John Watson’s Institution Home

This database contains details of 435 administrative documents relating to John Watson’s Institution dating from 1822-1843 and 1861. They include draft minutes of meetings, financial documents and letters, covering subjects such as the creation of the school, the construction of the building, staff appointments and issues with school management and pupils.

The database can be searched directly from this page. However, for more sustained research we recommend downloading the complete file from here.

Location	Date	Type	Author	Title	Attendees	Address	Notes
4/4	1827			List of Applications for Admission into John Watsons Hospital 1827
5/8	1827	Petition	Low, Alexander	Humble Petition of Alexander Low, residing in Edinburgh			Petition for office of Porter – with list of employers served over 35 years and seven signatories of testimonial statement (including William Burn)
5/8	1827	Letter	Wardlaw, Ebenezer	Letter to John Home recommending William Russell for office of Porter			Testimonial for William Russell for office of Porter; applicant has been left indigent due to collapse of the linen weaving trade
5/8	1828	List		List of Applicants for Situation of Porter to Watsons Institution			List of nine applicants, including name, profession, children, and recommender: William Thomson, William Russell, Alexander Low, William Somerville, William Martin, John Mackay, William Malcolm, John McGlashan, James Yule
4/2	1830	Regulations	Watson’s Institution	Regulations			Report on activies from 1821 to c. 1830
5/7	1833	Treasurer’s Accounts [printed]	Hathorn, Vans	Abstract of Treasurer’s Accounts with John Watson’s Institution, From 1st August 1831, to 1st August 1832.
4/3	1861	Testimonial		Testimonials in Favour of Mr. John Robson [printed]
4/3	1861	Testimonial		Testimonials in favour of Alex.r Gillespie
4/5	1861	Testimonial	King, William	Testimonials in Favour of Mr William King [printed]			Printed collection of testimonials
4/3	1822-08 Oct.	Letter	Mackenzie, William	Letter		North Street, Edinburgh	Covering letter for copies of Act of Parliament regarding Watson’s Fund [not present]
4/3	1822-18 May	Proposal (printed)	Mackenzie, Colin	Clause proposed to be inserted in Act			Use of funds
4/3	1822-19 Jul.	Committee Report (Regulations)	Watson’s Institution	Interim Report by the Committee appointed to Consider of Suitable Regulations for the Management of the hospital			Consideration of number, sex, age, description, education, and destination of the children; ‘Ulterior destination’ for the children will determine expense; ‘greatest benefit’ for the humblest – ‘by educating them with a View to Service or handicraft trades’; Costs per child at Orphan Hospital (£11), Trades Maiden (£20), Herriots (£30) – average £20.6.8 per child; Funds available; proposal for 160 children at £20 cost per child with a smaller amount at the start and 200 eventually; age 6-8; examination by Medical Officer; preference for children ‘born in lawful Wedlock in Edinburgh or its environs’ – three years’ residence prefered; children to remain until apprenticed or dismissed – none to remain beyond the age of 14; education – reading, writing, arithmetic with sewing, knitting, and straw-working for girls and ‘useful works for the boys, such as making and mending their own Clothes, Shoes, &c’
4/3	1822-19 Jul.	Commissioners’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Meeting of Commissioners as Managers of Watson’s Fund [Scroll Minutes]	Deputy Keeper, Hathorn, R. Dundas, Aytoun, Wright, Storie, Donaldson, R. Mackenzie, Renton, Napier, W. Mackenzie, Ferrier, Jollie		Approval of interim report by Committee on Building & Regulations
4/3	1823_Feb.	Nominations	Various	Bundle of nominations for Directors and Medical Officer of John Watson’s Institution
4/4	1823-01 Jan.	List		List of Commissioners of the Signet 1st Janury 1823; List of those Voted to be Directors of John Watsons Hospital 3rd Febry 1823
4/3	1823-02 Jul.	Commissioners’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Meeting of Commissioners as Managers of Watson’s Fund [Scroll Minutes]	Deputy Keeper, Jollie, Inglis, Aytoun, W. Mackenzie, Russell, Thomson, Campbell, R. Dundas, A. Gibson, Robinson, Cook, Storie, Donaldson, Irving, Forman (?), Gordon, Ainslie, Dickson, Young		Bill to change the purposes of the fund has now passed through the Houses of Parliament; thanks to Viscount Melville, William Dundas, and Henry Home Drummond for ‘valuable assistance’; thanks also to Commissioners; new Sederunt Book to be provided and the Act to be copied in after the minutes for this meeting; expenses incurred in procuring the Act=£409.16.9; Committee to consider regulations and management of the hospital (Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Aytoun, Storie, Cook, Donaldson, Russell); Committee to consider the proper situtation of the hospital (Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Robinson, R. Dundas, Jardine); Committee to advise on investment of the fund (Deputy Keeper, Jollie, R. Dundas, Young, Inglis)
4/3	1823-03 Feb.	Trustees’ Meeting (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	At a Meeting of the Trustees of John Watson’s Fund	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, and 55 others [with list of names]		Election of 12 Trustees (Davidson, Thomson, Jardine, Jollie, Young, Gibson, Inglis, Aytoun, Dundas, Storie, Cook, Gibson) and Henry Johnston as Medical Officer
4/4	1823-03 Feb.	Tally sheets		Votes for Directors
4/3	1823-03 Jun.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Minutes of Meeting of Directors of Mr J Watsons Trust Fund Ednr. 3 June 1823	Deputy Keeper, Jardine, A. Gibson, Inglis, Cook, Hathorn		Hathorn report on land and meetings with surveyer (Bell) and architect (Burn); meeting agreed that Nisbet’s land most suitable; Committee of Davidson, Thomson, and A. Gibson able to consult Treasurer without full meeting of Directors
4/3	1823-06 Feb.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	1st Meeting of Directors	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Davidson, Thomson, Jardine, Jollie, Young, A. Gibson, Inglis, Aytoun, Storie, Cook		Directors – acceptance of office; Mr Elliot’s final account; committee to ‘procure a proper piece of ground for the hospital’ (Jardine, Jollie, Aytoun, Storie, Cook); Treasurer’s report on calculations about amount of children to be admitted – adjourned at present
4/3	1823-09 Jun.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Minute of Meeting of a Committee of Directors of Mr John Watsons trust Fund Ednr. 9th June 1823	Deputy Keeper, Thomson, Cleghorn, Storie, Hathorn		Land negotiations
4/3	1823-10 Apr.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Sederunt of Commissioners and Meeting of Directors [of] Watson’s fund	Deputy Keeper, A. Gibson, Storie, Morison, Mowbray, Cleghorn, Napier, R. Dundas, Grieg		Watson’s Fund report; Treasurer’s Accounts; Loans [also: attendees of meeting of Directors of 12 May 1823 – Deputy Keeper, Hathorn, Davidson, A. Gibson, R. Dundas, Thomson, Inglis, Storie – adjourn until 19 May]
4/3	1823-10 Apr.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Meeting of Directors of John Watson’s Fund			Letter from John Nisbet’s agent; proposed land at the Dean
4/3	1823-10 Feb.	Note	Hathorn, Vans (or his clerk)	[note]		Princes Street	Draft minutes of Directors’ Meeting forwarded to Mr Finlayson
4/3	1823-12 Jul.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Minutes of a Meeting of the Directors for the Trustees of John Watson’s Fund	Hathorn, Thomson, Jollie, Inglis, Storie, Cook		Hathorn to preside in absence of Deputy Keeper; report on funds; loans approved
4/3	1823-13 Jun.	Letter	Mackenzie, Colin	[Letter to Vans Hathorn]			Will not be able to attend the Stated Meeting; Hathorn and any four of the other Directors will constitute a quorum in his absence
4/3	1823-15 Feb.	Committee Report (Treasurer’s Accounts)	Committee Appointed to Examine Treasurer’s Accounts	[report]			Account is accurate: Hathorn has not charged for his trouble – should be discussed at future meeting
4/3	1823-16 Jun.	Director’s Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institition	Minute of the Stated Meeting of the Directors of Mr John Watsons trust fund appointed by the Regulations to be held this day being the 3d Monday or 16th June 1823.	Hathorn (preses in absence of Deputy Keeper); Davidson, Thomson, Jollie, A. Gibson, Aytoun, Storie		Land and feu purchased; corrections to previous minutes
4/3	1823-17 Nov.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Statuatory Meeting of Directors of Watson’s Fund	Deputy Keeper, Hathorn, Jollie, Thomson, Storie, Cook		Treasurer’s report on loans and bonds; architect Burn attended the meeting to give his opinion about proposed changes to the plan for the building – portico instead of spire – Burn to submit new variations to Directors; copies of meeting minutes [note from Colin Mackenzie on front ot document: ‘Let Mr Hathon see this draft minute – I am not sure that the order was made for Duplicates of the Minutes & I doubt the propriety of being at that expence’; Reply by Hathorn: ‘The order was made – But untill duly considere, let it be struck out of the Minutes – I have done so ‘
4/3	1823-19 Feb.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Meeting of Directors	Deputy Keeper, Hathorn, Davidson, Inglis, Aytoun, A. Gibson, Storie, Cook, Young, Jardine		Report from auditors; Hathorn’s Table laid before the meeting; £20,000 to be lent for land
4/3	1823-19 May	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Minutes of Meeting of Directors of Mr J Watsons Trust Fund Ednr. 19 May 1823.	Deputy Keeper, Davidson, Thomson, Jardine, Aytoun, R. Dundas, Storie, Gibson-Craig, Hathorn		Location considerations
4/3	1823-29 Jan.	Meeting Notes	Watson’s Institution	[notes from meeting of 29 January 1823]	Deputy Keeper, Hathorn, Robinson, A. Gibson, Thomson, Stuart, Gorden, Forman, Irving, Inglis, Walker, Wright, Patrick, Storie, Cook, Jollie, Pearson, R. Mackenzie, Renton		Election of Medical Officer
4/3	1823-31 Mar.	Committee Meeting (Proper Situtation for John Watson’s Hospital)	Mackenzie, Colin	Minutes of a Meeting of a Committee of the Directors appointed by the Keepers and Commissioners of the Signet Trustees on John Watson’s Fund	Deputy Keeper, R. Dundas, Jardine, Jollie, Aytoun, Storie, Hathorn (Treasurer)		Land – part of the Dean Estate; negotiations with Sir John Nisbet about price; land ‘cannot be obtained on the terms now concerted’ [signed Colin Mackenzie]
4/3	1823-Feb.	Report	Hathorn, Vans	View of the Funds of Mr John Watson’s Trust, Submitted to the Consideration of the Directors by their Treasurer			Report on funds of John Watson’s Trust
4/3	1823-Feb.	Table	Hathon, Vans	Table: The Admission and progressive Continuance of Children in the Hospital under their Trust for the Maintenance and Education of Destitute Children			Spreadsheet detailing how the admissions will work [watermarked paper: “GC & G 1819” – with image of Britannia]
4/3	1823-Saturday	Note	Mackenzie, Colin	Instructions to call a meeting of Directors of John Watson’s Fund for James Bell
4/4	1824-01 July	Letter	Ramsay, Alexander	Letter to William Burn		Edinburgh	Quote of £9500 for mason work and materials for Watson’s Trust Hospital
4/4	1824-05 July	Table	Member of the Election Committee	Explanation of the mode of Election proposed by a Committee of Writers to the Signet and approved by the Society on 5 July 1824 – made out by a member of that Committee			Member of that Committee’ = Hathorn?
4/4	1824-06 July	Letter	Dinn, Walter Stewart	Letter to William Burn		18 Leopold Place, Edinburgh	Revised estimate for work and materials for Watson’s Trust Hospital
4/4	1824-12 Jun.	Letter	Dinn, Walter Stewart	Letter to Vans Hathorn		18 Leopold Place, Edinburgh	Quote of £21,152 for mason work, carpenter, joiner, glazier, smith, plumber, slater, plasterer; ‘If the different items mentioned in the specification are executed with Craigleith Stone in place of Redhall the difference will be Eight Hundred Pounds Sterling to be added to the above Sum’.
4/4	1824-15 Jun.	Table	Hathorn, Vans [?]	Table of Estimates for John Watsons Trust Hospital June 15.th 1824.			Estimates for various works from Turnbull, Macgibbon, Ritchie, Forsyth, Beattie, Anderson (of Leith), Fowler, Wallace & Son, John Dickson, Learmonth, Glover & Son, Robert Wright
4/3	1824-26 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Statuatory Meeting	Deputy Keeper, Davidson, A. Gibson, R. Dundas, Inglis, Storie		Amended plan for building sent to Lord Register; Burn requested to attend meeting when Lord Register sends his comments; draft minutes to be read immediately at end of meetings for approval
4/4	1824-30 Jun.	Letter	Patton, James	Letter to William Burn		Edinburgh	Quote of £7500 for providing building materials for Watson’s Trust Hospital
5/8	1826-07 June	Letter	Burn, William	Letter to Vans Hathorn		131 George Street	Poor quality of stone provided by Mr Johnstone of Redhall Quarry; Mr Inglis’s refusal to address the problem; Mr Ormiston’s inspection of the stone; another quarry desirable – cullilo [sic cullaloe] stone recommended for the portico and entablature ‘above the level of the principal front’; Redhall Quarry cannot reliable produce the stone required
5/8	1826-12 June	Minute: Committee on Buildings	Committee on Buildings	Meeting of Committee on Buildings, 12 June 1826	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Storie, Cook, Smith (assistant to Mr Burn)		Burn’s letter about supply of stone; Burn’s proposal approved; Mr Smith to inform Mr Burn
5/8	1826-14 Oct.	Proposal	Dinn, Walter Stewart	Proposal to Mr Burn for Directors of Mr John Watsons Fund By W. S. Dinn For alterations in the payments to him of…Instalments per Contract for building their Hospital			Schedule of payments for Dinn’s building progress
5/8	1826-18 Sep. [1827-13 Dec.]	Letter	Adam, Charles	Letter to Thomas Thomson		Blair Adam	Testimonial for William Thomson as Messenger in the Register Office – repurposed for Thomson’s application for the office of Porter [filed with Porter application]
5/8	1826-19 June	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Statutory Meeting of Directors being Third Monday of June, 19 June 1826	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, R. Dundas, Gibson-Craig, Aytoun		Treasurer’s Accounts, 1823-1826 to be examined; Minute of Committee on Buildings read and approved (re: Burn’s recommendations on change of stone); paper apart – delay in opening the Hospital – age of children to be admitted to be altered in consideration of this
5/8	1826-20 Dec.	Letter	Burn, William	Letter to Vans Hathorn		131 George Street	W. S. Dinn’s payment installments
5/8	1826-20 Nov.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Statutory Meeting of Directors of John Watsons fund, 20 November 1826	Hathorn, Jollie, Thomson, R. Dundas, Storie		Hathorn presiding in absence of Deputy Keeper; minutes of last meeing approved; treasurer’s accounts
5/8	1827-03 Feb.	Table	Hathorn, Vans	Table Relative to Children to be admitted into Mr John Watsons Hospital – Made by the Treasurer, Decembr 1826			Calculations of admissions with explanation
4/4	1827-03 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors 3.d Jan.y 1827	Hathorn, Aytoun, Jollie, Storie, R. Dundas, Craig, Cook, Burn		Treasurer’s allowance to be remitted to Committee; arrangements for paying Mr Dinn (contractor) approved; expence of building the Hospital estimated at £22,000; Hathorn’s table of admissions – copies to be made and distributed; report to be prepared for General Meeting of the Writers
4/5	1827-03 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors 2 Janry 1827	Hathorn, Jollie, R. Dundas, Gibson-Craig, Aytoun, Storie, Cook, Burn		Treasurer’s allowance; Treasurer’s accounts; Burn and Dinn – building contracts
5/8	1827-03 Jan.	Account	Hathorn, Vans	Sketch as to Mr John Watson’s Hospital by the Treasurer			Statement of expenses relating to building works
5/8	1827-03 Oct.	Testimonial	Thomson, William	Character reference for Thomas Stewart for position of Porter		Falkland	Character reference for Thomas Stewart for office of Porter signed by William Thomson, Robert Bruce, Andrew Reekie, Robert Drysdale [with Stewart’s Petition]
5/8	1827-04 Oct.	Testimonial	Coll, George	Character reference for Thomas Stewart for position of Porter		Falkland	Character reference for Thomas Stewart for office of Porter signed by George Coll, John Wise, Andrew Reidie [with Stewart’s Petition]
5/8	1827-04 Oct.	Testimonial	Jackson, Alexander	Character reference for Thomas Stewart for position of Porter		Falkland	Character reference for Thomas Stewart for office of Porter signed by Alexander Jackson and witnessed by Andrew Smith and James Lyell [with Stewart’s Petition]
5/8	1827-09 Jan,	Director’s Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors, 9 January 1827	Hathorn, Davidson, Jollie, Young, R. Dundas, Storie, Aytoun, Cook, Thomson, Gibson-Craig		Previous meeting minutes read and recorded; Hathorn’s Sketch and Table to be circulated among Directors; ‘Mr Aytoun mentioned that it seemed to him proper that the name of the Foundation should be “John Watson’s Institution”.
4/3	1827-09 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Meeting of Directors	Hathorn, Davidson, Jollie, Young, R. Dundas, Storie, Aytoun, Cook, Thomson, Gibson-Craig		Hathorn’s Report approved; Aytoun mentioned that the foundation should be called ‘John Watson’s Institution’
5/8	1827-09 Jan.	Report	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Report to the General Meeting of the Trustees of Mr John Watsons Fund, by the Directors, 9th January 1827			Report on progress of the building of the Institution with expenses, compiled by Vans Hathorn
5/8	1827-09 Oct.	Testimonial	Jameson, James	Character reference for Thomas Stewart for position of Porter		Drum by Falkland	Character reference for Thomas Stewart for office of Porter [with Stewart’s Petition]
5/8	1827-11 Oct.	Letter	Bruce, M. S.	Letter [recommendation for Thomas Stewart for position of Porter]		Nuthill, Falkirk	Letter of recommendation for Thomas Stewart for postion as Porter [with Stewart’s Petition]
4/4	1827-12 Dec.	Letter	Hathorn, Vans	Letter to Colin Mackenzie		Princes Street	Letter of resignation as Treasurer
4/4	1827-12 Dec.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors 12. Decem. 1827	Deputy Keeper, Hathorn, Balfour, Young, R. Dundas, R. Mackenzie, Jollie, Russell		Minutes read and approved; contractors’ expenses; insurance for buildings; Hathon’s letter [resignation]
4/4	1827-12 Dec.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors 12 Decem 1827	Deputy Keeper, Hathorn, Jollie, Young, R. Dundas, Balfour, R. Mackenzie, Russell		Mintues read and approved; insurance for buildings – £2000 each from The Friendly, North British, Hercules, Caledonian, Scottish Union; Hathorn’s resignation letter laid on the table for consideration at a future meeting (note pencilled in margin: ‘Since withdrawn…’)
4/4	1827-12 Dec.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Paper Apart 12 Dec.r			Building insurance; Dinn the Contractor for the buildings bankrupt and sequestered; Burn recommends paying Dinn an installment of £500; payment formerly denied because Dinn did not act to the contract regarding the supply of stone by switching the quarry from Redhall to Killaloe; meeting resolved to require Dinn and his co-obligants to acknowledge their reponsibility to complete the work in the terms of the contract; at least £500 ‘shall remain unpaid till they keys are actually delivered on the entire Completion of the Undertaking’; claim for non-performance of the contract to wait until work is completed
4/4	1827-13 Dec.	Letter	Syme, John	Letter to John Home		367 High Street	Offer to supply blankets, sheets, towels for Watson’s Institution ‘…as these goods are made generally by poor people in fifeshire they could be bought cheaper in small quantities than by contact with by contract when a large quantity is required….’
