Jean Kerse, a married woman from Haddington, found herself embroiled in the tumultuous events of the Scottish witch trials in the year 1662. Her case emerged among a significant wave of accusations that swept through the community, largely propelled by the declarations of James Welch, a young boy whose unexpected role in the trials led to numerous denouncements. Although Welch himself was deemed too immature to be formally tried, his confessions were considered credible enough to warrant serious attention, placing Jean among those named.
The records provide limited insight into Jean's personal life beyond her marital status and residence, yet they hint at the pervasive reach of these accusations, which did not discriminate extensively against social standing or personal circumstance. The weight of Welch's denunciations ensured that her trial went forward, amidst a landscape of fear and suspicion that characterized the witch hunts of that era. Though specific details of her trial are scant, Jean's involvement in the Haddington witch trials highlights the precarious nature of life for those who were accused amidst a climate of fear and judicial fervor during this dark chapter of Scottish history.