Margaret Alexander, a landless woman from the area of Paisley in Renfrew, found herself at the center of a tumultuous period in early modern Scotland known for its intense witch trials. With no land to her name and reduced to begging for her meager sustenance, Margaret's precarious social position made her particularly vulnerable during a time when suspicion and fear could swiftly turn into accusations of witchcraft. Her name surfaced in the context of the trials after two young women, Margaret Laird of Paisley and Margaret Murdoch of Govan, claimed to be tormented by witches, amidst fits described in witness testimonies. Both Laird and Murdoch, in their distressed states, accused multiple individuals, including Margaret Alexander, of witchcraft.
The primary evidence against Margaret stemmed from these accusations, emanating from the fits experienced by Laird and Murdoch, which took place in Paisley and Glasgow respectively, during late April 1699. Witnesses presented their testimonies based on her supposed involvement in the supernatural torments experienced by the young women. Although a trial date was initially set for Margaret in May 1699 in Glasgow, it seemingly never occurred. Instead, her case was transferred to the high court in Edinburgh, where on the 12th of March, 1700, the court decided to release her, with no formal sentence pronounced against her.
Margaret Alexander's brush with the law during the Scottish witch trials era reflects the harrowing realities faced by many during this period. Although she was eventually released, the shadow of suspicion cast by such accusations often lingered long after the courts had closed their books. This case illustrates the unpredictable nature of justice during a time when fear and superstition pervaded much of the societal interactions, particularly affecting those living on the margins.