Jean Thomesone, a woman of upper socioeconomic status from the hamlet of Bigend in Dumfries, finds her life thrust into turmoil in February 1630. Widowed and now standing accused of witchcraft, her circumstances reflect the complexities and inner familial tensions that often underpinned such allegations during the witch hunts of early modern Scotland. Remarkably, the accusation against Jean came from within her own family: her brother-in-law charged that she, along with her mother, had used witchcraft to orchestrate the untimely death of her husband. This type of intra-family accusation was not uncommon, particularly in cases where inheritance, property, or status were concerned.
The legal proceedings against Jean are documented in two separate trial records, indicating that her case was of significant interest and may have been subjected to considerable scrutiny. Despite the lack of detailed outcomes in these records, the mere fact of multiple trials suggests the gravity with which the accusations were treated. Being a woman of some standing in her community, Jean's case underscores how witchcraft accusations could cut across social boundaries, affecting those from the higher echelons of society as much as the lower. Her story stands as a poignant reminder of the perils faced by individuals labeled as witches, irrespective of their social position or personal networks.