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/617 Gideon Penman

name of accused
Gideon Penman
designated title
Mr
Accused Reference
A/EGD/606
Case date start
2/4/1674
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

  • not enough information (secondary characteristic)
  • not enough information (primary characteristic)
Characterisation Notes
It is difficult to characterise this case as there is no evidence of accusations related to witchcraft. The concerns of the presbytery relate more to his 'scandalous carriage' such as his affair with his servant, non-attendance at kirk, lack of visiting of his parishioners and pilfering of the poor fund rather than practising witchcraft or magic. He was indicted for witchcraft with a group in the circuit court.

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

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

Notes
None

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
he was indicted for witchcraft on 8
references
name notes
Books of Adjournal JC2/15 f. 20r, 37v None
Dalkeith Presbytery records CH2/424/5, pp 17, 29 onwards esp pp 42-44, 87-106; early entries cover the accusations and investigations about Penman's scandalous behaviour: drinking, fathering a child to his servant etc. Witnesses were called and interviewed. One of the witnesses (Isobell Hislop(e)/Hyslop) is named as a witch and was tried in 1679 or 1683. Penman was found guilty of the charges and removed from his position as minister. Further investigations 7/1677. By 3/10/1678 Penman is recorded as being accused of witchcraft and imprisoned. No further details.
RPC 3rd series, vol 5, p 494. Record of commission for arrest.
Circuit Court Books JC10/3 fo. 20r. None
Process Notes JC26/49 None
Process Notes J26/52 petition and granting of release from prison in 1679.