known tried central scotland year old daughter complained local included family servants reported mother witnessing steal drink milk seven people found guilty having condemned death subsequently committed suicide hanging prison cell believed died imprisoned hanged burned green june mass execution western europe cursed present trial descendants years tragedy blamed curse went successful manufacturer thread events august year old daughter local landowner saw family servants steal drink milk reported theft mother campbell cursed wishing devil haul soul hell days later encountered old woman reputed witch following day august violently ill fits similar symptoms reported years earlier american salem witch trials weeks parents took eminent glasgow physician find cause symptoms days visit recovered fits returned increased violence stiff corpse parents took brisbane time arrived glasgow begun pull mouth balls hair claimed soon began pull trash mouth including straw coal gravel chicken feathers fits heard talking invisible pleading return friendship brisbane unable provide rational explanation condition family local parish minister concluded possessed common occurrence england scotland central element salem witch trials years earlier church set weekly fast prayer meeting father appealed authorities named daughter arrested initially identified time wore implicated eventually accused male female identities remaining unknown investigation trial request set commission investigate case lord hearing opened february commission task decide case accused committed trial seven subsequently summoned appear second commission charged murder number people including advocate argued prosecution obliged rule possibility events surrounding case explained natural causes conviction safely secured gave evidence stating unable find cause condition minister miles north delivered sermon commission commonplace time member clergy preach court scottish witch trials instrumental securing convictions placed great store presence marks bodies accused cast doubt natural explanations marks offered physicians doctors things mark know ground things jury confronted threat prosecutor acquitted defendants murders etc enemies heaven earth shall guilty found seven accused guilty executions convicted committed suicide hanging prison cell attached nail wall remaining hanged burned green june mass execution western europe john brothers near houston aged respectively held hands hanged having carried struggling screaming called wrath god devil appeared insane spoke visits backs magical horses admitted devil said renounced sin reconciled god laid dying woman curse present descendants years tragedy town blamed curse account executions states condemned alive bodies burned borrowed walking stick push victims moving limbs fire owner refused contact modern interpretation anxiety induced curse brought conversion disorder young girl modern known term conversion derives idea anxiety converted physical symptoms displayed commented witch trials tended occur times crisis scotland experienced late glorious revolution restored presbyterian left disappointed low moral tone lack religious enthusiasm massacre subsequent inquiry eroded moral legitimacy government series harvest failures onwards led period famine threat french invasion tried taxes troops levied west repel expected invaders small hole discovered wall bedroom local attraction accomplice passed items supposedly removed mouth aftermath shortly trial scottish secretary state observed france persuaded try experience impossible distinguish possession nature disorder married reverend parish minister died years later went successful involved manufacture thread small way quality product began recognised increasingly large scale trademark thread mark quality area began emulate techniques starting industry dominated world shaped town history known record marriage february prosperous edinburgh businessman memorial built site remains buried replaced original marking spot disappeared 1970s replacement later bronze steel embedded includes inscription pain inflicted suffering endured injustice campaign launched pardon men women children prosecuted 16th 17th century laws legislators argued inappropriate pardon tried convicted laws time
Paisley witches