Marguerite Léchot-Grosjean, my well loved witch
|
Marguerite was Daniel Leschot's wife. Born in Orvin,
she was probably a good wife considering the situation of her husband. Unfortunately, in 1709,
the village faced a very severe winter plus the great famine that was sweeping the entire continent
all this happening before the introduction of the potatoes. At the same time the village was confronted with
the problem of sorcery, and they had made a list of names of probable suspects to be forwarded to
the Prince Bishop for adjudication. This was the last case concerning sorcery in the village and the principal
defendant was Marguerite Leschot-Grosjean, widow and 70 years old.
The report of this lawsuit appeared in the "Archives de l'Ancien Evêché de Bâle" in Porrentruy.
Composed of some 80 pages, it is very instructive. The first part is related to the interrogation
of all adults of the village (200). After reading these depositions, the Masters, Chancellors and Advisers
of his Highness ordered the arrest and then the examination of Daniel Leschot's widow, based on certain testimonies,
which they chose. Marguerite's ansers agains these chosed testimonies are written in the second part of the lawsuit.
After reading this second part, the judges delivered their sentence.
Possessing and having read the photocopies of this lawsuit, we found several dates of birth
and other genealogical information. The accusations of the people toward Marguerite included her guilty of causing illness
and deaths of people as well as cattle. These evils might have been the consequence of fates thrown
by the defendants. Personally, we saw there much ignorance, jealousy and scandal mongering.
|
