Cochran,Bessie
Case Reference: C/EGD/736
Case Summary
| Case Ref | C/EGD/736 |
|---|---|
| Accused | Bessie Cochran |
| Case Start Date | 19/4/1699 |
| Case Date | 12/3/1700 |
| Common Name | Cochran,Bessie |
|---|
Characterization
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|
| Demonic | — | ✓ |
| Demonic Possession | — | ✓ |
| Maleficium | — | ✓ |
| Implicated by Another | — | ✓ |
| Refused Charity | ✓ | ✓ |
Notes: She was a poor woman who seemed to move around a lot. She was denounced by her son (sort of) when he told other kids that he was a witch and that so was his mother. She was accused of tormenting Margaret Laird one two girls claiming possession in 1699. Very detailed documents. See Agnes Supp for description of the tormenting/possession.
Harm
| Human Illness | — |
|---|---|
| Human Death | — |
| Animal Illness | — |
| Animal Death | — |
| Female Infertility | — |
| Male Impotence | — |
Methods
| Aggravating Disease | — |
|---|---|
| Transferring Disease | — |
| Laying On | — |
| Quarreling | ✓ |
| Cursing | ✓ |
| Poisoning | — |
Healing / Other
| Removal of Bewitchment | — |
|---|---|
| Recognised Healer | — |
| Healing Humans | — |
| Healing Animals | — |
| Midwifery | — |
| Property Damage | — |
| Weather Modification | — |
- Grudge
| Name | Title | Involvement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Brisbane | Mr | Investigator |
| Source | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Books of Adjournal | JC3/1 f. 89 | |
| Circuit Court Books | JC10/4 part 3 | |
| Process Notes | JC26/81 f. 9 | dittay roll for a trial in Glasgow 19/5/1699 that doesn't seem to have happened. |
Trials (1)
| Trial Ref | Date | Year | Verdict | Sentence | Execution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T/LA/1227 | 12/3/1700 | 1700 | Released | No |
Case Notes
Denounced by Margaret Laird in Paisley, a girl who claimed to be tormented by witches. Laird denounced many people while in fits. Most of the witness testimony was given in Paisley (19-21 April 1699) and it came from people who witnessed Laird's fits and denunciations.