Margaret Rodgers, a 60-year-old resident of Whythill, Renfrew, found herself entangled in the infamous witch trials that swept through Renfrewshire in 1697. Margaret's case is particularly notable due to the involvement of her sister, who was also accused of witchcraft. The two sisters stood accused during a tumultuous period marked by paranoia and fear of witches' covens and secret meetings. The records explicitly charge Margaret with participating in witches' meetings, a common accusation during a time when communities were on high alert for signs of maleficent gatherings.
On April 13, 1697, Margaret faced trial in Renfrew alongside others accused in the broader sweep of the Renfrewshire witches. Despite the gravity of the charges and her recorded confession, which would typically seal the fate of many accused during such trials, Margaret's path took an unexpected turn. On May 18, 1697, a decision was made that deserted her diet, meaning that the case against her and her sister was unexpectedly dropped. The records do not elucidate the reasons behind this decision, leaving a gap in the historical narrative and rendering the ultimate rationale a mystery. Margaret, thereby, avoided the often deadly consequences that befell many accused witches of the era and was released, a rarity that continues to intrigue scholars exploring the complexities of Scottish witch trials.