OS1/14/5/44

Continued entries/extra info

[Page] 44

[Page] 44A

[Marginal Note]
This acct. [account] was
Communicated
by Mr. Miller
Writer Arbroath

The origin of the name Eleemosynary descrip-
tive of the Ground on the Westside of the
High Street, from Lordburn to Tower Nook
is very apparent. In old dictionaries the tech-
nical term "Eleemosynary" is defined as
"a place in a monastery where the common alms
were laid up; also the almoner's office, to which
peculiar rents were allowed." The same term
when contracted or corrupted into Almonry or
Aumry, is defined as "the office or lodgings of the
almoner; also the place where the alms are given."
Spelman, as already quoted, says that every mon-
astery had such an aumry. As a very large
part of the revenues of the Abbey of Arbroath
were regularly distributed in the shape of alms
to the poor and to strangers, this spot of ground
was accordingly occupied by the Almoner's house
and offices, and by the warehouses where these alms were sup-
plied. Old records mention
Almonshouse Hall the Almonshouse
as being in the immediate vicinity of the Abbey
The Almonry or Aumry of the Abbey is believed to
have been situated where the house of Mr Suttie
wine merchant now stands. The Aumry had a
Court or Close into which those who
expected alms were congregated; and hence arose
the popular term Aumry Close or Almerie Closs
a name which would be familiar to all the needy
frequenters of the almoner's establishment. There
are similar instances of almoner's premises
bearing
[continued on page 44B]