Trial T/LA/24

Trial Summary
Trial RefT/LA/24
CaseNeill,Jon
AccusedJon Neill
Trial Date26/3/1631
Location
SettlementEdinburgh
Outcome
VerdictGuilty
SentenceExecution
DefenceNo
High StatusYes
Female Accusers9
Male Accusers25
Executed
Method: Strangle & Burn
Place: Castle Hill
Pre-Trial
ArrestYes
FledYes
Confronting SuspectsYes

Notes: Documents pertaining to Neill date from 21 Decemember 1630 when witnesses were summond under the signet seal. He was questioned repeatedly from then until just before his execution. JC26 has an interrogatory put to him by the Lord Advocate and his answers. He answered the charges against him on 16 and 18 December 1630. Ordered to be examined by the PC about Lady Manderston. The tolbooth was paid 6schillings and 8 pennies daily for his upkeep by order of PC. King Charles ordered his English subjects to find and arrest him after he fled to England (Register of Royal Letters, v2, p. 423).

DatePrisonLocationFate in Prison
2/2/1630TolboothEdinburgh
5/2/1630Edinburgh
7/1/1630Moved
23/5/1630TolboothEdinburgh

DateBodyTypeSeal
2/2/1630Privy CouncilArrest
7/1/1630Privy CouncilArrest
5/2/1630Privy CouncilArrest
23/3/1630Privy CouncilInvestigation
1/7/1630Privy CouncilInvestigation
21/12/1630Privy CouncilInvestigation
25/1/1631Privy CouncilInvestigation
10/3/1631Privy CouncilInvestigation

Order for arrest

Also investigating John Smith and Katharine Wilsone

witnesses ordered to be called

Witnesses ordered to compear for the trial, and their lords (landlords) ordered to round them up and pay for them to go.

NameMention TypeTrial OfDate
Samuelston (Home) Known Witch T/LA/97
John Smith Known Witch T/LA/99
Katherine Wilson Known Witch T/LA/98

NameTitleInvolvementWitch Pricker
Alexander Colville Mr Prosecutor —
Thomas Hope Sir of Craighall Prosecutor —
Alexander Torrie Chancellor —
Post-Trial Notes
execution was announced on 2/4/1631