Janet Kennedy, a resident of Dumfries, found herself entangled in the ominous web of the Scottish witch trials at the dawn of the 18th century. Her case, dated March 21, 1700, stands among a sea of similar accusations during this turbulent period in Scottish history. A peculiar aspect of Janet's case is the absence of a formal trial, which diverges from the more typical proceedings of the time. The records of her case, catalogued under C/JO/3024, reflect the societal anxieties and the complex interplay of religious, legal, and social dynamics that permeated Scotland during these times.
The ultimate decision regarding Janet’s future came not through a judge's gavel, but the recommendation of the kirk session, those ecclesiastical authorities who often wielded considerable influence in such matters. After spending a year in prison, Janet Kennedy was not executed nor tried in the conventional sense, but instead faced banishment – a judgment that mandated her removal from the community. This sentence, noted in trial record T/JO/1289, underscores the community's desire to rid themselves of perceived threats while eschewing the finality of execution. By casting Janet out, they perhaps sought both an act of mercy and social self-preservation, reflecting the lingering tensions and uncertainties of an era where fear of the unknown could uproot lives based on the slightest whisper of suspicion.