Jean Whythill, a resident of Renfrew and a married woman, found herself in a perilous situation following accusations of witchcraft in the early months of 1700. Her case illuminates the tense atmosphere and the social dynamics of early modern Scotland during the witch trials. At the center of her ordeal was a young girl from Paisley named Margaret Laird. Known for her fits, Laird claimed to be tormented by witches and, during these episodes, she accused several individuals, including Jean, of practicing witchcraft. The accusations against Jean were not isolated; they arose amid a series of denunciations in which Laird identified numerous people while caught in her disturbed states.
The judicial process for Jean commenced with witness statements gathered in Paisley on April 19th to 21st, 1699. These testimonies were primarily from those who had observed Laird's fits and the subsequent accusations that she made therein. The case progressed with some interruptions, as court records suggest that a trial initially scheduled in Glasgow on May 19th, 1699, did not materialize. Eventually, the proceedings reached the high court in Edinburgh on March 12th, 1700. Despite the serious nature of the accusations and the fear that such claims could incite at the time, Jean Whythill's trial concluded without a conviction. The court chose to "desert the diet," which effectively released her from the indictment. This decision may reflect a judicial hesitance, influenced by inconsistencies in testimony or the credibility of the initial accusations, but the records ultimately do not elaborate on the reasons for her release.