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James Waters

James Waters was appointed Head Teacher in 1863 after the departure of Andrew Miller.  Mr Waters, Janet Street, Thurso, the son of David Waters and Anne Custer and the spouse of Jane Henrietta Gordon Sutherland, died in office in 1886 after being ill for two days.  He was just 54 years of age.  The death is reported in the log on 9^th April thus:

‘On Wednesday this Institution was cast into the deepest gloom by the intelligence that Mr Waters had suddenly become dangerously sick.  He died on Thursday evening consequently the school is closed today.’  This entry is followed by an entry on 16^th April stating. ’The school was not opened on Monday as it was the funeral day.’  Mr Waters is interred in Thurso Cemetery.

The John O’Groat Journal of 14^th April 1886 carried an appreciation of Mr Waters.

‘The sudden death of Mr Waters, rector of the Miller Institution, has caused a blank in Thurso society that will not be easily filled up.  Mr Waters came to Thurso over twenty years ago in the capacity of head master to the Institution and during his residence there his conduct has been such as to earn the highest respect for him as a teacher and a gentleman.  He was possessed of very considerable elocutionary talents and often have we listened to his reading special articles in newspapers with special gratification and profit.  In private conversation he was tolerant of the opinions of others , while his own were given in such gentlemanly spirit as to command the utmost respect from those holding opposite views.  Often it can be said ,

                        “Many fall as sudden, not so safe;”

and while the community joins with his sorrowing widow in her sad bereavement, it is a great consolation to know that the deceased filled his place of usefulness to the community – leaving ineradicable “footprints on the sands of time” as to his work.

His funeral on Monday was one of the largest in Thurso for many years.  Behind the chief mourners walked his class, four abreast, while the coffin bore a beautiful wreath which was brought by his scholars – a sad token of respect for him whom they loved so well as their teacher and friend.  At the grave the Rev. Mr Connell offered up an impressive prayer that the dispensation might be sanctified to all present and to the community.’