Lindsay,Thomas
Case Reference: C/JO/2934
Case Summary
| Case Ref | C/JO/2934 |
|---|---|
| Accused | Thomas Lindsay |
| Case Start Date | 17/2/1697 |
| Case Date | 19/5/1697 |
| Age at Case | 12 |
| Common Name | Lindsay,Thomas |
|---|
Characterization
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|
| Demonic | — | ✓ |
| Demonic Possession | — | ✓ |
| Implicated by Another | — | ✓ |
| Other | ✓ | ✓ |
Other details: turned state's evidence for prosecution
Notes: He was suspected then became a star witness. Not prosecuted. Complicated case involving numerous accusations of murdering children through magical strangulation and possession of several children. Much of the evidence was derived from the testimony of children who claimed to be possessed and tormented by witches. But there was great concern over the murdered children and a murdered minister. The record describes the physical torment of the possessed children in great detail. An extraordinary document!
| Name | Title | Involvement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Blackwell | Mr | Investigator | |
| David Brown | Mr | Investigator | |
| John Maxwell | Sir of Nether Pollok | Commissioner | |
| Patrick Simpson | Mr | Investigator | |
| Alexander Stewart | Lord Blantyre | Investigator | |
| John Stirling | Mr | Investigator | |
| James Taylor | Mr | Investigator | |
| Andrew Turner | Mr | Investigator |
| Source | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Paisley Presbytery records | CH2/294/4. | Pagination not good so use dates. |
| Circuit Court Books | JC10/4 fo. 1r-81r second pagination | |
| Privy Council | PC1/51 p. 136-9 |
Trials (1)
| Trial Ref | Date | Year | Verdict | Sentence | Execution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T/JO/1134 | 13/4/1697 | 1697 | Released | No |
Case Notes
Accused but not indicted for witchcraft. Instead he and his brother were witnesses. Deemed too young to have made a viable pact with the Devil. Was not indicted with the large group on 13/4/1697 or tried with the seven who actually stood trial on 12/5/1697. He was mentioned on the last day of that trial (19/5/1697) in the closing arguments.