Robert Knox Masterton (1867-1927)
Soldier and insolvent
Lieutenant Robert Knox Masterton was born in Blythswood, Glasgow and inherited a sizeable sum in 1888 at the age of 21, and proceeded to spend it fairly liberally until becoming bankrupt and resigning his commission in 1891. Although the name in the article below is "John Knox Masterton", the profile fits Robert. He may of course have given his brother's name to sow confusion.
Genealogy
Robert Knox Masterton was the third of six children born to Robert Knox Masterton, cotton merchant, and Hannah MacLean, who had married in 1863 in Glasgow. Robert Knox Masterton belongs to the large group of Mastertons that originated in the Culross area. Fuller details of his extended family can be found at this link.
Glasgow Herald
BIRTHS
At Hampton Court Terrace, on the 14th instant, the wife of Robert Knox Masterton, Esq. a son.
Glasgow Herald
Monday 15th April, 1867
The Scotsman
RIFLE.
10th Lanarkshire (Glasgow Highland) - Robert Knox Masterton, gentleman, to be Lieutenant. - London Gazette.
The Scotsman
23rd December, 1885
The Times
IN RE MASTERTON.
The debtor, John Knox Masterton, described as of an address at Charing-cross, against whom a receiving order was made on a creditor's petition, applied to pass his examination. His liabilities were returned in the statement of affairs at £447, with assets £280, and he attributed his insolvency to excessive personal expenditure, and to losses by betting and speculation.
Mr. Chapman appeared as Assistant Official Receiver; Mr. Augustus Kisch for the trustee; and Mr. Cautley (Mr. H. Reed with him) for the petitioning creditor.
In reply to the ASSISTANT OFFICIAL RECEIVER, the debtor said that he attained his majority in April, 1888, and at the same time became entitled to considerable sums of money under the wills of relatives, amounting in the aggregate to upwards of £12,000. He had never been in business.
The ASSISTANT OFFICIAL RECEIVER, - As you did not put the money into any business, what did you do with it?
The debtor said he simply amused himself by spending it. (A laugh.) He had never kept any record of the way in which it had gone, and the account which he had filed was prepared entirely from memory. More than £7,000 had been spent at the end of the first year. He had hired two yachts, and these cost him altogether between £2,000 and £3,000. He had never made a practice of betting, although he had lost about £200 by it. He had also speculated in shares in a music-hall and in other investments.
In reply to Mr KISCH, he said that when he purchased his furniture in 1888 it cost him about £120, and he now thought it might fetch £40.
Mr CAUTLEY also briefly examined the debtor with reference to his interest in some dye works at Glasgow, and , at the close of the evidence.
Mr REGISTRAR BROUGHAM allowed him to pass.
The Times
5th December, 1891
The Scotsman
DEATHS
MASTERTON.- At Reigate, on the 15th October, ROBERT K. MASTERTON, second son of the late R. K. Masterton.
The Scotsman
17th October, 1927