William Masterton (1855-1916)
reproduced with permission of the archivist, Dollar Academy.
The Dollar Magazine
1918
Teacher of Arithmetic
William Masterton, teacher, was born in Largo, Fife and became master of arithmetic at The Dollar Institution (now Dollar Academy). He died suddenly in 1916 at the age of 60 of heart failure arising from bronchitis. To this day, Dollar Academy awards the William Masterton Memorial Prize for Arithmetic annually.
Genealogy
William Masterton was the fifth of eight children (seven of them boys) born to John Masterton, linen weaver, and Janet Bennett White, who had married in 1844 in Largo. William Masterton belongs to the large group of Mastertons that flourished in the Largo area. He married Agnes Crichton in 1879 in Dysart, who died a few weeks after giving birth to John Crichton Masterton, Mary Cowan in 1889 in Edinburgh, and then Sarah Shaw in 1892 in Stirling. In total he fathered six children. Fuller details of his extended family can be found at this link.
Dundee Courier
MARRIAGES
At Pathhead, Kirkcaldy, on the 17th inst., by the Rev John Buchan, William Masterton, arithmetical master, Dollar Academy, to Agnes, third daughter of Mr William Crichton.
The Dundee Courier
20th January, 1879
Fifeshire Journal
BIRTHS
At Dollar, on the 7th inst., the wife of William Masterton, teacher, Dollar Institution, of a son.
The Fifeshire Journal
Thursday, 11th September, 1884
The Kinross-shire Advertiser
BIRTHS
At Dollar, on the 7th inst., the wife of William Masterton, teacher, Dollar Institution, of a son.
The Kinross-shire Advertiser
13th September, 1884
Dunfermline Saturday Press
DEATHS
At Dollar, on the 22d inst., Agnes Crighton, wife of Mr William Masterton, teacher, Dollar Institution.
Dunfermline Saturday Press
Saturday, 27th September, 1884
The Fife Free Press & Kirkcaldy Guardian
DEATHS
At Dollar, on the 22nd inst., Agnes Crichton, wife of William Masterton, teacher, Dollar Institution.
The Fife Free Press
Saturday, 27th September, 1884
THE LATE MRS MASTERTON. - The friends of the late Mrs William Masterton (Agnes Crichton daughter of Mr William Crichton) will be gratified to hear that great sympathy was shown to her husband at her death. On the funeral day the insitution in Dollar was closed for the afternoon, and her coffin was covered with wreaths. A great many boys attended the funeral, and the girls showed their sympathy by subscribing among themselves for a wreath for her grave. They presented Mr Masterton with a beautiful wreath with a glass shade, inside of which they placed a card with the following :- "In memory of Mrs Masterton, with the deepest sympathy of the girls attending Mr Masterton's classes." This has been placed on the grave, Which has been visited by a great number anxious to see this beautiful expression of sympathy.
The Fife Free Press
Saturday, 18th October, 1884
The Scotsman
DOLLAR INSTITUTION. - Mr WILLIAM MASTERTON, Arithmetical Master, receives Boarders at Brewlands House. Terms, &c., on application.
The Scotsman
29th August, 1891
MASTERTON - At Dollar, suddenly, on 29th November, WM. MASTERTON, F.E.I.S. Funeral Saturday; arrangements Friday's paper.
The Scotsman
30th November, 1916
THE LATE MR WM. MASTERTON, F.E.I.S., DOLLAR ACADEMY. - Mr Wm. Masterton, arithmetical master, Dollar Academy, died suddenly early yesterday morning. Although he had been unwell for some days, he was on duty as usual on Tuesday, and attended to his private tutoring in the evening. The cause of death was heart failure, due to an acute attack of bronchitis. Mr Masterton, who belonged to Lundin Links, Fife, went to Dollar Academy as a young man 38 years ago. He gave valuable services to the management of the School Athletic Club, of which for many years he was hon. treasurer. He also took an active interest in the religious and social life of the community. He was also a member of the Parish Council, secretary to Dollar Gas Company, and a member of the local Lodge of Freemasons. He is survived by his widow, one son and three daughters.
