In the mid-17th century, against the backdrop of a Scotland rife with fear of the supernatural, an ominous charge met Jonnet Mores, a woman residing in the small village of Newton, within the parish of Ayr. The historical records, preserved from early modern Scottish judicial proceedings, place Jonnet at the center of suspicion on the 1st of May, 1650. As part of the broader witch trials that swept the region during this period, Jonnet found herself enmeshed in the convoluted and dangerous process dictated by the era’s attitudes toward alleged witchcraft.
Jonnet's case, preserved under the archival code C/LA/3206, points to an essential phase of the witchcraft proceedings of the time—her confession. While detailed accounts of the charges levied against her are scarce, the existence of a confession record (T/LA/1772) signifies a turning point in her trial. During this period, confessions could be elicited under duress or coercion, as they were often seen as irrefutable evidence of guilt. The preservation of her confession indicates that it formed a critical component of the legal proceedings against her, shaping the eventual outcome of her trial. Whether through a detailed admission of guilt or as a strategic necessity to navigate the perilous legal landscape of the time, Jonnet’s recorded confession illuminates a narrative common to many caught in the witch trials of 17th-century Scotland.