William Masterton (1629 - )
Witness to Covenanters' Rebellion in 1679
William Masterton of Lanark, was witness to the rebellion in 1679 of Covenanters (staunch Presbyterians who, since 1638, had been in conflict with the decision to re-establish Episcopacy in Scotland). This culminated in the defeat of 4000 rebels led by Sir Robert Hamilton at the Battle of Bothwell Brig (22 June 1679) by a force led by James, Duke of Monmouth, the illegitimate son of Charles II. William Masterton of Lanark was one of a very large number of witnesses who gave evidence against rebel prisoners at their trial for High Treason in March 1681. A number of the rebels were acquitted in that trial, which led to Proceedings being raised against the jurors in an "assize of error", now obsolete, where if the jurors were found guilty of wilful error, they could be punished with forfeiture of moveables, infamy, and one year's imprisonment. William's original evidence is cited in this Assize of Error in July 1681. Seven of the original jurors were found guilty of reaching an erroneous verdict.
Genealogy
William Masterton was born in 1629 and married Isobel Wylie in Lanark in 1653. His evidence was given to the courts in 1681 when he was 52 years old. As yet, he is not connected to any of the extended trees. William and Isobel had six children. Fuller details of his extended family can be found at this link.
18th March, 1681...William Mastertoun, in Lanerk, aged fyftie two years, maryed, purged and sworne, depons he sawe James Park in company with the rebells within the toun of Lanerk,
but cannot be positive if he hade armes or not; depons he sawe Robert Haddowe, in Lanerk, in armes with the saids rebells,
in Lanerk, in June 1679, the tyme of the late rebellion; depons he sawe John Hutcheson, of Harelawe, in armes with the rebells
tyme and place foresaid; and this is the truth as he shall answer to God; depons he cannot wreitt.
Sic Subscribitur, R. MAITLAND, I.P.D.
A Complete Collection of State Trials and Proceedings for High Treason
and other Crimes and Misdemeanours from the Earliest Period to the Year 1783
T. B. Howell
Vol XI. 1680-1688
London, 1816
p. 285
18 July, 1681 INDYTED and accused, that wher, notwithstanding be the lawes and acts of parliament and inviolable practiq of this kingdome, and speciallie be the 64th act 8 parliament king James 3rd,
It is statut and ordained, that if any of our subjects choisen upon the assyse of any criminall persons doth acquyt them be temeraritie, or wilfullie be favours or partialitie,
they shall be put to the tryall of ane assyse of twenty-five persons, and being convict thereof, shall be punished efter the forme of the auld lawes contained in the book of Regiam Majestatem,......
....and likeways William Mastertoun, in Lanerk, who depons, that he sawe the said James Park in company with the rebells, within the toun of Lanerk, in the said moneth of June, 1679...
....and William Mastertoun, in Lanerk, who depons he sawe the said John Hutchieson, in armes with the rebells, in June, 1679, the tyme of the late rebellion, .....
A Complete Collection of State Trials and Proceedings for High Treason
and other Crimes and Misdemeanours from the Earliest Period to the Year 1783
T. B. Howell
Vol XI. 1680-1688
London, 1816
pp. 81,82
Register of the Privy Council of Scotland
Vol VIII, Third Series. 1683-84
12 April 1683, Edinburgh
Report was made by Cromwell Lockhart of Lee, provost of Lanerk, that conform to the commission granted to him by the Council he "did meitt" (sic) at Lanerk on 29th March last, and there did nominate ..... William Mastertoun.. to be councillors of the said burgh until Michaelmas next; and that all these, except Robert Pattoune, compeared judicially and accepted office, and gave their oaths de fideli administratione, and took and subscribed the Test.... whereupon the magistrates elected William Mastertoune to be deacon of the masons and wrights....
The Register of the Privy Council of Scotland
P Hume Brown (ed)
Vol VIII, Third Series, 1683-84
p 131
HMSO
Glasgow, 1915