Grangepans Dames’ School

In the early nineteenth century the Carriden Kirk Session records make mention of Sarah Small, schoolmistress of the Grangepans Dame School, who was accused of brawling in the street with her neighbour Margaret Robertson.  It was alleged that Mrs Robertson called the teacher a “witch thief” and so Miss Small hit her so hard in the face that it knocked her to the ground and then continued to beat her.  Small, no doubt, was recalling the result of earlier witch trials in the parish.  She was admonished and warned of her future conduct (Salmon 1913, 437; Hendrie 1996, 123).

G.B. Bailey, 2022