In the quiet setting of Inchinnan, Renfrew, during the closing years of the 17th century, Janet Wodrow found herself at the heart of a storm that gripped much of Scotland during that era: the witch trials. A trial was convened to assess allegations of witchcraft against her, recorded under the case name "Wodrow, Janet," dated December 3, 1696. Unfortunately, the historical records provide little detail regarding the nature of the accusations she faced or the circumstances that led to her being singled out for such a serious charge.
Janet's trial, referenced in the records merely as T/JO/1168, offers no further insight into the proceedings or the eventual outcome. This lack of documentation is not uncommon for the time, as many trials related to witchcraft were poorly documented or the records have not survived the passage of time. What can be inferred, however, is that Janet's experience was part of a broader pattern of witchcraft trials in Scotland, a period marked by social, religious, and economic upheaval where accusations could spread rapidly through small communities.
While the fate of Janet Wodrow remains unknown due to the absence of detailed trial notes, her situation was emblematic of the fear and tension that permeated these communities. Women like Janet, often targeted for various personal, social, or economic reasons, lived at the mercy of local and regional authorities. The scant records that hold her name remind us of the many lives disrupted during these turbulent years in Scottish history.