5/8	1827-13 Dec.	Petition; Testimonials	Thomson, William	Letter to the Governors of John Watsons Institution			Application for office of Porter with testimonials
4/4	1827-15 Dec.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Sederunt 15 Dec 1827	Hathorn, Inglis, Young, R. Mackenzie, Storie, Balfour, Jollie, Russell		Minutes read and approved; Treasurer authorised to pay Mr Horne £800
4/4	1827-15 Dec.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors 15th Dec.r 1827	Hathorn, Young, Inglis, Storie, Jollie, R. Mackenzie, Balfour, Russell		Minutes read and approved; Treasurer authorised to pay Mr Horne for contractors’ expenses
4/4	1827-15 Jan.	Trustees’ Meeting (Draft)	Trustees of John Watson’s Institution	Meeting of Commissioners as Trustees of John Watson’s Fund	Davidson, Gibson-Craig, R. Dundas, Cook, Hathorn, R. Mackenzie, Buchanan, Balfour, Inglis, Nelson, Davidson, J. Mackenzie, Grey, Robertson, Aytoun		Directors’ report read and approved; Hathron continued as Treasurer; election of Directors; decision about age extension for children tabled until the first meeting of the Trustees
4/5	1827-15 Jan.	Note of business		Note of business for consideration of the Trustees of John Watsons Institution at the Statuatory Meeting to be held on 15 Janry 1827			Praeses to be chosen; report from Directors; Three Directors to be elected; Treasurer to be elected; Motion by Deputy Keeper of 19 June to be read and kept on the table until next Monday
5/8	1827-15 Jan.	Trustees’ Meeting (Draft)	Trustees of John Watson’s Institution	Meeting of Commissioners as Trustees of John Watson’s Fund, 15 January 1827	Davidson, R. Dundas, R. Mackenzie, Balfour, Brown, Inglis, Wilson, Aytoun, Hathorn, Gibson-Craig, Cook, Buchanan, W. McKenzie, Greig, Robertson, Goldie		Report of Board of Directors read, approved, and ordered to be recorded; Election of new Directors by rotation; Treasurer re-elected; Vote of thanks to the Treasurer; motion to extend age of children to be admitted at its first opening
4/4	1827-18 Sep.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Directors 18 September 1827	Deputy Keeper, Young, Aytoun, Inglis, Jollie, Storie, R. Mackenzie, Russell, Gibson-Craig		Minutes of last meeting read and approved; applicants for Offices of Master and Matron – interviews arranged for selected candidates; testmonials for unsuccessful applications returned to them; Chalres Marshall selected as Master; Miss Helen Tait elected as Matron; Treasurer to arrange salaries of £100 for Master and £50 for Matron; time allowed for considering childrens’ applications to be extended until 17 Nov.; Committees for considering applications appointed
5/8	1827-18 Sep.	Petition	Martin, William	Petition of William Martin, Wright in Edinburgh		99 Rose Street, Edinburgh	Petition of William Martin for office of Porter; injured in accident while cleaning window in Walker Street and unable to return to his profession; confident he as full the post; wife takes in laundry but unable to make much because of number of others doing the same; with signatures of 19 subscribers, including Baron David Hume, testifying to his character and circumstances
4/4	1827-19 Nov.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Stated Meeting of Directors being 3.d Monday in November – 19 November 1827	Hathorn, Jollie, Young, Inglis, Storie, Balfour, Russell, R. Mackenzie		Treasurer authorised by Deputy Keeper to preside at the meeting; Minutes of last meeting read – to be engrossed in the Sederunt Book; Inglis proposed that all Directors should examine reports and lists of applications and comment before final decisions made; Committee ‘for setting up the Buildings’ – Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie; insurance
5/8	1827-21 Aug.	Certificate	Colquhoun, John	Testimonial for William Malcolm as Porter [membership of congregation]		Leith	Testimonial for William Malcolm for office of Porter [with other supporting documents for application as Porter]
4/4	1827-21 Dec.	Letter	Mackenzie, Colin	Letter to Vans Hathorn		Harcus Cottage, Eddleston	Unable to attend the selection of children; please proceed without him since he does not wish to postpone the meeting
5/8	1827-22 Jan.	Director’s Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Statuatory Meeting of Directors, 22 Janry 1827	Hathorn, R. Dundas, Storie, R. Mackenzie, Balfour, Russell		Meeting minutes read and approved; Election of Trustees by rotation; Treasurer to contact managers of different charitable institutions about duties and salaries of masters, matrons, teachers, and other officials – to be reported to a future meeting of Directors [two copies]
5/8	1827-22 Oct.	Petition	Russell, William	Petition of William Russell residing at Bells Mills		Bells Mills, Edinburgh	Petition of William Russell for office of Porter with signatures and comments of 8 subscribers testifying to his character
4/4	1827-26 Dec.	Letter	Hathorn, Vans	Letter to John Home		Princes Street	Withdrawal of resignation as Treasurer
4/4	1827-26 Dec.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Directors of John Watson’s Institution 26. Dec.r 1827	Hathorn, R. Dundas, Young, Jollie, Ingis, R. Mackenzie		Deputy Keeper’s letter about description of children to be admitted; Hathorn’s resignation withdrawn; £500 paid to building contractors; Medical Office to certify that candidates are of a sound constitution both in body & mind’; age of children to be admitted
5/8	1827-31 Aug.	Letter	Hopkirk, J. G.	Letter to John Home enclosing petition of Alexander Low for office of Porter		75 Great King Street	Letter enclosing petition of Alexander Low for office of Porter with testimonial of his service to the late Mr Glassford of Dougalstoun, the uncle of J. G. Hopkirk
4/4	1827-Nov.			State Containing No. of Applications by Commrs for Candidates to John Watsons Institution Nov 1827
5/8	1827-Oct.	Petition	Stewart, Thomas	Letter [job application for position of Porter]		Falkland	Application for position of Porter – endorsed by Willam Douglas WS, Walter Finlayson, George Heggie [Keggie]
5/8	1828-01 Apr.	Testimonial	Ogilvie, William	Testimonial for William Grant as Porter		Gardeners Crescent, Edinburgh	Character reference for William Grant for office of Porter
4/4	1828-02 July	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors held at John Watsons Institution, 2 July 1828	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, R. Dundas, Dickson, Cook, Storie, Russell		Treasurer to pay Mr Turnbull £100 (Porter’s Lodge); children to be admitted on 1 Aug. – Burn and Turnbull must have the building ready; copper boiler and ‘steelyard & Beam with Scales & weights’ approved – Treasurer to acquire; Committee for Education, management, maintenance (Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Dickson)
5/8	1828-03 Apr.	Memorandum	Hathorn, Vans	Memorandum to Mr Home			Committee to consider applications for position of porter; testimonials to be circulated to Directors
5/8	1828-03 Apr.	Testimonial	Mackenzie, Kincaid	Testimonial for David Mackay as Porter		George Heriot’s Hospital	Testimonial for David Mackay for office of Porter
4/4	1828-04 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors 4. Jany 1828	Hathorn, Jollie, Young, Aytoun, R. Dundas, Inglis, Cook, Balfour, R. Mackenzie, Russell		Interim reports of admission committees; committees to meet; reports to be laid before Directors’ meeting on 11 Jan.
4/4	1828-04 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors 4. Jan. 1828	Hathorn, Jollie, Young, Aytoun, R. Dundas, Inglis, Cook, Balfour, R. Mackenzie, Russell		Minutes read and approved; Cook read letter from Gibson-Craig – Storie concurred; Jolllie said that the terms of the Act (destitute children) should be the rule – Young and R. Mackenzie agreed; R. Dundas – no general rule so no exclusion of the ‘higher rank’; Inglis – no regulation but Directors ‘must exercise consideration in selection’; selection committee reports remitted
4/4	1828-05 Aug.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors, 5 Aug. 1828	Mackenzie (DKS); Hathorn, Davidson, Johnston (surgeon), Marshall (master), Tait (Matron)		Full meeting called but only three Directors attended; state of preparation for admitting the children; children to be admitted 12 August; children to be inspected by surgeon; clothing to be delivered; James Hamilton’s admission delayed as he’s unwell
5/8	1828-05 Jan.	Recommendation	Hopkirk, J. G.	Letter to John Home [recommendation of Alexander Low as Porter]		75 Great King Street	Recommendation of Alexander Low for office of Porter
5/8	1828-06 Mar.	Letter	Hathorn, Vans	Letter to John Home		Princes Street	Arrangements for applications for Porter
4/4	1828-07 Jan	Report	Joint Committee of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Report of a Joint Committee, of the Directors of John Watson’s Trust. Edinburgh 7th January 1828 … Also Boys proposed to be admitted	Hathorn, Jollie, Young, Storie, Cook		Meeting to consider selecting children; 75 applications for 25 places; recommendations – one child per family with the youngest preferred ‘as giving protection for the greatest number of years’; age limitation strictly enforced; List of boys propsed to be admitted: William Ballingal, James Hamilton, William Murray, P. McOmish, James Ramsay, F. C. Neilson, G. Miekle, David Ranken, W. B. Currie, William McLean, John Turnbull, John Hutchison, William Harmay, D. S. Thomson, J. W. Steele, J. R. Hervit, George Lindsay, William Walham, G Barry, H. G. Montignani, John Malcolm, Charles Sutherland, Nathaniel F. Gibson, Beatson Hutton
5/8	1828-08 Mar.	Testimonial	Various	Certificate of Willm Russells Character &c., 1828			Testimonial for William Russell for office of Porter with 6 signatories
4/4	1828-09 Apr.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors, 9 April 1828	Mackenzie (DKS); Hathorn, Inglis, Aytoun, Cook, Balfour, Russell, Davidson, Tytler, Dickson, Burn (architect)		Statement by Burn, re: Porter’s Lodge plan and estimate – costs not to exceed £300; petition from Elizabeth McAndrew to admit her daughter Mary in place of the deceased Jane – granted; Sutherland – request to admit different child – granted; master and matron wages; water supply; election of Porter – William Veitch for one year at £50
4/4	1828-09 Apr.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Jottings Minute of Directors, 9 April 1828	Mackenzie (DKS); Hathorn, Inglis, Aytoun, Cook, Balfour, Russell, Davidson, Tytler, Dickson, Burn (architect)		Porter’s Lodge remit – not to exceed £300; Mary McAndrew to be admitted in place of Jane McAndrew, deceased; Sutherland – admit different child; master and matron wages; water supply; election of Porter, William Veitch; dissertation on hospitals by Johnston; treasurer’s accounts to be presented
4/4	1828-09 Apr.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Paper Apart P3			Report by Mr Mackenzie on hospitals in Paris and Edinburgh drawn up by Mr David Johston – son of the Institution’s surgeon; annual reporting for the Institution
5/8	1828-09 Apr.	Petition	Robertson, William; Scott Moncreiff, William	Petition of William Robertson Servant to Mr Scott Moncreiff Accountant Edinburgh		India Street, Edinburgh	Petition and Testimonial for William Robertson for office of Porter
4/4	1828-10 Jan.	Report	Joint Committee of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Report of Joint Committee as to Girls proposed to be admitted 10. Jan.ry 1828	R. Mackenzie, Aytoun, Ingis, [Balfour]		Recommended Girls: Johanna Lawson, Margaret Gilchrist, Alison Hewitt, Jane Christian Kirkly, Jane Young, Anne Burke, Christian Murray, Helen Ogilvy, Charlotte Williamson, Sarah Ann Gales, Anne Byrie Main, Jean McAndrew, Mary Graham, Jane Grieve, Eleanor C. Lawson, Margaret Smith, Agnes Russell, Margaret Anderson, Mary Ann Lawson, Margaret Shaw, Jane Ogilvy, Janet Hall, Marianne Nisbet, Mary Stewart Binning, Helen Johnston
5/8	1828-10 Mar.	Letter	Cockburn, R. & J.	Letter to Directors of John Watson’s Institution [Testimonial for William Malcolm as Porter]		Leith	Testimonial for William Malcolm for office of Porter
5/8	1828-10 Mar.	Letter	Thorburn, William & Sons	Recommendation for William Malcolm as Porter		Leith	Testimonial for William Malcolm for office of Porter
4/4	1828-11 & 20 Aug.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors at the home of the Treasurer, 11 Aug. 1828 [and 20 Aug. 1828]	Treasurer, Davidson, Dickson, Cook – not quorate [11 Aug.]; Mackenzie (DKS), Treasurer, Davidson, Cook, Dickson [20 Aug.]		Children to be received on 12 Aug.; children to attend Stockbrige Chapel Sunday next; surgeon to inspect children; Directors to attend admission; note: 12 Aug. – 21 girls and 11 boys admitted [11 Aug.]; [20 Aug.] Minutes of previous meeting to be taken as quorate and entered into the Sederunt Book; children admitted; suppliers: Mr Fletcher – meal and barley; Mr Samson (?) baker of bread; John & Andrew Grays – coats; Mr Grieve – butcher for meat; Directors have power to cancel contracts; Treasurer’s report on credit; James Hamiltonnot to be admitted; William Gardiner has died leaving a vacancy; John Hutchinson otherwise provided for so will not attend
4/4	1828-11 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors 11.th January 1828	Hathorn, Jollie, Inglis, Aytoun, Storie, Cook, Balfour, R. Mackenzie		Reports of the Joint Committees considering the admissions of boys and girls; proposed children to be admitted pending inspection by the surgeon and statement of morals to be vetted by Master and Matron for those above the age of 8; recommenders to be advised of admission or rejection of their applicants; report for Trustees to be prepared; Treasurer’s accounts to be prepared; R. Mackenzie to join the committee for setting up and furnishing the buildings in prepartion for opening
4/4	1828-11 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors 11. Jany 1828	Hathorn, Jollie, Inglis, Aytoun, Storie, Cook, Balfour, R. Mackenzie		Applications for boys remitted to Committee; Master and Matron to ‘enquire as to the morals & habits of the parents of the Children’; Treasurer’s accounts remitted; Aytoun – friends and relatives who recommended the children expected to provide security for them
4/4	1828-11 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors 11 Jany 1828	Hathorn, Jollie, Inglis, Aytoun, Storie, Cook, Balfour, R. Mackenzie		Reports from Joint Committee on admissions; applications to be reconsidered; children listed to be admitted; testimonials to be returned; Treasurer’s accounts; [paper apart] determination of morals for children over 8
5/8	1828-11 Mar.	Letter	Russell, William	Letter to John Home [enclosing certificate of character from Miss Walker]		Bells Mills, Edinburgh	Encloses support William Russell’s petition for office of Porter
4/4	1828-11 Sep.	Order	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Order for Meeting of Directors of Watson’s Fund on Thursday Sept. 11. 1828	Deputy Keeper, Hathorn, Storie, Dickson, Russell		Death of Joanna Lawson; Committee members to attend funeral; Dr Dickson to be invited to attend funeral; Commitee to decide appropriate place for internment
4/4	1828-11 Sep.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors, 11 September 1828	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Storie, Dickson, Russell		Meeting called in consequence of death of Joanna Lawson; Directors to discuss if they should purchase a burying ground or have one within the Institution grounds; appropriate portion of the ground belonging to the Institution decided; Hathorn and any other available Directors to attend funeral; Mr Martin, minister of the chapel of Stockbridge to be invited to attend; children to attend church service; Committee to go to the ground to ‘fix the place of Internment
4/4	1828-12 July	Letter	Tweedie, John	Letter to John Home		Edinburgh	Covering letter for application for Jane and John Brown to be admitted to Watson’s Hospital ‘singed by my worthy old Friend M. McFarlane’
5/8	1828-12 Mar.	Testimonial	Ogilvy, James; Gordon, J. F.	Testimonial regarding Wm. Martin			Testimonial for William Martin for office of Porter; ‘I do not think the Man Martin can be properly described as and Active Man, for he is a little lame & otherwise not strong, tho’, so far as I know, always able to go about & to attend to any duty, and I believe very attentive to it.’
5/8	1828-15 Mar.	Recommendation	Hopkirk, J. G.	Letter to John Home [further details of Alexander Low’s application as Porter]		75 Great King Street	Further details of Alexander Low’s application for office of Porter: he is 51 and a widower without children, ‘If however, a married Man be preferred, he Says he could not find differently in being provided with an active respectable help mate by the time the Governors required him’.
