Katherine Flowers, sometimes referred to by the surname Ferrier, was a woman residing in Craigtoun Burn, Renfrew, during the late 17th century, a period marked by social and religious upheaval in Scotland that often culminated in witch trials. Historical records place Katherine at the center of a notable case in 1697, part of the broader wave of witch accusations that swept through Renfrewshire that year. Her entanglement in these events began with allegations of participating in a witches' meeting, a common charge during this period intended to underscore a supposed threat to religious and societal norms.
On April 13, 1697, Katherine stood indicted alongside a large group of individuals at a trial in Renfrew. This collective indictment was not uncommon, as accusations of witchcraft frequently involved claims of conspiratorial gatherings, which were feared for their potential to undermine Christian morals and community cohesion. However, the proceedings did not reach a conclusion on that day. Instead, Katherine's trial was postponed to May 19, and later continued to May 28. The extant records end ambiguously with this date, leaving no further documentation of the trial's outcome or of Katherine’s fate beyond these entries.
This fragmentary account of Katherine Flowers serves as a poignant reminder of the uncertainties faced by many accused during the witch trials of early modern Scotland. Her story, like those of many others from this tumultuous era, remains incomplete in historical records, but it reflects the precarious position of women who found themselves enmeshed in the legal and social nets cast by fear and suspicion of witchcraft.