In the summer of 1678, Agnes Dalgliesh of Keith, Haddington found herself ensnared in the turbulent and perilous climate of the Scottish witch trials. Agnes, a married woman, stood accused of participating in a witches' meeting, a grave charge that held significant weight in the fervid atmosphere of the time. Details of Agnes's life beyond this charge remain sparse in the records, suggesting that her story, like many others, was overshadowed by the complex socio-religious dynamics of 17th-century Scotland.
On July 20, 1678, Agnes provided a confession, a key event in her case, recorded meticulously for the trial proceedings. While the contents of her confession are not detailed in the surviving records, it played a crucial role in the judicial process of the era, where confessions, often obtained under duress, were pivotal in securing a conviction. Her case, documented under the trial numbers T/LA/1438 and T/LA/1448, was part of a broader pattern of accusations and trials that swept through Scotland during these years.
Agnes's involvement in the witch trials extended beyond her immediate charges through the testimonies of others. She was denounced by Grissell Walker and identified as the mother of David Johnston in another denunciation. Additionally, Sarah Cranston is associated with Agnes's case, though Cranston's specific allegations remain unrecorded in the extant documents. These denunciations reflect the intricate web of accusations that often ensnared multiple individuals, propelled by fears and communal tensions within villages and towns like Keith. The interconnected nature of these records highlights the complex societal backdrop against which Agnes Dalgliesh's story unfolded.