The People
Each of the seven who were executed for witchcraft in 1697 have their own personal history, as does the individual who committed suicide in his prison cell. Sources such as tax records give us the very basics in many cases, such as name, residence, and an indication of their economic status. More detailed information is based on other sources which are arguably more subjective. Stories and anecdotes have been spoken and written, and witness statements have been recorded. A whole narrative of Christian Shaw’s experience over the first three months of 1697 was produced. These sources are more open to interpretation when it comes to understanding the story of each of the accused, and the people who accused them. Despite this, they still hint at how some of those who were put on trial were perceived by the wider community. Reputation was often mentioned.
Over thirty people were suspected and accused of the crime of witchcraft throughout Renfrewshire during the first five months of 1697. In the end, it was whittled down to the seven suspects who stood trial, although a number of people remained in custody, sometimes for lengthy periods, after the eve ...
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The eventual guilty verdict relied heavily upon key testimony provided by specific individuals. These were people who had been apprehended and charged, and who finally relented in the face of...
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As well as the confessants, there was a whole range of people who attested that witchcraft was rife in the area. These people were not suspects themselves, but claimed to witness things that made them...
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The local Church was instrumental in securing permission to conduct an investigation into witchcraft in the local area. Once the witch hunt had begun in earnest, various local presbyteries throughout Renfrewshire and beyond offered support. This took the form of prayerful fast days, and the supply o ...
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