William Masterton (c1570-c1655)
Maltman
William Masterton has many entries in the 17th Century Court Records of Dunfermline, initially in his trading activities as a maltman, but also with his brothers Robert and Thomas in some edgy confrontations and local feuds, culminating in his struggle to eke out a living in his later years.
Genealogy
William Masterton was almost certainly a son of Alexander Masterton of Beath and Catherine Brown, landowners in Beath and Grange, and was married to Marjorie Moodie, possibly linked to Robert Moodie, portioner of Masterton, the settlement to the east and south of Dunfermline. His birth record has not survived in Old Dunfermline Parish Records, unlike many of his siblings. More details on William's extended family can be found at the following link.
.William Masterton entered burgess for 40s by reason of Marjorie Moodie his wife, a freeman's daughter.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1606-13
Burgess, husband of burgess daughter
3rd August, 1609
Gavin Stanhouse maltman bD is to pay William Masterton bD 10 firlots of malt in contention of 4 bolls bere of 1608 crop, received by him from said WM in Jan 1609 to be made into malt and given to him when he required it and of which he has only received 10 firlots of malt.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1606-13
Burgess
28th June, 1610
Upon the occasion of the late controversy fallen out in language between William Masterton and John Wilson at the East Port.
They are each to find caution of indemnity in £40.
Thomas Thomson stabler bD for JW
Alexander Honeyman baker bD for WM
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1606-13
22nd November, 1610
The liners, ie Michael Kerr, James Cairns, John Kerr, Richard, James and John Potter, Adam Stevenson bsD. Lining, measuring and marking
between the tenement of William Masterton bD back and fore on the north side of the High St near the East Port on the east, and the tenement
back and fore and yard belonging to Bessie Aisson and John Pirrhie her husband lying next to it on the west side. They find as follows:
The old gable between the tenements as it stood of old, belongs to said Bessie and John.
The western gable of the chapel (St Ninian) on the north belongs equally to both tenements and they have crossed the said gable
on the sidewall of the same.
The stair steps passing from the king's street to the foretnements belong partly to William Masterton's tenement and partly to John Pirrhie's and to
avoid controversies in future the liners have placed a line cross thereupon so that they can each see their parts. And have place line stones between
their yards from the north to the south and foregait to stand as perfect marches between said tenements in future.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1606-13
Burgess
11th October, 1611
William Masterton bD is cautioner for John Ayton mason, to pay Harry Kinglassie b Inverkeithing, £6.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1606-13
Burgess. Cautioner, debt
27th June, 1611
David Henryson to pay William Masterton and Marjorie Moodie his wife 52s for sibbies bought last Lammas.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1606-13
18th February, 1613
James Kerr weaver, by his own admission and by the witness of William Masterton, is found to have 'highly offended by usurping and taking upon him the office of a magistrate. First in steiking up with stone and lime at his own hand of a hole on the east sidewall of his house. Next in hindering the said William on Monday last from placing a staik or door cheik of timber at the east side of the yett passing in to John Ayton's yard, having command and authority of James Mochrie bailie to place the same. And thirdly for passing to invade the said William the said day in the New Row with a sword.' Fined £4.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1606-13
Bailie, authority usurped
9th April, 1613
William Masterton complained that James Logton misused him in language last night in his own house, when he was drunk. JL denied this
and alleged that WM struck him with his hand, which WM denied. Witnesses William Beaton and John Walls deponed that JL uttered the evil
language quoted in WM's claim (not recorded) and that WM then took the said JL a cuff. Judge finds them mutual troublers and fined them accordingly.
Peter Law caution for William Masterton
Henry Weson for James Logton.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
Troublance, language and physical
6th September, 1619
Claim of Robert Walls against Agnes Wilson and William Paton her husband for allowing the backland house to decay. Defenders have nominated Andrew Micklejohn and William Masterton. RW has nominated Patrick Cooper and James Hutton to inspect and estimate the validity of the house. The compear and state that they found the house sufficiently timbered. The judge orders AW and WP to keep it watertight. Andrew Kinndhid became cautioner to that effect.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
Inspection of a house
25th November, 1619
David Kerr and Catherine Elder his wife to pay William Masterton £21 for the rest of 6 bolls malt.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
9th December, 1619
Claim of William Moodie against Patrick Pearson for not upholding a grey horse sold by PP to him in William Masterton's house on 7 November last for 52 merks 6/8d and at his buying of him promised to uphold the said horse faultless. It was found by sworn witnesses that the horse was faultless when WM bought him. Judge absolves PP from warrandice anent said horse.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
16th December, 1619
Patrick Cooper became cautioner for James Spittall of Lucheld and Andrew Murray for Alexander Spittall of Blair and Gavin Stanhouse for
Henry Dick. Not to molest Robert, William and Thomas Masterton, brothers. £1000 each for the Spittalls and 500 merks for HD. The Spittalls
and HD also to compear in the tolbooth the next morning to be tried for troublance committed this day within peace of the fair in said William
Masterton's house.