4/4	1828-16 Jun.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Stated Meeting of Directors, 16 June 1828	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Davidson, Storie, R. Dundas, Cook, Balfour, Dickson, Russell		Minutes of last meeting read and approved; accommodation for children at a church – Stockbridge Chapel of Ease in parish of West Kirk; furniture order for rooms ‘as seem to require being immediately furnished’; matron and servants to move in as soon as possible; building to be ready to receive children no later than 1 July; contracts for meal and provisions; boys admissions committee
4/4	1828-16 Jun.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Stated Meeting of Directors, 16 June 1828	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Davidson, Storie, R. Dundas, Cook, Balfour, Dickson, Russell		Church arrangements; report from Preparation Committee – master, mistress, and servants to live in the building immediately; provisions
4/4	1828-17 Jan.	Commissioners’ Minutes (Draft)	Commissioners of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Commissioners 17 January 1828	Hathorn, R. Mackenzie, Goldie, Ferrier, Morrison, Watson, Cook, Monypenny, Balfour, Jollie, R. Dundas, Herman, Mowbray, Nairne, Lawson, Dickson, Russell, Storie, Grey, Wilson, Stuart, Wright, Renton, Heriot, Walker		Hathorn to preside; Colin Mackenzie has resigned as Deputy Keeper; Richard Mackenzie and James Hope to be Commissioners
4/4	1828-17 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors 17. Jan. 1828	R. Mackenzie, Hathorn, Jollie, R. Dundas, Storie, Balfour, Cook, Russell		Minutes read and approved; annual report approved
4/4	1828-17 Jan.	Motion	Hathorn, Vans	Motion at Meeting of Commissioners 17 Janry 1828			Motion to thank Colin Mackenzie for his service and wish that his health may be stored by his retirement
4/4	1828-20 Mar.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors, 20 March 1828	Deputy Keeper, Hathorn, Davidson, Inglis, Gibson-Craig, Aytoun, Russell, Dickson, Balfour, Storie, R. Dundas, Cook, Johnston (surgeon)		Minutes of last meeting read and approved; finances – Horne bankruptcy; accepted children inspected by surgeon (Beatson Hutton has ringworm so can’t be admitted; Barbara Richardson Mein has scald head so can’t be admitted)
4/4	1828-21 Oct.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors, 21 Oct. 1828	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Davidson, Gibson-Craig, Aytoun, Storie, Dickson, Cook, Russell, Balfour		Building costs estimate; Treasurer to arrange monthly committee meetings for Directors; allowance for physician – £140; DKS to communicate with Mr Peat re: H. Nilson’s child [?]; ‘Girl dead’; Mr Tod’s recommendations – Robert Lorimor, not admitted, William McInnes-does not appear in Hathorn’s list
4/5	1828-21 Oct.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors 21 Oct. 1828	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Davidson, Gibson-Craig, Aytoun, Storie, Dickson, Russell, Cook, Balfour		Proposal for a temporary loan from Royal Bank of £1500 – approved; John Colin Wilson WS has gone to Americal leaving behind his wife, daughter of Thomas Peat WS, and four young children destitute – proposal to admit a boy (7) to the Institution – no vancancies at present – DKS to enquire about particulars and report to the next meeting
5/8	1828-22 Mar.	Petition	Taylor, John; Wilson, Robert	The Petition of Robert Wilson Servant to John Taylor Attorney in Exchequer			Job application and testimonial from employer
4/4	1828-25 Aug.	Report of Report; Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Committee on Admission of Boys; Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Report of Committee on Admission of Boys, 25 Aug. 1828; Minutes of Meeting of Directors, 2 Sept. 1828	[Committee] Hathorn, Storie, Cook; [Meeting] Mackenzie (DKS), Hathorn, Aytoun, Storie, Cook, Davidson, Dickson		[Committee] Three vacancies for boys: William Gardiner (dead); John Hutchinson (otherwise provided for); James Hamilton (not to admitted due to health); Three recommended boys: George Gregson (b. 11 Feb. 1820); Robert Smith Robertson (b. 3 May 1821); Thomas Waters (b. 30 Nov. 1821); [Meeting] Committee recommendations approved; William Watson also to be admitted
4/4	1828-26 Feb.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors 26 ffebry 1828	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Cook, Aytoun, Storie, Dickson, R. Dundas, Gibson-Craig, Balfour Burn		Supplier of stone anxious for payment; payment arrangements for Burn and Dinn; accepted girl Ann Byrie Main has died – mother requests that her daughter Barbara Main be accepted instead – approved; Matron would like to visit accepted children living near Edinburgh so that she can make their clothes appropriately; bond debtors
4/4	1828-28 Jan.	Commissioners’ Minutes (Draft)	Commissioners of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Commissioners 28 Jan.y 1828 Also Meeting of Directors of Watson’s Institution 28 Jan 1828	R. Mackenzie, Lawson, Walker, Heriot, Grieg, Renton, Tytler, Brown, Inglis, Bell, Anslie, Dickson, Nairne, Nolle [Commissioners]; R. Mackenzie, Hathorn, Davidson, R. Dundas, Inglis, Dickson, Tytler [Directors]		[Commissioners]: [Treasurer election?]; [Directors]: new Directors elected; Committee for fitting the buildings; water supply
4/5	1828-29 Dec.	Order	Mackenzie, Richard	Order		Edinburgh	Notice of meeting of Provision Committee on Wednesday
5/8	1828-29 Mar.	Letter	Rhind, John	Letter to John Home [Character reference for Joseph Sutherland as Porter]		Friendly Insurance Office, Edinburgh	No hesitation in recommending Sutherland for office of Porter
5/8	1828-29 Mar.	Letter	Blair, I. Hunter (Miss)	Letter to John Home [Character reference for Joseph Sutherland as Porter]		3 Walker Street, Edinburgh	Testimonial for Joseph Sutherland for office of Porter
5/8	1828-29 Mar.	Letter	Kennedy, Frances	Letter to John Home [Character reference for Joseph Sutherland as Porter]		6 Abercromby Place,Edinburgh	Testimonial for Joseph Sutherland for office of Porter
5/8	1828-31 Mar.	Petition	Sutherland, Joseph	Your Petitioner Joseph Sutherland…			Job application: is 57, wife and six children – 4 sons and 2 daughters with details of their ages and employments; was employed by the late John Rhind from 1807 to 1825 as a carpenter – his son will be able to supply a character; now unemployed
5/8	1828-31 Oct.	Letter	Walker, Miss	Recommendation of ‘the bearer’ [William Russell] as Porter		5 Gloucester Place, Edinburgh	Testimonial for office of Porter
5/8	1828-Apr.	Recommendation	Brown, Robert	Recommendation for William Grant as Porter			Testimonial for William Grant for office of Porter
4/4	1828-Jan.	Letter (Draft)	Bell, James (by order of the Keeper)	Letter for the General Meeting to elect a Treasurer Jany 1828			Letter announcing procedure for electing Treasurer
4/4	1829-02 July	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors, 2 July 1829	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Storie, Cook, Renton, Dickson, J. Mackenzie		Death of Beatson Hutton – family has taken remains for internment; John Dickson to be admitted – date of birth recorded in family bible as 24 Dec. 1821 and this deemed sufficient proof of age; examination of children to take place on Monday next; William Veitch, Porter, to give notice of this to relations of the children that one of them for each child might attend; two ministers of St Cuthbert’s, Mr Martin (minister of Stockbridge Chapel), John Wood (advocate), and Lord Provost of Edinburgh to be invited; some small premiums to be arranged to be given to the children after the examination; DKS and Treasurer – or either of them – to grant leave of absence for any of the children during the vacation ‘as they should judge proper’; children to be admitted to attend Tuesday next to have their measurements taken for their clothes
4/5	1829-03 Mar.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors 3. March 1829	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Dickson, Renton, Russell, Balfour		Treasurer presented report – approved; Case of the child whose father is alive – should be admitted – no; Payment to Mr Burn, architect
4/5	1829-05 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors 5 Jan. 1829	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, R. Dundas, Gibson-Craig, Aytoun, Cook, Dickson, Russell		Plan for an iron gateway at the Lodge – approved; Joanna Sampson has died before being admitted; state of vacancies to be reported to Commissioners so that they may have the opportunity to recommend children; Committee assigned to consider the Northwest Field; Stocks; Committee assigned to consider Treasurer’s accounts
4/4	1829-08 Jun.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors, 8 June 1829	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Davidson, Jollie, Gibson-Craig, Storie, Cook, Renton, Dickson, Balfour, J. Mackenzie		Examinations to take place on 4 July; Master Mr Marshall to have three weeks leave after that; ‘some proper person’ to reside and officiate in the house in his absence; either of the two Visiting Directors to approve visitors (‘strangers’); family members to be allowed visits on first Monday of each month from 13:30 to 15:00 to see children in presence of Master and Matron; any Director can accompany any visitant at any time with himself; Committee appointed to direct the laying of the ground of the Institution has full powers to do what thay think proper; surgeon to be allowed £100 including medicines; applications for 8 girls’ and 8 boys’ places have been circulated; boys to be admitted: John Waterson, John Robert Brown, John Kinnear, R. A. Van Staveren, H. A. Fraser, William Menelaus, George H. Gibson; girls to be admitted: Matilda O’Flaherty, Mary B. Shiels, Mary Grant, Margaret Currie, Wilhelmina Laurie, Charlotte E. Twaddle, Janet Tait, Anne Williamson; Storie submitted that the case of Jane Douglas was more destitute than that of Anne Williamson; case remitted to Committee to decide if Jane Douglas or Anne Williamson should be admitted
4/5	1829-09 Mar.	Commissioners’ Minutes (Draft); Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Commissioners of John Watson’s Fund; Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of Commissioners as Trustees of Watson’s Fund, 9. March 1829; also Meeting of Directors, 9. March 1829	Commissioners: Deputy Keepers (Mackenzie; Hope), Treasurer, Storie, Dickson, Robertson, Brown, Walker, Nairne, Balfour, Renton Watson, Gordon, Heriot; Directors: Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Storie, Dickson, Cook, Russell		Commissioners: Directors’ Report approved, next intake 15 May – children aged between 5 and 8; Directors: Schedule of particulars for admission approved – printed copies to be circulated by the Clerk
4/5	1829-09 Mar.	Directors’ Report	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Report from the Directors to a General Meeting of the Trustees of John Watson’s Fund, 9 March 1829			Recommendation to admit 8 boys and 8 girls at next intake in July, plus one child ‘[Either Boy or Girl]’ to fill extant vacancy
4/4	1829-16 Nov.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	State Meeting of Directors 3d Monday 16th Nov 1829	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, R. Dundas, Storie, Cook, Gibson-Craig, Balfour, Dickson, Jollie, Renton		Treasure produced Minute Book of the Visiting Committees – minute from 30 Oct. Read; Mr Fraser to order for the Institution a book called The Kildare Tract Library published in Dublin; maps to be ordered; Mr Marshall to order any other books and maps needed; oil cloth in the children’s washing rooms; Burns estimates from contractors (Mackay, Turnbull); Turnbull to be selected; Treasurer’s accounts; election of Directors; Stockbridge Chapel accommodation; Mr Martin would like to visit the Institution occasionally – granted
4/4	1829-18 Nov.	Letter	Marshall, Charles	Letter to Richard Mackenzie		John Watson’s Institution	Three boys ‘absent for some time’ – would like instructions from Directors; ‘Female servants are by no means competent to take charge of them…the Boys neither respect them or stand in awe of them’
4/5	1829-19 Aug.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors, 19 Augst 1829	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Russell, Jollie, Cook		Treasurer to request plan for the ground in front of the Instiution from Mr Burn; complaint from Miss Tait [Head Mistress] about poor quality of meat – contractor to be warned of removal if ‘meats of the least quality’ are furnished; £500 to be paid to Mr Burn; sale of equivalent stock
4/5	1829-19 Jan.	Commisioners’ Meeting Meeting (Draft)	Commissioners of John Watson’s Fund	Statutory Genl Meeting of Commiss.ers as Trustees of John Watsons Institution	Deputy Keeper, Hathorn, R. Dundas, Storie, Cook, Nairne, Heriot, Renton, Robertson, Irving, Walker, Jollie, W. Bell		Election of Treasurer and Directors; Minutes of Trustees Meeting of 21 Jan. 1828 read; Report of proceedings since Jan. 1828 read and approved;
4/5	1829-21 Jan.	Letter	Hathorn, Vans	Letter to John Home			Return of revised minutes from meeting of 19 Jan.; enclosed nominations for new Directors (Jollie, Renton, J. Mackenzie)
4/5	1829-23 Feb.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors 23. Feb. 1829	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Storie, Cook, Dickson, Renton, Balfour		Mr Marshall’s letter re: grounds outside the building – remitted to Committee for Furnishings and Preparations; Purchase of maps approved in addition to maps of the World and Europe, viz. Asia, Africa, America, British Isles; regulations for Porter to be considered when gate is installed; admission of additional children to be considered; Sale of stock; Treasurer’s accounts; Allowance for surgeon’s expenses to be considered
4/5	1829-23 Mar.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors, 23 March 1829	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Cook, Renton, R. Dundas, Storie, Russell, J. Mackenzie		Treasurer’s report – Mr Burn’s request for additional payment of £500 – not authorised, but payment of £200 approved; Louisa Grant, daughter of an officer who died in India to be admitted to the Institution; Mr Marshall, request for leave following the Examination of the children and request for Directors’ opinion about parents visiting the children
4/4	1829-23 Nov.	Letter	Marshall, Charles	Letter to Richard Mackenzie		John Watson’s Institution	Seeking permission to attend the Church History sessions of the Theological Class at Divinity Hall
4/4	1829-24 Nov.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors, 24 Nov. 1829	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, R. Dundas, Jollie, Gibson-Craig, Storie, Renton, Dickson, J. Mackenzie		Treasurer has ordered ‘the Book called Kildare Street Library’ for the Institution; Jollie added to Treasurer’s Accounts Committee; Charles Marshall’s request to attend the Theological Class – granted for the present session; report of absconding boys
4/5	1829-24 Nov.	Directors Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors, 24 November 1829	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, R. Dundas, Storie, Gibson-Craig, Dickson, Jollie, Renton, J. Mackenzie		Treasurer has ordered ‘the Book called Kildare Street Library to be got for the Institution’; Jollie to be added to Treasurer’s Account Committee; Mr Marshall granted permission to attend the Theological Class at the College; three boys ran away – one has returned – Master to determine punishment on first offence, subsequent faults to be remitted to Directors
4/5	1829-26 Dec.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors at Dy Keepers Chambers, 26 Dec 1829	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, R. Dundas, Storie, Gibson-Craig, Russell, Dickson		Matron’s request for a female assistant; two boys afflicted with ‘an infectious complaint’; committee to consider Matron’s request (Storie, Russell, Dickson); gates of the Institution to be kept locked – porter’s wife or daughter to answer bell and admit or refuse visitors in his absence
4/5	1829-27 July	Commissioners’ Minutes (Draft)	Commissioners of John Watson’s Fund	Minutes of Committee regarding the Sale of Equivalent Stock, 27 July 1829	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Gibson-Craig, Jollie, Balfour		Report on sale of equivalent stock
4/5	1829-27 May	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors, 27 May 1829	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Davidson, Jollie, Russell, Storie, Renton, Balfour, Dickson, J. Mackenzie, Tytler		Minutes of last meeting read and approved; Mr Burn’s payment to be settled; Committee to admit girls (R. Mackenzie, Dickson, Balfour, Hathorn, Cook, Gibson-Craig, Tytler); Committee to admit boys (Jollie, Renton, Russell, R. Dundas, Davidson, Storie, J. Mackenzie); Equivalent stock committee (Balfour, Jollie, Gibson-Craig) to settle transaction with Mr Thomson [with order of meeting to admit 8 girls on 9 June]
4/5	1829-29 Apr.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors, 29 April 1829	Deputy Keepr, Jollie, Gibson-Craig, Russell, Renton, Dickson, J. Mackenzie		Mintues of last meeting approved, Mr Burn to be notified by the Clerk regarding his additional allowance, Master’s complaint about poor quality bread furnished by Mr Newton – previous complaints have not been addressed – Newton’s contract will not be renewed and new supplier (‘some Baker of repectability’) to be found by the Clerk; new supplier to be given one day’s warning by Directors in new contract; work on leveling th ground at the Institution to begin without delay
4/5	1829-3 Jun.	Letter	Goddard, William	Letter to John Home		Leith	Enquiry about status of application of ‘Orphan Girl Wilhelmina Laurie’
4/2	1830-01 June	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Minute of Meeting of Directors, 1 June 1830	Hope, Hathorn, Jollie, Renton, Dickson, Mackenzie		Meeting for Mr Marshall (Master) and Miss Mollison (Matron) to take Oath de fideli
4/4	1830-01 May	Letter	Pearson, Margaret	Letter: application for Matron position			with note of 12 May 1830: ‘My testimonials + other documents have this day been returned by Mr Home’.
4/4	1830-01 May	Letter	Graham, James	Letter: encloses application and testimonials for Harriet Allan as Matron		12 Raeburn Place, Edinburgh	Notes that ‘Mrs Allan’s three children will be taken charge of by her friends should she be fortuate enough to prove the successul candidate’.
5/8	1830-03 May	List		List of those who have offered themselves to be Matron of John Watsons Institution with the particulars of each of their cases, 3 May 1830			Applications for position of Matron
4/4	1830-04 May	Letter	Chalmers, John	Letter: request for a copy of Watson’s regulations for ‘My friend Miss Syme’		38 George Square, Edinburgh
5/8	1830-05 Apr.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors, 5 April 1830	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Cook, Dickson, Moneypenny, J. Mackenzie, Hope Jr		Minutes of last meeting to be entered in the Minute Book; Matron’s uncivil behaviour to two lady visitors when they criticised the cleanliness of the Institution
5/8	1830-05 Apr.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors, 5 April 1830	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Cook, Jollie, Dickson, J. Mackenzie, Monypenny, J. Hope jnr	friendly Insurance Office, Edinburgh	Enquiry about Matron- Treasurer, Jollie, Cook to enquire and report; Report on the role of the Treasurer read; Proposed regulations for Master, Matron, and other Officers approved – clerk to print 130 copies; Annie Burke – delicate health, Dr Abercrombie requested to attend with surgeon – case uncertain and child removed from the Institution
4/4	1830-05 July and 30 July	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	S. Minutes of Meeting of Directors 5 July 1830 and Minutes of Directors 30 July 1830	Deputy Keeper Mackenzie, Hathorn, Davidson, Jollie, Cook, Dickson, Renton, Russell, J. Mackenzie, Hope Jr, Nairne [5 July]: Deputy Keeper, Hathorn, Dickson, Renton, Cook, Balfour, Russell, Hope Jr, Nairne [30 July]		Children examined in reading, grammar, accenteration, meanings, sacred biography, ancient and modern history, geography, writing, arithmetic, drawing, exercise in composition; specimens of needleswork exhibited and ‘much approved’; prizes given to boys and girls and entred in the Day Book at the Institution [5 July]; finances; duties of the Porter and the proposed assistant to the Matron [30 July]
4/2	1830-08 Apr.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Meeting of Directors, 8th April 1830	Hope, Dickson, Cook, Renton, Mackenzie, Jollie, Monypenny		Miss Tait unsuitable as Matron, to be removed and replaced
4/2	1830-08 Apr.	Jottings	Hope, James; Watson’s Institution	Jottings Minute of Meeting of Directors, 8. Ap.l 1830	Hope, Hathorn, Dickson, Mackenzie, Monypenny, Jollie, Cook, Russell		Dismissal of Miss Tait as Matron
4/2	1830-08 Mar.	Report	Watson’s Institution	Report of the Committee of John Watson’s Institution on the Domestic Management of the Establishment, 8 March 1830			Rules, regulations, and suggested improvements for the Master, Matron, Children, Surgeon, Women Servants, Porter, Visiting Directors, Treasurer
4/2	1830-10 May	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Meeting of Directors 19. May 1830 and 25 May	Hope, Hathorn, Renton, Jollie, Nairne, Monypenny, Dickson, Balfour		Meeting to consider applications for admission [no further notes]
4/4	1830-10 Nov.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	S. Minutes of Meeting of Directors 10 November 1830	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Dickson, Balfour, Monypenny, Jollie, J. Mackenzie, Russell, Hope Jr		Report from the Education Committee (Latin teaching and setting up a small museum); matters remitted to the Education Committee
4/2	1830-11 June	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Minutes of Directors Watson’s Institution, 11 June 1830	Hope, Hathorn, Jollie, Dickson, Renton, Russell, Mackenzie, Monypenny		Examination of children to take place on 5 July; Marshal (Master) to have three weeks leave of absence; temporary Master to be found and paid not more than £5; Lord Provost of Edinburgh, two ministers of St Cuthbert’s, Mr Martin (minister of Stockbridge Chapel), and Mr John Wood (advocate) should be invited to attend; William Veith (Porter) to invite relatives of the children – ‘one for each of them might attend the Examination if they are so inclined’; small gifts for the children to be arranged; leave of absence for children during the vacation: new attendees to arrive on 2 Aug. and those who live in or near Edinburgh should be measured for their clothes; letter from the Treasurer read on state of finances; Treasurer to provide report on past and present income for the meeting of 21 Aug.
4/2	1830-12 May	Director’s Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Minute of Meeting of Directors, 12 May 1830	Hope, Hathorn, Gibson-Craig, Renton, Balfour, Nairne, Hope junior, Jollie, Dickson, Davidson, Mackenzie, Cook, Monypenny		Selection of Matron to replace Miss Tait; Miss Mollison unanimously elected
4/2	1830-12 May	Director’s Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Minute of Meeting of Directors, 12 May 1830	Hope, Hathorn, Cook, Gibson-Craig, Davidson, Jollie, Dickson, Mackenzie, Monypenny, Nairne, Hope junior		Consideration of canditates for Matron position; election of Miss Mollison; unsucessful candidates to have their papers and testimonials returned to them
4/2	1830-12 Oct.	Director’s Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Minutes of Directors of Jn.o Watsons Institution, 12. Oct. 1830 – For Mr. Mackenzie’s Revisal	Hope, Jollie, Renton, Dickson, Nairne, Mackenzie, Monypenny		Mr. Marshall’s (Master) proposal that Thomas Craig be his assistant; Mr Renton proposes that the school be single sex (male); proposal for Latin to be taught
4/5	1830-15 Jan,	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors, 15 January 1830	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, R. Dundas, Cook, Renton, J. Mackenzie		Minutes of meeting of 26 Dec. 1829 read; Committee to consider appointment of female servant has visited the Institution and found ‘serious instances of Mismanagement’ – children dirty – a full written report to be provided; computation by Hathorn about number of children [separate document]; draft annual report [2 versions]
4/2	1830-15 Sept.	Applications	Watson’s Institution	State of the Applications made for the Office of Porter to John Watson’s Institution			Spreadsheet with name of applicant, occupation and residence, unmarried/married, Age and other observations; 32 applicants listed
4/2	1830-16 Sept.	Committee Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Minutes of Meeting of Committee of the Jn. Watson’s Institution	Hope, Hathorn, Dickson, Hope junior, Monypenny, Mackenzie		Meeting on the office of porter with the Education Committee present; selected canditates to be interviewed on 22 Sept.; proposed salary £40
4/5	1830-17 Apr.	Job application	McColl, Margaret	Application to be Matron		Newkilpatrick	Has seen notice of position in an Edinburgh paper; father and uncle are teachers; uncle keeps an academy for boys – she has ‘charge of the whole establishment with two servants under me’; teaches at both estalishements and keeps accounts; would not be comfortable with bargaining at market for clothes, etc as she does mending in house; attracted by salary as it’s £25 more than she’s making currently; husband settled in America following ‘imprudent speculations’; wants to pay her parents back for the money they lost; can provide reference; would appreciate hearing result; available from early June; ‘P.S. my age is 31 which I hope is not too young, McM.’
