In the twilight of the 17th century, amidst the turbulent era of Scottish witch trials, Margaret Supp of Port Glasgow, Kilmacolm, found herself ensnared in a web of allegations and fear. Port Glasgow, a burgeoning area annexed onto Kilmacolm, was a community where whispers of witchcraft could swiftly spiral into accusations with dire consequences. Mentioned within a case on 22 April 1699, Margaret’s name appeared amidst unsettling claims of witchcraft that rippled through the parish of Govan.
Margaret was implicated by a young girl, Margaret Murdoch, who attested to being tormented by witches. The girl, daughter of John Murdoch of Craigtown, had divulged the names of numerous individuals whom she alleged were responsible for her afflictions. Her claims were taken seriously enough to warrant examination by a doctor and several ministers, demonstrating the gravity with which accusations of witchcraft were handled. Despite being named in these ominous assertions, Margaret Supp’s fate did not immediately lead to formal proceedings. While one man and three women gave testimony against her on that April day in 1699, the record does not illuminate any subsequent legal action, leaving her story in a shadow of uncertainty.
The records do not clarify whether Margaret Supp faced trial or what became of her following the testimonies. This gap in historical documentation offers a glimpse into the precariousness of life for those accused of witchcraft during this period—a time when reputation could be as fragile and perilous as a spider's web. Her link to Agnes Supp, another resident of Kilmacolm, may hint at familial connections that were often subjected to scrutiny in witchcraft allegations, though the records remain silent on their relationship. Despite the lack of decisive outcome, Margaret Supp’s story stands as a testament to the climate of suspicion and the profound impact of mere mention in the witch trials of Scotland during the era.