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Site of a manse. The manses surrounding the Cathedral were all named for different areas in the diocese of Aberdeen. The different areas provided the prebend, or payment, for the canons who worked in St Machar's Cathedral. The location of the manses of the canons of the cathedral gave the name to this part of Old Aberdeen, the Canonry or Chanonry. This manse was surrounded by Oyne manse on the north, the gardens and house of Cruden and Ellon on the south with the road to the cathedral to the east (The Chanonry Road) and Kettle Hill on the west. Many of the manses in the Chanonry were built in the later medieval period but no documentary evidence for this manse has been found to suggest a foundation in this period. However, if many of the Chanonry manses were established in the 14th or 15th century, Banchory-Devenick may have been as well. Sometime in the 15th century there were complaints that the manses were run-down and boundary walls needed to be repaired. The canons who resided in the manses were instructed to fix the walls or be penalised (Morgan, Old Aberdeen, 36). The household items in the medieval manses were to be handed down by each canon to his successor and may have included simple bed linen, kitchen utensils, and necessary furniture for the public room and items needed for the brewing of ale. There are few details of the later owners of this manse In 1580, the property was sold by Robert Mersar, rector of Banchory-Devenick to one of his relatives, Henry Mersar, son of Laurence Mersar of Mekiloure. The manse was demolished in 1720 and at the time it belonged to the heirs of James Gordon of Seaton. The site is now occupied by Mitchell's Hospital (NJ90NW0191).
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