Trial T/LA/83

Trial Summary
Trial RefT/LA/83
CaseDrummond,Alexander
AccusedAlexander Drummond
Trial Date3/7/1629
Location
SettlementEdinburgh
Outcome
VerdictGuilty
SentenceExecution
DefenceNo
High StatusYes
Female Accusers13
Male Accusers43
Executed
Method: Strangle & Burn
Date: 11/7/1629
Place: Mercat Trone
Pre-Trial
ArrestYes
Confronting SuspectsNo

Notes: Testimony taken before the ministers at Dunfermline on 31 May 1624. Testimony taken against him on 25 Oct. 1628 at Stirling (JC26/9 item 15) and 28 Oct. 1628 at Culross (JC26/9). Witness statements taken on 8 April 1629 under a commission from Privy Council (JC26/9 item 19). Witness statements were taken all over Perthshire through 1628 and 1629 (see references) Privy Council orded 8 shillings to be given for the maintenance of Drummond in the tolbooth of Edinburgh - 'for his interteanement and jaylour fee'; complaint about an ailment in prison 1/1629. The presbytery of Muthill requested that the Privy Council move him to Edinburgh. They interrogated him and took evidence on 6 April 1629 (JC26/9 item 6). In his depositions/confessions he said he did do all the healing but that it was not witchcraft. He was denounced as a rebel at Perth, in May 1624 and in October 1628.

DatePlaceLocationCentralRecordedTextRetracted
16/10/1628 Dunblane — ✓ — —
17/10/1628 Dunblane — ✓ — —
18/10/1628 Dunblane — ✓ — —
24/10/1628 Wester Tilliecoutrie — ✓ — —
12/1/1629 Edinburgh — ✓ — —
25 Oct 1628 Stirling ✓ ✓ ✓ —
12 Jan 1629 Tolbooth Edinburgh ✓ ✓ ✓ —

DatePrisonLocationFate in Prison
13/2/1629TolboothEdinburgh
11/1628TolboothStirlingMoved
19/12/1628LinlithgowMoved
20/12/1628TolboothEdinburgh
8/1/1629TolboothEdinburgh
1/1629TolboothStirling

DateBodyTypeSeal
18/12/1628Privy CouncilArrest
8/1/1629Privy CouncilInvestigation
24/3/1629Privy CouncilInvestigation
12/1/1629Privy CouncilInvestigation

He was currently being held at the tolbooth of Stirling. He was ordered to be transported to Linlithgow and then by the bailies of Linlithgow to Edinburgh.

order for depositions to be taken within the presbyteries of Dunfermline and Muthill; brethren of presbytery named as commissioners.

DateTypeWhere LodgedWitch Pricker
1/1629UnknownPrivy Council—

DateAuthorityReason
Privy CouncilPresbytery of Muthill could not get him to confess

NameTitleInvolvementWitch Pricker
Thomas Hope Sir of Craighall Prosecutor —
William Stewart of Ardoch Chancellor —
Post-Trial Notes
PC warrant for execution. Dated 9/7/1629 the entry says 'Wednisday nixt' I assume that is two days later (the entry before is described as happening on Tuesday). After his execution a campaign was launched to posthumously clear his name. Letters were written 6 Oct 1646 and 13 Dec 1646 to get the King to clear him.