In the late 17th century, Jean Woodrow resided in the hamlet of Bridge End in Kilmacolm, Renfrew. As a widow, Jean found herself at the mercy of a society that often placed widowed women of lower socioeconomic status under suspicion. This reality became stark when her name was propelled into allegations of witchcraft, following the denunciations of Margaret Laird, a young girl from Paisley. In a state described as being afflicted by chaotic fits, Laird accused a number of individuals, including Jean, of malevolent activities. Such claims were typical in the period’s witchcraft hysteria, where members of the community could easily be swept into baseless accusations amidst episodes of mass panic.
Compounding Jean's troubles was her refusal of alms, a detail that hints at her precarious social standing and possibly explains why she became an easy target during Margaret's outcries. Within this highly charged atmosphere, witness statements were gathered predominantly in Paisley, with witnesses recounting Laird's dramatic episodes of torment. Among the accusations tied to Jean were damages allegedly caused to a dairy and a mill, though specific details on how these damages were connected to supposed witchcraft were sparse in the records.
Despite the weight of these allegations, when the case reached the High Court in Edinburgh on the 12th of March, 1700, the judicial system acted with restraint by ultimately releasing Jean. Her trial, initially planned for the previous year, did not proceed as expected. Instead, it was noted that the "diet deserted by order of the High Court," a legal term indicating that proceedings were halted and charges were dropped. This outcome suggests a measure of skepticism by the authorities, or perhaps administrative failings, offering Jean reprieve from the shadows of accusation that might otherwise claim her life in those turbulent, superstitious times.