identical. Courts of law often used such establishments to punish what was then considered "criminal" acts. (Aberdeen) “….30th August, 1640…. The same day … Agnes Hay, guilty of fornication with William Ross, soldier, under promise of marriage, and bands proclaimed, was ordered to be carried to the correction-house, and, on Saturday next, to be taken to the cross, and set in the branks, having her head clipped; and to make her repentance on Sunday : and to be conveyed back to the correction-house, where she was to remain during the pleasure of the session……” It appears that Christian Charity may have been a secondary consideration in the setting up of this Poorhouse in the seventeenth century. The Poor House In October 1741 a Poorhouse was opened on the north side of the Castlegate. (NJ 94517 06369) It consisted of accommodation for men and women. The men's accommodation was for " .. males of vicious or disorderly habits, idle strollers and vagabonds…" They were taught or required to rasp wood, dress hemp, flax, and pick oakum. The women, were required knit stockings and weave linsey woolsey cloth. The regime was severe, almost puritanical. The founders, The City Council agreed: “ … to give George Gordon, merchant, a commission to buy for. each bed a harden sheet, a harden bolster, and two pairs' of Murray blankets, besides a covering of Steenhive sacking. Patrick Barron is to make a bed, as a pattern, in the easiest manner he can, in order to compute the price of the bedsteads; and the Committee are of opinion that the vagabonds doe lye in the vaults on straw, with a covering of sacking. A master, a mistress; and a clerk, to live in the House, are selected. The master's salary to be 100 pounds Scots ; the mistress', 100 merks ; and the clerk's, the same. Mr. James Kemp and his wife are the first master and mistress. …” The nature of the tasks changed but the puritanical regime continued until 1818. The Daily Task Books of the Poorhouse provide a fearful account of the life and times of both boys, men and women. By 1845, Scotland had its own Poor Law (Scottish Poor Laws) Poorhouses and workhouses still provided some secure care for the needy and a cheap form of labour. Charitable organisation, e.g. The Bishop Dunbar Hospital Trust; The David Mitchell Hospital Trust and the