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/LA/2988 Helen Thompson

name of accused
Helen Thompson
designated title
no information
Accused Reference
A/LA/2854
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
Accused by Margaret Laird of being her tormentor. See Agnes Supp for a description of the tormenting/possession. Wasn’t' accused of anything else. The testimony is from people who witnessed Laird denounce many people while in the midst of fits.
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

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
Was not tried, just denounced as being one of the tormentors of Margaret Laird - no evidence that legal action was taken. 1 man testified against her at Paisley between 19-21 April
references
name notes
Circuit Court Books JC10/4 part 3 None