The Survey of Scottish Witchcraft

1563-1736

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

The Survey of Scottish Witchcraft logo

Case Details

C/EGD/213 Janet Diksone

name of accused
Janet Diksone
designated title
no information
Accused Reference
A/EGD/202
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

  • unorthodox religious practise (secondary characteristic)
  • folk healing (secondary characteristic)
  • maleficium (secondary characteristic)
  • neighbourhood dispute (secondary characteristic)
  • not enough information (secondary characteristic)
  • not enough information (primary characteristic)
Characterisation Notes
Seems to be mostly neighbourhood dispute. She is described as flyting, threatening and cursing 'fearfully'. Person commenting in writing on the dittay said that the holy well incident was a charm not witchcraft.

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 ritual acts
  • Unorthodox religious practice
Notes
She told the parents of a sick child to send it to St. Jroganis well. The whole thing failed and the child died. This is St Jergan's well at Islesteps.

Counter strategies

  • no information

white magic

  • no information

Elf/fairy elements

  • no information

Shape-changing

  • no information

Ritual objects

  • Water

Religious motif

  • Holy well

Calendar customs

  • no information

Diseases or illness

  • Quarreling
  • Cursing
  • Healing humans
Notes
Failed healing attempt

Cause of witch's malice

  • no information

Other maleficia

  • Property damage

    • Damage to property

    • Aqua Vitae

    weather modification

    • no information

    Notes
    Aqua Vitae is most probably whisky. She caused a woman's aqua vitae barrels to dry up after being refused a sale.

    Other charges

    • Charming
    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 seven investigated by the Presbytery of Dumfries on this date.
    references
    name notes
    Process Notes JC26/13 Bundle A None