NY census of inmates in almshouses and poorhouses

[roobyred]

I found this document for an ancestor Benjamin Shepherd. There's a category HABITS. Can anyone tell me what the word is? Looks like temp to me but what does that mean? It says he has been admitted b/c he is destitute but it also says he is married and no mention of his wife or her name.
Is there anyone who can help me understand this and maybe find more information about him?

Thanks, Roberta

[Tessa78]

I cannot tell you for certain the meaning of "Temp" but it could refer to either "temperate" - calm and reasonable; OR "temperance" - abstinence from alcoholic drink...

Here is an article from NY Times about the NYC Home for the Aged and Infirm (the Manhattan Division was on Blackwell's Island, I believe)
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-fr ... 946196D6CF

A link to a photos of the Home on Blackwell's Island, NYC (the Manhattan Division) at the Harvard Arts Museum
http://www.harvardartmuseums.org/art/158785
http://www.harvardartmuseums.org/art/20804

And some history of the island (now known as Roosevelt Island) and the institutions...
http://rihs.us/?page_id=120

T.

[roobyred]

Thanks Tessa78.
Will certainly check out these links! Roberta