss Masterton" is his only other surviving sister, Jane Graham Masterton, governess. His brother Alexander had died in 1924. A fuller genealogy of the extended family of James Masterton can be found at this link.
THE MISSES MASTERTON, 4 WINDSOR STREET, will RESUME their CLASSES on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1st.
The Scotsman
12th September, 1885
The following new joint-stock company, the first for the present year, was registered in Edinburgh this week:- The Granton Timber Company, Edinburgh, to acquire the businesses of timber merchants carried on at Granton, Edinburgh, and Dumfries under the name of Mitchell Thomson & Co. Capital, £100,000 in 10,000 shares of £10 each, 4000 being preference and the remainder ordinary shares. Subscribers:- M. Mitchell Thomson, merchant, 6 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh: W. Mitchell Thomson, law student, 6 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh; Miss J. B. Mitchell Thomson, 6 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh; Mrs M. A. Thomson, 64 Trinity Road, Edinburgh; Miss Beatrice Thomson, 64 Trinity Road, Edinburgh; Andrew F. Thomson, farming student, 64 Trinity Road, Edinburgh; and James Masterton, timber merchant, 9 South St Andrew Street, Edinburgh.
The Scotsman
9th January, 1901
MASTERTON - At Strathearn, Peebles (the residence of her sister, Mrs Stenhouse), on 4th December, ELIZABETH MASTERTON, Ellerslie, Corstorphine. Funeral private. (No flowers.)
The Scotsman
6th December, 1927
MASTERTON - At Ellerslie, Corstorphine, on 3rd January, JAMES MASTERTON, timber merchant. Funeral private. (No flowers.)
The Scotsman
7th January, 1929
Mrs STENHOUSE and Miss MASTERTON desire to thank all friends for their kind sympathy in recent bereavement - Ellerslie, Corstorphine.
The Scotsman
16th January, 1929
BEQUEATHED TO EDINBURGH
A LETTER written by Robert Burns to his brother William has been bequeathed to Edinburgh by Mr James Masterton, Ellerslie, Corstorphine. It is dated June 7, 1790, and is franked by and addressed in the handwriting of Sir Robert Laurie, Maxwelton, member of Parliament. The text is as follows:-
MY DEAR WILLIAM,
I have scarce time to write a line, but as I have the opportunity of a frank, I shall just write you that line. I duely received your two letters, but indeed I have been very throng. I am exceedingly happy to hear of your welfare and that you are getting rather forward as otherwise. Let me quote a couplet of my own to you - "That whether doing, suffering, or forebearing, you may do miracles by persevering." I shall write you soon. I shall get your shirts forwarded to you. All your friends in Nithsdale are well, and beg to be remembered to you.
I am, yours ever,
R. BURNS.
Intimation of the bequest was made in a letter from Messrs W. & J. Burness, W.S., which was read at a meeting of a sub-committee of the Plans and Works Committee of the Town Council yesterday.
Another bequest intimated was from Mr Kenneth Sanderson, W.S. The gift takes the form of a mezzotint of Sir John Marjoribanks, Lord Provost of Edinburgh in 1814 and 1825, by Charles Farmer, after Geddes.
The Sub-Committee agreed to recommend that both gifts be accepted.
The Scotsman
23rd January, 1929