A Collection of Rare and Curious Tracts on Witchcraft and the Second Sight Part 8

17. Compeared Merjory Marshall, against Alison d.i.c.k, who being sworn, deponed, that Alison having brought her gudman's cloaths once from the Castle-haven,[12] she offered her 12d for her labour, who would not have it; and she said to her, Alison, there is not many of them. She answered, they shall be fewer the next time; and the next voyage he was cast away in David Whyt's s.h.i.+p.

[12] Probably Ravenscraig Castle, at the east end of Pathhead.

ED.

18. Compeared also Kathrine Wilson, who being sworn, deponed, that she and Janet Whyt being sliding together, Alison d.i.c.k came to them, and asked silver from Janet Whyt, who would give her none, but fled her company into the said Kathrine's house, and she followed, and she gave her a piece bread, and Janet Whyt bade her give her a plack also, and she should pay her again. And when she got it, she said, Is this all that she gives me? If she had given me a groat, it would have vantaged her a thousand punds.

This is your doing, evil tidings come upon you. And she went down the closs, and p.i.s.sed at their meal-cellar door; and after that, they had never meal in that cellar, (they being meal makers.) And thereafter they bought a horse at 40 lib., and the horse never carried a load to them but two, but died in the _batts, louping to death_, so that every body said that he was witched.

_October 29th._

19. Euphen Boswell being sworn, deponed, that her gudman being to sail to the East country, loaden with salt, the said Alison d.i.c.k having born some of the salt aboard, she came to her and craved money from her, who gave her meat, but would give her no money, saying to her, Alison, my gudman has paid you himself, and therefore, I will give you nothing. She replied, Will ye give me nothing? I hope in G.o.d it will be better sharp (cheaper) sold nor it was bought: and so it fell out, for the s.h.i.+p sailed upon the morn, and the day after that, she sank, salt and all, except the men, who were saved by another s.h.i.+p that was near by them.

20. Thomas Mustard being sworn, deponed, that James Wilson going once to sail, Alison d.i.c.k came to him, and desyred silver from him, he would give her none; she abused him with language, and he struck her; she said to him, that that hand should do him little good that voyage; and within two days after, his hand swelled as great as a pint-stoup, so that he could get little or nothing done with it. The next time also when he was to sail, the said Alison went betwixt him and the boat; and he said, Yon same witch thief is going betwixt me and the boat, I must have blood of her; and he went and struck her, and bled her, and she cursed him and banned him; and that same voyage, he being in Caithness, standing upon the sh.o.r.e cleithing a tow, and a boy with him, the sea came and took him away, and he died; and the boy was well enough.

Desires Mr Robert Douglas[13] to go to the Archbishop with this process, to get his approbation thereto, who takes upon him to do the same.

[13] Who preached the famous coronation sermon of Charles II. at Scone, January 1st 1651.

_Minute of November 19th._--5s. given for a load of coals to Alison d.i.c.k;--14s. for her entertainment this week bygone, being this day, with her husband William c.o.ke, burnt for witchcraft.

_In the minute of 17th December, there is a particular account of the Town and Session's extraordinary Deburs.e.m.e.nts for William c.o.ke and Alison d.i.c.k, Witches._

_In primis._--To Mr James Miller, when he went to Prestowne for a man to try them, 47s. 2 7

_Item._--To the man of Culross, (the executioner) when he went away the first time, 12s. 0 12

_Item._--For coals for the witches, 24s. 1 4

_Item._--In purchasing the commission, 9 3

_Item._--For one to go to Finmouth for the laird to sit upon their a.s.sise as judge, 0 6

_Item._--For harden to be jumps to them, 3 10

_Item._--For making of them, 0 8

----- Summa for the kirk's part 17 1 Scots.

_The Town's part of Expenses Debursed extraordinarily upon William c.o.ke and Alison d.i.c.k._

_In primis._--For ten loads of coals to burn them, 5 merks, 3 6 8

_Item._--For a tar barrel, 14s. 0 14 0

_Item._--For towes, 0 6 0

_Item._--To him that brought the executioner, 2 18 0

_Item._--To the executioner for his pains, 8 14 0

_Item._--For his expenses here, 0 16 4

_Item._--For one to go to Finmouth for the laird, 0 6 0 ------- Summa town's part, 17 1 0 Scots.

Both, 34 11 0

_The following account is a voucher of a payment made by Alexander Louddon, a factor on the estate of Burncastle, the proprietor being then a minor and infant. It is entered in the factor's books thus:_

Mair for Margarit Dunhome the time sche was in prison, and was put to death, 065: 14: 4.

Count gifin out be Alexander Louddon in Lylstoun, in ye yeir of G.o.d 1649 yeiris, for Margrit Dollmoune in Burncastell.

Item, in ye first, to Wm. Currie and Andrew Gray for the watching of hir ye s.p.a.ce of 30 days, inde ilk day, x.x.x sh inde

xlv lib Scotts

Item mair to Jon Kinked; for brodding of her[14]

[14] See his declaration, page 111.

vi lib Scotts

Mair for meat and drink and wyne to him and his man

iiij lib Scotts

Mair for cloth to hir

iij lib Scotts

Mair for twa tare treis

xl sh Scotts

Item mair for twa treis, and ye making of them to the warkmen

iij lib Scotts

Item to ye hangman in Hadingtoun, and fetchin of him, thrie dollores for his pens, is