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scryuit with his hand, as also subscryuit be my Lord Halyrudhous and Mr Johnne Preftoun, Collectour, producet be my Lord Aduocat, togidder with the Letteris of Hoirning, &c., the Affyfe, be pluralitie of voittis, be the mouth of the faid Williame Sydferf of Ruchlaw, chanceller, ffand, pronuncet and declairit the said Johnne to be Clene, innocent and acquit of airt and pairt of the Slauchter of the faid vmqle Robert Merfar: AND ffand, pronuncet and declairit, be pluralitie of voittis, the faid Johnne to be ffylit, culpabill and convict of airt and pairt of the flauchter of the faid vmqle Williame Broun; and for beiring, weiring and fchuiting of piftolettis, contrair the tennour of the Actis of Parliament. And that, in respect of his awin Depofitiones and Confeffioun producet, fubfcryuit with his hand.

SENTENCE. For the quhilk caufe, the faid Juftice-depute decernit and adiudget the faid Johnne Forbes, be the mouth of James Henderfoun, dempfter, to be tane to the mercait Croce of Edinburgh, and thair, vpone ane scaffold, his heid to be strukin frome his body; and all his moveabill guidis to be efcheit and inbrocht to his hienes vfe, as convict of the crymes aboue-writtin: Quhilk wes pronuncet for dome.

Sorcery — Witchcraft — Incantation — Poisoning, &c.

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[THE singularity of the following Trial cannot fail to be remarked by all who have bestowed any attention upon the history of the Superstitions of their native country. In illustration of several of the circumstances detailed, the Editor considers that the CONFESSIONS of ISSOBELL HALDANE, preserved amongst the Warrants of the Privy Council of Scotland, will prove an acceptable accompaniment. The Editor has not yet discovered whether that unfortunate woman suffered the usual death which awaited such a Confession. It is, however, but too probable that she was put to death, by being brunt,' at Perth, in terms of her own Depositions.]

Dec. 18.-BARTIE PATERSOUN, tasker in Newbottill.

Dilaitit of the cryme of Sorcerie and Witchcraft, in abuseing of the peopill with charmes and dyuerfe foirtes of Inchantmentis; and miniftring, vnder forme of medecine, of poyfoneable drinkis: AND of airt and pairt of the Murthour of Johnne Myller in ffurd-mylne, about Martimas laft, and of vmqle Elizabeth Robiefoune, be the faidis poysonable drinkis, viz. FOR Cureing of James Broun in Turnydykis of ane vnknawin disease, be miniftrating to him of drinkis, rubbing him with sawis1 maid of dyuerse grene herbis, and causing him pas hame to his awin hous and at his bed fyde to fitt doun on his kneis, thre feuerall nychtis, and everie nycht, thryfe nyne tymes, to afk his helth at all leving wichtis, abque

1 Salves.

and vnder the earth, in the name of JESUS. And thaireftir, ordanit the said James to tak nyne pickillis of quheit, nyne pickillis of falt and nyne peces of rowne-trie,' and to were thame continuallie vpone him, for his helth; committing thairby manifeft Sorcerie and Witchcraft. ITEM, for abuseing of the people, with ane certane watter, brocht be him furth of the Loch callit the Dow-Loche, befyde Drumlanrig, and cureing of his awin bairne with the said Loche watter, be wasching of the faid bairne, at everie nuke thairof, thryfe; and cafting in of the bairnis fark in the faid Loche, and leveing of the fark behind him; affirming, that gif any fould come furth of the Loche, at that tyme, the patient wald convalefe, and gif na thing appeirit to him, the patient wald die: AND for cayreing of the faid Loche watter to findrie of the cuntrie, that war viffeit with feiknes, or quhais beiftis war feik or foirfpokin :3 Speciallie, for the miniftrating thairof to Alexander Clerk, in Creichtoun, for his helth; be caufing him, at ilk tyme quhan he liftit the ftoupe,* quhairin it was, to spaik thir woirdis: I lift this watter, in the name of the Father, Sone and Haly Gaift, to do guid for thair helth for quhom it is liftit;' quhilkis wordis fould be repeitit thryse nyne tymes. AND for vfeing of thir charmes following, for charmeling of cattell; 'I CHARME thé for arrow-fchot, for dor-fchot, for wondo-fchot, for ey-fchot, for tung fchote, for lever-fchote, for lung-Schote, for hert-schot, all the maift, in the name of the Father, the Sone and Haly Gaift. AMEN.' AND for behaifing him felf as ane cowmone Sorcerer, in abuseing of our fouerane lordis leigis, thir diuerfe yeiris bygane, be his devillische practizes, vpone dyuerfe feik folk and feik beftiall; and vfeing of dyuerfe vther foirtis of Inchantment, expres aganis the lawis of God and Actis of Parliament.

