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Five Minutes Advice To Young Tradesmen
177 This broadside lists five minutes worth of advice from an unspecified source to those starting out in a trade.
The sheet includes a rather embittered section on marrying: "If you marry, let it be one who is not above being the wife of a tradesman. It may be necessary, therefore, to avoid one who has had a boarding-school education."
On the whole, the advice is fairly sensible and focuses on themes of modesty, straight dealing and sobriety: "When in the shop, take care to be sober on all occasions...Talk to your customers like a man of sense and business, and not like mountebank."
This particular broadside was printed by W. Rettie of No. 9 Long Acre, Aberdeen, priced at one penny, but variations on the subject can be found sold by printers around the country. Bank Robbery, and Reward of Five Hundred Guineas
181 A broadside detailing the robbery of the Castle Street offices of The Banking Company in Aberdeen. The document provides details of the crime and offers a reward for information leading to the capture of any of the perpetrators. The reward announcement by A. & J. Cadenhead, City Fiscals, is dated 9th May 1838.
This broadside was printed at the Aberdeen Constitutional Office by J. Davidson. Professor Anderson at the Royal Lyceum Theatre
424 A programme/advertisement for performances of John Henry Anderson (1814-1874) at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, London in November 1855.
Anderson, better known as "The Great Wizard of the North", was born at Craigmyle in Kincardine and became a prominent 19th century magician.
This large programme (50 x 26 cm) details the various acts in the performance and those involved. Most of the performers are given exotic pseudonyms like Hermes Trismagistus, the Wizard of Greece. The Wizard of Scotland, however, is simply called Michael Scott.
The other side of the programme features a reprinted article about Anderson from The Times of 4th September 1855 and one on 'Spiritualism in London' from the Hartford Times of 10th August. The funeral of Her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte
429 A notice from Aberdeen Town Council suggesting a temporary closure of shops and businesses following the death and funeral of Princess Charlotte. The broadside is dated 18th November 1817.
Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales (1796-1817) was the only child of George, Prince of Wales (later George IV), and Caroline of Brunswick. She was a popular figure and her death aged 21 was mourned across Britain. Notice, concerning the searching of Rawhides and skins, &c.
431 A notice written by John Dingwall, Provost and Chief Magistrate, about the appointment of an inspector of animal hides and skins.
This broadside from the Council Chamber is dated 29th September 1800 and was printed by Chalmers and Co. Act of Council anent the sale of Bull Beef.
433 A notice from Aberdeen Town Council dated 6th May 1806. It details a new act introducing measures to regulate the sale of bull beef.
The notice also includes regulations concerning the flaying of raw hide, as stipulated by an act of George III.
The broadside was printed by D. Chalmers & Co. Notice To the Heritors and Inhabitants of Aberdeen.
434 A notice calling for a general meeting of pollable citizens in the Record Hall. The meeting concerns some form of written offence given to Aberdeen's Chief Magistrate as he was on his way to church. The meeting sought to discover the author's identity and to establish a punishment.
The broadside is dated 28th September 1818 and was printed by D. Chalmers & Co. Acts of the Harbour Committee - The Life Boat.
437 A notice detailing regulations for the management of Aberdeen's life boat. The regulations are taken from two acts of the Harbour Committee dating from 7th January 1811 and 13th March 1815.
The regulations detail the rights and responsibilities of Captain Nicol, then acting as the sole management and direction of the boat. He is empowered to collect dues from the other boats using the harbour and to offer extra financial reward to life boat volunteers in instances of danger.
He must also keep the boat, its apparatus, and the launching slip in good working order at all times and have it launched and ready to go in stormy conditions.
The broadside was complied from the aforementioned acts of the Harbour Board by William Carnegie and was printed and published by D. Chalmers and Co. In Presence of the Provost, Bailies and Council of Aberdeen. Infirmary
438 A broadside detailing a meeting of the Provost, Ballies and Council of Aberdeen on 18th November 1741. The notice starts by recognising the recent completion of the new infirmary for Aberdeen, this would have been that established at Woolmanhill, and details its general operation.
