Wanton,Bessie
Case Reference: C/JO/3161
Case Summary
| Case Ref | C/JO/3161 |
|---|---|
| Accused | Bessie Wanton |
| Case Start Date | 26/2/1699 |
| Case Date | 25/4/1699 |
| Common Name | Wanton,Bessie |
|---|
Characterization
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|
| Demonic | — | ✓ |
| Demonic Possession | — | ✓ |
| Maleficium | — | ✓ |
| Not Enough Info | ✓ | ✓ |
Notes: The description looks like it could have developed into a demonic possession style case.
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 | — |
Disease Notes: Accused of having caused a young man to take fits which caused him to speak in tongues, then be unable to speak or stand unaided. The church repeatedly asked him if he dreamt this.
- Slander
| Name | Title | Involvement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Carsan | Mr | Investigator | |
| Alexander Glass | Mr | Investigator | |
| William Greenlees | Mr | Investigator | |
| James Hadow | Mr | Investigator | |
| Edward Jameson | Mr | Investigator | |
| James Pitcairn | Mr | Investigator | |
| William Pitcairn | Mr | Investigator | |
| Alexander Pitcairn | Mr | Investigator |
| Source | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cupar Presbytery records | CH2/82/2, pp 340, 344-7. |
Trials (1)
| Trial Ref | Date | Year | Verdict | Sentence | Execution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T/JO/1683 | No |
Case Notes
The process notes record that she was investigated on 26/2/1699 and 25/4/1699. But she was absolved on 14/3/1699. These dates don't match up, but this is how they were entered in the Presbytery minute books. It could be that the final date was the date that the earlier proceedings were recorded. We don't know.