Some of Edinburgh Tolbooth's History.
1480 Old tolbooth Edinburgh erected.
1561 Edinburgh tolbooth demolished. Replacement built close to Signet library. .
1790 Calton prison Edinburgh built with 52 working cells and 129 sleeping cells.
1802 Edinburgh tolbooth - 26 felons
Edinburgh bridewell - 51 felons
1808 Work started on new jail in Edinburgh at Calton Hill.
1817 Edinburgh tolbooth demolished.
Some Tolbooth Prisoners..
Gilbert Baillie, gypsy, prisoner in Edinburgh, Tolbooth, transported from Greenock to N.Y., 21 Oct. 1682,
Hugh Baillie, gypsy, James Baillie, the younger, John Baillie, gypsy, from Greenock to N.Y., Margaret Baillie same date
John Hamilton, prisoner at Edinburgh Tolbooth, transported from Grennock to N.Y. 21Oct 1682
Andrew Hogg, prisoner in Edinburgh Tolbooth sent from Greenock to N.Y. 21Oct 1682ETR
Margaret Robertson, gypsy, prisoner in Edinburgh Tolbooth, transported Greenock to N.Y. 21 Oct 1682
Tollbooth Cell
People held in the cell at the tolbooth during the years 1794-1795
Flora McDougall of Inverary
Married John Strathern, wright in Holyrood Abbey on may 9th 1795
Arrested with hi on may 11th on suspision of stealing from the Duke of Argyles lodgings at Holyrood Abbey.
Banished from the Burgh of Cannongate 28th May, under pain of Pillory in case of her returning.
Banished from Edinburgh in 1796 and found work as a servant in Broomhill Kilmarnock.
Donald McCulloch of old Greyfriars Parish
Married by occupation a Porter.
detained on 7th august 1795 on suspision of deserting and for enlisting in, and receiving money from different regiments.
Arrested on 10th August for enlisting with the 23rd light Dragoons and receiving 8 guineas of Bounty.
Escaped from the Tollbooth October 1795
George Bain. Spirit Dealer in the Cowgate.
Imprisoned on 7th January 1794 at the request of Andrew Archer, brewer for debt of 6 pounds 10 shillings.
Released under the statute of "cessio bonorum" by handing over all his worldly goods to his creditor. This would have allowed him to clear his debt, even though it may not have covered the amount he owed. He was back in business in 1796
