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/754 Janet Hairstains

name of accused
Janet Hairstains
designated title
no information
Accused Reference
A/EGD/743
Case date start
10/5/1699
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)
  • maleficium (secondary characteristic)
  • refused charity (secondary characteristic)
  • not enough information (secondary characteristic)
  • not enough information (primary characteristic)
Characterisation Notes
Indicted for using spells and enchantments and for corresponding with the Devil. I think this could be refused charity because there is a mention of pain in her bowels when she asked for food.

Qualitative information

Non-natural beings

Notes
corresponding with the devil
  • 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

  • Human illness
  • Animal illness
  • Quarreling
Notes
wronged several of her neighbours cattle. Some evidence of quarrels and threats. She was refused entertainment (i.e. food).

Cause of witch's malice

  • no information

Other maleficia

  • Property damage

    • Damage to property

    • Animals

    weather modification

    • no information

    Notes
    None

    Other charges

    • Enchantment
    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
    Porteous Rolls JC26/86 f. 250 the big and little roll DALYELL p. 630
    Dumfries Presbytery records CH2/1284/4, pp, 152, 163, 168, 191-94. Notes that she was suspected of witchcraft and was to be banished from the area.
    Process Notes JC26/88 f. 342 arrest warrant drawn up in accordance with the porteous roll, alphabetical list of verdicts from the Dumfries circuit court, and another porteous roll.
    Process Notes JC26/91 f. 456 Assize verdict. unopened documents with the seal still intact. But the verdict was written on the outside and elsewhere - so it was decided not to have the NAS open the document.
    Witchcraft Papers JC40/11 None