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/732 Margaret Duncan

name of accused
Margaret Duncan
designated title
no information
Accused Reference
A/EGD/721
Case date start
19/4/1699
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 possesion (secondary characteristic)
  • demonic possessions (primary characteristic)
Characterisation Notes
Just described as tormenting Margaret Murdoch and Margaret Laird. She also appeared to a guy in his bed chamber with Marion Ure and Jannet Gentleman. See Agnes Supp for description of the possesion.
additional persons
name involvement notes
no additional persons recorded

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

  • Shape changing
Notes
appeared as an apparition to a guy in his bed chamber with 2 other witches the three also appeared as animals - a sow, a cat and an ape.

Counter strategies

  • no information

white magic

  • no information

Elf/fairy elements

  • no information

Shape-changing

  • Apparition at a guys bed
  • Animal

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
Denounced by Margaret Laird in Paisley, and Margaret Murdoch in Govan. Both girls claimed to be tormented by witches. Laird and Murdoch denounced many people while in fits. Most of the witness testimony was given in Paisley (19-21 April 1699, from Laird) and Glasgow (22 April 1699 from Murdoch). Testimony came from people who witnessed Laird's fits and denunciations among other things.
references
name notes
Books of Adjournal JC3/1 f. 89 None
Process Notes JC26/81 f. 9 dittay dated 21/4/1699
Circuit Court Books JC10/4 part 3 None