In the winter of 1626, Johnne Propter found himself ensnared in the tumultuous landscape of early modern Scotland's witch trials. Residing in the town of Ellon in Aberdeenshire, Johnne is recorded in the local and judicial annals that survive, his surname often noted with some anomalies in spelling, reflective of the period's lack of standardized orthography. The records indicate that on the 14th of December that year, Johnne was formally brought to trial on allegations of witchcraft, as noted in case number C/EGD/992.
Ellon, like many Scottish towns at the time, was a place where fear of maleficium, or harmful magic, hung heavily in the air. The Scottish witch trials, which occurred between 1563 and 1736, were a grim chapter defined by local prejudices and fears. Unfortunately, the records detailing Johnne's trial, designated by number T/LA/461, do not provide insights into the specific accusations or evidence presented against him. Despite the sparse surviving documentation, Johnne Propter's case stands as a testament to the sweeping fervor of witchcraft persecutions that gripped communities, even affecting men like Johnne, in a domain often dominated by accusations against women. His story is an integral piece of the broader tapestry of Scotland’s history during this era of witch hunts, illustrating the precariousness of life and reputation amid 17th-century fears and superstitions.