In October 1643, Janat Maconachie became a subject of scrutiny within the ecclesiastical structures of Aberdeen. Her name appears in the formal presbytery records of that period, marking her involvement in an investigation that centered not on a direct trial, but on the social and spiritual interactions surrounding her. Despite the gravity often associated with such proceedings in seventeenth-century Scotland, the historical record for Janat remains notably limited, indicating that no formal trial was ever convened nor a criminal case file opened to pursue charges against her.
The evidence preserved in case C/EGD/2314 reveals that the scrutiny Janat faced was prompted by the actions of others within the community. Specifically, the presbytery records note that a witness was formally rebuked for the act of consulting with her, suggesting that Janat held a position or reputation that led neighbors to seek her out for counsel or assistance. Beyond this mention of the rebuke, there is no further documentation regarding Janat’s own testimony or any subsequent legal progression. Consequently, her history remains defined by this singular, unresolved intersection with the ecclesiastical authorities of Aberdeen.