Issobell Gotterson's life took a dramatic turn in late 1679 when she was drawn into the pervasive fear of witchcraft that gripped early modern Scotland. Residing in the town of Lauder in Berwickshire, Issobell found herself caught in the judicial machinery of the times. Records indicate that she was called before the circuit court in Berwick on the 16th of September, 1679, marked as a 'delinquent.' In the period when superstitions and accusations of maleficium could often have grave consequences, being labeled in such a manner placed an individual under a shadow of suspicion that was difficult to escape.
The official documents related to Issobell's case, however, offer a sparse view of what followed her initial appearance in court. It is noted that she was supposed to present herself again if summoned, a procedural expectation for those accused, suggesting that her case might have remained under investigation or was pending further evidence or testimonies. Curiously, the annotations beside her name include the word 'dead,' suggesting a cessation of the proceedings due either to her passing or, possibly, an alternative result rarely recorded for the accused—death potentially interpreted as an escape from the unfolding judicial scrutiny.
Issobell Gotterson's story, though documented in minimal terms, casts a light on the precarious position of women accused of witchcraft during this era. Her mention in the 'delinquents porteous roll' signifies the fine line between normalcy and ostracization. The extant records do not convey her fate beyond this note, leaving only traces of her life amidst Scotland's turbulent history of witch trials.