4/5	1830-18 Jan.	Trustees’ Meeting (Draft)	Trustees of John Watson’s Institution	Annual Stated Meeting of Trustees, 18 Janry 1830	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Storie, Jollie, Mowbray, Balfour, Renton, Cook, Nairne, Heriot, Walker, Patrick		Directors’ report read and approved; election of new Directors by rotation: Monypenny, Nairne, J. Hope in place of R. Dundas, Storie, and J. Tytler who has resigned; Hathorn re-elected as Treasurer
4/5	1830-18 Jan.	Commissioners’ Minutes (Draft)	Commissioners of John Watson’s Institution	Statutory General Meeting of Commissioners as Trustees of John Watsons Instition 18th being 3d Monday of Janry 1830	Deputy Keepers, Mackenzie, J. Hope, Hathorn, Jollie, Mowbray, Patrick, Storie, Walker, Heriot, Renton, Balfour, Cook, Nairne		Report of Board of Directors read, approved, and ordered to be recorded; Election of new Directors by rotation; Treasurer re-elected
4/5	1830-18 Jan.	Report	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Report by the Directors of John Watsons Fund, 18th Jany 1830			Admissions – 7 boys and 8 girls; Beaton Hutton [?] died and was buried by his family in Leith – another boy selected and admitted in his place; Louisa Grant taken away by her relations and her sister Mary Grant ‘tho’ chosen’ will not attend – another girl chosen in her place; 34 boys and 33 girls in the Institution; building works finished and building furnished; grounds still be be completed; Income reduced meaning that only 6 boys and 6 girls will be admitted; state of the Trust funds
4/4	1830-20 Aug.	Letter	Hathorn, Vans	Letter: re: applications for Porter position		Princes Street
4/4	1830-20 Aug.	Letter	Balfour, James	Letter: request to send names of Committe of Directors who will select the Porter for Watson’s
4/2	1830-20 Feb.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Meeting of Directors, at the Rooms of the Institution, 20. February 1830	Hope, Hathorn, Jollie, Gibson-Craig, Renton, Mackenzie, Balfour, Russell, Nairne		Two boys, James Ramsay and William Keith Sutherland, both aged 12, have run away from the school but have returned. This was the second occurance. No reason given, but Ramsay (‘a stupid kind of boy’…’rude to the Girls’…’a bad boy’) had been punished the day before. Sutherland had been ‘generally behaved well’ but was influenced by Ramsay. Both boys to be dismissed and returned to their relatives.
4/2	1830-20 Feb.	Draft letter	Watson’s Institution	[draft letter to Mrs Sutherland and Mr Shippen notifying them of dismisal of James Ramsay and William Keith Sutherland from the school in 23 Feb. 1830 at 2 pm]
5/8	1830-22 Mar.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors, 22 March 1830	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Cook, Renton, Nairne, Dickson, J. Mackenzie, Balfour, Hope Jr, Moneypenny		Report of the Committee appointed for inspecting the internal management of the Institution considered – assistant to the Master and assistant female teacher to be appointed; Application of Agnes Thomson, daughter of John Thomson, farmer of North Berwick Mains – to be admitted; Five boys and five girls to be admitted next summer; consideration of the ‘rank’ of children to be admitted – recommend ‘rank above the lowest orders of Society’; Master and Matron to continue; Table to be ‘filled up by the visiting Directors in making their Reports’ to be implemented
5/8	1830-22 Mar.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors, 22 March 1830 [scroll minutes]	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Cook, Renton, Nairne, Dickson, J. Mackenzie, Balfour, Hope Jr, Moneypenny		Report of the Committee appointed for inspecting the internal management of the Institution considered – assistant to the Master and assistant female teacher to be appointed; Application of Agnes Thomson, daughter of John Thomson, farmer of North Berwick Mains – to be admitted; Five boys and five girls to be admitted next summer; consideration of the ‘rank’ of children to be admitted – recommend ‘rank above the lowest orders of Society’; Master and Matron to continue; Table to be ‘filled up by the visiting Directors in making their Reports’ to be implemented
4/2	1830-22 Sept.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Meeting of Directors, 22 Sept. 1830	Hope, Hathorn, Jollie, Dickson, Cook, Nairne, Renton, Monypenny, Balfour, Mackenzie		Meeting to select porter; 11 candidates with notes of age, experience, and family; Alexander McRae selected; salary £40 with use of the lodge and coals
4/2	1830-23 Feb.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Minutes of Meeting of Directors, 23 Feb. 1830	Hope, Hathorn, Cook, Gibson-Craig, Balfour, Davidson, Dickson, Mackenzie, Renton		James Ramsay and William Keith Sutherland dismissed from the school; entire school assembled to witness; with ‘Extact from Minutes of Meeting of Directors of the Trustees of the John Watsons Fund, 24 Novemb. 1829 as to Desertion of any of the Children’
4/5	1830-25 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Stated Meeting of Directors, 25. Jan. 1830	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Cook, Dickson, Renton, Russell, Balfour		Minutes of last meeting entered; report on conditions at the Institution awaited
4/2	1830-25 May	Admissions	Watson’s Institution	Admissions into Watson’s Institution	Hope, Hathorn, Gibson-Craig, Dickson, Balfour, Nairne, Renton, Russell, Jollie, Monypenny, Hope junior		List of 6th year boys (24) and 17 girls considered for admission with notes if they are ‘unfit’, ‘doubtful’, or ‘fit’
4/2	1830-25 May	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Meeting of Directors, 25 May 1830	Hope, Hathorn, Gibson-Craig, Dickson, Balfour, Nairne, Renton, Russell, Jollie, Monypenny, Hope junior		Girls admitted: Isabella Dick, Marion Gilchrist, Jane Walker, Susan Bell, Isabella Struthers; Boys admitted: Alexander Struthers, James Waterson, Robert O. Hutton, George Bell, Henry Geddes, Charles Sutherland, J. F. Ross
4/4	1830-27 Apr.	Application	Allan, Harriet	Letter: application for Matron position		Crieff	Letter with biographical details: born Harriet Ronaldson in Chichester in 1800. Educated at boarding school – English grammar and ‘all the branches of a respectable female education’. Moved to Scotland with parents in 1817. Married in 1818 to Lt Thomas Allan, half pay Royal Welsh Fusilers. Husband died at Glasgow in 1827. Now living in Crieff with her parents. Testimonials enclosed.
4/4	1830-27 Apr.	Testimonial	Laing, William	Testimonial for Harriet Allan [Mrs Thomas Allan] as Matron		Crieff
4/4	1830-27 Apr.	Testimonial	Magistrates of Crieff	Testimonial for Harriet Allan [Mrs Thomas Allan] as Matron	[Signed: James Steven, B. Baillie, William Murray (merchant), James Maxton (M. D.)	Crieff	Applicant: ‘…is remarkable for her mildness of temper, and the correctness of her conduct in very relation of life’.
4/4	1830-29 Apr.	Testimonial	Buchan, William	Testimonial for Harriet Allan [Mrs Thomas Allan] as Matron		9 Heriot Row, Edinburgh	Applicant has experience of teaching her own and other children; has known her for 12 years
4/4	1830-30 Apr.	Letter	Rowell, M.	Letter: Request for information about Matron position		Yeaman Shore, Dundee, care of Mr [David] Crichton, Ship Owner	Enquiry about duties, teaching, age limit for applications, provision beyond salary from a ‘native of England entirely unaquainted with the Establishment’.
4/4	1830-30 Apr.	Testimonial	Cumming, Mr.	Testimonial for Harriet Allan [Mrs Thomas Allan] as Matron		Crieff	Mr Cumming’s recommendation written by James Maxton as Cumming has suffered a sprain and is ‘quite unable to hold to the Pen’.
4/4	1830-Thursday	Testimonial	Gordon, R.	Testimonial for Harriet Allan [Mrs Thomas Allan] as Matron		7 Heriot Row, Edinburgh	…the Hospital cannot do better than to engage her.’
5/8	1832- 06 July	Report	Mowbray; Nairne	Report of Committee on Servants going to Church			Have conferred with Miss Mollison and Mr Marshall on servants going to church and visiting friends on Sundays; 9 female servant with details of their daily routine and duties; half past seven a reasonable time for them to appear at prayers; servants should attend same services as master, matron, and children if they are of the established church – not expected if they are ‘Sectarians’; ‘in respect of the Cholera, all the Servants to to the Same Church as the Children, but the Committee understant this to be merely a temporary arrangement, dependent upon the state of that Malady’.
5/8	1832-04 June	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of Directors of Jo Watsons Insitution held in DKs Chamber on Monday 4 June 1832	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Dickson, Jollie, J. Mackenzie, Monypenny, Nairne, J. Hope jr, Storie, Mowbray, Tod, Tytler		Mr Lawson’s resignation letter accepted; Precentor at the Chapel who taught the children singing appointed to a new church – new Precentor to be employed to teach singing on the same terms; Mr Johnston (surgeon) recommends sea bathing for some of the children – Hathorn to take steps to enable this; building costs to be reduced from £10,000 to £5000 – Hathorn to act on this; Mr Marshall’s letter regarding raising the height of the wall surrounding the grounds – matter remitted to the Visiting Committee; servants returning late on Sundays to be fined if later than 8 in summer and 6 in winter; examination of children – first Tuesday in July; relatives of the children should not visit during the present summer – Jollie, Tod, Tytler to suggest future regulations; meeting to consider admissions to take place 14 July
5/8	1832-14 July	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of the Directors of John Watsons Institution held in the Deputy Keepers Chambers on 14 June 1832 fo the purpose of selecting Six Boys and Six Girls to be admitted into the Institution	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Dickson, Jollie, J. Mackenzie, Monypenny, Nairne, J. Hope jr, Storie, Mowbray, Tod, Cook, Tytler		Girls selected: Eleanour Armour, A. O. [Anna Oliphant] Brown, C. S. Grierson, Janet Coventry, A. Thin, J. [Janet] Aitken; Boys selected: W. S. Stevenson, D McSlater, James Glover, Francis Brown, William Stewart, J. T. Mather; surgeon to examine children in the usual manner; matron to measure children for their clothes; proposal to admit more children and Treasurer’s reply
5/8	1832-18 June	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Stated Meeting of Directors, 18 June 1832	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Dickson, Jollie, J. Mackenzie, Nairne, Storie, Mowbray, Ferrier		Report of committee relative to raising the wall – advisable to raise the wall – remitted to commitee to consider the height it should be raised by and take advice from Mr Burn; Two children selected lack proof of age – Francis Brown and Anna Oliphant Brown; Janet Aitken’s certificate does not name her – recommending Trustees should have checked details – Treasure to confirm documentation
5/8	1832-19 Nov.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Watsons Institution Stated Meeting of Directors, 19 November 1832	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Ferrier, Storie, Nairne, J. Mackenzie, Hope, Tytler		Children to remain beyond Whitsunday; Claim of damage by Mr Sawers – committee appointed to investigate; lighting in front of the Institution – gate and avenue – to be investigated; Isabella Dick to remain with her mother for some time; Matilda O’Flatherty to be with her grandmother in winter months; report on servants read and approved; Park lease has expired – committee to consider matter of letting the park; Mr Gordon, assistant teacher, application to increase salary – no addition to be made to his present salary; Committee to consider investments and admitting additional children
5/8	1832-28 June	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors of John Watsons Institution held to decide upon the election of Applicants to be admitted	Deputy Keeper, Hathorn, Storie, Cook, Dickson, Monypenny, J. Mackenzie, Jollie		Francis Brown not eligible because of age – need to fill vacancy; selection of children ‘Good – Doubtful – Bad’
4/5	1833 [?]	Note		Estimates for Painting Watsons Institution
5/8	1833- 21 Jan.	Trustees’ Minutes (Draft)	Trustees of John Watson’s Institution	Statuatory General Meeting of Trustees of John Watson’s Institution 21st being the Third Monday of January 1833	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Storie, Irvine, Smith, Murray, Fergusson, Bell, Donaldson, Jollie, Grierson, Scott, Fraser, Pitcairn, Finlay, Macbean, Arnott, Nairne, Waddell, Combe, Turnbull, Gordon, ?, Bruce, Horne, Blair, Ferrier, Mowbray, Welsh, Elder, Tennant		Directors’ Report approved; Directors changed by rotation; Hathorn to continue as Treasurer
5/7	1833-03 Jun.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors, 3 June 1833	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, J. Mackenzie, Monypenny, Nairne, Storie, Mowbray, Cook, Blair, Finlay		Report of the Committee on Painting the House – Institution to be painted in oil paint – same Committee to get estimates; arrangements for admission of children during painting work; Selection of children – 20 June; Surgeon’s report on health of the children tabled; Mr Gordon’s salary increased to £40; £3000 lent to Sir Robert Keith Dick – insurance policy
5/7	1833-04 May	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of Directors of John Watsons Institution held 3 May 1833	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Cook, Storie, J. Mackenzie, Ferrier, Mowbray, Finlay		Mr Gordon, Assistant Teacher has resigned ‘on account of the smallness of his Salary’ – testimonial from Marshall (Master) on his merits – committee considered and his salary to be increased
4/5	1833-05 Jun.	Specification	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Specification of Painting &c. to be done on Watsons Hospital a the Dean			Specifications for painting the Institution including paint types and colours [5 copies]
4/5	1833-05 Jun.	Letter	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Circular letter to be sent with copy of Specification, 5 June 1833
5/7	1833-07 Aug.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of the Directors of John Watsons Ins held 7 Aug. 1833	Deputy Keeper, Storie, J. Mackenzie		Letter from Mr Cook on Isabella Dick who has had surgery on an injured foot which has been amputated – mother wishes to take her home and requests that her other daughter Margaret be taken in Isabella’s place – an unusual case with peculiar circumstances – Margaret to be admitted – not to be a rule that siblings are admitted when their siblings leave
5/7	1833-12 Sep.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minutes of Meeting of Directors of John Watson’s Institution, Edin.r 12th Septr 1833	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Hope, Storie, Monypenny, Nairne, Finlay, Marshall		Mr Gordon, Assistant Teacher has had to go to the country for his health – uncertain when he will be able to return so has offered his resignation – accepted – new under teacher to be found and given same terms; Marshall suggests a large room for morning and evening prayers as school rooms – Burn to make a plan – Treasurer to consider with Burn and Marshall; shower baths next to sick room ‘not always with propriety used for the healthy…and shower baths could easily be fitted up in the Bathrooms below’ – Treasurer to consider; Marshall’s other suggested fittings; ‘Drill Serjeant last employed, for one quarter more in same terms as before’; shrubbery to be trimmed; Nicholson & Co has finished painting the north (boys) – inspected by Mr Sommerville – treasurer authorised to pay £240 for the work done
4/5	1833-13 Jun.	Letter	Hay, D. R.	Letter: returning specification for painting John Watson’s Institution and declining to offer an estimate		89 George Street, Edinburgh
5/7	1833-17 Jun.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of General Stated Meeting of the Directors of John Watson’s Institution held on 17th June 1833	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, J. Mackenzie, Nairne, Hope Jr, Storie, Ferrier, Russell		Surgeon’s report tabled at last meeting considered – Treasurer authorised to permit the children mentioned in the report to be taken to sea bathing as recommended by surgeon
4/5	1833-18 Jun.	Letter	Buchan, Robert	Letter: returning specification for painting John Watson’s Institution and declining to offer an estimate		Edinburgh
4/5	1833-18 Jun.	Letter	Jackson, John	Letter: requesting more time to compile an estimate for painting John Watson’s Institution		35 Dundas Street, Edinburgh
4/3	1833-18 Nov.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Stated Meeting Minute of Directors of John Watson’s Institution held 18 November 1833	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Cook, Finlay, Storie		Let of park – rent to be collected annually; Children leaving the Institution presented with a Bible and £10; Deputy Keeper and Mr Tytler appointed to Committee to consider propriety of making additional walks through the grounds; church accommodation – Mr Cook to consult with Dr Chalmers at the Orphan School about religious instruction; Margaret Gilchrist – mistake about birth date in application – should have been 1820 not 1819 – so she may remain until Whitsunday (grand-daughter of Robert Bell, advocate)
4/4	1833-18 Nov.	Directors’ Agenda	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Matters to be Noticed at the Meeting of Watson’s Directors, 18 Nov. 1833			Investment of funds; Admission of additional children; allowance to Mr Omish; Lighting gate and avenue; Rate of insurance; Answer to Dr Chalmers; Allowance to children leaving the Institution; Letting the West Park; Several small matters (with note of References to the Minute Book)
5/7	1833-19 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of the Directors of John Watson’s Institution held in the D Keepers Chambers on 19 January 1833 [2 copies]	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Monypenny, Nairne, Hope Jr, Storie, Mowbray, Cook		Report to the Trustees ready; Treasurer’s report on the Act of Parliament relatives to Insurances – has made out a claim for exemption but after feedback from the Directors decided it best to pay £5000; Peter McComish having reached the age of 14 presented with £10 and a bible – will remain at the Institution as an under teacher – Treasurer announced this to the children who ‘were in future to treat him accordingly’; claim of damage by Mr Sawers – paling on the river side – inspected and moved – Sawers satisfied and agreed to pass from ‘any claim for past damage on condition that the Directors would allow him to cut away the lowest branch of the Saugh tree’ [willow] hanging over the river – agreed on condition that the tree injured as little as possible; Treasurer’s accounts examined and approved – to be printed and circulated to Trustees
5/7	1833-20 June.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of the Directors of John Watsons Institution held 20 June 1833	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Storie, Tytler, Moneypenny, J. Hope, Nairne, J. Mackenzie, Cook, Ferrier, Blair, Russell, Finlay		Queries from Dr Chalmers and Magistrates about charitable institutions near Edinburgh – Storie and Ferrier to answer the queries; Selection of 9 boys (Lapslie, T. Mackenzie, Lauder, Charles Cupples, Charles Ferguson Smith, Armour, Burns, Thomas Forrest, Gordon) and 11 girls (Morrison, Watson, M. Thomson, Philip, Copland, Hood, Turnbull, Dods, CH Lauder, Glover, Wilson) – with lists of ‘good, doubtful, bad’ applicants; estimates for painting received – Nicholson & Co’s estimate to do the entire work for £480 to be accepted; names of boys and girls to be admitted to be put separately and in order of birth
5/8	1833-21 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Report to the Stated Annual General Meeting of of the Trustees of the John Watsons Fund, to be held on the 3.d Monday being the 21st day of January 1833			46 boys and 44 girls in the Institution; One boy died in Jan. 1832; One boy ‘gone away’ in July 1832 – bible given to him and £10 to the master ‘to see it laid out for him’; One girl returned to her parents in Nov. 1832 having attained the age of 14; Patrick McOmish also 14 – bible given to each – £10 for each to Matron and Master; McOmish to be retained as an Assistant Teacher; annual income of the fund ‘short of what had been anticipated’ – Trustees to be cautious about admitting children; John Tod had resigned as Commissioner – vacancy; Directors to retire and be replaced by rotation; Treasurer’s accounts
5/7	1833-21 Jan.	Report	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Report to the Stated Annual General Meeting of the Trustees of John Watsons Fund To be held on the 3d Monday being the 21st day of Janry 1833			46 boys and 44 girls in the Institution; one boy reached 14 and left with bible and £10; one girl returned to her friends and Patrick McComish reached 14 – £10 and a bible each; McComish retained as under Teacher; 2 boys and 3 girls will be 14 by 31 Aug. – seven places to be filled in all; John Tod has resigned as Commissioner
4/5	1833-21 Jun.; 1833-04 July	Letter (Copy)	Hamilton, John	Letter to Mr Sommerville [copy]			Encloses George Nicolson & Co’s estimate; acceptance of their offer; work to be inspected by Sommerville
5/7	1833-23 Oct.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minutes of Meeting of Directors Edin.r 23d Octr 1833	Deputy Keeper Mackenzie, Treasurer, Monypenny, Storie, Ferrier, Blair, Russell, Finlay		Marshall’s request to attend Theological Classes approved – arrangements to be made for educating the children during his times of absence; William Hamilton has proved satisfactory as an assistant teacher on trial an Marshall recommends taking him on – approved; Margaret Dick taken in place of her older sister Isabella who has left the School [due to her foot being amputated]; Mathilda O’Flaterly had long been in bad health and has died – family has arranged the funeral; lease granted to tenant of Northurst parish – Mr Hume, cowfeeder – land now set in grass for 5-6 years; Mr [?] assistant clerk to the Signet – to be paid 3 guineas for extra work in copying materials for Watson’s; shoemaker’s contract to be considered
4/2	1833-26 June	Invitation	Watson’s Institution	List of Gentlemen to whom Cards are to be sent			Dinner invitation for 5 July at 6 pm at the British Hotel with list of 38 names; note that children will be examined on the same day from noon
5/7	1833-28 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Stated Meeting of the Directors of John Watsons Institution held on the 28th being 3d Monday of January 1833	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Mowbray, Nairne, Tytler, Blair, Finlay		Treasurer has given directions about the cutting of the branch of the willow tree; Funds in the bank to be left to be considered by Committee (‘N.B. Better to name them…VH’: Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Mowbray, Tytler added in pencil); Committee to consider allowance given to the children on leaving the Institution – J. Mackenzie, Tytler, Finlay, Hathorn; Committee to examine Treasurer’s accounts – Storie, Nairne, Cook, Blair; Schedules for admitting children to be arranged; Committee for letting the park – letting to be advertised; Committee ‘as to lighting the Gate & avenue to the Institution continued with a recommendation that they should lose no time in getting it done’.