The notice then outlines a proposal from the Provost to extent the usefulness of the new hospital to, not just the inhabitants of the town, but also those of the counties of Aberdeen, Banff and Mearns. It is suggested the physicians based in the town are able to provide assistance not available in said counties.
It is proposed that the nobles, gentlemen and heritors of the counties be invited to contribute a regular amount to enable this extension of purpose. It is suggested they should have no difficulty raising this amount from the rent of their tenants as it would be the "tenants, sub-tenants and lower sort of person" who would benefit from access to the hospital.
The notice concludes by stating that any person who contributes a lump sum of twenty five pound sterling, or five pound sterling per annum, to the hospital will be able to become one of its directors and that this is how the institution's governance will be arranged.
The Provost at the time would have been Alexander Robertson of Glasgoego (1702-1775).
This broadside from 1741 was compiled by Robert Thomson. Act of Town-Council of Aberdeen, anent the killing and curing of pork
466 A broadside from 1743 outlining various regulations for the slaughter of pigs and the sale of pork in the Town of Aberdeen. The text was extracted from the Council Book of the Burgh of Aberdeen by Robert Thomson, Clerk. Violation of the Remains of the Dead
467 A broadside from 15th February 1813 by the Provost, Magistrates of Aberdeen and the Sheriff of the County of Aberdeen admonishing against the robbing of graves and warning of the severe punishment for those who commit this crime. Peter Williamson
468 A broadside from 1758 presenting the case of Peter Williamson (1730-1799), who, in his pamphlet French and Indian Cruelty Exemplified in the Life and Various Vicissitudes of Peter Williamson, denounced the merchants of Aberdeen for having been involved in the kidnapping of children to be sold as slaves in America.
Williamson claimed to be one of those children who suffered this terrible fate. Though to this date there is no historical documents to definitively confirm Williamson's account.
On his return to Aberdeen, the town's magistrates accused Williamson of calumny, imprisoned him, and forced him into an admission of guilt. They also publicly burned the offending pages of his pamphlet in the Town Square and banished him from Aberdeen on the 23rd June 1758.
Only ten days later, on the 3rd of July 1758, this broadside shows that Williamson had found witnesses to prove he was born in Aberdeenshire from honest parents and that he had told the truth in his book about his experiences.
The lower half of this broadside is the statement from Sir Archibald Grant of Monymusk, an Aberdeen County Justice of the Peace, that indicates that he had been presented with evidence of Williamson's claims and that he believed them to be true.
Wrongfully persecuted, Williamson was ready to prosecute the merchants of Aberdeen for the "illegal behaviour" they had inflicted on him. Williamson eventually won his his lawsuit in 1762.
The broadside both makes the case for Williamson in his dispute with the Aberdeen magistrates and serves as an advertisement for his book.
Aberdeen City Libraries hold a number of books about the life and work of Peter Williamson and he has an entry on the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography by P. J. Anderson, revised by A. W. Parker (available online with an active library membership). Alex. Bannerman, Esq. Dean of Guild, in the chair
469 A broadside listing the resolutions taken at a general meeting of the Burgesses of the Guild in 1818. We think that this document might refer to the hostile relationship between Aberdeen's old ruling group and their opponents in the years 1817-19. The Dean of the Guild was Sir Alexander Bannerman (1788-1864), a moderate reformer who joined the council in 1811. He attacked the town council in regard to the application of a burgh reform which would have granted the burgesses a more adequate representation of their interests. The dispute would eventually end in 1832 when, as a result of the passing of the Reform Act, Bannerman became the first parliament member representative of Aberdeen. Mr Bannister's first night
470 A broadside from 1811 announcing the exclusive show of Mr Bannister, referred to as "the first comedian of the British stage".
