Edinburgh Night Asylum

malcolm maule · Post by **malcolm maule** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 4:35 pm

I would be grateful for any info re the Edinburgh Night Asylum in the 1860's and 1870's. Apparently my Gt.Gt.Grandfather (William Innes) was reputedly to be the Superintendent, but I have no other info.

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:34 pm

Hi Malcolm
...and a warm welcome to Talking Scot

There appears to be some archive material relating to the Edinburgh Night Asylum and Strangers Friend Society at both Edinburgh Central Library and at the National Archives of Scotland:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/nra/ ... ?ID=O26396

...but I don't think either minutes or cash books are likely to give you much of the sort of information you are perhpas looking for. The NAS catalogue entry (GD1/699/5) suggests it may have been part of, or connected to, Schaw's Hospital, Prestonpans, and Schaw's Bequest. (GD1/699)

On his death in 1784 James Schaw, proprietor of the estate of Preston, bequeathed the lands and Barony of Preston, with the residue of some other funds, for maintaining and educating boys whose parents were in poor circumstances, and the house of Preston was duly fitted up for their reception. For further information, see 'Old Statistical Account', vol. 17, p. 78.

This site is usually informative, but unless it changed name, I'm not seeing it here:
http://www.workhouses.org.uk/index.html ... urgh.shtml

Was it perhaps a type of lodging house where those in need could find a bed for the night? I'll keep looking!

Have you had a look at the 1861 or 1971 census? That ought to give some indication of where it was situated.

Best wishes
Lesley

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:58 pm

Here it is in 1881 from the LDS disks:

Institution: "Night Asylum Friend Soc" 6 Old Fishmarket Close
map here: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x ... search.srf
Census Place: Edinburgh New North, Edinburgh, Scotland
Source: FHL Film 0224004 GRO Ref Volume 685-4 EnumDist 11 Page 9
John MC INTYRE M 61 M Renton, Dunbarton, Scotland
Rel: Head
Occ: Governor Of Keir Asylum
Agnes MC INTYRE M 60 F Patrick, Lanark, Scotland
Rel: Wife
Occ: Matron
Elizabeth MC INTYRE U 23 F Edinburgh, Scotland
Rel: Daur
Occ: Shopkeeper
Helen WILSON W 59 F Barrhead, Renfrew, Scotland
Rel: Cook
Occ: Servant
Mary KANE W 41 F Ireland
Rel: Servant
Occ: Servant

The entry is split over several separate entries, instead of one large establishment. The inmates are referred to as imates, not "night inmate" as they are in the Glasgow Night Asylum, but nor are they listed as lunatics, which suggests it may well have been a lodging establishment, not a place for those of unsound mind.

Best wishes
Lesley

AnnieMack · Post by **AnnieMack** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:47 pm

I have posted a piece of the old map which shows the location of the night asylum.

I am sure one of the admin bods will release it soon for you to see

http://talkingscot.com/gallery/displayi ... ?pos=-1452

Annie

Gallery URL added - AndrewP - admin bod

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:53 pm

Hi Annie
Good find! - it states "Night Asylum for the Homeless" which takes us a step nearer.

Best wishes
Lesley

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 4:08 am

Hello Malcolm,

Try Google Books. http://www.google.com.au/books?hl=en Just search for “night asylum””Edinburgh” or “night asylum””Scotland” and then select “full view”. There are around 35 results for each some containing relevant info and you probably will be able to compile a reasonable amount of information. For starters here are two.

The New Statistical Account of Scotland 1845

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=Dn0 ... J&pg=PA737

A Plea for Ragged Schools etc…. 1847

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=xCm ... sC&pg=PA46

Alan