John Anderson jnr cautioner for Patrick Drummond of Lenoth not to molest R, W and TM. Troublance committed same place and time.
Henry Turnbull cautioner in £1000 for William Masterton
Gavin Stanhouse in £1000 for Thomas Masterton
not to molest the Spittalls and HD.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
Troublance, peace of fair.
1st March, 1620
Gilbert Sanders proc fisc accused James Spittall of Luchill, Alexander Spittall of Blair, Patrick Drummond of Lenoth and Alexander Campbell
of troubling, invading and pursuing Robert, William and Thomas Masterton in WM's house yesterday, within proclamation of the fair.
James Spittall alleged that coming to WM's house yesterday to get a drink, R,W and TM entered together at table and by reason
of some language that mxxlenit between WM and Henry Dick the Mastertons left the table, went into a chamber and thereafter
rashed at the door to have dung up the same of purpose to have invaded them.
Patrick Drummond alleged that after he had left the company and being on his horseback, he was desired again to light for satling
of apparent danger between the said parties and as he came up the stair he met the said RM coming down out of the house. Always
when the said Patrick entered he perceived TM to have a sword and whinger drawn in his hand, with which said Patrick was hurt
in his hand as he closed with said TM, intending only to have hindered evil.
Henry Dick alleged that after evil language uttered by RM and his brother, said Thomas was earnest in preventing him, first saying
If he durst fight him and that he had a drawn sword and a dagger and that he received much evil and provocative language of the said
William and Thomas Masterton.
Alexander Campbell alleged that he saw three drawn swords in the house.
William Masterton alleged that after Robert and Thomas M went out of the house where they were, the Laird of Blair started
up in a fury and desiring him to be sober the said Laird of Blair struck him with his hand twice on the breast and denies that he uttered
any evil language towards Henry Dick.
Thomas Masterton alleged that he came in a friendly manner where the Lairds of Luchall and Blair were at table and that he came
back again without doing offence to any of them. Only confessed he exchanged some evil language with Henry Dick and thereafter
when he was hurt in the face and hand, by whom he knows not, he drew his sword.
Assise finds RM to have been the first mover of troublance by coming in where the Laird of Luchell, Laird of Blair and their
company were sitting at table and there upon his own particular by moving evil language of Henry Dick, whereupon there followed
the whole evil underwritten.
Convicts him of troublance and fines him and orders him to asyth the Lairds of L and B and Patrick Drummond in the presence of the
magistrates.
Finds WM in his drunken humour to have pressed to a sword and being hindered therefrom, by some women, cried to his brother,
"Fie beast, draw thy sword and let none of them out". Convicted of troublance and of drunkenness. Fined for both. Also in the wrong
to the persons aformentioned.
Finds TM to have drawn his sword and whinger, pressing therewith to be on where the laird of Blair was, of intention to have invaded
them and that the said Patrick Drummond hindering him therefrom, through his striking, the said Patrick's hands were hurt be the said
Thomas' sword. Convicted of troublance and fined, and in the wrong to the above and to asyth them.
Finds Alexander Campbell to have drawn a sword and pressed to strike Thomas M with it. Fined for troublance.
Finds the laird of L not to have troubled any person nor made motion of troublance.
Finds the laird of B not to have troubled William M, notwithstanding of struggling between them, in respect of his oath that he did
nothing of set purpose nor in violence towards him.
Absolves Patrick Drummond of troublance because he did nothing but good offices and hindered evil and only a redder between
the said parties.
Absolves Henry Dick, David and Alexander Kinndid of troublance in respect of their oath that they neither drew sword nor made any
occasion of troublance.
