Jonet Miller of Rerrick, a small hamlet in the parish formerly known as Dundrennane, found herself at the heart of a witchcraft trial in the spring of 1658. Married and possibly widowed, Jonet carved out a legacy in her community as a 'witch woman,' suggesting her involvement in practices of folk healing. Known to travel great distances in pursuit of healing, her reputation grew to the extent it drew the notice, and ultimately the suspicion, of her fellow countrymen during a period of heightened fear and fervor in Scotland.
The trial against Jonet Miller unfolded in Dumfries on April 9, 1658, where the charges led to a conviction on April 10. Her judgement rested heavily upon the testimony of seven men and eight women, who stepped forward to share their accounts in what is described as her "draft dittay," or indictment. It is noted that Jonet was previously mentioned in a Kirkcudbright Roll from 1648, suggesting that her activities or notoriety had persisted for at least a decade. The court’s verdict found her guilty, with the sentence fixed as execution by strangulation followed by burning, a grim testament to the punitive measures of the time.
Before her execution in May 1658, Jonet's confession had been recorded in April of that year, capturing the resolution of her case. The severe method of execution reflects the era’s drastic measures against those branded as a threat to religious orthodoxy and community safety. While contemporary attitudes were shrouded in fear and superstition, the record of Jonet Miller's trial offers a stark glimpse into the societal dynamics and prevailing judicial practices in 17th-century Scotland amidst the witch trials era.