The Survey of Scottish Witchcraft

1563-1736

By Julian Goodare, Lauren Martin, Joyce Miller and Louise Yeoman, January 2003

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Case Details

C/EGD/210 Thomas Paton

name of accused
Thomas Paton
designated title
no information
Accused Reference
A/EGD/199
Case date start
21/1/1650
Given case date
no information
Case commission
no information
case complaint
no information
case correspondence
no information
case chronicle
no information
other details
no information

characterisation

  • folk healing (secondary characteristic)
  • folk healing (primary characteristic)
  • maleficium (secondary characteristic)
  • neighbourhood dispute (secondary characteristic)
Characterisation Notes
He was a healing team with his wife so I have ticked folk healing for his characterisation. It was their folk healing practice that got them into trouble.

Qualitative information

Non-natural beings

Notes
None
  • no information

Demonic pacts

  • no information

witches meetings

Notes
None

Meeting places

  • no information

musical instruments

  • no information

Folk culture

  • Specific Verbal Formulae
Notes
Told a man to seek the moulles (chilblaines?) of a black cow. He supposedly spoke words of healing that caused a whole house and bed to shake the sick people recovered.

Counter strategies

  • no information

white magic

  • no information

Elf/fairy elements

  • no information

Shape-changing

  • no information

Ritual objects

  • no information

Religious motif

  • no information

Calendar customs

  • no information

Diseases or illness

  • Human illness
  • Human death
  • Quarreling
  • Cursing
  • Rec. healer
  • Healing humans
Notes
He healed as well as the quarrel, curse misfortune sequence. He was paid for healing. Quarrels concerned pasturing sheep and horses, selling and buying. Their servant said he laid on illnesses, his wife lifted them.

Cause of witch's malice

  • no information

Other maleficia

Damage to property

  • no information

weather modification

  • no information

Notes
None

Other charges

  • no information

Notes
None

Plea

Claimed bewitched
no
Claimed possessed
no
Admitted lesser charges
no
No defence
no
Claimed natural causes
no
Notes
None
Case Notes
Part of a group of 7 investigated by the presbytery of Dumfries on this date.
references
name notes
Process Notes JC26/13 Bundle A None