4/5	1833-28 May	Report	Committee on Painting John Watsons Institution	Report of Committee on Painting John Watson’s Institution, 28 May 1833			Recommendations: all children and furniture to be removed before work or to be moved into one of ‘two divisions’ in the building while the work takes place; advice from Master and Matron on types of paint to be used; Surgeon’s advice; Mr Burn’s recommendations regarding shruken wood and cracked plaster – recommends painting in oil – women can wash oil paint without the need of painters, Mr Buchan his chosen contractor; recommendations of Mr Sommerville who advised on painting the Bridewell and the Jail
5/7	1833-29 Mar.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors, 29 March 1833	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Moneypenny, Nairne, Storie, Ferrier, Cook, Finlay		Amendment to Schedule clause binding the recommending Commissioner in case of no relations or friends when children leave the Institution – recommendation form to be alterered – ‘an Obligation to be Signed by some responsible person to relieve the Directors’ – ‘amended Schedule should be immediately printed and distributed’; Master and Matron wish to paint some parts of the House – Nairne and Finlay to consult with them to determine what painting is needed and what type of paint – oil or size
4/5	1833-Jun.	Letter	Norie, Jonathan	Letter: declining to offer an estimate for painting John Watson’s Institution
4/3	1834-04 Nov.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Minute of Meeting of the Directors of John Watson’s Institution held 4 Nov. 1834	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Mowbray, A. Blair, Jollie, Lamont, Young		Jollie, Finlay, Lamont, and Young to consider report from Mr Marshall on the education of the children; Painting completed and invoice approved
4/5	1834-07 July	Letter	Nicholson, George	Letter		51 George Street, Edinburgh	Acknowledges receipt of letter of 2 July via Mr Sommerville; cannot start work on South Divisions of John Watson’s Institution until 8 July per Mr Marshall; will endeavour to complete the painting in the time specified
4/3	1834-08 Dec.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Minute of Meeting of Directors of John Watson’s Institution held 8.th December 1834	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Mowbray, Ferrier, Blair, Russel, Finlay, Jollie, Lamont, Young		Tablular plan for education of the children; £50 for Mr Marshall to implement his suggestions [draft revised by Hathorn]
4/3	1834-16 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Minute of Meeting of Directors of John Watson’s Institution held 16 January	Treasurer, J. Mackenzie, Nairne, Storie, Ferrier, Book, Tytler, Blair, Russell, Finlay		Treasurer’s accounts; number of children to be 120 (60/60)
4/3	1834-16 Jun.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Minute of General Stated Meeting of the Directors of John Watson’s Institution held 16 June 1834.	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Storie, Ferrier, Tytler, A. Blair, Russel, Jollie, Lamont		Children left on 19 May having attained the age of 14: George Gregson, David Rankine, William Boswell Currie, Margaret Gilchrist, Mary Stewart Binning, Marion Nisbet, Margaret Anderson – all received a Bible and £10 with instructions to purchase clothes or other benefits; Jean Douglas died on 18 Feb. and John Tweedie Pringle on 2 Apr.; 8 boys and 12 girls to be admitted (two extra places from deaths of the two children); recommenations now circulating among the Directors; Peter MacOmish informed of his salary of £20 yearly and expresses his thanks to the Directors; Report from committee making arrangements for painting the remaining half of the Institution; Mr Nicholson’s estimate accepted; painting to be completed by 6 Sept. with a forfeit of £3 for any days beyond that; Election of children to be decided on 26 June at noon; Tytler reports that David Scruton Thomson’s birthdate was wrongly given in his application as 16 Sept. 1820 when it was 16 Dec. 1820 – Thomson to allowed to remain until 16 Dec. when he attains the age of 14 [note from VH ‘the Boy had been much approved of’]; annual examination of children to take place on 1 July; vacation until September
4/3	1834-17 Nov.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Stated Meeting of Directors	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Storie, Lamont, Young, Tytler, Ferrier, Jollie, Hope		Treasurer’s accounts approved
4/3	1834-20 Jan.	Report	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Report to the Stated Annual General Meeting of the Trustees of John Watsons fund			Twenty additional children taken in; Treasurer’s accounts approved; School cleaned and painted; 114 children – one boy and three girls left on attaining the age of 14 – given Bible and £10 each; one girl died in October last; number of children never to exceed 120; appointment of new directors (J. Mackenzie, Monypenny, Nairne to go as per Regulations)
4/3	1834-20 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Meeting of Directors	Deputy Keeper, Hathorn, Nairne, Storie, Mowbray, Cook, Blair		Directors’ report read and approved
4/3	1834-20 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Statuatory General Meeting of Trustees of John Watson’s Institution 20.th being the third Monday of January 1834	Deputy Keeper, Hathorn, Cook, Tannent, Pearson, Turnbull, Fergusson, Hopkirk, Bowie, J. Blair, Douglas, Smyth, Donaldson, Heriot, Arnott, Tytler, Grierson, Graham, Lamont, Rutherford, Forman, Young, A. Blair, Nairne, Storie, Mowbray		Directors’ report read and approved; election of new Directors; Hathorn to be Treasurer for another year; printed copy of Treasurer’s report to be sent to Lord President, Lord Justice Clerk, Lord Provost, and the other hospitals in Edinburgh
4/3	1834-20 Jan.	Report	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Report to the Stated Annual General Meeting of the Trustees of John Watsons fund – to be held on the 3.d Monday (20.th) of January 1834.			Twenty additional children taken in; Treasurer’s accounts approved; School cleaned and painted; 114 children – one boy and three girls left on attaining the age of 14 – given Bible and £10 each; one girl died in October last; number of children never to exceed 120; appointment of new directors
4/5	1834-21 July	Letter	Nicholson, George	Letter to John Hamilton: request to know if ‘Extra work’ is required		51 George Street, Edinburgh	Request to know if ‘Extra work’ is required – painting beds and wainscot, cleaning brass mountings, taking off locks and oiling them, and repairs in the South Division of John Watson’s Institution
4/5	1834-23 July	Letter	Finlay, G. L.	Letter to John Hamilton: advice on painting the Institution and the Chapel		Edinburgh	Advice on painting in the Institution and the Chapel
4/5	1834-24 July	Letter (Copy)	Hamilton, John	Letter to George Nichoson & Co			Direction to carry out ‘the general Extra Work as proposed in your Letter’; pulpit work not to exceed £15
5/7	1834-25 Dec.	Proposal		Proposed New Church for the District of Water of Leith, Bell’s Mills, and Dean [two copies]			Proposers point out the any new establishment will be more convenient for the inmates of the School than are currently available
4/3	1834-26 Jun.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Minute of Meeting of the Directors of John Watson’s Institution held 26 June 1834	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Storie, Mowbray, Cook, Tytler, A. Blair, Russel, Jollie, Lamont, Young		Applications for 34 boys and 21 girls considered – places for 8 boys and 12 girls; Selected: Robert Dick, Robert Henry Huddleston, Alexander Macleod Senior, Peter Simpson Brodie, Alexander Macleod Junior, Isaac Forsyth Arthur, Peter Soumer [‘a better Guaranter to be got’], William Glen, Maxwell Robert Courie, Mary Deane, Ann Macdonald, Margaret Cooper, Agnes Bell, Catherine Mackay, Helen Copland, Elizabeth Notman, Christina Ann Macleod, [Elizabeth] Agnes Murray, Elizabeth Murray
4/3	1834-27 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Minute of Stated Meeting of the Directors of John Watsons [?] held 27 Jany 1834	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Storie, Mowbray, Ferrier, Cook, Tytler, Blair, Russel, Lamont, Young		Committee to examine Treasurer’s accounts (Storie, Cook, Blair, Young); Committee for applications schedule; concerns about application process [notes/revisions by Hathorn]
4/3	1834-27 May	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Minute of the Meeting of Directors of John Watson’s Institution held 17 May 1834	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Storie, Tytler, Russel, Jollie, Lamont		Uncertainty about fate of children who have left the Institution aged 14 – Treasurer has received satisfactory information – matter to be considered at a future meeting; circulation of applications – each Director to have two days to consider cases; Peter McOmish, assistant teacher to be allowed £20 a year and board and washing; painting to take place during the vacation [two copies – one by Hathorn]
5/7	1835-05 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minutes of Meeting of the Directors of John Watson’s Institution held 5 Jan.ry 1835	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Mowbrary, Ferrier, Russell, Finlay, Jollie, Lamont, Young		Proposal to establish a new place of worship near the Institution read with Dr Chalmers’ endorsement of the proposal; Committe to consider the proposal (DKS, Treasurer, Jollie, Young) and communicat with Chalmers and other local hospitals; managers of Chapel of Ease may have charged £100 too much for rent – to be investigated
5/7	1835-10 Mar.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of the Meeting of the Directors of John Watsons Institution held 10 March 1835	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Ferrier, Blair, Russell, Finlay, Jollie, Lamont, Welsh, Lindsay		Application of James Morrison Lauder – application arrived too late last year – to be admitted immediately despite being two days too old this time pending approval by the surgeon
5/7	1835-12 Nov.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of the Directors of John Watson Institution held 12 Nov. 1835	Deputy Keeper, Ferrier, Cook, Tytler, Blair, Russell, Finlay, Jollie, Lamont, Young, Monypenny, Welsh, Farquharson (sent by Hathorn)		Trustees of Stock Bridge Chapel will not allow the children to occupy their present seating unless the Directors pay for a full year – new chapel should be ready, no need to comply – if the new chapel isn’t ready, the children can attend in the Institution’s until other arrangements can be made; purchase of feudity
5/7	1835-15 Jun.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of the Stated Meeting of the Directors of John Watsons Institution on the 15th being the 3d Monday of June 1835	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Ferrier, Cook, Russell, Finlay, Jollie, Monypenny, Welsh		Election of children to take place on the 25th; annual examination of children to take place on the 30th – invitations to be sent to Lord Provost, two clergymen of St Cuthbert’s, Mr Mcfarlane of Stockbridge Chapel, John Wood; note to be sent to Commissioners requesting their attendance
5/7	1835-16 Apr.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minutes of Meeting of Directors of J Watsons Institution 16th April 1835	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Blair, Welsh, Finlay, Young, Jollie, Cook, Ferrier		Report from Young from Committee Relative to the System of Education to be adopted in the Institution – to be circulated to all Directors; £100 to be presented to Marshall in recognition of his service to the Institution
5/7	1835-16 Nov.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Stated Meeting of Directors, 16 November 1835	Deputy Keeper, Russell, Tytler, Welsh, Lamont, Blair		Expense of purchasing the feudity expedient, negotiations with Orphan Hospital – committee to meet with committee of Orphan Hospital – Mr Jollie is their clerk and agent – no action on a bargain to be taken without consulting DK and Treasurer; Treasurer’s accounts delayed – will be presented as soon as convenient as usual
5/7	1835-17 Aug.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minutes fo Meeting of Directors of J Watsons Institution 17th Aug 1835	Deputy Keeper Mackenzie, Treasurer, Jollie, Ferrier, Welsh		Mashall’s proposal to keep David Thomson who has reached the age of 14 as an under teacher – approved; letter from mother of Jane Walker wishing ‘not to continue her’ after the vacation – agreed – ‘the Girl Jane Walkers Name to be struck off the Establishment by the Treasurer’
5/7	1835-19 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of the Meeting of the Directors of John Watsons Institution held 19 Jany 1835	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Hope Jr, Storie, Mowbray, Ferrier, Blair, Jollie, Lamont		Report of Directors read and approved – to be signed by DKS and presented to General Meeting of Trustees
5/7	1835-19 Jan.	Report	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Report to the Stated Annual Meeting of the Trustees of John Watsons Fund, To be held on the 3d Monday 19th Janry 1835			19 additional children admitted Sept. Last – total children 118 (60 boys; 58 girls); 3 boys and 3 girls reached 14 by Martinmas and were returned to their friends – also 5 boys and 3 girls by Whitsunday; 8 boys and 8 girls to be admitted to supply the vancancies; Treasurer’s accounts examined and approved – to be printed and circulated; painting of the whole house complete; Directors and Trustees rotation
5/7	1835-19 Jan.	Trustees’ Minutes (Draft)	Trustees of John Watson’s Institution	Minute of the General Stated Meeting of the Trustees of John Watsons Institution held on the 3d Monday 19th of January	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Blair, Hope Jr, Storie, Mowbray, Ferrier, Lamont, Gordon, Tennant, Elder, Aytoun, Scott, Ainslee, Arnot, Fraser, Forman		Trustees visits to the Institution – minute dated 27 Jan. 1834 approved – Trustees able to visit on the second Monday of each month; Directors’ report approved; seat rent for Stockbridge Chapel; Dr Chalmers’ plan for a new chapel near the Institution – remitted to Directors; approbation of master and matron; Directors rotation
5/7	1835-19 May	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minutes of a Meeting of Directors of John Watsons Institution, 19 May 1835	Deputy Keeper Mackenzie, Treasurer Hathorn, Blair, Russell, Finlay, Lamont, Welsh		Application of Mrs Brown, mother of Anna Oliphant Brown, currently in the Institution – place offered at Merchant Maiden Hospital for any one of her daughters of the right age – Anna’s sister Lucy Sarah is too young – request to take Anna from the School and have Lucy take her place – granted, but not to be seen as a precedent – a special case; several meetings have taken place with Dr Chalmers, Mr Paul, and other subscribers about the proposed new chapel on the Water of Leith – plans made out by Mr Gillespie Graham and land procured – ‘upon the lands of Dean on the North West side of the cross road leading from the Institution to that village’ – proposed that the Institution should pay the £300 suggested and a yearly seat rent fo £30 – Institution ‘to get the entire gallery on the right hand side of the Pulpit which would contain considerably more than the present Inmates’ – remitted to Committee; Mr Hamilton, assistant teacher, wishes to leave – Marshall has acquired testimonials for replacement – two strong applicants, Patrick Wilson of Newington Academy preferred and to be hired on same terms as Hamilton – meeting approved the appointment; between Martinmas and Whitsunday 5 boys and 3 girls reached 14 – Adam Wardrop Steele and Robert Smith Robertson returned to families – David Scruton Thomson and William Malham leave to remain until the examination ‘as being the two best scholars’ – Eleanor Campbell Lawson, Agnes Russell, and Mary Graham returned to their relations – £10 and a bible for each of the children; arrangements for selecting the next children – 8 girls and 7 boys (James Morrison Lauder already taken in) to complete numbers of children to 60 of each sex
5/7	1835-24 Sept.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of the Directors of John Watsons Institution held 24 Sep.r 1835	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Russell, Jollie, Welsh		Petitions from Isabell Bertram or Stephenson to admit her son John into the Institution and from Mrs Jamieson, widow of John Jamieson, to admit her son David – both to be admitted on conditionof being inspected by surgeon and usual regulations; feudity for land the Institution stands on for sale for £300 per year payable to Sir J Nisbet of Dean – advisable for the Institution to purchase it – remitted to DK and Treasurer to consider
5/7	1835-25 Jun.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors of John Watsons Institution held 25 June 1835	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Ferrier, Cook, Blair, Russell, Finlay, Jollie, Lamont, Young, Monypenny, Welsh, Lindsay		Applications from 35 boys and 19 girls with the following selected: Duncan Campbell, Burridge Blaikie, John Simon Chamberlain, James Wright, Charles William Lamb, Alexander Robertson, James Pillans Bonnar, Lewis Robertson, John Alexander Dean, Hugh Glass, James Graham Hood, Jane Margaret Gall, Mary Alexander Samuel, Anna Rosa Gordon, Margaret Rutherford, Jean Fraser Gardiner, Mary Watson McPherson [11 boys; 6 girls]
5/7	1835-26 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of the Stated Meeting of Directors of John Watsons Institution held 26 Jany 1835	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Ferrier, Cook, Blair, Lamont, Young, Welch, Lindsey		Committee on Proposal for a new church on the Water of Leith – sum towards construction, annual sum for seat rent, JWI Trustees to have a voice in the appointment of clergy – has met with Dr Chalmers who proposed £300 towards the building and £30 per annum for seat rent, and entitlement for appointing clergy along with ‘four other parties’ likely Professor of Divinity, Senior minister of the West Kirk, Kirk Session of the Church, Director of the Orphan Hospital – plan approved but the pecuniary demand appeared to be higher than could be reasonably expected’ – remitted to Committee; Burying Place for the Institution; play room; landscaping; Marshall’s salary
5/7	1836-08 Jan.	Trustees Meeting Minutes (Draft)	Trustees of John Watson’s Institution	Minute of Stated Annual General Meeting of the Trustees of John Watsons Institution held 18 January 1836			Annual Report of Directors read and approved; admissions be at the discretion of the Directors; Marshall’s bonus approved; vote of thanks for Hathorn – relected as Treasurer for another year; new directors elected – Storie, J. Mackenzie, Richardson in place of Ferrier, Cook, Tytler
4/3	1836-08 Nov.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Minute of Meeting of the Directors of John Watsons Institution held 8 Nov. 1836	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Storie, Richardson, Finlay, Monypenny, Blair, Welsh, Jollie, Russel, Young		Committee report on McOmish approved – Directors reserve power to make an addtional allowance to McOmish at the end of the session ‘if he conducts himself to the Satisfaction of the Directors’; Consideration of Act of Parliament clause – to be further considered by Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Russel, J. Mackenzie, Lamont, Welsh, Young
4/3	1836-11 Nov.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Minutes of Meeting of Directors of Watsons Institution	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Lamont, Young, Welsh, Storie, Richardson		Letter from Mr McOmish – committee of DK, Treasurer, Lamont, Young to meet at the Instiution to meet Mr Marshall about the letter; Ann Black died at the Institution on 9 Oct. And was buried there at the request of her mother – several Directors attended the burial on 13 Oct.; Elizabeth Zoe Caulfield Wells to be received into the school in place of Ann Black upon confirmation of her certificates
4/3	1836-12 Sept.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Minute of a Meeting of Directors of John Watson’s Institution held 12 Sepr. 1836	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Russel, Finlay, Jollie, Young, Storie, Mackenzie		One of the children selected for admission – Robert Bogle – died on 1 August; surgeon’s report on children afflicted with ‘Scrophula’ [scrofula] and ring worm; surgeon to provide regular reports and take care when inspecting the children when they are admitted; David Dewar nominated to be admitted in place of Robert Bogle
5/7	1836-13 May	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of the Directors of John Watsons Institution held 13 May	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Blair, Russel, Jollie, Lamont, Young, Welsh, Storie, J. Mackenzie, Richardson		Dean Church to open on Sunday next – Directors can attend with a guest – contribution of £10 from Directors for the collection – each child to be allowed 6p to contribute to the funds of the church; Mrs Molleson has been unwell and requests assistance of Helen Ogilvie who has attained the age of 14; applications of James Finlay Ross and Susan Greig Bell to remain in the School until the examinations; Surgeon’s report that some of the children would benefit from sea bathing; request to remove Henry Waters from the School in August to take him to Canada – granted
5/8	1836-14 July	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of the Directors of John Watson’s Institution, 14 July 1839	Deputy Keeper, Storie, Richardson, Welsh, Young, Hathorn		Letter from Robert Paul, Treasurer of the Dean Church, proposing £80 to be granted to incumbent of Dean Church as a Chapel of Ease – Directors to consult; annual sum of £30 to be bond for payment to the incumbent; Anne Rosen Gordon – conflict between mother and uncle about child leaving the Institution during the present vacation – child to remain at the Institution and be visited by relatives until conflict resolved
4/3	1836-14 Oct.	Letter	Macomish, Peter	Letter to James Hope [24 Moray Place, Edinburgh]		John Watson’s Institution	Request to study at the College (Humanities Class) for an hour a day when he’s not teaching, a seat at the Governor’s table, and an apartment of his own for study. Wishes to go to College next year.
