Jean Whythill, a married woman residing in Renfrew, found herself ensnared in the witchcraft accusations that swept through early modern Scotland. In 1700, Jean's life was dramatically altered when she was denounced as a witch by a young girl named Margaret Laird, who resided in Paisley. Margaret was known for her fits, during which she asserted that she was being tormented by witches and named multiple individuals as her supposed tormentors. It was during one of these episodes that Jean's name was mentioned, casting a shadow of suspicion over her and drawing her into a widely publicized case that would take her from her home to the attentions of a court in Edinburgh.
Witness statements and a "dittay" (a formal written accusation) were collected in April 1699, detailing the alleged incidents witnessed during Margaret's fits in Paisley. A trial was initially scheduled for 19 May 1699 in Glasgow, yet the historical record does not indicate that it took place. Instead, the proceedings were re-scheduled and eventually occurred in Edinburgh in March 1700. During the trial, the testimonies were reviewed, but ultimately, the case did not proceed to conviction. The high court decided to 'desert the diet,' which meant that the trial was effectively abandoned and Jean was released.
The abandonment of the trial against Jean Whythill reflects broader issues of uncertainty and instability in the witchcraft trials during this period, often driven by hysteria and the difficulty of substantiating such accusations. As Jean left the courtroom, she was free from the immediate peril of a guilty verdict, yet her experience highlights the precarious nature of life for those accused of witchcraft during a time of heightened fear and superstition in Scotland.