In the spring of 1662, Jonet Liddell, a resident of Pencaitland, Haddington, found herself entangled in the sweeping hysteria that marked Scotland's witch trials during this tumultuous era. The root of her predicament stemmed from the accusations made by James Welch, a figure central to a series of denunciations at the time. Welch, whose contributions to the wave of witch hunts were put into question due to his age, remained incarcerated; however, the gravity of his claims carried weight among the authorities, leading them to seriously consider the names he provided, Jonet Liddell being one among them.
The official proceedings began on April 17, 1662, under the case file C/EGD/542. Jonet Liddell's trial unfolded amidst a larger context of fear and suspicion, pervasive in the Scottish Lowlands at this juncture. Her case was cataloged within trial documentation under the reference T/LA/1385. The geopolitical and social climate during the mid-17th century Scotland was rife with anxiety, lending credibility to accusations that, by today’s standards, seem to lack sufficient evidence. Yet, the records tell us little else about Jonet's life prior to these events or the specific allegations she faced, only that she became one of many swept up in this fervor. Her story remains a stark reminder of the era's prevailing uncertainties, highlighting the vulnerability of those accused during the infamous witch trials that spanned from 1563 to 1736.