The historical records shed light on an intriguing episode from the mid-17th century, centered on an unnamed individual identified only as the "eldest son of Katharine Moor Frissell." Residing on the Isle of Bute, this man became embroiled in the turbulence of the Scottish witch trials—a period marked by intense fear and suspicion of witchcraft. The case against him was formally documented on the 28th of January, 1662, a time when the Scottish Parliament's Witchcraft Act of 1563 was still rigorously enforced against those accused of sorcery and dealings with the supernatural.
Records suggest that the charge against Katharine's son was encapsulated under the case name Frissell, reflecting both his lineage and perhaps a lingering notion of inherited propensity towards supposed witchcraft. This lineage-focused suspicion was not uncommon, as familial associations often played a significant role in accusations during these trials. The trial, tagged under the document reference T/JO/1901, details the legal proceedings that would decide his fate. However, the specifics of the allegations, the evidence presented, or the trial's outcome remain elusive within the existing documentation.
While these records do not provide an exhaustive account of his experience, they underscore a critical moment reflective of the wider societal and legal frameworks of the era. The trial process on Bute would have encapsulated a community's fear, the urgency of adhering to spiritual codes, and the precariousness faced by those accused during these witch trials. The anonymity of Katharine Moor Frissell’s son, known only through his mother's name, highlights the pervasive and personal impact such trials had on families, lingering in history as a testament to this fraught period in Scottish history.