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/588 Janet McMurdoche

name of accused
Janet McMurdoche
designated title
no information
Accused Reference
A/EGD/577
Case date start
3/5/1671
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
It says that the panel was poinded by her main victim. She had a lot of threats and curses followed by harm. And had a solid witchcraft reputaiton. Also said she used charmes but doesn't specify whether that meant for healing or harming so have not ticked folk healing as there is no evidence that she healed anyone.
additional persons
name involvement notes
no additional persons recorded

Qualitative information

Non-natural beings

Notes
None
  • no information

Demonic pacts

  • Servant
  • Devil's Mark
  • Sex

witches meetings

Notes
None

Meeting places

  • no information

musical instruments

  • no information

Folk culture

Notes
None

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 death
  • Animal illness
  • Animal death
  • Quarreling
  • Cursing
Notes
Quarrels and threats

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
None
references
name notes
Circuit Court Books JC10/2 fo. 17r-17v, 19r, 20r-20v, 24r (west) The circuit court books are out of order, so the notes on her case are split up.
Process Notes JC26/38 witness summonds, summonds for her, and some of the charges.