In the spring of 1662, amidst the turbulence of the Scottish witch trials, David Meikle found himself ensnared in the web of accusations that swept through the burgh of Haddington. David, a married resident of this East Lothian town, was one among several individuals targeted in a wave of denunciations instigated by a young accuser named James Welch. Welch, whose fervid declarations could not be legally substantiated due to his tender age, nonetheless wielded a powerful influence over the proceedings. The authorities, perhaps gripped by a sense of urgency to root out perceived malevolent forces, took heed of his claims, thereby placing individuals like David and his wife under severe scrutiny.
The official records from 17th April 1662 detail David’s predicament within a broader societal panic. Welch, although ultimately incarcerated due to his youth and the unreliability of his imputations, had already sown seeds of hysteria that took deep root. Despite the questionable nature of Welch’s testimony, the gravity with which his denunciations were received underscores the cultural and judicial atmosphere of the time, a period when fear and suspicion often overshadowed tangible evidence. It is within this context that David Meikle's case unfolded, emblematic of the complex interplay between individual lives and broader societal currents during the Scottish witch trials.