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As at lenth is contenit in the said Barteis Depofitiones, maid in presens of the Prefbiterie of Dalkeith, and Dittay formet thairupoune.

VERDICT. The Affyfe, be the mouth of Thomas Megget of Maiftertoun, chancellar, ffand, pronuncet and declairit the faid Bartie to be ffylet, culpable and convict (conforme to his awin Confeffioun) of the haill crymes aboue writtin.

SENTENCE. To be tane to the Caftell-hill of Edinburghe, and thair to be wirreit at ane staik, quhill he be deid; and thaireftir his body to be brunt in afches; and all his moveable guidis and geir, gif he ony hes, to be escheit and inbrocht to his hienes vfe, &c.

&c.

1 The mountain-ash. Its virtues are even yet held in great repute, as a charm against Witchcraft, 2 Shirt. The purpose of so doing was to leave the disease on the shirt, and to make an offering to the genius loci. In Ireland, at this day, 'Holy Wells' are commonly resorted to by the sick, &c., who, after ablution and drinking of the spring, leave pins and pieces of rag, torn off some part of the patient's dress. 3 Bewitched, charmed. A sort of wooden bucket or pitcher,

used for holding or carrying water.

DEPOSITIOUNES of ISSOBELL HALDANE, fufpecht of WISCHCRAFT,
CONFESSIT be hir the 15 of Maij 1623, as followis.

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BEING Convenit befoir the Seffioun of Perth, eftir prayeris maid to God to oppin hir hairt and louse hir toung to Confes the treuth :-Being askit, Gif scho hed onye fkeill of cureing men, wemen or bairneis that war difeifit?' Scho anfuerit, that scho had nane. Being requirit, Gif scho cureit Andro Duncanes bairne?' Anfuerit, that, according to the directioun of Jonat Kaw, fcho went with Alexander Lokart dwin1 to the Turret-Port, tuik watter frome thence, being dwin; brocht it to Andro Duncanes house; and thair, wpone hir kneis, in the name of the Father, Sone and Halye Gooft, weufch2 the bairne! Eftir that, tuik the watter, with the bairneis fark, accumpaneit with Alexander Lokart, and kuift3 baith in the burne; bot in the going, scho skaillit1 fwm, quhilk scho rewis ane evill rew,5 becaus that if onye hed gone ower it, thay hed gottyn the ill. ITEM, being afkit If scho hed ony conversatioun with the ffarye-folk?' Anfuerit, that ten yeiris fyne, lying in hir bed, scho wes taikin furth, quhidder be God or the Deuill scho knawis nocht; wes caryit to ane hill-fyde: the hill oppynit, and scho enterit in. Thair scho stayit thrie dayis, viz. fra Thurifday till Sonday at xij houris. Scho mett a man with ane gray beird, quha brocht hir furth agane.

ITEM, that fame day JOHNE ROCH deponit, that about that fame tyme, he beand in James Chryftie the wrichtis buith, caufing the wricht mak ane cradill to him, becaus his wyff wes neir the downlying; the faid Iffobell Haldane com by, defyret him nocht to be fa haiftie, for he neidit nocht; his wyff fould nocht be lichter" [till that tyme fywe oulkis, and then, the bairne fuld neuer ly in the craidill, bot be borne, bapteist, and never fouk, bot die and be tane away. And as the faid Iffobell fpak, fo it cam to pass, in euerie poynt.

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THE faid Iffobell being demandit, How scho knew that?' Anfuerit, that the man with the gray beird9 tauld hir. ITEM, the faid Johne Roch deponit, that Margaret Buchannan, fpous to Dauid Rind, being in helth, at hir ordinare wark, the said Iffobell Haldane come to hir, and defyreit hir mak hir for deith ;10 ffor befoir Faftingis-ewin, quhilk wes within few dayis, fcho fuld be taikin away. And as fcho faid, fo it wes; befoir that terme the woman died. Being afkit, How fcho knew the terme of hir lyfe?' The said Iffobell anfuerit, scho hed speirit at that same man with the grey beird, and he hed tauld hir.