This would have been the actor John (or Jack) Bannister (1760-1836). An entry, written by Joseph Knight and revised by Nilanjana Banerji, for Bannister can be found in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (available online with an active library membership). Bannister was a pupil of David Garrick, of the Drury Lane Theatre in London, and was one of the foremost comic actors of his day.
For six nights, Bannister was to perform in a comedy, Bold Stroke for a Wife, a comic song, The Tortoise-shell Tom-cat, and a farce, The Prize; or 2, 5, 3, 8.
These appearances in Aberdeen may have been part of a tour of the provinces and Ireland that Bannister commenced in 1809. His ODNB entry explains that the tour, comprising a monologue entertainment and songs, was called Bannister's Budget and was a financial, popular, and critical success.
Appealing to the expected high level of the entertainment, the reputation of the performer, and the great distance from Aberdeen to London, the theatre's manager, Mrs Mudie, hoped the public would understand slightly increased ticket prices for seats in the theatre's boxes and pit.
Tickets could be purchased from a variety of local booksellers; Messrs. Stevenson, Mortimer, Gordon, Spark and Watson or from a Mr. Phillips at the theatre's box office.
The Theatre Royal mentioned in this document, the first permanent one built in Aberdeen and opened in 1795, is no longer in use. It was turned into a church after the construction of Her Majesty's Opera House (later the Tivoli Theatre), which opened in 1872.
This playbill broadside was printed by Chalmers & Co. The document is referenced and transcribed in an Aberdeen Journal article from 26th November 1906, page 3, titled 'Two Aberdeen play-houses'. The article suggests that this might be "one of the earliest specimens of a local playbill probably in existence." To all makers and stampers of stockings and cloth
471 A broadside from 1738 by William Fordyce, the Dean of the Guild, addressing the manufacturers of stockings and cloth to alert them of the increased strictness of laws and regulations due to their negligence.
It is interesting to notice that the document mentions the complaints of London and Holland factors, which shows the international trading network that Aberdeen was experiencing at that time. Weigh-house dues and, lodgement of unclaimed goods
472 A broadside from 21st May 1805 detailing an act of the Town Council prohibiting buyers and sellers from weighing their goods privately. This had to be done exclusively at the Weigh-House in accordance with the Town Standard Weights.
This act makes reference to a previous act of the Council, "Table of weigh-house and pack-house dues of the city of Aberdeen." The goods mentioned in this broadside are fleshes (meats), tallow, butter and cheese.
We can understand how relevant this matter was for the Town Council since, as it is stated at the bottom of the document, the announcement was going to be affixed in several public places and published in the Aberdeen Journal. The act is also to be intimated throughout the town by "Tuck of Drum", which presumably refers to a public announcement by town crier type figures.
This broadside was printed by D. Chalmers & Co. Burgers Oath
474 A broadside reporting the solemn oath that the Craftsmen of the Burgh of Aberdeen were to pronounce when admitted to the Gild [Guild].
Since the burgers were to swear loyalty to Queen Anne, it can be assumed the document was created at the beginning of the 18th century, given that she Queen of Scotland from 1702 to her death in 1714.
Great importance is given to religion in this oath: only devoted Protestants - and absolutely no Catholics - were admitted in the Gild. A reference prohibiting Quakerism has been scored out.
The burgers also vowed support and allegiance to the magistrates and the Burgh and pledged themselves to act only for its profit. This, together with the commitment to pay the taxes and protect the Burgh from its enemies, is summarised with the medieval formula "Scot, Lot, Watch, Wake and Ward" in the IX article.
In a final note states that chirurgeons (surgeons), apothecaries, and barbers among others were not considered as members of the Gild but were only admitted "in sua arte", and therefore were not entitled to vote.
Aberdeen's coat of arms, or heraldic achievement, is prominently displayed at the top of the broadside. Regulations in regard to the public stilliards
475 A broadside from 23rd August 1796 by the magistrates of Aberdeen stating the regulations in regard to the use of public stilliards (steelyards).
