In the year 1658, Bessie Neveing, a resident of Renfrew, found herself caught in the turbulent wave of witch trials that swept through Scotland during the 16th and 17th centuries. The historical records list her case under the designation C/EGD/779, indicating the formal proceedings against her began on the 3rd of April of that year. Her trial was significant enough to attract the attention and jurisdiction of Sir George Maxwell of Pollok, a noted figure of authority in such matters.
Bessie’s trial occurred amidst a backdrop of fear and superstition that characterized much of early modern Scotland. Records from the time, cited under T/LA/1125, reflect the gravity with which accusations of witchcraft were treated, though specific details of the allegations or evidence against Bessie are not preserved in the documentation. Referred for trial by Maxwell, her case joined numerous others conducted under a legal framework that often proved harsh and unforgiving to those accused. Her journey through the legal system reflects the broader societal anxieties and judicial practices of the era. As with many from this period, the conclusion of her trial and her subsequent fate remain unknown in these records, leaving her story as a poignant testament to a complex and turbulent chapter in Scottish history.