5/7	1836-15 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Mintute of Meeting of the Directors of John Watsons Institution held 15 Janry 1836	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Ferrier, Russell, Jollie, Lamont, Young, Welsh		Draft Annual Report by the Directors to the Trustees read and approved; purchase of the feudity – no purchasers at public sale – offer of private bargain made to Mr Scott, the agent to the seller at upset price – Scott had already sold the feudity to another party at an advance of £50 – meeting thanked Jollie for his efforts in the matter
5/7	1836-15 Jan.	Report (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Report to the Stated Annual Meeting of the Trustees of John Watsons Fund to be held on the third Monday 18 Jany 1836			James Lawder Morrison admitted in March having had application prepared in time – agent did not submit on time and he would not be eligible in the next round; 17 children selected (11 boys; 6 girls) and admitted in August; application by John Pattison WS to take his relation Jane Watson, admited in 1833, out of the school – granted and her name ‘struck off the establishment’; application by Mrs Brown to substitute Lucy Sarah Brown for Anna Oliphant Brown as Anna has a place at the Merchant Maiden Hospital – granted, but not to be seen as a precedent; Ann Scott died in June – ‘her remains were given to her mother at her request, and a sum of Five Pounds to defray the expense of the funeral’; 116 children (62 boys; 54 girls) in the School; application by Mrs Walker to remove her daughter Jane – granted and name struck off; two additional boys to be admitted; between Aug. and Nov. 1 boy and 3 girls reached the age of 14 – 2 boys and 3 girls more to reach 14 before next Aug. leaving 59 boys and 45 girls – 16 children to be admitted to reach total of 120; if equal numbers to be maintained this would mean 15 girls and ‘only 1 Boy’ to be admitted – Directors submit to the Trustees that children should be admitted ‘from either sex as it may appear to be expedient when the applications are brought before them’; Charles Marshall’s pay; Dean Church – now roofed and expected to open in April – South Gallery on the right side of the pulpit reserved exclusively for the children; Rev. James Keith Hay to perform services once every Sunday in the Institution’s chapel until the new church is opened; Mr Hamilton, assistant teacher has resigned – Patrick Wilson, formerly assistant at Newington Academy appointed; David Scruton, about to leave the Institution having reached 14, to be appointed Assistant Teacher; Treasurer’s accounts to be printed and circulated; appointment of Directors by rotation
5/7	1836-15 Jan.	Report	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Report to the Stated Annual meeting of the Trustees of John Watsons Fund to be held on the third Monday 18th January 1836			James Lawder Morrison admitted in March having had application prepared in time – agent did not submit on time and he would not be eligible in the next round; 17 children selected (11 boys; 6 girls) and admitted in August; application by John Pattison WS to take his relation Jane Watson, admited in 1833, out of the school – granted and her name ‘struck off the establishment’; application by Mrs Brown to substitute Lucy Sarah Brown for Anna Oliphant Brown as Anna has a place at the Merchant Maiden Hospital – granted, but not to be seen as a precedent; Ann Scott died in June – ‘her remains were given to her mother at her request, and a sum of Five Pounds to defray the expense of the funeral’; 116 children (62 boys; 54 girls) in the School; application by Mrs Walker to remove her daughter Jane – granted and name struck off; two additional boys to be admitted; between Aug. and Nov. 1 boy and 3 girls reached the age of 14 – 2 boys and 3 girls more to reach 14 before next Aug. leaving 59 boys and 45 girls – 16 children to be admitted to reach total of 120; if equal numbers to be maintained this would mean 15 girls and ‘only 1 Boy’ to be admitted – Directors submit to the Trustees that children should be admitted ‘from either sex as it may appear to be expedient when the applications are brought before them’; Charles Marshall’s pay; Dean Church – now roofed and expected to open in April – South Gallery on the right side of the pulpit reserved exclusively for the children; Rev. James Keith Hay to perform services once every Sunday in the Institution’s chapel until the new church is opened; Mr Hamilton, assistant teacher has resigned – Patrick Wilson, formerly assistant at Newington Academy appointed; David Scruton, about to leave the Institution having reached 14, to be appointed Assistant Teacher; Treasurer’s accounts to be printed and circulated; appointment of Directors by rotation
5/7	1836-16 Aug.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of Directors of John Watsons Trust fund 16th August 1836	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Welsh, Storie		Bond to the clergyman of the Church at Dean – £80 – signed by DKS and five Directors – copy of Bond to be inserted in the Minute Book
5/7	1836-20 Jun.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of the Directors of John Watsons Institution held 20 June 1836	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Blair, Finlay, Lamont, Young, Welsh, Richardson		Next selection of children 23 June at DKS’s chambers; examination of children 6 July; Directors to have a convivial gathering on examination day – DKS, Welsh, Finlay to make arrangements for a dinner
4/3	1836-21 Nov.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Stated Meeting of Directors	Deputy Keeper, Welsh, Lamont, Farquharson		Treasurer’s accounts approved
4/3	1836-21 Sept.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Minute of Meeting of the Directors of John Watson’s Institution held 21 Sepr. 1836	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Russel, Finlay, Jollie, Young, Storie, J. Mackenzie, Richardson		Jollie’s motion that David Dewar to be admitted approved unanimously after his documentation again produced
4/3	1836-23 Jun.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Meeting of Directors	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, A. Blair, Finlay, Jollie, Young, Monypenny, Welsh, Lindsey, Storie, Richardson		Applications for 41 boys and 19 girls considered – places for 10 boys and 6 girls: Selected: William Henderson, Charles Doig, John Liddle Sherriff, Richard Stephenson, John Philips, James Denson Smith, Alexander Hume, Thomas Ronaldson, Richard Hewat, Alexander Robert Bogle, Jane Watson, Ann Black, Janet Spottiswoode, Jane Charlotte Garioch, Jane Jamieson, Catherine Young
5/7	1836-25 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Stated Meeting of the Directors of John Watsons Institution held 25 January 1836	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Blair, Welsh, Storie, Richardson		Committee for auditing Treasurer’s accounts – J. Mackenzie, Storie; Committee to adjust schedules of application for admission – Welsh, R. Mackenzie, Lindsay
4/3	1836-25 Oct.	Letter	Hope, James	Letter to Richard Mackenzie		24 Moray Place, Edinburgh	Recommends approving McOmish’s request for study space before the next College session begins
4/4	1836-28 Jun.	Letter	Hope, James, Jr.	Letter		10 Rutland Square, Edinburgh	Confirming attendance Directors’ dinner at the Douglas Hotel on Wednesday, 6 July, and of attending the examination at the Institution in the forenoon
4/3	1836-Aug.	Copy Bond		Copy Bond for £80 of Stipend to the Revd Jas Keith Hay Minister of Dean Church, 5.th 9.th & 16.th Augt 1836
4/3	1836-Oct.	Report	Committee to consider application of Peter McOmish	Report by the Committee appointed to consider the application of Peter McOmish to the Directors of John Watson’s Instit.n	Treasurer, Lamont, Welsh, Young		McOmish to be granted leave to attend the Humanity Class from 9 to 10 in the morning as it will not inconvenience the school – some of the older boys are ‘qualified to take his place during his absence’; permission denied for dining at the Mr Marshall’s table – only for permanent teachers; permission denied for a sleeping apartment separate from the boys, but McOmish and D Thomson to have the use of a room separate from the children for their studies ‘so far as this may not interfere with the arrangements at the Institution’
5/7	1837-03 Nov.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of Directors of J Watsons Inst held 3 Nov. 1837	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Donaldson, Richardson, Elder, Jollie, Cook, Welsh, Monypenny		Patrick McOmish’s resignation as teacher – has new position at Moffat Academy – certificate in his favour issued by Treasurer – to be given 10 guineas in recognition of his service; new assistant teacher to be recruited at salary not exceeding £40; report to be made in the burying ground by Donaldson and Elder – also to consider improving the bank and lay out towards the river
5/7	1837-09 Dec.	Directors Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of the Directors of J Watsons Inst. held 9 Decr. 1837	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Storie, Robertson, Welsh, Jollie, Lamont		Report from Elder about a new wall built opposite the Institution which might cause flooding – Storie and Cook to examine and report; request for Hathorn ‘to sit to an eminent Artist for a full length portrait to be hung up in a Conspicuous Situation in the Institution’ – DKS and Storie ‘to wait upon Mr Watson-Gordon to arrange’
4/3	1837-12 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Minute of Meeting of Directors of J Watsons Institution held 12th Jany. 1838	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Storie, Young		Draft report laid before Trustees and approved; New Directors: Hope, Douglas, Campbell
4/3	1837-13 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Minute of Meeting of Directors of Watson Institution held 13 Jany 1837	Deputy Keeper, Storie, Welsh, Finlay, Treasurer		Draft report proposed to be submitted to Meeting of Trustees – approved
4/3	1837-15 Jan.	Report (Draft)	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Dft Report to the Stated General Annual Meeting of the Trustees of John Watson’s Fund to be held on the Third Monday 15 January 1838.			Six boys and seven girls selected and admitted; Surgeon declined to give Alexander Clerk the necessary certificate of health at examination or some weeks later – has not returned for further examination; Charles Sutherland allowed to stay beyond turning 14; 121 children in Institution August last (69 boys/53 girls); since August 3 boys and 1 girl have left having turned 14; should Alexander Clerk remain inadmissable there will be 109 children (57 boys/52 girls); 11 to be admitted to make 120; David Scruton Thomson, one of the under-masters resigned in August; Mr Marshall has given his opinion that a replacement is not necessary; Patrick [sic] McOmish appointed teacher at Moffat Academy and has resigned – presented with 10 guineas ‘as a mark of the opinion which the Directors entertained of his services at the Institution’; Mr Edward Robertson appointed as under-master with a salary of £35; committee appointed to lay out the burying ground and ‘for improving the Bank towards the river to the greatest advantage; portrait of Vans Hathorn by Mr Watson Gordon well underway – will ‘be hung up in a Conspicuous situtation in the Institution’; Treasurer’s accounts approved; Directors to retire and be replaced by rotation; Trustees to attend annual election of Treasurer; continued approbation of Master and Matron
4/3	1837-15 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Trustees of John Watson’s Institution	Minutes of Meeting of Trustees of J Watson Institution	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Lamont, Elder, Hope, Fraser, Russel, Ferguson, Donaldson, Lockhart, Newry [?]		Annual report from Directors read and reported
4/3	1837-16 Jan.	Report	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	S. Report to the Stated Annual Meeting of the Trustees of John Watsons Fund to be held on the third Monday 16th Janry 1837.			Ten boys and six girls selected; Helen Ogilvy continued beyond reaching the age of 14 but has now left the School; should have been 121 children (68 boys/53 girls) but Robert Bogle died before being admitted – David Dewar admitted in his place; Ann Black died and was buried 13 Oct. in the School burying ground – several Directors and all of the boys attended – boys and girls assembled in the Chapel and addressed by Rev. James Keith Hay before the burial; Zoe Elizabeth Caulfield Wells admitted in her place; Jane Jamieson died at her mother’s house – £5 given to defray funeral cost; two boys and three girls (including Helen Ogilvy) left having attained the age of 14; children remaining – 110 (61 boys/49 girls); ten children be be added when applications are next brought; new church of Dean opened by Dr Chalmers in 15 May – all Directors attended along with the children who were given 6d to put into the plate; Rev. James Keith Hay presented to the church with a stipend of £30; McOmish granted leave to attend the Humanity Class during the winter; McOmish and youngest teacher David S. Thomson granted permission to study apart from the children; Treasurer’s accounts approved – to be printed and circulated; Directors to retire by rotation and new Directors to be appointed; Trustees to attend annual election of the Treasurer; ‘Master and Matron’ have the ‘entire approbation’ of the Trustees
4/3	1837-16 Jan.	Trustees Meeting Minutes (Draft)	Trustees of John Watson’s Institution	Stated Annual General Meeting of the Trustees of John Watson’s Institution held 16 January 1837	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Nairne, Fergusson, Grierson, Murray, Donaldson		Directors’ Annual Report approved; Directors to retire by rotation; Hathorn elected as Treasurer; List of Directors: Deputy Keeper, Hathorn (Treasurer), James Jollie, Alexander Lamont, William Young, Alexander Monypenny, David Welsh, John Mackenzie Lindsay, Andrew Storie, James Mackenzie, Thomas Richardson, Walter Cook, John Donaldson, John Elder
4/3	1837-19 Jun.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Minute of Stated Meeting of the Directors held 19. June 1837	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Storie, Cook, Donaldson, Welsh, Elder		Letter from Mr Marshall suggesting that the children should be examined before the day of the exhibition – resolved that the examination to take place on 3 July and the exhibition on 4 July; Assistant teacher D. S. Shinton [?] will leave in the autumn having obtained a situation in Paisley; Directors to meet with Mr Marshall about his replacement; Selection of children for admission to take place on 26 June at 12 noon; Directors to be notified; Mr Marshall to attend the election at 2 pm; only 10 vacancies expected; Agnes Bowick [?] returned to her mother on request; Death of Peter Lorimer – so 12 vacancies instead of 10; currently 60 boys and 47 girls – also Charles Sutherland ‘a supernumery boy, whose situtation is now under Consideration of the Directors’
5/7	1837-20 Nov.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Stated Meeting of Directors of John Watson’s Institution held 20 Nov. 1837	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Storie, Cook, Donaldson, Welsh		Treasurer’s accounts approved – to be printed and circulated; Mr Edward Robertson appointed as Assistant Teacher at a salary of £35 per year
4/3	1837-21 Aug.	Letter	Mackenzie, Richard	Copy of letter of recommendation for Mr Marshall’s application as Governor to George Heriot’s Hospital with copy of Directors’ Minutes of 21 Aug. 1837 praising Marshall			sent to Vans Hathorn
4/3	1837-23 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Minute of Stated Meeting of Directors of J Watson Ins held 23 Jany 1837	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Lamont, Elder, Mackenzie, Donaldson, Elder		Donaldson and Elder added to Committee to audit Treasurer’s accounts; Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Mackenzie, Lindsey, J. Mackenzie, Welsh – committee for schedule of applications; Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Lamont, Donaldson, Elder – committee ‘to consider as to fitting up the burying place’
4/3	1837-26 Jun.	Meeting of Directors	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Meeting of Directors	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Cook, Storie, Elder, Donaldson, Lamont, Young, Welsh, Monypenny, Lindsay, Richardson, J. Mackenzie, Jollie		Selection from applications from 24 boys and 18 girls: Samuel Paxton, George Brunton, Edward Black, Adam Mason, Alexander Clark, James Archibald Finnie Allan, Williamina Bateinment [?], Isabella Walker, Margaret Ritson, Mary Douglas, Georgina Jane Monro Hall, Helen Anne Hay, Jane Christie Sheriff [revised by Hathorn]
4/3	1837-Jan.	Report	Board of Directors of John Watson’s Trust	Report to the stated annual meeting of the Trustees of John Watson’s fund to be held on the third Monday 16 Januy 1837			Ten boys and six girls selected; Helen Ogilvy continued beyond reaching the age of 14 but has now left the School; should have been 121 children (68 boys/53 girls) but Robert Bogle died before being admitted – David Dewar admitted in his place; Ann Black died and was buried 13 Oct. in the School burying ground – several Directors and all of the boys attended – boys and girls assembled in the Chapel and addressed by Rev. James Keith Hay before the burial; Zoe Elizabeth Caulfield Wells admitted in her place; Jane Jamieson died at her mother’s house – £5 given to defray funeral cost; two boys and three girls (including Helen Ogilvy) left having attained the age of 14; children remaining – 110 (61 boys/49 girls); ten children be be added when applications are next brought; new church of Dean opened by Dr Chalmers in 15 May – all Directors attended along with the children who were given 6d to put into the plate; Rev. James Keith Hay presented to the church with a stipend of £30; McOmish granted leave to attend the Humanity Class during the winter; McOmish and youngest teacher David S. Thomson granted permission to study apart from the children; Treasurer’s accounts approved – to be printed and circulated; Directors to retire by rotation and new Directors to be appointed; Trustees to attend annual election of the Treasurer; ‘Master and Matron’ have the ‘entire approbation’ of the Trustees
4/3	1838-15 Jan.	Report	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Report to the Stated General Annual Meeting of the Trustees of John Watsons Fund to be held on the third Monday 15.th January 1838			Six boys and seven girls selected; Alexander Clerk not admitted; 121 children in the School (68 boys/53 girls); resignation of David Scruton Thomson as undermaster – no need for replacement; Patrick [sic] McOmish appointed usher in the Moffat Academy and has resigned – presented with 10 guineas; new under teacher, Edward Robertson at £35 p.a.; burying ground and landscaping improvements; Hathorn portrait; approval of Treasurer’s accounts – abstract to be printed and circulated; Directors’ rotation; annual election of Treasurer; continued approbation of master and matron
4/3	1838-16 Jun.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of Directors of John Watsons Institution held 16 June	Storie, Welsh, Monypenny, Cook, Elder, A. Campbell, Hathorn		Exhibition to take place on 3 July with special examination the day before; Selection of children to take place on 25 June
4/3	1838-19 Nov.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Stated Meeting of Directors of John Watsons Institution	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Welsh, Elder		Treasurer’s accounts approved; committee to consider salaries; ‘paper apart’ – Mr Wilson, under teacher, has resigned to take a place at Leith High School; Mr Marshall advertised vacancy; Mr Robert Richardson and Mr Stewart interviewed; Richardson appointed at salary of £45 p.a.; Mr Wilson’s increase in salary to £50 was not recorded and he will be paid retrospectively for his service; Miss Auld, ‘female teacher’, salary to increase to £26.5 after 21 Oct.
