Bessie Hogge, a resident of West Fenton in the parish of Dirleton, found herself entangled in the witchcraft trials sweeping across Scotland in the 17th century. In June 1649, Bessie was formally accused of witchcraft, a serious charge that carried the weight of both societal condemnation and the potential for severe punishment. The historical records refer to her alternately as Bessie Hogge and Bessie Hodgen, indicating some inconsistency typical of the period’s record-keeping practices. Her case came to attention when she was named by Agnes Clarkson, a detail that underscores the often-complex web of interpersonal relations that could lead to such accusations.
The records indicate that Bessie Hogge confessed to the allegations levelled against her that June. However, the documents do not provide explicit details of her trial or the nature of her confession, which leaves much of her story shrouded in mystery. Such gaps are not uncommon, given the fragmentary nature of surviving historical documents. Despite the lack of specifics around the trial and its proceedings, Bessie’s case stands as a testament to the turbulent reality of life during the Scottish witchcraft trials of the 16th and 17th centuries, reflecting both the societal fears of witchcraft and the personal vulnerabilities of those accused. Her story, like many others, provides a poignant glimpse into this dark chapter of Scottish history.