In 1699, in the Scottish parish of Kilmacolm, within the growing port town of Port Glasgow, Margaret Supp found herself entangled in the fraught environment of witchcraft accusations that swept through Scotland between the 16th and 18th centuries. This period was characterized by widespread fear and superstition, where mere suspicion could lead to dire consequences. Margaret Supp's name emerged amidst these turbulent times when a young girl named Margaret Murdoch claimed to be tormented by witches, and Supp was listed among many individuals accused by the girl. Margaret Murdoch was the daughter of John Murdoch of Craigtown in the parish of Govan, a significant region in Lanark, which further added gravity to the claims given her familial connections.
The historical records surrounding Margaret Supp's case are somewhat incomplete, providing us with intriguing but limited insight into her experience. It is documented that she was mentioned in the testimonies of one man and three women in a session held in Glasgow on the 22nd of April 1699. Despite being named and scrutinized, Margaret Supp appears never to have faced formal charges or trial proceedings—a somewhat unusual outcome in an era when accusations could swiftly lead to trial and often execution. The absence of further legal proceedings against her suggests that the evidence presented or the testimonies given were insufficient to propel her into the depths of the judicial process. The connection to another individual, Agnes Supp of the same district, hints at the possibility of familial implications in these accusations. Margaret's tale stands as a testament to the precarious existence individuals led during the witch trials, where one's life could be upended by mere suggestion and societal fears rather than concrete evidence.