User:Historicslunk/The Pynours

The Ancient Pynours of Aberdeen According to the regulation of the Pynours in 1498 the regulations for the pynours “lang tymes obefor” “the ald louable conseuetude” to intromit with all the imported and exported merchandise. Under the control of the Aldermen and council of the burgh. 1531 - Enactment Four or five of the pynouris to act as trustees for the good conduct of the pynours but allowing them some autonomy from council control 1546 two title bearers honarabiles viri or deacons, 1552 – annual elections to the deacons. Pynours disappears 1583 – Warkmen Wark Woman 1636 – special trial a strength test which led to licensing as a pynour by a magistrate, no women 1646 – Mutual Benefit fund 1660 – The Gild Brethrens Box and the donation of 1d a week to the common fund.

23/5/1666 – Master of Impost - £1 13s 4d (“tuentie punds” scots money) to begin the box 1701 – Pynours are now Warkmen, liability of goods in their hands. New Bond of caution – for his care and fidelity in the discharge of his duties – more like a guild tax! Or statutory guild Professional Indemnity. Shore Porters Society Early 1800s Porters and Shore Porters - 1811 and 1834 and 1850 Certain responsible gentlemen became security of £200 to the town council for the whole society “for any damage which might be incurred in the course of its carrying business. John Urquhart –Druggist, William Walker – Grocer, William lumsden grocer, james black – merchant George Thompson Junior Provost and Mssrs Sim. Henderson, Adamson and Watson Baillies for 23 porters in the society. Why would these men underwrite this organisation. 1887 – John Bulloch states that “they are richer than they care to say” which is interesting as that society is. . .  He states there are 14 working members, 3 superannuanted members and 5 pensioned widows – no orphan beneficiaries. Entrance £150 1887 – no weekly penny, good insurance and sickness benefit Pynor – many spellings Pynir, Pynor, pynour, pynowr etc but is in good use in the 15th century especially in the accounts books. Jameison’s Scottish dictionary states a scavenger – a labourer”