The Survey of Scottish Witchcraft

1563-1736

By Julian Goodare, Lauren Martin, Joyce Miller and Louise Yeoman, January 2003

The Survey of Scottish Witchcraft logo

Case Details

C/LA/3002 Unknown Bell

name of accused
Unknown Bell
designated title
Mistress
Accused Reference
A/LA/2868
Case date start
no information
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
Denounced in public by Margaret Murdoch a girl claiming to be tormented by witches and evil spirits. See Agnes Supp for a description of the torment. No other indication of reputation for anything else. Most of the testimony in these cases was from people who witnessed Murdoch's fits and denunciations.
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
Named by Margaret Murdoch a girl claiming to be tormented by witches. She was the daughter of John Murdoch of Craigtown in the parish of Govan and she named many people. She was examined by a doctor and many ministers. Although suspected, Bell doesn't appear to have been proceeded against. 1 man and 3 women testified against her in Glasgow 22 April 1699.
references
name notes
Circuit Court Books JC10/4 part 3 None