John Masterton (1817-1884)
Weaver and cart accident victim
John Masterton, weaver, was born in Forfar and died in Kirriemuir, Angus. The nature of his death was tragic, being the victim of the 19th century equivalent of a road traffic accident when a drunk driver caused him to be crushed between the wheels of two carts.
Genealogy
John Masterton was the sixth of seven children born to James Masterton, seaman, and Margaret Masterton, who had married in 1804 in Forfar. John Masterton belongs to the large group that flourished in the Forfar area. He married Isabella Kerr in 1837 in Forfar and had five children, one of whom, Peter, became a watchmaker and was convicted of theft. Fuller details of his extended family can be found at this link.
FORFAR - FATAL ACCIDENT AND CHARGE OF CULPABLE HOMICIDE. - Yesterday William Millar, carter, Steeple of Restenneth, near Forfar, was judicially examined before Sheriff Robertson, and committed to prison, pending further inquiry, on a charge of culpable homicide in connection with the death of John Masterton, weaver, Southmuir, Kirriemuir. It seems that on Friday evening Masterton was purchasing fish from a cart in Southmuir, when another cart, driven by the accused, came up and crushed him between the wheels of both carts. Masterton, on being relieved, fell to the ground in a state of unconsciousness, having had several of his ribs very severely crushed, and he was also injured otherwise. As the result of the injuries inflicted, he died on Saturday night. Millar, it is stated, was at the time the accident happened under the influence of liquor. The deceased was upwards of sixty years of age.
The Scotsman
2nd December, 1884