THE xvj day of May 1623. PATRIK RUTHUEN, fkynner in Perth, compeirit and declairit, that he being wifchit11 be Margaret Hornifcleuch, Iffobell Haldane com to fie him; fcho com in to the bed and ftrauchit12 hir felf aboue him, hir heid to his heid, hir handis ower him, and so furth, mumbling fum wordis; he knew nocht quhat they war.

THE faid Iffobell Confeffit the faid cure; and deponit, that befoir the faid Patrik wes wifchit, scho mett him, and foirbad him to go till fcho had gone with him.

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THE xix day of Maij 1623. Compeirit STEPHANE RAY in Muretoune, and deponit, that thrie yeiris fyne, that Iffobell Haldane haueing ftollin fum bere furth of the Hall of Balhouffye, he followit hir, and brocht hir bak agane; scho chaipit13 him on the fchulder, faying, Go thy way! Thow fall nocht win thy felf ane bannok of breid for yeir and day!' And as fcho threttinit, fa it cam to pas. He dwynnit,14 hauelie difeifeit.

THE faid Iffobell Confeffis the away-taking of the bere, the diseise of the man, and affirmes, that onlye fcho faid, He that delyueret me frome the ffarye-ffolk fall tak amendis (on) thé !' ITEM, the fame day scho confest scho maid thrie feuerall caikis, euerie ane of thame of ix curneis15 of meill, gottin fra ix wemen that wer maryit madynnis; maid ane hoill in the crowne of euerie ane of theme, and

* Washed.

3 Cast, threw.

Spilt some.

5 Regrets or rues bitterly.

6 Had any

7 Lighter,

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1 Down. one stepped over the place, the evil or disease would have been transferred from the sick child to him. i. e. delivered of her child. 8 Five weeks. 9 This familiar spirit seems to be the same as Thom Reid,' mentioned in the extraordinary Trial of BESsie Dunlop. 10 Prepare for death. 11 Bewitched, fore-spoken. 19 Stretched. 14 Pined away, without any apparent cause.

13 Clapped.

VOL. II.

15 Handfuls, small quantities.

3 Y

pat ane bairne throw it thrie tymeis, in the name of the Father, Sone and Halye Gooft,' to wemen that pat the faidis bairnes thryfe throw bakward, wfeing the faidis wordis. ITEM, the faid Iffobell confeft, that fcho went, filent, to the Well of Ruthuen,' and returneit filent, bringing watter from thence, to wasch Johne Gowis bairne: Quhen fcho tuik the watter frome the Well, fcho left ane pairt of the bairnes fark at it, quhilk scho tuik with hir for that effect; and quhen scho cam home, scho weufche the bairne thairwith. In lyk maner, scho Confeft, scho had done the elyk to Johne Powryis bairne.

THE xxvij day of Maij 1623. THE faid Iffobell confeffit, that fcho had gewin drinkis to cure bairneis; amongis the reft, that Dauid Moreife wyff com to hir, and thryfe for Goddis faik afkit help to hir bairne that wes ane scharge :2 And scho fend furth hir fone to gether fochfterrie leaweis,3 quhairof fcho directit the bairnes mother to mak a drink.-Bot the bairneis mother deponit, that the faid Iffobell Haldane, on-requirit, cam to her house and saw the bairne; faid, it wes ane fcharge taikin away;' tuke on hand to cure it; and to that effect, gaiff the barne a drink; efter the reffait quhairof the bairne died.

WILLIAME YOUNG, Scribe to pe Presbiterie of Perth, at command of pe famyne, with my hand. JONAT. DAUIDSONE, Notare Publict and Clerk to the Seffioune of Perth, at thair command and directioune, with my hand.

[Mr William Boirthuik, Juflice-Depute.}

Slaughter.

Feb. 3.-JAMES MURE, Younger of Auchindrane.*

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Dilaitit of airt and pairt of the Slauchter of vmq1 Sir Thomas Kennedyie of Cullane and Williame Dalrumpill.