The Scotsman
30th November, 1916
MASTERTON - At Academy Street, Dollar, suddenly, on 29th November, WILLIAM MASTERTON, F.E.I.S. Arithmetical Master in Dollar Institution for nearly 39 years. Funeral from Parish Church on Saturday at 2.15 P.M. This is the only intimation and invitation.
The Scotsman
1st December, 1916
The Dollar Magazine
MANY of our readers, especially former pupils, will learn with pain of the death of Mr Masterton, which took place with startling suddenness on the morning of the 29th November. He was on duty in his class-room as usual on the 28th, and tutored his boys in the evening, so he died in the midst of work, in harness as he wished. The blow was stunning, and sent a painful shock through the whole community. It is too soon yet to estimate fully the value and importance of his work. He has left his imprint on Dollar's memory by his varied, useful, manly endeavours for its well-being and prosperity. His industry was immense; his painstaking accuracy was rare; his mastery of his subject complete; and his interest in all matters connected with the Church of Scotland enthusiastic. His memory deserves the homage of sorrow from the Sabbath School children, for he laboured assiduously for their welfare and improvement. Death stood before him suddenly, and hurried him, as it were, from the Church on earth to the general assembly of the wide and wondrous Church of Heaven.
On Sunday forenoon, 3rd December, the Rev. Mr Armstrong preached from the text, "Other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours," and at the close of his sermon paid the following
eloquent tribute to the deceased :-
"Before concluding our service this morning it is my sad duty to pay affectionate tribute to our deceased friend and elder, Mr Masterton.
I need hardly say that the startling suddenness of his death caused a great shock in Dollar, where he was long held in universal esteem. Indeed, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the name
of William Masterton was a household word. When I was appointed to this parish five and a half years ago, it was not long ere I learned
to appreciate the genuine qualities of heart and head with which Mr Masterton was amply endowed. From the day of our introduction
to the time of his death he remained my right-hand man, as he had been to my predecessor. In him I quickly found a 'guide, philosopher and friend' - one in whom I had implicit trust,
and who never once belied it. Mr Masterton had the distinction of being at the time of his death the 'Father' of the Kirk-Session,
having been ordained to the eldership in 1883 - thirty-three years ago. During that long period of service he acted as Session-Clerk for twenty-seven years, the arduous duties of which office he
discharged with conspicuous ability and efficiency. By temperament and habit a very methodical man, he left no stone unturned to ensure accuracy and precision. As Superintendent of the Sunday
School he endeared himself to the hearts of teachers and pupils alike, in whose interests he laboured with undimininshed enthusiasm. As former President of the Young Men's Guild, and latterly as
a senior member, he contributed in no mean measure both by addresses and comments to enhance the interest and engage the attention of the young men of the congregation. From all these scenes of
usefulness and activity we shall sadly miss our genial friend. Other lips than mine will recount the immense amount of work he cheerfully undertook, and painstakingly performed, in his long
association with the staff of the Academy, and in the deliberations of the Parish Council. Those who knew him best can testify to his sterling qualities, his supreme conscientiousness,
his tried reliability. But we, who have known him of more recent years as a man of sound judgment and ripe experience, will fondly remember him as a loyal and trusty friend who dearly
loved the Church of Christ - the Church of his fathers - and spent himself day and night in her service. Can we not with perfect sincerity record of him whose loss we mourn to-day, that
he was one who studied to show himself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed?"
The Dollar Magazine
1916
reproduced with permission of the archivist, Dollar Academy.
The Scotsman
MASTERTON - At 55 Oxford Road, Cambridge, on 28th December, SARAH ADELAIDE CARSTAIRS SHAW, widow of WILLIAM MASTERTON, F.E.I.S., Dollar Institution. Funeral, Thursday, 1st January, from Dollar Station on arrival of 1.10 P.M train. This is the only intimation and invitation.
The Scotsman
31st December, 1930