The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707, K.M. Brown et al eds (St Andrews, 2007-2023), date accessed: 29 September 2023

[1649/5/309]1

Commission to certain persons for apprehending some witches in Inverkeithing2

The estates of parliament, having heard and considered a supplication given in by the presbytery of Dunfermline and Mr Walter Bruce, minister at the burgh of Inverkeithing, showing that whereas there were several accusations of witchcraft against the wives of the magistrates and other persons of the said burgh of Inverkeithing, whom the said magistrates refused to apprehend, the presbytery of Dunfermline did visit the said burgh of Inverkeithing and desired and dealt with the magistrates and town council to give their full power and commission to certain honest men in the town to apprehend, put in prison and take trial of such persons as they should allow and judge worthy to be apprehended and tried as said is, who did at that time consent and agree thereto; yet nevertheless since that time the magistrates and town council slight that work and refuse to give the power in manner aforesaid. Therefore they earnestly desire that the said estates would give power and commission to the persons underwritten, namely: John Bardie of Sulvadge, William Blackburn, John Davidson, John Douglas, Thomas Thomson, John Anderson and James Brown, burgesses of Inverkeithing, to take trial of and put such persons in prison and sure ward and do the duty of the magistrates for that effect as shall be judged and allowed worthy and tried by them as said is, that both the said estates and the places where they live may be freed of such vile persons. Which being taken into consideration by the said estates of parliament, they have given and granted and by this act give and grant full power and commission to John Bardie of Salvedge, William Blackburn, John Davidson, John Douglas, Thomas Thomson, John Anderson and James Brown, burgesses of Inverkeithing, to apprehend, put in prison and sure ward such persons within the said burgh as the said presbytery of Dunfermline shall put to trial for the crime of witchcraft, with power to them to do the duty of the magistrates to the effect above-specified.

  1. NAS. PA2/25, f.143r.
  2. The petition of the presbytery of Dunfermline relating to this act, a draft and an extract of the act (which apparently has the clerk register's signature torn off) can be found in NAS. PA6/9 at 31 July 1649.