PERSEWER, Sir Thomas Hammiltoune of Bynnie, knycht.
PRELOCUTOURIS for the pannell.

The Lairdis of Blair, Cauldwall, Heiffilheid, Rowallane, Mr Johnne Ruffell, Mr Laurence Mcgill. My Lord Aduocat producet the Letteris deulie execute and indorfat, quhairby the defenderis thairin contenit ar denuncet to the horne. Mr Johnne Ruffell producet Letteris of Relaxatioune, of the dait the thrid of Februare inftant; be the quhilkis the pannell is relaxit for the crymes aboue writtin. The pannell takis inftrumentis of his entrie; and efter reiding of the Summondis, offeris him self reddie to abyd the tryell of the Law, for the crymes contenit thairintill; and difaffentis fra all continewatioune. The Aduocat producet the Counfallis Warrand for continuatioune of this dyet to Fryday nixt; and committing the pannell to waird in the meane tyme.

THE JUSTICE, for obedience of the Counfallis Warrand, continewis this matter to Fryday nixt, and ordanit the pannell to be wairdit in the Tolbuith of Edinburgh, in the meane tyme.

1 The superstition of fetching water from Holy- Wells, as they were and still are often called, was very prevalent in Scotland, as well as in all Catholic countries. Some shred of dress belonging to the diseased person was left on the brink of the well, in token of the disease having passed away along with it. In Ireland, the bushes near to such wells are entirely covered with rags of every colour, as offerings to the Genius loci. 2 SHARG, a creature pined away, by Witchcraft, an evil eye, &c. A changeling. 3 Leaves of an herb. Perhaps star-grass, bog-star-grass. 4 Vid. Jul. 17, 1611.

[Mr Williame Hairt, Juflice-Depute.]

Feb. 5.-THE JUSTICE continewis this matter to the fecund day of Marche nixtocum; and ordanis the pannell to be wairdit in the Tolbuith, in the meane tyme.'

Slaughter.

Feb. 5.-GEORGE MURRAY of Brochtoune.

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Dilaitit of airt and pairt of the Slauchter of vmq James McCulloche, appeirand of Torhoufe; committit in November last.

PERSEWARIS.

Johnne Mcculloche, as brother; William Mcculloche of Mertoune, Thomas Mcculloche of Barholme. THE JUSTICE continewis this matter to the morne."

Feb. 6.-The perfewaris paffis fra the perfute of the Laird of Brochtoun

for the faid Slauchter, conforme to the cowmoning.3

Mutilation.

Feb. 19.-JOHNNE DUNCANE, elder, myller in the Brig of Hailes, and
Johnne Duncane, younger, meilmaker in Edinburgh.

VERDICT. Fylit, culpable and convict of airt and pairt of the Mutilatioun of Robert Dauidfoun of tua fingaris of his left hand; committit be thame in the moneth of September Im.Vjc. and fax yeiris, vpone fet purpois, prouifioun and foirthocht fellonie.

SENTENCE. To be wairdit within the Tolbuth of Edinburgh, thairin to remane vpone thair awin expenffis, ay and quhill thay haif fatisfeit the faid Robert Dauidfoun, pairtie, for his hurt and fkayth aboue writtin, and obtene his letteris of Slanes thairupoune: And alfe, Ordanit thair haill moveabill guidis to be escheit to our fouerane lordis vfe, as convict of the faid cryme.

Slaughter.

Feb. 23.-WILLIAME KEITH, fone lauchfull to Alexander Keith of
Auchquhirfk.

Dilaitit, accufet and perfewit be Mr Thomas Henderfone, Aduocat, substitute to our fouerane lordis Aduocat, of the crymes following, viz. fforfamekill as, vpone ffryday the nyntene day of ffebruar inftant, the faid Williame haifing fallin out, in fom iniurious fpeiches with vmqle Thomas Colftoun, Inglisman, at the drink, in Griffell Ruffellis hous in Bruntieland; he thaireftir rancounterit with the said vmqle Thomas, befyde the schoir of the faid burch of Bruntieland; 'It is again continued; and Mure ordered to be kept in ward. Plegio, Johanne Vaufe de Barnebarroche. 3 Commoning. It is likely that the private parties compromised the matter, and that Letters of Remission were procured upon their joint application, on producing Letters of Slains.

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