The list of all men aged sixteen and above within the burgh of Aberdeen was compiled between 27 and 29 August 1759 as part of the preparations for the defence of the town against an invasion by the French. On 3 August 1759, the Council noted that the town was "defenceless ... for want of cannon, small arms and soldiers", and resolved to arm the Block House (Council Register, Volume 62, folio 258 verso); William Kennedy records that, in addition, a force of 500 defence volunteers was enrolled (Annals of Aberdeen, London, 1818, Volume 1, page 318).
Twenty-seven sections of the list survive in the City Archives and have been transcribed. The transcription is available below.