These include the expected attendance and responsibilities of the Weighers, who are supposed to be answerable for any intentional or accidental error, as well as the rights of the Proprietors of any Article, entitled to a re-weight if suspecting a mistake. Lastly, all the weighing fees are clearly stated according to the specific weight.
The regulations are certified at the bottom of the broadside by a W. Copland, deputy clerk. A simplified coat of arms for Aberdeen features at the top. Strangers and vagrants
476 A broadside from 17th November 1746 forbidding the inhabitants of the Burgh to lodge any strangers without notifying their presence and identity to the magistrates, so that "their Condition, Quality and Business may be known."
This measure was taken in response to several crimes committed by unknown persons and there was a fine of twenty pound Scots per transgression for those who did not respect the ordinance.
It is interesting to note that the order did not apply to the Country People who came to Town to provide food for inhabitants or soldiers. This would have been a regular occurrence. Dying Confession, Behaviour, and Letters of George Thom
478 This broadside reports the circumstances around the crime and punishment of George Thom. This resident of Harthill in the parish of Newhills was executed on 16th November 1821 for having poisoned his brother-in-law, William Mitchell of Burnside, Keig, in order to inherit his possessions. The witnesses and evidence against him left him with no other choice than to confess his crime.
The document presents Thom as an astute and sagacious 61-year-old man whose life was ruined by avarice. He is introduced more as a sinner than as a criminal, and the references to religion are numerous. Moreover, emphasis is given to his final repentance and contrition, a motive to praise the work of the attending Clergymen.
The broadside makes reference to Rev. Mr. Thom, Ordinary of the Prison, and Rev. Dr. James Kidd (1761-1834).
Besides his confession and a letter addressed to the family of the victim, the broadside reports a declaration signed by Thom in which he certified the complete innocence of his wife. Indeed, in an article published on the Aberdeen Journal on 5th September 1821 we read that both he and his wife were suspected for the crime at the beginning of the investigation. She was eventually considered innocent.
This broadside was printed by J. Booth, Jnr., of Chronicle Street, Aberdeen. The Dying Confessions of William Gordon and Robert McIntosh
479 Five days before his execution, having murdered his wife, William Gordon recounts his crime. He recalls the evening of the murder. Both intoxicated, he and his wife went out. They had an amicable time. Gordon does not recall much from their return home, bar that he went for his pipe. He later discovered his wife dead. He declares having had no recollection of her death. Three weeks later, Gordon remembers having shoved her to the floor, to which she shouted 'Murder!'. Gordon also remembered having scissors in his hand, which leads him to believe that to have been the murder weapon.
This confession begins by citing the book of Hosea from the Christian Bible. Gordon then articulates the nature of his sin, confessing it to be the 'sin of drunkenness'. He compares the severity of his sin to the eternality of God's omnipotence. His confession warns its readers against sinning as he has. He does not apologise for the murder of his wife, instead expressing regret for becoming intoxicated. This marks the text particularly interesting for understanding perceptions of alcoholism and alcohol related crimes in nineteenth-century Scotland. Fascinatingly, though facing death, Gordon still devotes two paragraphs to acknowledging various people that supported him during his incarceration. Gordon concludes the main body of the text by imploring his audience to take up Christianity.
The confession is reprinted in Aberdeen's Journal, on 5th June 1822, five days after Gordon's execution. The paper confirms that Gordon authored this text, saying it was distributed by the Reverend Thom. The confession is well written and articulate, revealing the author's profound knowledge of Christian scripture. Gordon himself was from the parish of Cabrach, made a livelihood selling fishing tackle, and was aged around forty-five at the time of the murder.
The accompanying editorial declares that many had come to believe that the murder 'had been perpetrated by the unhappy man while under the influence of that most baneful of human vices, and, of course, a prey to all the evil passions which it naturally engenders.' The view that the death was caused by excessively drinking, and that the defendant had not consciously decided to murder her, was prevalent. Remarkably, 'many Gentlemen (including several of the Jury who tried him)' lobbied King George IV to commute Gordon's sentence. The judge, however, refused to capitulate.
