Jonnet Boyd of Hartcraige, Kilbride in Ayrshire, found herself embroiled in one of the many witch trials that swept across Scotland in the 17th century. The records indicate that Jonnet's case was part of a broader round of proceedings held in Ayr, with her trial taking place on the 6th of April, 1658. Collected under the case name "Boyd, Jonnet" and registered in case C/EGD/250, Jonnet was one among several individuals called to account during this sweeping judicial action.
The process leading up to Jonnet's trial was organized by the issuing of a porteous roll—a formal list summoning individuals to court—which was dated to the 31st of March, 1658. This roll was not unique, as it appears that another version accompanied it, reinforcing the efforts to ensure all accused were gathered for judgment. As was common in such trials, the accusations leveled must have carried significant gravity, necessitating Jonnet's presence before the authorities. However, the records remain silent on the specific nature of the charges she faced, reflecting the often opaque and generalized accusations typical of the era's witch trials.
In the proceedings of the Ayr Court, documented in trial T/LA/1597, Jonnet Boyd’s trial formed part of a tumultuous chapter in Scotland's history. Her case captured in the official lists underscores the widespread fear and suspicion that characterized this period. While the records do not reveal the outcome of Jonnet’s trial, her inclusion speaks volumes about the perils faced by many in 1658 and paints a stark portrait of a society gripped by the fear of witchcraft and the intense scrutiny such accusations provoked.