The above fines, totalling £23, were relented by the magistrates to £18.
Thereafter, in regard the ground whereupon the miscontentment intervened between the Lairds of L and B is concerning a pairt in the kirk of Beath designed by the commissioners and kirk session thereof to the said lairds for erecting a seat to them thereinto, whereto the said RM pretends right as having warrant of the Earl of Moray so to do. And that through occasion of the evil abovewritten followed. Therefore, and for the more satisfaction of the said lairds and others injured therethrough, the said RM compearing, gave up any right he might have to that part of the said kirk and remits the same into the hands of the lairds of L and B to be erected, built and possessed by them in all time coming at their pleasure.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
Troublance, reported speech.
2nd March, 1620
Provost gave in a complaint against William Masterton for misbehaving himself to the provost on 1 March, he being come to stop and prevent evil likely to fall out between the lairds of Luchett (James Spittall), Blair (Alexander Spittall) and some other in their company and Robert Masterton, said William and Thomas M their brother, by saying, "What devil came in for provost". WM comp and repented of saying same and put himself in the provost's will.
(the following deleted in ms)
And likewise because the evil fell out partly through drunkenness and partly otherwise and therefore discharges the said William Masterton from brewing
or venting any beer in time coming, he having always left to him his looms.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
Troublance, lairds involved in.
3rd March, 1620
William Masterton and Marjorie Moodie his wife and accused of contravening the order that he should not sell beer dearer than 18d a pint. He has been selling it for 2s a pint. Fined 40s, to be uplifted when the council wills. Orders them to sell at 18d a pint.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
Beer sold to dear
24th March, 1620
William Masterton absolved from 20 bolls bere alleged bought by him from Isobel Reid because he took his oath that he bought it unseen and when he saw it was not content with it.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
6th July, 1620
William Masterton accused of selling malt at 10 merks per boll, higher price than that set by burgh. He denies same and behaves irreverantly to
the council 'as the like has not been used of before'. It was proved to the council by the buyers of his malt that he said to them he would take no less
than 10 merks per boll and he has taken £6 in part payment. By doing thereof and by his misbehaviour he has committed a high offence. Fined £6.
All the maltmen are ordered to supply the brewsters with malt at 8 merks 6/8d.
Half fine to be taken from brewsters who sold ale for 16d pt on Monday and Saturday the last fair.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
Malt sold too dear.
22nd September, 1621
William Masterton owes James Bell mbE 85 merks account.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
Debt, account
1st January, 1623
William Wellwood baker and Bessie Nichol his wife, procurator Alexander Kinghorn jnr, to pay William Masterton and Marjorie Moodie his wife 35 merks for 2b 2f malt (deleted in ms).
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
20th March, 1623
Gavin Stanhouse to pay William Masterton £12 for malt and 4 merks for barn leave to make 4 makings of malt in his barn. Said GS and Helen Nichol his wife, to pay Marjorie Cuthbert 55s for ale.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
27th March, 1623
Stentmasters nominated to collect the town's part of the tax of £400,000.
George Davidson, David Stewart, John Wright, William Masterton,
Adam Stevenson, David Williamson, Patrick Cooper, John Davidson,
Henry Turnbull, Charles Richardson, William Wilson, James Hutton merchant,
David Kerr.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
Stentmaster.
22nd September, 1623
William Masterton to pay the rest of his teind to the tackman of the teind sheaves.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
Debt, furnishing
11th December, 1623
John Walker tailor to pay William Masterton and Marjorie Moodie his wife £3 8s for malt.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
12th February, 1624
William Masterton to pay Willam Esplin £4 for rent of his piece of grazing.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
18th March, 1624
William Chatto to pay William Masterton 2b 1f bere or £9 per boll.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
15th April, 1624
William Masterton to pay William Brown 7bolls 2pecks 3 lippies bere for ferme of 3a land, crop 1623, or £8 per boll.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
Farming, ferme
26th August, 1624
William Masterton to pay Adam Shorthouse xxx for 15 loads turves belonging to said AS and taken away by said WM.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
Fire, rebuilding (turves in large quantities)
18th November, 1624
James Allan and Catherine Stewart his wife to pay William Masterton £23 for the rest of the price of malt, deducting £7 13/6d for herring, dried fish, turbot, white fish, salt and other furnishings.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
Debt, salt
25th November, 1624
Robert Huggon to pay William Masterton 10 merks for satisfaction of the gable building between said William and him.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
26th October, 1626
Catherine Elder to pay William Masterton £8 10s for malt.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
2nd November, 1626
John Thomson to pay William Masterton 39s for rest of price of a mash of malt.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
12th April, 1627
Janet Lauchlands to pay William Masterton 8 merks 2s for malt and 40s as cautioner for John Harlay .
