In the late 17th century, amidst the pervasive fear of witchcraft that swept through Scotland, one particular case stands out—an unusual trial involving a resident of Lintley, Bunkle, Berwick, named John Corsbie. John's situation is marked by an intriguing anomaly: despite being recorded as a female, the historical documents consistently refer to her by a male name, which may suggest a scribal error or an unusual circumstance of naming conventions of the time. The trials surrounding witchcraft during this period were fraught with cultural, social, and gender complexities, and individuals accused faced severe consequences.
On September 16th, 1679, John Corsbie was called before the circuit court at Berwick. The record denotes John as a "delinquent," a term commonly employed in the context of those suspected of witchcraft or sorcery. Unfortunately, the specific charges against John do not survive in the records, but the context implies that the accusations were serious enough to warrant her presentation before the circuit court. The outcomes of such cases could vary widely, from acquittal to execution, but as for John, the details are sparse.
Interestingly, alongside the trial notes, an annotation describes John as "dead" in the delinquents' porteous roll—an official list of those summoned or detained. This detail suggests that she may have died shortly after or possibly even before facing further proceedings. The notation could imply a natural death or one under mysterious or sudden circumstances, such as those often enveloped in the lore of witchcraft trials. This final note encapsulates the ambiguity and harsh realities of the witch hunts during this turbulent period in Scottish history.