"The Steward-Depute having considered the Verdict of the Assize, bearing date the twenty-first day of June current, and returned into Court that day against Jean Maxwell, the Pannel, whereby she is found guilty of pretending to exercise WITCHCRAFT, SORCERY, INCHANTMENT, and CONJURATION, and of undertaking to tell fortunes, contrary to the Enactments and Provisions of the Act of Parliament passed in the 5th year of the Reign of King George the Second, Chapter fifth, in the manner charged against her in the Indictment, at instance of the Procurator-Fiscal of Court; the Steward Depute, in respect of the said Verdict, Decerns and Adjudges the said Jean Maxwell to be carried back from the Bar to the Tolbooth of Kirkcudbright, and to be Imprisoned therein for the space of One Whole Year, without Bail or Mainprize; and Once in every Quarter of the said year to stand openly upon a Market day in the Jugs or Pillory, at the Market Cross of the Burgh of Kirkcudbright, for the space of One Hour, &c.--(Signed) ALEXR. GORDON."
It only remains to be added that this sentence was rigorously carried out.
A small, and now scarce volume, containing a full account of the trial, was published at Kirkcudbright the same year, of which the following is a copy of the title-page:--
REMARKABLE TRIAL OF JEAN MAXWELL THE Galloway Sorceress:
Which took place at KIRKCUDBRIGHT on the twenty-eighth day of June last, 1805:
For Pretending to Exercise WITCHCRAFT, SORCERY, INCHANTMENT, CONJURATION, etc.
"And that distilled by Magic slights Shall raise such artificial sprights, As by the strength of their illusion Shall draw him on to his confusion." --_Macbeth._
KIRKCUDBRIGHT: Printed by Alexander Gordon. 1805.
Concerning Dumfriesshire there falls to be recorded numerous instances of accusation and trial, which includes the ever-to-be-regretted consummation of fanaticism in this district--the burning of nine unhappy women on the Sands of Dumfries in the year 1659.
_Extract from the Dumfries Burgh Treasurer's Books, May 27th, 1657._--Detailed items of expenditure incurred at the burning of two women convicted of witchcraft: "For 38 load of peitts to burn the two women, £3 12s (Scots). Mair, given to William Edgar for ane tar barrell, 12s; for ane herring barrell, 14s. Given to John Shotrick, for carrying the twa barrells to the pledge (house), 6s. Mair, given to the four officers that day that the whiches was burnt, at the provest and bayillis command, 24s. Given to Thomas Anderson for the two stoups and the two steaves (to which the women were tied), 30s."(36)