Drysdales & Witchcraft trials in 17th century Scotland

[Ronald Drysdale]

Drysdales & Witchcraft trials in 17th century Scotland

I have found four references: 2 alleged witches (1 probably executed) and 2 witnesses at witchcraft trials, attached pdf gives further details. 

1. Ref: The 1649-50 Scottish witch-hunt with particular reference to the synod of Lothian and Tweeddale - Paula Hughes Phd thesis
Eupham Drysdaill of Caridne [Carriden, Bo’ness] - a confessed witch (probably executed)
2. Ref: Confessions of the Alloa Witches 10-6-1658 - one of the trial witnesses - William Dryisdall
3. Ref: The Annals of Auchterarder & Memorials of Strathearn - Agnes Drysdale of Coldrain, Kinross - stated to be a member of the Witches Coven at the crook of Devon - probably escaped execution
4. Ref: A Collection of Rare and Curious Tracts on Witchcraft and the Second Sight – The witches of Borrowstouness 1679 - Alex. Drysdale, Skipper is mentioned as a witness

Attached pdf:

[Ronald Drysdale]

Just came across another reference to one 'Jonet Drysdaill' who was denounced as a witch in 1609 by Dalkeith presbytery church.

http://witches.shca.ed.ac.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.accusedrecor...

She was imprisoned initially in Crichton, escaped on her way to Musselburgh and was then recaptured.

Her subsequent fate is not known.

[Ronald Drysdale]

Hi all,

An update on the fate of Agnes Drysdale of Coldrain, Kinross - accused of being a member of the Witches Coven at the crook of Devon in Fossoway & Tulliebody:

https://witches.hca.ed.ac.uk/accused/A/EGD/1685

The Crook of Devon Witchcraft trials in 1662 were one of the most infamous of the Scottish witchcraft trials, resulting in 11 executions for witchcraft & sorcery:

Thanks to Russell for the link to this map

Note: the following link gives an instant download of a small pdf of the trials proceedings:

Ref: https://journals.socantscot.org/index.php/psas/article/download/626...

Some excerpts of trial testimony from three of the accused are also copied here:

".....Lykeways that ye confessed ye had ane meeting with the Devil at the
Stanriegate, bewest the Cruick of Devon, where the Devil desired you to be
his servant and renounce your Baptism whilk ye refused to do at that time;
and that the Devil was riding on ane horse with fulyairt clothes and ane
Spanish cape and that there was with you at that meeting, Bessie Keil in
Gelvin, Marget Hoggan......... Marget Beveridge, there; her sister Agnes
Drysdale, spouse to John Blackwood of Coldrain, riding on ane brown horse
and ane old black plaid about her. This ye said to be on Wednesday about
Yule last, two hours before day, and that the Devil appointed them to meet
at the Bents of Balruddrie on Friday thereafter.....

........Lykeways ye confessed that Sathan had copulation with you, and that his
body was cold and his seed also, and said he was an uncouth man with black
cloathes and ane hood on his head........
.......Ye confessed lykways that ye was at another meeting with Sathan at the
Stanriegait bewest the Cruik of Devon with the foresaid six deceased women,
and Elspet Dempster spouse to James Beverage, Agnes Drysdale, spouse to
John Blackwood of Coldrain."

Agnes Drysdale, was the daughter of William Drysdale of Sheardale, Dollar (she's mentioned is his will dated 1600) & was the grand-daughter of James Drysdale of Lochleven fame (who threatened to kill Mary Queen of Scots).

She married John Blackwood of Coldrain on 24 Feb 1622 in Fossoway and Tulliebole parish and is mentioned in the marriage record as coming from Dollar.

There are no records for any children

To Conclude - She was accused as a witch in the 1662 Crook of Devon Witchcraft trials but luckily, managed to escape capital punishment, this is confirmed by the fact that in 1668, Agnes is designated as the executrix in John Blackwood's will.

"John Blackwood Testament 6-6-1668 portioner of Wester Collindren [Coldrain] Dunblane Commissary Court"

Confirmed by Robert Bruce of Bordie, Fife, Commissar of Dunblane with Agnes Drysdaill as Executrix.

Best regards

[Ronald Drysdale]

Hi,

In my previous post I stated that there were no records for any children from the marriage of Agnes Drysdale and John Blackwood.

Since that post I've managed to get John's Will transcribed and now find that Agnes and John had at least 4 children!

