In the mid-17th century, Jonnet Kempe, a resident of Sammuelston in Haddington, found herself ensnared in the web of witchcraft accusations that gripped Scotland during this tumultuous period. Initially denounced in 1649, the historical records from that time do not reveal the specifics or outcome of this early accusation against her. Despite this initial oversight, Jonnet's name emerged again in 1662, a year characterized by a heightened surge of witchcraft trials. This resurgence is attributed to the sweeping denunciations of several individuals by a young boy named James Welch, whose youth precluded his trial but whose claims were given considerable weight by authorities.
The case against Jonnet Kempe in 1662 showcases the pervasive influence of local testimonies and the prevailing climate of fear and suspicion. As the records indicate, Welch's accusations contributed significantly to the legal attention she received, suggesting her involvement in alleged witchcraft activities. Though details of her trial, documented under several trial notations (T/JO/1070, T/JO/1833, T/LA/1052), remain sparse, the multiplicity of trial entries points to a legal process that was both complex and protracted. These trials were part of a broader pattern during which the Scottish legal system grappled with its approach to witchcraft, often characterized by reliance on confessions obtained through coercion and the testimonies of fellow villagers. The records do not elaborate on the final verdict of Jonnet's trials, leaving a historical silence regarding her fate amid a period marked by both the fervor of accusations and the grim outcomes for many accused.