4/3	1838-22 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting minute of Stated Meeting of the Directors of John Watsons Institution held 22 Janry 1838	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Storie, Cook, Welsh, Donaldson, Douglas, Campbell		Committee (Deputy Keeper, Hathorn, Donaldson, Elder, Campbell, J. Hope) to consider alterations of sick rooms – to meet architect Burn and plumber Hay; financial arrangements; A. Douglas has replaced Storie in Committee on Accounts
4/3	1838-25 Jun.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting fo the Directors of John Watsons Institution held on 25 June 1838	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Cook, J. Donaldson, A. Campbell, J. Hope, Welsh, Richardson, Elder, J. Mackenzie, A. Douglas, Monypenny		Selection of children – applications from 25 boys and 16 girls – note from Hathorn in margin: ‘NB. There were only 12. Vacancies – Yet in this List there are 8. Boys & 5. Girls – there must be Some Mistake V. H.’; Charles Keith, Alexander Aitken, Robert McBryde, Alexander Mackenzie Matheson, Seth Henry Clarkson, Robert Moodie, David R. Guild, Napier Campbell, Josephine Harriette Ricketts Welsh, Johanna Jolly, Elizabeth Manley, Helen Brown, Ann Hall; note from Hathron: I certainly thought Helen Ross was chosen on the Recommendation – V. H. [with full list of applicant names designated Good, Doubtful, or Bad
4/5	1839-08 Oct.	Letter (Copy)	Mackenzie, Richard	Letter to Hugh Vans Hathorn		32 Abercrombie Place, Edinburgh	Request for Directors and boys to attend his father’s funeral
5/7	1839-08 Oct.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	[Meeting – 8 October 1839]	Deputy Keeper, Jollie, Storie, Russell, Cook, Douglas, Elder, Campbell		Death of Hathorn – request of Directors to attend funeral; arrangments for electing new Treasurer – applications be be taken after Hathorn’s funeral – Storie to act as Treasurer until election of new Treasurer on 12 November
4/5	1839-09 Oct.	Letter	Hathorn, Hugh Vans	Letter to Richard Mackenzie		107 Princes Street	Acknowledges receipt of letter requesting attendence at father’s funeral; ‘I beg to accept of the proposal contained in your Letter’
4/4	1839-10 Jun.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of Directors of the Watsons Institution held 10 June 1839	Deputy Keepr, Treasurer, Russell, Douglas, Donaldson, Elder, Grierson		Examination of the children to take place in the Hall of the Instition on 2 July at 12; usual sum to be allowed for premiums; selection of children to take place on 26 June at 12; Dinner to take place on 2 July a the Douglas Hotel – DKS, Russell, and Elder to make arrangements; Salary for assistant teacher Mr E Robertson to increase from £35 to £45; landship on the bank – Donaldson and Elder to consult Mr Jardyne, Engineer
4/5	1839-11 Oct.	Director’s Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of the Directors of John Watson’s Institution held 11 Oct 1839	Deputy Keeper, Jollie, Storie, Douglas, Donaldson, Russell, Cook		Arrangements for Hathorn’s funeral; Mr Marshall and Mrs Richardson to receive £10 each for mournings; £5 each for Mr Molleson and Miss Child for mournings; Dean Chapel to be draped in black cloth; Mr Roberson has resigned as a teacher – Cook, Douglas, Russell to arrange replacement; park lands to be attended so; Deputy Keeper given power ‘to give any order he may think necessary relative to the trees around the building’
5/7	1839-12 Nov.	Trustees Meeting Minutes (Draft)	Trustees of John Watson’s Institution	Minute of Meeting of the Trustees of John Watsons Institution held of the purpose of electing a Treasurer in room of the late Vans Hathorn on 12 Novr 1839	Deputy Keeper, Jollie, Gibson-Craig, P. Irvine, Cook, Nairne, Cunningham, Donaldson, Welsh, J. Irvine, Bruce, Smyth, Aytoun, Bell, Ferguson, Arnot, Renny, Wright, Blair, Dickson, Douglas		Tributes to Hathorn; John Hamilton, clerk to the society of John Watson’s Institution, nominated by Jollie, seconded by Gibson-Craig – no other candidates – elected until Stated Annual meeting of Trustees in January; Hamilton’s assistant clerk to act as Clerk to the Institution
4/2	1839-13 Feb.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Meeting of Directors of John Watsons Institution, 13 Feby 1839	Hope, Hathorn, Jollie, Cook, Storie, Douglas, Russell, Campbell, Hope jun.		Skin complaint among the children reported by Mr Johnston (Surgeon); Dr Abercrombie to be consulted for advice; Johnston to be more particular with his monthly reports
5/7	1839-15 Nov.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of the Director of John Watsons Institution held 15 Nov 1839	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Storie, Cook, Douglas, Donaldson, Elder, Grierson		Treasurer to find caution for £2000 divided between four sureties at £500 each; Committee of Jollie, Cook, Douglas to consider duties performed by Hathorn and report on renumeration; Clerk’s duties
4/3	1839-18 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of Directors of John Watsons Institution held 18 Jany 1839 [two versions]	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Douglas, Welsh, Donaldson, Cook, Storie		Draft report for Trustees read and approved; Mary Glover has been returned to her family two years early – ‘a remarkably clever child’ who won prizes at the School – to be given £10 despite leaving early; Isabella Couper to remain at the School until July
5/7	1839-18 Nov.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of Directors of John Watsons Institution, 18 Nov. 1839	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Storie, Cook, Donaldson, Russell, Grierson, Elder		Mr Webster’s appointment as Clerk and interim arrangement; Hathorn’s family to receive £210 – £105 for each daughter in recognition of his lack of renumeration for services he performed;
4/3	1839-21 Jan.	Trustees’ Meeting (Draft)	Trustees of John Watson’s Institution	Mintute of Stated Annual Meeting of the Trustees of J Watson’s Institution held 21 Jany 1839	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Renny, Tennant, Aytoun, Lamont, Arnott, Kennedy, Welsh, Ferguson, Russel		Annual Report of Directors read and approved; election of new Directors; Hathorn re-elected as Treasurer
4/3	1839-21 Jan.	Report	Mackenzie, Richard	Report to the Stated General Annual Meeting of the Trustees of John Watsons Fund to be held on the third Monday 21 Janry 1839			Eight boys and five girls selected for admission; Alexander Clerk admitted following certification by surgeon; Mary Glover and Catherine Young taken away by their friends; 119 children in the School (65 boys/54 girls); financial arrangements; insurance policies; Patrich Wilson has left to take up position at Leith High School; Robert Richardson supplies his place; Mrs Mollison, matron, to be presented witih 50 guineas in recognition of her 8.5 years of service; Mr Watson Gordon has completed Hathorn’s portrait which is in the chapel; Treasurer’s account approved; election of Directors; election of Treasurer; approbation of master and matron
5/7	1839-22 Nov.	Trustees’ Minutes (Draft)	Trustees of John Watson’s Institution	Minute of Meeting of the Trustees of John Watsons Institution held 22 Nov 1839	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Dickson, Donaldson, Nairne, Bell, Welsh, Sands, Kermack, Bruce		Remumeration to Hathorn’s family approved
4/5	1840-01 Apr.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors, 1 April 1840	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer (Hamilton); Kennedy, Welsh, Douglas, Grierson, Elder, Fergusson		Mr Marshall’s salary increase approved
4/5	1840-04 Jun.	Letter	Mollison, Anne	Letter to Directors of John Watson’s Institution		John Watson’s Institution	Letter requesting increase in salary
5/7	1840-05 Aug.	Letter	Burn, William	[Letter to Richard Mackenzie]		131 George Street	Building repairs – showers installed, dry rot, flooding in cellars [Penny Black stamp]
4/3	1840-06 Apr.	Receipt	Elder, James	Receipt for £16.6. from John A. Macrae
4/5	1840-06 Apr.	Letter	Marshall, Charles	Letter to Directors of John Watson’s Institution		John Watson’s Institution	Letter thanking the Directors for his increase in salary
4/5	1840-06 Mar.	Director’s Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of Directors of John Watsons Institution held 6 March 1840	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Donaldson, Elder, Kennedy, Welsh, Grierson, Russell, J. Hope		Mr Marshall’s salary
4/5	1840-06 May	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of Directors of John Watsons Institution held 6 May 1840	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Douglas, Russell, Donaldson, Welsh		Two children of the late John Anderson WS who has died in the West Indies leaving 5 children and a widow – George and Thomas – to be admitted into the Institution as soon as the surgeon gives a satisfactory report of their health; Mary Turnbull – who left the Institution a year early because of a complaint of the spine to be given the usual £10 and a bible given to children leaving the Institution
4/5	1840-11 Jun.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors, 11 June 1840	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Cook, Russell, Donaldson, Douglas, Kennedy, Welsh, Campbell, Fergusson		Meeting to admit children to take place on 18 June at noon; Letter from Mr Marshall thanking Directors for salary increase; Mrs Mollison’s salary to increase from £50 to £75
4/2	1840-16 Nov.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution		Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Ferguson, Campbell, Donaldson, Welsh		Treasurer’s accounts; report on offer made by Mr Laurie for lease of North Park for ten years; committee appointed to consider supplies of food and clothing for the Institution
4/2	1840-17 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Minute of Meeting of Directors, 17 Jany 1840	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Storie, Ferguson, Grierson, Elder, Donaldson,		Hathorn’s account approved; request for Robert Lauder to remain at the school despite reaching the age of 14; Lauder grante leave to remain until the Examination; Treasurer given discretion to allow children who have turned 14 to remain until the Examination; committee of Treasurer, Grierson, and Elder to consider teaching the girls ? and the boys ‘to work with the Spindle’
4/2	1840-18 Jan.	Surgeon’s Report	Johnston, Henry	[surgeon’s report for 1839]		34 Queen Street	Health report on inmates Watson’s institution: measles, sore eyes, no infectious fevers, no scarlet fever, ten or twelve of the girls had very mild smallpox, boys had skin diseases, one death – Catherine Macthay (?); Mary Turnbull (servant?) – curvature of the spine – consultation with Charles Bell and James Syme for treatment who advised to send her home.
4/4	1840-18 Jan.	Letter	Johnston, Henry	Letter to John Hamilton		34 Queen Street, Edinburgh	Enclosure for statistical account for 1839; request for increase in salary to that he can take a coach to the Institution [torn with loss of text]
4/2	1840-18 June	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution; Cook, Walter	Meeting of Directors	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Cook, Russell, Donaldson, Douglas, Glenorchy, Welsh, Campbell, Ferguson, Elder		Examination of children to take place on 30 June; annual sums to be allowed for premiums; applications – list of 15 children (2 girls; 13 boys) selected with details of recommenders and cautioners; debate about admission of William Henderson whose father was alive but had abandoned his wife and 8 children – Deputy Keeper dissented based on tradition of not admitting children in this situation; Jollie, Cook, Douglas, Russell argued there had never been any rule disallowing children in this situtation and that children like Henderson were particularly in need of assistance
4/2	1840-20 Jan,	Report	Watson’s Institution	Report to the Stated General Meeting of the Trustees of the John Watson’s Fund to be held on the Third Monday of January – 20 Janry 1840			Annual report: number of children in the School; Edward Robertson, assistant teacher has left to study to become a clergyman – replaced by William Palmer – salary £35; approval of Treasurer’s accounts; by rotation, three Trustees (Storie, Mackenzie, Richardson) to be replaced; £210 paid to Hathorn’s daughters; John Hamilton elected Treasurer – to find caution for £2000; Treasurer’s salary to be £105 per annum for himself and his clerk; Mr Webster to act as interim clerk to the Institution; Master and Matron have ‘entire approbation’ of the Trustees this year
4/2	1840-20 Jan.	Report	Watson’s Institution	Report to the Stated General Annual Meeting of the Trustees of the John Watson Fund to be held on the third Monday of January, 20 Jany 1840			Number of children; staffing; accounts; death of Hathorn; resolution to pay £210 to Hathorn’s daughters; new Treasurer John Hamilton; interim clerk to the Institution, Mr Webster, currently apprentice clerk to the Society
4/2	1840-20 Jan.	Trustees’ Meeting (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Stated Annual General Meeting of the Trustees of the Trustees of John Watson’s Institution held 20 January 1840	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Storie, Ferguson, Grierson, Elder, Donaldson, Douglas, Rutherford, Smith, Fraser, Aytoun, ?		Annual report approved; list of directors 1840
5/7	1840-21 Sep.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of John Watsons Institution on 21 September 1840	Deputy Keeper, Jollie, Welsh, Douglas, Elder, Ferguson		Dry rot in ‘whole lower story’; Burn requested to report; repairs completed and Burns’ account to be paid
5/7	1840-24 Aug.	Letter	Burn, William	[Letter to Richard Mackenzie]		131 George Street	Encloses accounts for repairs -not present] – showers and washing troughs installed, dry rot repairs, flooring in boys’ play room
4/2	1840-27 Jan.	Meeting of Directors	Watson’s Institution	Stated Meeting of Directors	Deputy Keeper, Elder, Grierson, Russell, Ferguson, Donaldson, Welsh, Auld, Cook		Treasurer’s books; committee to consider admission of children – adjustments to be circulated to Commissioners; committee to consider educational offering for the children; vestry rota
4/5	1840-Mar.	Report (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Report of the Committee of the Directors of John Watsons Institution on the Proposition to encrease the Salary of the Head Master Mr. Marshall			Mr Marshall’s ‘peculiar circumstances’ – Head Master since 1828 (selected 1828), contributions – rules, regulations, ‘perfect Confidence’ of the children, management of the building and grounds, now a licentiate of the Church and likely to find work at another school with a larger salary attractive – Committee suggests raising his salary from £100 to £150 on condition that he does not leave the Institution unless he obtains a church living; Marshall has been teaching writing, arithmetic, and drawing without any extra allowance
4/2	1841-01 July	Letter	Forbes, John	Letter to John Hamilton		John Watson’s Institution	Dry rot – Forbes (Head Master) disputes Burn’s account that the building is safe; white mould on windows of north-east side and end of one of the joists, bedroom story – wood under the floor seems to be infected; Mr Hill the carpenter’s opinion different from Burn’s report
4/4	1841-03 Feb.	Letter	Johnston, Henry	Letter to Richard Mackenzie		34 Queen Street, Edinburgh	Request to emply Dr Duncan, surgeon, Dundas Street, as an assistant in visiting the Institution when Johnston is prevented from attending because of ‘illness or any other necessary cause’
4/2	1841-04 Dec.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Meeting of Directors	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer		[blank – no notes]
4/2	1841-04 Dec.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Meeting of Directors	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Dickson, Douglas, Welsh, Donaldson [crossed out], J. Mackenzie, Bowie, Yorstoun, Kennedy, Forbes		Treasurer directed to receive offer for the North Parish, meeting called to consider if children could visit their friends – committee appointed; Forbes to engage Mr McLea as drawing master for £20 per annum; John Stevenson’s friends have found him a situation and request that he be allowed to leave the Institution early – granted and Stevenson to receive the usual £10 allowance; Donaldson’s report on and plan for the fields around the Institution.
4/2	1841-05 July	Letter (Copy)	Hamilton, John	Letter to William Burn		Signet Office	Has sent a copy of Burn’s letter to Forbes ‘…expressed my hope that he was now satisfied that everything there was now quite safe & satisfactory. I annex a copy of his answer and shall be glad to receive your observations thereon that I may lay the correspondence on this important matter before the Directors’.
4/2	1841-05 July	Letter	Hamilton, John	Instructions to Robert Webster, re: copying Burn and Forbes letters		Signet Office	Instructions for copying letters with first part of Letter 1 with mathematical calculations on verso
4/4	1841-09 Apr.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of Directors of John Watsons Institution held 9 April 1841	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, J. Mackenzie, Douglas, J. Hope, Bowie, Kennedy, Fergusson, Dickson		Mr Marshall to leave the Institution having been appointed to the Chapel of Dunfermline; Meeting hopes he will not leave before the examinations and regrets the loss of his ‘Valuable Services’; Committee to find his replacement
4/4	1841-09 Feb.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of Directors of John Watsons Institution held 9 Feby 1841 [addressed to Mr John Hamilton with Penny Black stamp]	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Dickson, Douglas, Welsh, J. Mackenzie, Kennedy, J. Hope		DKS and Jollie have met with Dr Johnston – Dr Duncan approved as Johnston’s assistant; made clear to Duncan that he did not have a claim to be appointed as Surgeon should the vacancy arise;
4/4	1841-09 Mar.	Petition	Samuel, Mary	Petition of Mary Samuel			Petitioner is anxious to go to Montreal where she has two sons and wishes to ‘take her little daughter Mary’ along with the rest of her family; requests ‘the usual allowance’ to buy clothes for the voyage; special gratitude to the Matron
4/2	1841-10 Dec.	Report	Watson’s Institution	Report by Committee named by the Directors of John Watsons Institution to consider as to extending the period allowed to the children for visiting their Friends	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Douglas, Dickson, Welsh, Ferguson, Jollie, J. Mackenzie		Jollie reported on practice at other institutions. Proposals: children to be allowed to visit their friends over the Christmas break for 3 or 4 days, if approved by Master or Matron; children be be allowed to leave the Institution one day each month provided that their friends pick them up and return them ‘at Such hour as the Master or Matron May think proper’; vacation after summer examination should remain as it is; Keeper or Treasurer or any Director to authorise visits ‘when they conceive particular circumstances for it’. Treasurer in the first instance, than Keeper, then Directors. All approved.
5/7	1841-10 Jun.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of Directors of John Watson’s Institution, 10 June 1841	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Dickson, Douglas, Bowie, Kennedy, Ferguson, Campbel		Selection of children, 15 June; Examination of children, 22 June; Mr Richardson, assistant teacher, request for increase in salary – committee to consider, Jollie, Dickson, Russell, Bowie; painting to be done during the vacation; Mr Henderson, music teacher, salary to increase by £5 to £15 from August
4/4	1841-11 Mar.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of Directors of John Watson Institution held 11 March 1841 [penny red stamp – addressed to John Hamilton]	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Campbell, Ferguson, Dickson, Jollie, Russell		Petition of Mrs Samuel – granted – Mary Samuel to be given the usual £10 in consequence of her good behaviour and progress – not to be seen as a precedent
4/2	1841-12 July	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Minute of Meeting of Directors	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Dickson, Welsh, J. Mackenzie, Ferguson		Dry rot – Deputy Keeper to wait on Mr Burn and report
5/7	1841-12 May	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of the Directors of John Watson’s Institution, 12 May 1841	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Dickson, Douglas, Welsh, Bowie, J. Mackenzie, Kennedy, Ferguson, Campbel, J. Hope jnr		Mr Marshall’s thoughts on education; Dr John Forbes from Aberdeen appointed as new Head Master at salary of £120 per year
4/2	1841-13 June	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Meeting of Directors	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Dickson, Welsh, Kennedy, Douglas, J. Mackenzie, Forbes		Two boys, Smith and Allan, ran off to Smith’s mother in Glasgow. (Mrs Smith, 3 Clelland’s ?, Buchanan Street, Glasgow). Smith ‘a very ill behaved boy’ and to be expelled. Allan ‘a well behaved boy’ who had been ‘seduced by Smith to leave the Institution’ – any application for re-admission will be considered; assistant teachers’ salaries (£50); application of one of Mrs Laurie’s grandchildren; application of D. Campbell to return – ‘on no account’ in margin
4/2	1841-13 Nov.	Letter	Forbes, John	Letter to John Hamilton		John Watson’s Institution	Proposal to add French lessons – happy to teach the class himself so the only extra expense would be grammar exercise books (5s for each pupil) and dictionaries – please ‘lay my request before the Meeting of Directors on Monday’; Drawing master – testimonials for Mr McLea of the High School, Leith, ‘the gentleman who offered to attend for an hour and a half twice a week for £20’.
