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/748 Janet Robertson

name of accused
Janet Robertson
designated title
no information
Accused Reference
A/EGD/737
Case date start
22/4/1699
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 (secondary characteristic)
  • demonic possesion (secondary characteristic)
  • demonic possessions (primary characteristic)
  • maleficium (secondary characteristic)
  • neighbourhood dispute (secondary characteristic)
Characterisation Notes
She was mostly accused of causing the tormenting/possession of Margaret Murdoch after Murdoch stole from Janet. She was also accused of trying to get Murdoch to give herself over the devil, by signing a piece of paper and by doing the head and foot. See Agnes Supp for description of torment.
additional persons
name involvement notes
no additional persons recorded

Qualitative information

Non-natural beings

Notes
Tried to get someone to do the head and foot.
  • no information

Demonic pacts

  • no information

witches meetings

Notes
None

Meeting places

  • no information

musical instruments

  • no information

Folk culture

Notes
She was blamed for a charme involving a frog at the threshhold. She also advised someone to wade into the Clyde.

Counter strategies

  • no information

white magic

  • no information

Elf/fairy elements

  • no information

Shape-changing

  • no information

Ritual objects

  • Frog
  • Water

Religious motif

  • no information

Calendar customs

  • no information

Diseases or illness

  • Human illness
  • Quarreling
  • Cursing
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 Murdoch in Govan, a girl who claimed to be tormented by witches. Her father was John Murdoch of Craigtown in the parish of govan. Murdoch denounced many people while in fits. Most of the witness testimony was given in Glasgow (22 April 1699) and it came from people who witnessed Murdoch'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