The origins of the Hospital are due to various attempts by the Incorporated Trades and Merchants in Old Aberdeen to provide a "care home" for their elderly and infirm members and their "relicks".

The operation of the hospital has been modified twice in the twentieth century to provide self-contained flats for elderly ladies.

The premises stand removed a short distance from the road with fore court; excellent pasture and kitchen gardens fully planted with fruit tress; and well cropped orchard and paddock; with comfortable cottage nearby adjoining; with coach house, stabling and lofts and various outbuildings, tack years etc.

Lot 2 A piece of copyhold land in front of the above on the opposite side of the road held of the Manor of Wanstead and Stonehall.While he did not own a large estate, he appears to have had a very comfortable life as a gentleman bachelor.

[21] On or about 19 November 1800 the Principal of King's College Old Aberdeen, Dr. Roderick MacLeod, received a communication that ".. an unknown gentleman had an intention of founding and endowing an Hospital for the maintenance of 10 old women of this city ..…".

The College contacted the Merchant Society, the Magistrates and the Trades Council to seek support for "… founding and endowing an Hospital for the maintenance of ten old women of this city ..…".

The residents were to be ".. five aged relicks and five maiden daughters of decayed gentlemen or merchants or trade burgesses… " William Jack, the Sub-Principal of Kings College reported that the Magistrates and Town Council of Old Aberdeen had agreed unanimously that land would be acquired and granted gratis to the College for use by a Hospital.

James Stronach, Convener of the Trades Council said they prepared to contribute their share to have a hospital built.

The Mortification was a very detailed document that determined how the hospital was to run, who were eligible for residence, what they were to wear and what type of food was to be provided.

Two of the applicants were rejected ".. though their moral character, age and indigence was fully ascertained.." because they could not provide proof of their husband's link to the Incorporated Trades.

A minute of the Governor's on 2 February 1802 records that she ".. came over from the new town in a cart, she being unable to walk on account of the poor state of her health..".

Mitchell continued to take a keen interest from where he lived in London about the residents, the building, its insurance and its boundaries until he died in 1803.

His sister Mary was very insistent that a long wooden bench seat be provided in Old Machar Church for the ladies to occupy on Sundays.

This involvement was to continue after Mitchell's death with marble tablets commemorating his generosity erected in the public room of the hospital and also in the Old Machar church.

These beakers were used by the "auld maids", the Governors, the Matron and visitors at an annual Founders Day celebration on 31 December each year.