4/2	1841-15 Jan	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Stated Meeting of Directors	Jollie, Russell, Kennedy, Ferguson, Donaldson, Elder, Mackenzie, Dickson, Bowie, Mackenzie (James)		Heating; Annual Report of the Directors read and approved; new Directors to be appointed
4/3	1841-15 Jun.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Meeting of Directors	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Dickson, Douglas, Russell, Welsh, Bowie, Fergusson, Kennedy, A. Campbell, J. Hope		Committee (Deputy Keeper, Hathorn, Donaldson, Elder, Campbell, J. Hope) to consider alterations of sick rooms – to meet architect Burn and plumber Hay; financial arrangements; A. Douglas has replaced Storie in Committee on Accounts
4/2	1841-15 Nov.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Stated Meeting of Directors	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Ferguson, Welsh, Dickson		Treasurer’s accounts; Forbes’ proposal to teach French approved; decision on drawing master delayed for the present.
4/4	1841-16 Jan.	Surgeon’s Report	Johnston, Henry	Report by Mr Johnston, Surgeon		34 Queen Street, Edinburgh	Report on childrens’ health for 1840; Scarlet fever – Jan. 1841 (William Watson, William Bell, Hugh Glass, Francis Anderson, George Anderson, Edward Blackly, Charles Keith, Napier Campbell, John McNicol, Charles Mackechnie, Wilhemina Landsdowne, Isabella Walker – all convalesing); whooping cough – Oct. 1840 (Francis Anderson, George Anderson); colds, slight sore eyes, skin diseases, scald head; Isabella Walker – in delicate health with digestive problems – sea bathing in the summer may help
4/4	1841-18 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of the Annual General Meeting of the Trustees of John Watsons Institution held 18 Janry 1841	Deputy Keeper, Jollie, Storie, Dickson, Donaldson, Nairne, Bowie, Nesbit, Waddel, Ferguson, Lamont, Douglas, Elder, Arnott		Annual report of the Directors read and approved; report from Mr Johnston, surgeon; election of new Directors; Mr Hamilton elected as Treasurer
4/4	1841-25 Feb.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of Directors of John Watson’s Institution held 25 Feby 1841 [AND] Minute of Meeting of Directors of the John Watsons Institution held 26 Feby 1824	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, J. Hope Jr, Fergusson, Douglas, Campbell, Mackenzie, Jollie, Nisbet, Dickson, Welsh, Kennedy [25 Feb]; Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Kennedy, Fergusson, Welsh, Hope Jr, Douglas, Dickson, Jollie, Russell, J. Mackenzie [26 Feb.]		Three boys have absconded (Blaikie, Glass, Hood) and have not been heard of since; Mr Marshall attended the meeting; During the meeting, the Treasure received word that the boys had arrived at his house [25 Feb.]; Boys who absconded examined – they scaled the wall of the Institution and proceeded towards Glasgow, about four miles from Glasgow, a Mr Curry advised them to return and gave them a letter for Mr Marshall; Blaikie – two years older than the other boys – has history of being absent – ‘a boy of bad general habits and disposition’; other boys aided the absconders by giving them money and ‘other trifling articles to assist them’ (William McLeod, Daniel Underwood Lapslie, John Bertram Stephenson, Robert Huddleton, Isaac Arthur); Burridge Blaikie to be expelled [Minute of 27 Feb. – children assembled in Chapel – Blaikie expelled – to be conducted to his grandmother, Mrs Purvis]
4/4	1841-25 Feb.	Letter	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Answer to Mrs. Macleod’s letter			Her son Alexander received £10 when he left the Institution and was bound to Mr Mackenzie, Sheriff Substitute of Rosshire in August 1840
4/4	1841-25 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Stated Meeting of Directors, 25 Janry 1841	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Douglas, Farquharson, Jollie, Dickson, Campbell, Kennedy, Welsh, Bowie, Grierson		Committe for auditing the Treasurer’s accounts (DKS, Douglas, Bowie); Committee to adjust schedule of applications for admission (DKS, Treasurer); Visiting Committee schedule; Report of committee into heating the under story of the Institution; Medical arrangements – committee to correspond with Dr Johnstone re: his attendance; allowance for Dr Abercrombie for his ‘various attendances’; Royal Bank stock
5/7	1841-26 Apr.	Letter	Marshall, Charles	[Letter to Richard Mackenzie]		John Watson’s Institution	Thoughts on educational improvements; suggests School may have to become single sex to compete with other institutions; girls’ learning hampered by their having to perform household duties
4/2	1841-26 Oct.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Minute of Meeting of Directors of John Watson’s Institution, 26 October 1841	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Dickson, J. Mackenzie		Treasurer read letter from Mrs Smith. Letter from Mr A. F. Allan – uncle of James Allan – requesting his nephew’s re-admission. Has been ‘severly flogged at home’ as a punishment. Forbes would rather he had been treated with kindness. Allan to be re-admitted and Forbes ‘to act toward the boy as he may judge right in the circumstances’.
4/2	1841-29 Sept.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Minute of Meeting of Directors of John Watson’s Institution held 29 Sep. 1841	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Dickson, Ferguson, Bowie, J. Mackenzie, Russell, Jollie, Welsh, Douglas, Forbes		Request to remove David Jamieson from the Institution early so that he can take up an apprenticeship with Mr Henderson, architect, and request to allow him the £10 usually given to children leaving – granted, £10 and a Bible to be given; James Allan and Alexander Mathieson have run off but have been traced with their mothers – to be re-admitted and punishments for them and any accomplices to be decided by Forbes.
4/2	1841-30 June	Letter	Burn, William	Letter to John Hamilton		131 George Street	Has not responded to Hamilton’s letter of the 28th because he has been examining the building – has not been ignoring the previous letter. Offended at being thought to be doing so. [Penny red stamp]
4/2	1841-30 June	Letter	Burn, William	Letter to John Hamilton [dry rot report]		131 George Street	Has examined the building and found only ‘a Slight indication of decay behind the skirting, occasioned by the Closeness of the finishings – but this had long Since Ceased to operatate upon the timber’. Building is dry and free from damp. ‘…there is no occasion for any further investigation’. [Penny red stamp]
4/4	1841-Jan.	Report	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Report to the Stated General Meeting of the Trustees of John Watsons Fund to be held on the Third Monday of January 1841 [with List of Directors January 1841]			Two sons of the late John Anderson WS and a son of the late James Murray, Writer in Edinburgh, admitted by special powers of the Directors on 9 May last; Two girls and fifteen boys admitted last August; Thirteen children to be admitted; Head master Marshall and Matron Mollison to receive increases in salary – Marshall from £100 to £150 plus a 100 guinea bonus; Mollison from £50 to £70; Dry rot in ‘Sunk Storey’; Report on dry rot from Mr Burn; £300 spent to rectify the problem – the Directors regret the expense; Treasurer’s accounts approved; new Directors by rotation; Trustees to attend election of the Treasurer; entire approbation of the Master and Matron during the last year
4/2	1841-July	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Minute of Meeting of Committee of Directors of John Watson Inst.n for the Salaries of the Assistant Teachers [sic]	Deputy Keeper, Jollie, Dickson, Russell, Treasurer		Copy of letter 2 sent to William Burn, re: dry rot – request for report not answered; and letter 6 – copy of letters from Forbes (Head Master) reporting issues
4/2	1842-03 Jan.	Surgeon’s Report	Johnston, Henry	Surgeon’s report for 1841		34 Queen Street	Inmates ‘unusually healthy’ – ‘ordinary every day ailments…feverish colds, sore eyes’. No measles, scarlet fever, ‘Hooping Cough’, or typhus. But some children had ‘scald head, and slight Ringworm’. Jane Gardner – ‘Scrophulous Supperation in one of her legs, in which the bone was slightly affected’ but has ‘excellent general health’ otherwise. No deaths in the last three years.
4/2	1842-06 Apr.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Meeting of Directors	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Ferguson, Aytoun, Welsh, Dickson, Irvine, Mackenzie, Bowie		Committee appointed to fill vacancy (?); ten children to remain until the vacation; application of Mrs Wright remitted to Treasurer and Vestry to do as they think right
4/2	1842-11 Mar.	Letter	Gall, Agnes	Letter to John Hamilton		81 Fountainbridge, Edinbrgh	Petition for daughter (Jane – aged 14) to be allowed to remain at the School
4/2	1842-11 Mar.	Petition	Gall, Agnes	Petition of Mrs Agnes Gall Residing at 81 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh		81 Fountainbridge, Edinbrgh	Petition for daughter (Jane – aged 14) to be allowed to remain at the School; with letter of recommendation from Anna M. Jollie of Abercromby Place
4/2	1842-13 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Minute of Meeting of Directors held 13 Jany 1842	Deputy Keeper, Douglas, Bowie, Welsh, Ferguson, Dickson, Yorstoun, Russell		Application for James Thomson, son of deceased Thomson RN, to be admitted specially to the Institution – approved pending receipt of the regular certificates.
4/2	1842-14 Jun.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Minute of Meeting of the Directors of John Watson’s Instiution held 14 June 1842	Deputy Keeper (Mackenzie), Treasurer(Hamilton), Jollie, Aytoun, Irvine, Dickson, Donaldson, Mackenzie, Welsh, Ferguson		Mr Manson elected Minister of the Dean Church unanimously; Mr Hamilton (Treasurer) authorised to sign any document in the Directors’ name to complete the presentation
4/2	1842-17 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Report of the General Stated Meeting of the Trustees of John Watson’s Fund to be held on the 3d Monday of January 1842			Admissions and statistics. Discretionary admission in Oct., Agnes Bell and in Jan., James Thomson. Head Master Mr Marshall has been appointed to church at Dunfermline and left the Institution. Dr Forbes, new Head Master – salary £120. Salaries for Mr Richardson and Mr Palmer increased to £50. Mr Mudie (music teacher) – £15. Two boys – Burridge Blackie and James Denon Smith – ran off and were expelled. Mr McLea appointed drawing master. Dr Forbes to teach French. Changes to policies about visits. Floors inspected ‘in consequence of some apparent decay’ by Mr Hamilton, architect – satisfactory report. Treasurer’s accounts approved. New Trustees needed by rotation. Trustees will need to attend annual election of Treasurer. Matron and teachers have ‘entire approbation’ of the Directors.
4/2	1842-17 Jan.	Trustees Meeting Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Annual Stated Meeting of Trustees	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Aytoun, Dickson, Donaldson, Waddell, Hope Senior		Annual Report of Directors approved; List of Directors (Jan. 1842): Deputy Keeper, John Hamilton – Treasurer; James Jollie, John Russell, William Grierson, David Welsh, James Ferguson, John Kennedy, Walter Dickson, James Mackenzie, John Bowie, Roger Aytoun, Patrick Irvine, John Donaldson
4/2	1842-17 Jan.	Report (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Report by the Directors to the Trustees for John Watson’s Institution			Admissions and statistics. Admission of Agnes Bell and James Thomson. Mr Marshall (Head Master) – departure to take up church at Dunfermline. Dr Forbes appointed Head Master. Salary increased to £50 for teachers, Mr Richardson and Mr Palmer. Music teacher (Mr Mudie) salary increased to £15. Burridge Blaike and James Denon Smith expelled. Mr McLea engaged as drawing master. Dr Forbes to instruct the children in the French language. Regulations for visiting approved. Mr Hamilton’s report on the state of the floor. Treasurer’s accounts approved. Directors changed by rotation. Trustees to attend election of Treasurer. ‘Continued approbation of the conduct of the Matron and the Teachers at the Institution./’
4/2	1842-24 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Watson’s Institution	Stated Meeting of Directors	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Jollie, Dickson, Aytoun, Donaldson, Welsh, Kennedy		Bowie and Ferguson appointed to committee for auditing Treasurer’s accounts; adjustment to schedule of admissions; visiting committee rota
4/3	1843-03 Nov.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Trustees of John Watson’s Institution	Minute of Meeting of Directors of John Watsons Institution held 3 Nov. 1843	Storie, Dickson, Donaldson, Fergusson, Douglas, J. Mackenzie, Irvine, Bowie, Treasurer		Forbes intends to apply for position as Governor of George Heriot’s Hospital; Directors would regret losing his valuable services as Head Master, but recognise that he is ’eminently qualified’ for the new situation
4/3	1843-09 May	Letter	Johnston, Henry	Letter to John Hamilton		34 Queen Street	Request to lay enclosed letter before the Directors
4/3	1843-09 May	Letter	Johnston, Henry	Letter to Directors of John Watson’s Institution		34 Queen Street	Had served as surgeon for 20 years and, aged 76, requests that ‘you should look for a younger & more active Ordinary Attendent than myself’; examples of medical attendents from other institutions receiving salaries after retirement.
4/3	1843-16 Oct.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of the Directors of John Watsons Institution held 16th Octr 1843	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Welsh, Fergusson, Kennedy, Dickson, Bowie, Irvine, Storie, Cook [and members of the Edinburgh Presbytery: Principal Lee, Brunton, Muir, Hunter, Veitch]		Meeting to consider the vacancy in Dean Church with attendence by some of the members of the Edinburgh Presbytery; Memorial and Queries submitted to Solicitor General about legal powers of the Directors as Patrons of the Dean Church; resolved as suggested by the Solicitor General to call a meeting of the original subscribers who gave £10 or more towards the building of the church; Deputy Keeper to attend the meeting on 25 Oct. and vote on behalf of the Trustes of the John Watson’s Fund
4/3	1843-18 Oct.	List		List of Existing Subscribers of £10 and upwards to Dean Church			List of 40 original subscribers for building the Dean Church, with addresses
4/3	1843-23 May	Letter	Forbes, John	Letter to the Directors of John Watson’s Institution		John Watson’s Institution	Disruption – will the Directors dispute Mr Manson’s claim to retain the Dean Chapel when he has left the established church? Mr Douglas a witness to his ‘tirades…on Sunday last’ – should the children be allowed to attend his services? Request for dispensation not to attend himself since ‘Disreptionists’ are cut off from the Communion of the Church and as a probationer would be subject to discipline.
4/4	1843-24 Jun.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of the Directors of John Watson’s Institution held 24 June 1843	Douglas, Bowie, Ivory [?], Welsh, Fergusson		James Manson no longer a member of the Church of Scotland so Dean Church lacks a minister – Manson still preaching; Interdict needed from Court of Session to get him to cease; DKS, Treasurer, Welsh, Fergusson – committee to take legal steps necessary; Copy of letter to Mr Manson requesting a ‘Statement that You do not intend again to preach’ or steps will be taken to ‘procure an interdict’
4/3	1843-24 Mar.	Report	Committee on the Introduction of Teaching of Instrumental Music; Hamilton, John	Report of Committee of Directors of John Watsons Institution as to the Introduction of the Teaching of Instrumental Music			Selection of children – applications from 25 boys and 16 girls – note from Hathorn in margin: ‘NB. There were only 12. Vacancies – Yet in this List there are 8. Boys & 5. Girls – there must be Some Mistake V. H.’; Charles Keith, Alexander Aitken, Robert M
4/3	1843-24 May	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of Managers of JW Institution held 24 May 1843	Deputy Keepr, Storie, Douglas, Irvine, Welsh, Dickson, Mackenzie		Consideration of letters from John Forbes (Disruption matters) and Henry Johnston (wishes to retire as surgeon to the Institution)
4/3	1843-26 Jan.	Directors’ Minutes (Draft)	Directors of John Watson’s Fund	Minute of Meeting of Directors of John Watsons Institution held 26 Janry 1843	Deputy Keeper, Storie, Dickson, Douglas, Cook, Irvine, Welsh, Kennedy, Fergusson, Treasurer		Special application of John Meller (b. June 1835) – statement of circumstances from Fergusson – unanimously resolved to admit pending usual certificates
4/3	1843-29 May	Trustees Meeting Minutes (Draft)	Trustees of John Watson’s Institution	Minute of Meeting of Commissioners of the Signet Trustees of John Watsons Fund held 29 May 1843 [incomplete]	Deputy Keeper, Treasurer, Storie, Cook, Douglas, Fergusson		Douglas moved that annual election of Directors be made at Stated Annual Meeting of Trustees in November instead of at the January meeting so that names can be included in the almanac for the year that they are Directors; seconded by Storie – to be considered at next meeting after consulting the Regulations
4/3	1843-30 Oct.	Minutes – Committee of Subscribers to the Dean Church	Committee of the Subscribers to the Dean Church	At a Meeting of the Committee of the Subscribers to the Dean Church held within the Chambers of Mr William Young WS on Monday the 30th day of October 1843 years.	Richard Mackenzie (DKS), George Ross, J. Learmonth, Adam Longmore, John Hamilton, William Young (convenor)		Minutes of the meeting that appointed the Committee laid upon the table; Mackenzie and Hamilton to obtain a copy of Mr Rutherford’s Opinion; Dr Forbes to be requested to take charge of the letting of seats in the church until further arrangements can be made; New minister to be provided as soon as possible
4/3	1843-May	Letter (Draft)		Letter			Rev. James Manson has left the Church of Scotland; new minister needed for the church and parish of Dean; reference to a letter from Manson; assumption that the Presbytery will supply a new minister for services for the children
4/3	1861-02 Nov.	Testimonial	Gordon, John	Letter to John Hamilton [testimonial for Alexander Gillespie]		Kirkudbright
4/3	1861-06 Nov.	Letter	Gillespie, Alexander	Letter [job application]		Beith
4/5	1861-07 Nov.	Letter	Currie, James	Letter to John Hamilton		General Assembly’s Normal Institution, Edinburgh	Letter of recommendation for William King for a mastership at John Watson’s Institution
4/2	1861-08 Nov.	Job application	Robson, John	[application for assistant-mastership position]		Mayfield School, Carluke
4/5	1861-08 Nov.	Letter	Nairne,	Letter to John Hamilton		Education Committee, 22 Queen Street, Edinburgh	Letter of recommendation for William King for a mastership at John Watson’s Institution
4/3	1861-14 Nov.	Letter	Robson, John	Letter to J. Hamilton [job application]		Mayfield School, Carluke	Job application; had called on Directors of John Watson’s Instituiton and requests addresses of new directors that will be elected the following week so that he can send them his testimonials
4/3	1861-18 Nov.	Letter	Forbes, John	Letter to John Hamilton [passing on testimonials for John Robson]		Donaldson’s Hospital
4/5	1861-25 Oct.	Application	King, William	Letter to Directors of John Watson’s Institution		West End Academy, Dundee	Application letter for mastership at John Watson’s Institution
4/3	1861-27 Nov.	Testimonial	Macaulay, Bryce Johnston	Letter of recommendation for John Robson		Wishaw
4/3	1861-31 Oct.	Testimonial	Robertson, Henry M.	Letter to Christopher Douglas [recommending John Robson]		Manse of New Mains
5/8	c. 1826	List		Commissioners John Watsons fund			List of Comssioners from 1820 to c. 1826
4/5	n.d. [c. 1839-40]	Report		Report as to the Painting of the remaining part of John Watson’s Institution			Report about the painting works undertaken so far and plans to continue the work