In July 1649, Manny Haliburton and her husband, Patrick Watson, were inspected for "the Devil's mark" by witch-finder John Kincaid of Tranent (elsewhere referred to as "the common pricker") in the Great Hall of Dirleton Castle (East Lothian). Kincaid claimed to find the evil sign above and below their left shoulders, respectively. When pricked, no bleeding was observed. Although both were subsequently accused of witchcraft, the following documents relate primarily to Manny (indeed, her co-accused spouse became one of the accusers, along with one Agnes Clarkson). Manny's confession to witchcraft states that she had carnal relations the Devil posing as a doctor, in the absence of her husband. The Devil (or Doctor Evil, so to speak, incognito) demanded that she renounce Christ and her baptism (ie. her Christianity), to become his dark servant. Following Manny's confession, the proceedings seem to have moved to Haddington (county capital of East Lothian) where Kirk officials called for a trial per se, before a judge. Other documents state that both Manny and her husband were then both found guilty of witchcraft, and duly executed (these documents will be included in due course).
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Deposition of John Kincaid (Witch-finder), relative to the Devil's mark found on Patrik Watſon and Manie Halieburton.
At Dirlton, . . . . . of . . . . . ȝeiris. The quhilk day, in preſence of All[exan]der Levingstone of [Salt]coitis, James Borthuik Chalmerlane of Dirlton, Johne Stalker, bailȝie thair, James Foirman, Drem, Mr James Acheſoun, in North Beruick, and Williame Daliell, notar, Patrik [Wat]son, in Weſt Fentoun, and Menie Hallyburton, his ſpous, bruited and long ſuſpect [of] Witchcraft, of thair awne fre-will, vncompellit, heiring that I, Johne Kincaid, vnder ſubſcryvand, wes in the toune of Dirltone, and had ſome ſkill and dexteritie in trying of the Divellis marke, in the perſonis of ſuch as wer ſuſpect to be Witches, came to the Broadhall, in the Caſtell of Dirlton, and deſyrit me, the ſaid Jo. Kincaid, to vſe my tryall of thame, as I had done on vtheris; whilk when I had done, I fand the Divellis marke vpon the bakſyde of þe ſaid Patrik Watson, a little wnder the point of his left ſhoulder, and vpon the left ſyde of the ſaid Menie Halliburton hir neck, a little aboue hir left ſhoulder; whairof thay war not ſenſible, nether came furth þairof any bloode, efter I had tryed the ſamen als exactlie as euer I did any vthers. This I teſtifie to be of veritie, vpone my credite and conſcience. In witnes quhairof, I have ſubſcryvit thir preſentis with my hand, day and place foirſaid, befoir thir witneſſis aboue ſpecifeit.
(Sic ſubſcribitur.) J. K. Alex. Levingstone, witneſs. Ja. Borthuike, witnes. Johnne Stalker, witnes. James Forman, witnes. M. J. Achesone, witnes. W. Daliell, witnes.
(Indorſed.) Teſtificat of J(ohnne Kincaid,) finding the witches mark vpone Manie Haliburtoune.
Confession of Manie Haliburton.
At Dirltoun, the . . . . . . of . . . . , 1649. In preſence of Johne [Stalker] bailȝie of Dirlton, James Levington, thair, Jon . . . . . in Lawhill, thair, James Speir, Richard Ferguſſon, Wa. Hanady, and Wa. Daliell. Compeirit Manie Halliburton, priſoner within the Caſtle of Dirlton, ſuſpect of the cryme of Witchcraft, dilaited guiltie be Agnes Clerkson, lait ſufferrar for the ſaid cryme, as alſo be Patrik Watsone, ſpous to the ſaid Menie, who lykevyſe ſufferit thairfoir; and confeſſit, that auchtein yeir ſyne, or thairby, hir dochter being ſeik, ſcho firſt ſent for Patrik Chryſtiſone in Abirladie, to cum and cure hir dochter, and he refuiſing, went hirſelff for him, who refuſed to cure hir; and within . . . . . dayis thairefter came the Devill, in licknes of a man, to hir hous, calling himſelff a phiſition, and ſaid to hir, that he had goode ſalves (and namelie oyliſpek), whairwith he wold cure hir dochter; and aggrieing with him for ſome of his ſalves, quilk he gave hir, ſho gave him tuo Inglis ſhillingis: He than depairted, and promiſed to come agane within eight dayes, whilk accordinglie he did; bot or he went away the firſt tyme, ſhe gave him milk and breade; and Patrik Watſone comeing in, he ſent for a pynt of Ale: Bot at the ſecond comeing, he ſtayit all night, and vpone the morne airlie (Patrik being furth) in came the Divell and lay doun with hir, (ſcho being ȝit in bed,) and had carnall copulatioun with hir, his nature being cold: He deſyreit hir to renunce Chriſt and hir baptiſme, and become his ſervand; quilk ſcho did: And ſayes, that hir dochter had the wyte of all hir wicid[neſs]; wiſſing ſho had nevir bene borne.—This Depoſition wes renewed, in all the particulars, by the ſaid Manie, in the forſaid place, on Sunday the firſt of Julij, 1649, before Alexr Levingtoun of Saltcottiss, James . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . , Johne Stalker, . . . . . , Wm Daliell, and Mr Jon McGhill, miniſter at Dirltoun.
M. J. Makghill, Alex. Levingtone, witnes; J. Borthuik, James Lauder, Johnne Stalker, W. Daliel, Williame Daliell, Walter Marshall.
Jul. 2, at Hadintoun. Whilk day, the Presbiterie, having red and conſidered the former Depositions and Confession of Manie Haliburton, ffind the ſamyne a ſufficient ground for ſuting the Judge competent to grant a Commiſſion for trying and judging her according to Law.
J. Stirling, Clk.
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This digital transcription and edition is Copyright © CyberScotia 2009, all rights reserved. Text transcribed from: Pitcairn, Robert 1833. Ancient Criminal Trials in Scotland; Compiled from the Original Records and MSS., with Historical Illustrations, &c. Edinburgh: The Bannatyne Club. Vol. III.ii, 599-600.