A fair copy of the transcribed text is copied below (nothing about witches in it) and a pdf copy of the Will plus transcription is attached here:

Will of John Blackwood 1668 husband of Agnes Drysdale – complete tr...

Text:

"Jon Blackwood, portioner of Wester Coldrain, Testament, Will and Inventory dated 6^th June 1668

The Testament Testamentar, latter Will and Inventory of the goods & gear pertaining to the deceased Jon Blackwood, portioner of Wester Collindren within the parish of ………. Comissariot of Dunblain.

The time of his decease, which was in the month of ……… in the year 1668, faithfully made & given up by himself upon the twenty sixth day of December in the year 1667, before these witnesses: Duncan Martin servant to Thomas Blackwood his son, James Beverage portioner of Tullilochie, Wester & Jon Sanders in Annacroich.

Inventory

Firstly, the said Jon Blackwood gives up his goods & gear at the values and prices following viz

One old mare with her colt under 3 years old, price thereof £10 13/4d

Item two cows with their bullocks or heifers (between 1 and 2 years old), price of them in total £24

Item thirty Lambs price per head 20/-, hence £13*

Item eight older sheep, price per head 30/-, hence £12

Item standing in the barn and barnyard of oats - four bolls, price of the boll with the straw £4, hence £16

Item of bear one boll, price of the boll £5

Item standing in the barn of threshed corn, six firlots, estimated £4

Item the utensils & household effects estimated to £4

Total of the inventory - £84 13/4d

* The arithmetic is wrong here. 30 lambs at 20/- a piece should come to £30.

Debts owing to him

Item by Edward Malcom £21

The total is clearly £105 13/4d)

Debts owed by him

Item to Robert Blackwood his lawful son of borrowed money £30

Item to William Blackwood also his lawful son £23 4/-

Item to Andrew Taylor in Cassigoiore? £7

Item to Robert Stirk merchant 30/-

Item to William Glass 13/4d

Item to Jon Sanders 13/4d

Sum of the said debts £63 0/8d

Sum of free gear £22 13/-

Half is £11 6/6d)

Legacy

The said Jon blackwood being sick in body yet of perfect memorie recomends his soul to God and nominates Agnes Drysdal, his spouse, his only executrix and intromessatrix (a woman entitled to deal with the estate of a deceased person) with his whole goods & gear & debts excluding all others therefrom by these presents with power to her to exercise the said office freely in all respects as is suitable.

Item - the said Jon leaves and appoints the whole free gear above written for the expenses of the funeral

In witness whereof written by John Day, Notary in [          ] are subscribed by the said Jon Blackwood as follows, day year & place foresaid. Before the witnesses above insert John Blackwood foresaid with my hand at the notary's pen led at my hand*

    Ita est Joannes Day notarius publicus in premissis subscribere requisitus de mandato dicti Joannis Blackwood scribere ut nesciens assueruit teste manu propria**

Confirmation

I, Robert Bruce of Bordie, Commissary of Dunblain ratify & approves this present testament, providing furthermore the said Agnes Drysdal executrix foresaid, has found Jon Blackwood messenger in Culross, cautioner

Confirmed at Dunblain the 6 of June 1668

* When you see "with my hand at the pen led by the notary", it means the person could not write and touched the pen as the notary signed for them.

** The Latin section means "It is so. John Day, notary public, required to sign by command of the said John Blackwood as he asserted that he does not know how to write, witness my own hand."

These four children also had children, so there is quite a large tree of Blackwood descendants who have a 'witch' as a granny:

Best regards

[William Douglas]

Great research, Ronald!

[Ronald Drysdale]

Hi all,

Agnes Drysdaill obviously managed to overcome the 'minor Witchcraft misunderstanding' that she had with the church in 1662 as she was ultimately allowed to have a christian burial in 1683 - as the Mortcloth records for the Kinross Kirk sessions show:

The accounts show that in 1683, £2 was paid for the rental of a Mortcloth for Agnes Drysdaill in Coldrain

Note Mortcloth records in Scotland, also known as mortcloth accounts, are historical documents that record the rental of a mortcloth, a fabric draped over a coffin or body at a funeral.

Best regards

[Russell Lynn Drysdale]

Ronald ,

Well done article, keep the good work!  I see you have credited me for the map, in all honesty  Peter Drysdale sourced that contribution, I just passed it along.