Marion Anderson's life, set against the backdrop of early 17th-century Scotland, became intertwined with the era's pervasive dread of witchcraft. By the 10th of January, 1616, she had come under the scrutiny of the authorities in Linlithgow. A resident of Dalmeny, a parish which at the time was not yet separated into its later divisions of Dalmeny and Queensferry, Marion was one of many who found themselves caught in the throes of the Scottish witch trials.
The historical records specifically relate to her involvement in a witch trial denoted as case number C/JO/2844. While the details surrounding the accusations and evidence against Marion are scant, her case was significant enough to be formally tried under trial reference T/JO/511. Notably, there is mention of Marion in another trial associated with Sara Burne, potentially indicating that she was part of a network of individuals cast under suspicion during this turbulent period. Such connections, whether of kinship, friendship, or mere acquaintance, often played a pivotal role in the spread of witchcraft accusations, as fear and uncertainty bred distrust among communities.
Through this lens of historical record, Marion Anderson emerges as a figure within the complex social and religious dynamics of 17th-century Scotland—an era marked by its efforts to enforce religious orthodoxy and moral conduct. Her story, preserved in the archival code and scant notations of her trial, reminds modern observers of the intricate human narratives often hidden behind broad strokes of historical events.