In the mid-17th century, William Hog, a resident of the village of Newton near Edinburgh, found himself embroiled in the tumultuous witch trials that swept through Scotland. As a man of middling status, William was neither impoverished nor affluent, yet his life took a dramatic turn on the 6th of September, 1661, when he stood accused of witchcraft. The records reveal little about the specific charges he faced, but they do mark a significant moment when William reportedly confessed to allegations of witchcraft while imprisoned in the Tolbooth, a notorious gaol for those facing serious accusations.
This confession, dated July 29, 1661, was later retracted by William, adding a complex layer to his trial. The Tolbooth was a harsh environment where physical and psychological pressures often coerced admissions of guilt. The retraction suggests that William may have confessed under duress, a not uncommon occurrence during this period, given the intense fear and societal pressures surrounding witchcraft accusations. His case, documented as C/EGD/1392 in the historical records, does not detail the final verdict or the long-term impact on his life and status within the community of Newton. Despite the lack of complete records, William Hog's experience reflects the precarious nature of life during the Scottish witch trials, where mere suspicion could result in dramatic personal upheaval and public scrutiny.