Thomas Masterton (1834-1863)
Carter and railway accident victim
Thomas Masterton of Dundee was the victim of a terrible acident on the Dundee to Newtyle Railway at the age of 29. By then, he had an illegitimate son, Thomas, and four daughters (three surviving) to his legitimate wife Ann Pearson. Curiously, his son Thomas also suffered a violent death 10 years later, getting caught up in machinery in an industrial accident. A family not blessed by the industrial revolution.
Genealogy
Thomas Masterton was the third son and fifth child of William Masterton, weaver, and Ann Walker who had been married in Aberdeen in 1821. This places him as part of the large group of Mastertons in and around Forfar and Dundee. William in turn was the fourth child of Alexander Masterton, weaver, and Margaret Thom. A fuller genealogy of the extended family of Thomas Masterton can be found at this link
Dundee Courier
MAN KILLED ON THE NEWTYLE RAILWAY. A man, named Thomas Masterton, a carter, belonging to Lochee, was killed on Wednesday evening by the 6.35 P.M. passenger train from Dundee. His body was not observed till next morning, when he was found by some quarrymen on their way to their work at Leoch Quarry. The body was dreadfully mutilated, the right leg and arm being torn from the body. He must have been lying between the rails whilst the train was passing, for he was not observed by the engineman, although it was clear moonlight at the time. The accident occurred about a quarter of a mile south of Dronly Station. He leaves a widow and three children to lament his decease.
Dundee Courier
30th October 1863
The Scotsman
MAN KILLED ON THE NEWTYLLE RAILWAY. A man named Thomas Masterton, a carter, belonging to Lochee, was killed on Wednesday evening by the 6.35 P.M. passenger train from Dundee. His body was not observed till next morning, when he was found by some quarrymen on their way to their work at Leoch Quarry. The body was dreadfully mutilated, the right leg and arm being torn from the body. He must have been lying between the rails whilst the train was passing, for he was not observed by the engineman, although it was clear moonlight at the time. The accident occurred about a quarter of a mile south of Dronly Station. He leaves a widow and three children to lament his decease - Dundee Courier.
The Scotsman
31st October 1863