Accompanying Gordon's confession is that of the twenty-two-year-old Robert McIntosh, on 29th May 1822. McIntosh describes the conditions of his imprisonment in the dungeon, expresses regret for the repercussions of his crime and prostrates himself before God. The Journal reports that McIntosh had murdered the forty-year-old Elizabeth Anderson of Crathie. The paper continues that McIntosh had slit Anderson's throat. At the time, Anderson had been promised marriage by him and was pregnant with his child.
The Journal reports the day of their execution. In the Old Court Room, Psalm 51 was sung. Gordon joined in loudly. As they went to the scaffold, both prayed. The paper reports McIntosh's nerves getting the better of him, and him being brought a glass of water. After Gordon finished praying, at twenty minutes past three, they were hung. Gordon passed very quickly. McIntosh, on the other hand, 'struggled considerably, and was convulsed for several minutes', due to the rope being improperly set up. The Journal reports that countless thousands witnessed their hanging, the first of its kind in seventy-years. The Last Speech and Confession of Alex Martin
480 This broadside recalls the execution of Alex Martin at Aberdeen on 27th August 1824. It provides a brief biography of him, before providing his dying confession. Martin was executed for the crime of stouthrief, a crime he had committed in Kemnay, close to Aberdeen. This was the Scottish crime of 'overpowering or depriving by force a man of his property.' He was tried for his crime in Edinburgh at the High Court of Justiciary earlier in the year.
During Martin's confinement, he had been visited by various clergymen, with whom he had engaged in severe penitence. The broadside makes reference to Rev. Mr. Thom, Ordinary of the Prison, Rev. Dr. James Kidd (1761-1834), Rev. Mr. Pennan and Rev. Mr. Lyon. Later in the broadside, Martin also thanks Mr. George Turreff, Mr. Alex. Brown, jailor, John Gray, under-turnkey, and Mr. John Fyfe, messenger.
The broadside's account of Martin's life states that when at school, he had lost father. His mother then lost all control over him, and Martin was devoid of any sentiment of righteousness. 'Abandoned to profligacy and vice', Martin led a life of violent crime. He had previously been found to have assaulted a girl in Edinburgh.
On the day of his execution, various prayers were delivered. On the thirty-two-year-old Martin reaching the scaffold, he delivered a lengthy sermon to the crowds in attendance on the evils of 'sabbath-breaking' and bad company. The broadside reports that he did not faulter when speaking. After he finished praying, he gave the signal that he was ready. He did not die immediately, but appeared to suffer a great deal, convulsing as he hang.
In the confession itself, Martin repeatedly refers to his sin of excessive drinking. He describes a 'wicked inclination' that led him to drink, which was the cause of many of his crimes, 'which perhaps I would not have committed if I had kept sober.' Martin asks that his experience be a warning to those who excessively drink.
Act for regulating and augmenting the Dues payable to the Pubilic Metters, at the Shore
481 This Act of Aberdeen's town council regards the regulation of dues payable to 'metters' - seemingly council employed officials that work with goods coming through the port. The Act dates to 3rd July 1797.
A council commissioned committee surveyed the operation of Aberdeen's Lime and Coal Metters. Having conducted a year long survey on dues from 'Grain, Meal, Coals, Cinders, Bark and Salt' coming by way of the shore, the committee recommended that the metters should receive a pay rise. This was unanimously agreed by the council.
The text is appended by Alex R. Carnegie, likely a council clerk. To all Makers, Stampers, and Buyers of Stocking and Cloth
482 A broadside from 1st December 1742 by Andrew Logie, Dean of Guild of Aberdeen. The announcement addresses the makers, stampers, and buyers of stocking and cloth. The manufacturers are warned of the increased strictness of the regulations regarding the production and sale of textiles.
In this sense, this broadside resembles the one emanated by the then Dean of the Guild William Fordyce in 1738. In this later notice, however, the Laws are clearly stated one by one, perhaps a sign that there were still many manufacturers failing to respect them. |