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/587 Elspeth Thomsone

name of accused
Elspeth Thomsone
designated title
no information
Accused Reference
A/EGD/576
Case date start
23/4/1671
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

  • demonic (secondary characteristic)
  • maleficium (secondary characteristic)
  • neighbourhood dispute (secondary characteristic)
  • neighbourhood dispute (primary characteristic)
Characterisation Notes
Mostly quarrelling and threats. But, Janet Callen, executed for witchcraft in 1659, had lived with Elspeth and supposedly left holes in her hearth stone. This could have played a part in her developing witch reputation. Interesting reference to Thomsone being upset at not getting an invitation to a baptism (very much like Sleeping Beauty).
additional persons
name involvement notes
no additional persons recorded

Qualitative information

Non-natural beings

Notes
A delerious man claimed to have seen the Devil as a rat that bit him and that he saw him coming towards him in his yard.
  • no information

Demonic pacts

  • Servant
  • Sex
  • Devil's Mark

witches meetings

Notes
None

Meeting places

  • no information

musical instruments

  • no information

Folk culture

Notes
People were taking thatch from her roof, especially from above her door, to stop her harmful magic from working. Interestingly, she was described as earnestly offering apples to someone who refused (presumbably out of fear that they were tainted). Elspeth was suspected of becoming angry at this refusal and caused harm. She interferred with milk churning, and injured infants of people she quarrelled with. Neighbours testified that Janet Callen, executed for witchcraft in 1659, had left holes in Elspeth's hearth stone from when she lived there.

Counter strategies

  • Prayer
  • Counter-magic

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 death
  • Quarreling
  • Cursing
Notes
She killed a baby after she wasn't invited to the baptism. Quarrels about work, borrowing things, and social slights.

Cause of witch's malice

  • Social slight

Other maleficia

  • Property damage

    • Damage to property

    • Dairy

    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
    None
    references
    name notes
    Circuit Court Books JC10/2 fo. 18r, 21r-21v, 24r (west) None
    Process Notes JC26/38 her own bundle. Her bundle has a dittay and witness depositions. Also a summonds for her to appear at trial and assize notes.