Poll book of the Shire and Burgh of Aberdeen, 1696

The book or list of poleable persons within the shire of Aberdein and burgh within the same containing the names of the haill persons poleable and polemoney payable be them, conforme to their respective capacities .first day of Aprile 1696.

The book is indexed by presbytery and parish. Eight presbyteries were included in the shire and burgh of Aberdeen at this time, namely Kincardine, Garioch, Alford, Deer, Ellon, Turriff, Strathbogie, and Aberdeen (including both the new and old towns). The records of each parish are written in a different hand, and the Clerks and Commissioners names recorded therein. A list of pollable persons, with abode and sum of poll money due is recorded for each parish.

The poll tax was levied from 1693 - 1699. It was a national tax, levied on individuals rather than property, and introduced for a short period only, in order to meet the debts incurred by the armed forces at this time. Everyone was liable to pay the tax, with the exception of children and those living upon charity, though payments were graduated in accordance with the taxpayers' social and financial status.

Single item.

Open, subject to signature accepting conditions of use at reader registration sheet

See Archival History

Very brief collection level description available on Aberdeen University Library Catalogue, accessible online http://www.abdn.ac.uk/diss/library/

No copies known

Subject to the condition of the original, copies may be supplied for private research use only on receipt of a signed undertaking to comply with current copyright legislation.

Permission to make any published use of material from the collection must be sought in advance from the Head of Special Libraries and Archives (e-mail: speclib@abdn.ac.uk ) and, where appropriate, from the copyright owner. Where possible, assistance will be given in identifying copyright owners, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user of the material.

This material has been appraised in line with normal procedures

The volume was gifted to the University by Colonel D.F. Davidson, of Dess, Aberdeenshire, in 1922. It was purchased by his father at a sale, though it is not known when. A hand-written inscription inside the front cover suggest that it once belonged to Thomas Gordon of Buthlaw.

No accruals expected

Index of 1696 Aberdeenshire poll book, compiled by A. Dingwall Fordyce in 1891 (GB 231 MS 0506 and bound photocopy in Reading Room)

The following records created by the old administrative units covering the historic counties of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire are also deposited in this repository: Aberdeenshire land valuation books, 1634 - 1795 (transcripts for 7 years) (GB 231 MS 507) Aberdeenshire land valuation books, 1644, 1649, 1667 (GB 231 MS 1037) Aberdeenshire land valuation book, 1750 (GB 231 MS 1038) Stent roll for the Burgh of Aberdeen, 1748 - 1749 (GB 231 MS 57) Alphabetical index to the first 76 volumes of the Council Register of the City of Aberdeen from 1398 - 1800 (GB 231 MS 595) Testimonials granted by the Baillies of Aberdeen Burgh, 1589 - 1603 (GB 231 MS 1050) Abstract register of sasines for Aberdeenshire, 1599 - 1606 (transcript made early 19th c) (GB 231 MS 837)

The main series of records for these authorities are deposited at Aberdeen City Archives, Town House, Broad Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1AQ. A catalogue of these records is available for consultation in the University Searchroom.

List of Pollable Persons within the Shire of Aberdeen, 1696, ed. by John Stuart, 2 vols (Aberdeen: William Bennett, 1844).

This material is original