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
27th November, 1628
Christian Thomson to pay William Masterton £9 for 6f malt.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
18th December, 1628
Robert Masterton to pay David Kerr £6 for a dead kist made at command of said Robert for late David Durie and for a barrel of ale. William Masterton became cautioner for payment.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
Coffin
27th March, 1629
Robert Stirk, cautioner for entry of James Kellock, is to pay William Masterton, assignee of Robert Masterton, a saddle lent by him to said James. Or £3.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
27th March, 1629
Marjorie Moodie and William Masterton her husband to pay Gilbert Johnston £5 for malt.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
19th May, 1630
Thomas Cooper to pay William Masterton 14 merks in complete payment of all house rent and other accounts between them and to give WM his keys Gavin Stanhouse to pay WM 40s of said sum and relieve said TC thereanent.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
Tenant to return keys
23rd December, 1630
William Masterton to make forthcoming to Patrick Dewar a cloak of unpid English cloth belonging to late Archibald Douglas, laid in pledge to said WM by Janet Phillan (widow of AD) and arrested in his hand by John Brown officer of the burgh at the time, at instance of said Patrick against said JP, on 20 November 1628. Or pay xxx.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
Cloak laid in pledge by widow
19th May, 1631
Henry Turnbull and Catherine Cousing his wife to pay William Masterton 18s to complete payment of the 30s for ale and draff and of 46/8d for horse hire.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1619-32
Troublance
21st July, 1631
Robert Stirk messenger, procurator for William Masterton maltman, registered obligation
WM has borrowed 100 merks from Grizel Westwood widow of William Pearson mealmaker. Interest 8 merks pa.
At D 13 September 1636. Written by John Anderson notary.
Witnesses: Mr Robert Anderson son of said JA, John Law bD.
Dunfermline Deeds 1638-64
13th September, 1636
Claim of David Miller weaver bD, proprietor of the lands underwritten, against William Masterton bD.
DM set in tack to WM his house, barn and yard on the north side of the burgh for xxx years, beginning at Mart 1635. WM has 'fraudfully put the
(tack) away' and the years of it have now expired. He should be ordered to produce it before the bailies so that it can be declared null and he should
then remove. Defender was summonsed to court on 17 December last but non comp. On 13 January defender admitted he had the tack and asked to
be given until 21 January to produce it, but failed to do so on that day. The present day was assigned for the judges to pronounce decreet. They order
WM to produce the tack and also to remove from the property.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1633-48
Debt, account
25th February, 1641
William Masterton is imprisoned in the tolbooth because of a decreet obtained against him by David Miller and is to remain there until he has fulfilled the decreet in all points. He has declared that because of his indigence he is not able to maintain himself and Alexander Turnbull baker bD, at desire of said David, became caution for his maintenance as long as he remains in prison..
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1633-48
Debt, imprisonment for
3rd September, 1641
Grizel Stewart to pay Janet Pearson widow of George Ferguson, £4 for a year's rent of a dwelling house possessed by William Masterton, which she promised to pay.
Dunfermline Court and Council Records 1633-48
23rd February, 1643
3rd
The session sells to said Sir Henry Wardlaw of Pitreavie the seat of the ministers’ wives and their families situated in front of his own.
They are allocated the dasses and seats high and low in front of the tailors’ seat, which were possessed by James Murray and his wife and Helen
Kinghorn. James Murray and his wife are allocated the seats once of the late William Masterton and Marion Moodie his wife, in a dasse at the
west side of the pulpit (now vacant and at the session’s disposal). Helen Kinghorn is allocated one of the two seats in the said dasse on the west side
of the pulpit, that belong to Margaret Kennedy.
Dunfermline Kirk Session 1640-89
November, 1659
With thanks to Sue Mowat who provided these extracts from Dunfermline's Records.