Janet Weill emerged from the historical records of early modern Scotland as one of the many women whose lives intersected with the era of the witch trials. Residing in Dunbarton in 1628, Janet's case is noted under the official record C/EGD/2242. She was married, though the records do not detail her husband’s identity or their circumstances, leaving much of her personal life obscured from our view. The notation of her marital status serves as a faint outline of her societal position, a role intertwined with expectations of domesticity and conformity during a time when deviations from the normative could attract dangerous scrutiny.
The specifics of Janet's accusation or the events leading up to her being drawn into this tumultuous wave of trials are not detailed in the surviving documentation. However, her inclusion in the historical ledger signifies a grave moment in her life, as the accusation of witchcraft in early 17th century Scotland often bore mortal consequences. Her case, recorded simply with a reference to an as yet unchecked secondary source by historian Christina Larner, indicates the complexity and widespread nature of these witchcraft prosecutions that spanned from 1563 to 1736. Without additional specifics, the historical records serve as both a reminder of Janet's plight and a testament to the untold stories of countless others like her who faced accusations during this fraught period.