James Paton Masterton (1855-1924)
Brass Finisher
James Paton Masterton and his wife were charged but not convicted of assault after a neighbourhood dispute.
Genealogy
James Paton Masterton was the second son of John Masterton, grocer, and Isabella Paton, who had married in 1851 in Forfar then moved to Dundee. James married Ann Stiven in 1877 and by the time of this case they had three young sons. He is part of the large Masterton family from Forfar and further details can be found by following this link.
Dundee Evening Telegraph
Before Bailie Gentle at the Dundee Police Court to-day, James Masterton, brass finisher, Marshall Street, Lochee, and Mrs Masterton, his wife, were charged with assault. They pleaded not guilty, and were defended by Mr W. E. R. Young, solicitor. Helen Scott, dressmaker, Marshall Street, said she and her mother were visiting in Dundee on Thursday, 25th March, and on returning home met Masterton and his wife at the close leading to their house. Both cursed and swore at her and her mother, and the man seized her and struck her a blow on the right shoulder. Mrs Masterton told them to "come up the close." Witness went along the close, and Mrs Masterton dragged her and her mother about. The man also caught her mother by one finger, and pulled it out of the joint.
Mr Young - What about you interfering with the Mastertons' boy that day? Witness - I just checked him for taking a "neep." (Laughter.) Mr. Young - For taking a "neep." What right had you to interfere whether he took a "neep" or not? Witness- I saw a cart of "neeps" up the street, and I thought he took one. Mr. Young - You spoke just now about him "taking a 'neep.'" How do you know he took it? Witness - I thought so. Mr Young - You thought so. Did you see him? Witness - No. Mr Young - The boy might have bought the turnip. Witness - There was a cart of "neeps" on the street. Mr Young - That would not prevent him purchasing a turnip, though. Witness - He was standing at the close with the "neep" in his hand. Mr Young - Just so, and you interfered with the child. The boy (a child about three years of age) was then produced in Court. Witness (continuing) said she had had a great many quarrels with the people in the "land" since she went to reside there ten months ago. The "land" belonged to her mother. Mrs Scott, an old woman, said the man and his wife came on them like "twa savages," and used very bad language towards her and her "dochter." The man held her daughter and struck at her, and the woman "dauded" at her at the same time. It was the woman who pulled her down the stair and disjointed her finger.
A number of witnesses for the prosecution corroborated the foregoing evidence, and all were unanimous in testifying to the frequency of quarrels which had taken place since the Scotts went to reside in the property. For the defence, a young woman stated that she saw "Nell" Scott huntin' the "wee laddie" Masterton like a "daft body" because he had a "neep" in his hand, and calling him a "little thief." The boy told his mother, who asked what Scott meant by calling her son a "thief," and a very noisy altercation then took place. Another witness stated that he had seen the young woman Scott "wallopin'" Mrs Masterton "wi' a weet towel at the well ae mornin'." (Laughter.) There had never been peace since the Scotts came to reside in Marshall Street. One man said he had lived eighteen years in the "land," and since "the young woman Scott" came there were more "rows" in one day than there had been in the eighteen years previously. Several of the neighbours had made complaints to the police regarding Ellen Scott. A sergeant of police said that for the last few months there had been numerous complaints from the "land" where the accused and the complainers resided. Sometimes it was the Scotts who complained, and sometimes it was the Mastertons and other neighbours. From inquiries he had made it seemed that the Scotts were the worst. Mr Young - In fact, that they are general quarrellers. Sergeant - Yes; I believe that is so. (Laughter.) The Magistrate - I find the case not proven.
Dundee Evening Telegraph
Friday 2 April 1886, page 3
Dundee Courier
QUARRELSOME NEIGHBOURS. - James Masterton, brass finisher, and Ann Steven or Masterton, husband and wife, were charged with breach of the peace and assault. It appeared from the evidence that the accused and a Mrs Scott and her daughter, who owned the property, had a quarrel on Thursday, 25th March. It was alleged that in the scuffle Mrs Scott got one of her fingers put out of joint, and Miss Scott was struck on the breast and shoulder, while the accused cursed and threatened them. On the other hand it was alleged that the Scotts were very quarrelsome, and during the past ten months there had been perpetual war between them and the neighbours, and numerous complaints had been made to the police from both parties. One witness for the defence said he had often seen Miss Scott "walloping Mrs Masterton with wet clouts at the well, and spitting in her face, and pouring dirty water over the stair upon her." After hearing evidence the Baillie dismissed the case not proven.
Dundee Courier
Saturday 3 April 1886