In the mid-19th century St Monans, in the East Neuk of Fife in Scotland, was one of the busiest and most important Scottish harbours during the peak of the herring fishing. Chronicling the daily life in the community was John Jack (1796-1859), school master and author of ‘An Historical Account Of St Monans...’ and ‘The Key Of The Forth...’. While these two works are noted for their idiosyncratic style, little consideration has been given to his work as the town’s correspondent for nearly three decades. Jerzy Morkis, a former local newspaper editor, has trawled the columns from nearly two centuries ago, seeking out Jack's unique reportage from this bustling period in the town’s history. What emerges is a fascinating and colourful insight, not just into daily events of a fishing community but into the social history of the time. There is also a detailed look at Jack’s recounting of the tale of tragic teenager Maggie Morgan, reputedly the last witch burned alive in front of the historical Auld Kirk in 1651.