In the spring of 1662, Christiane Deanes of Sammuelston in Haddington found herself entangled in the web of Scottish witch accusations that swept across the region during that tumultuous period. Christiane, a married woman, became one of many whose names were brought to the attention of the authorities through the denunciations of a young informer, James Welch. Welch, despite his age and the doubts cast on his capacity to be tried, significantly influenced the fate of numerous individuals. Christiane’s inclusion in his allegations hints at the perilous atmosphere of suspicion and fear pervading the countryside, where whispers could rapidly transform into formal accusations.
The trial records, specifically those identified as T/JO/1791 and T/LA/327, provide the framework for understanding the dire situation faced by Christiane. These records, although they do not divulge the precise nature of the charges or the outcome of her case, encompass the procedural narrative of her ordeal. Christiane was not alone in her plight; the notes specify that both she and another individual, presumably her husband, were implicated in Welch's revelations. Christiane's case was part of a broader, deeply unsettling episode where the judicial focus allowed for the usage of confessions and accusations from a young informant like Welch, who, despite being deemed too youthful to be tried himself, held considerable influence over the proceedings.