On January 21, 1650, Elizabeth Maxwell was identified as one of seven individuals brought before the Presbytery of Dumfries to face investigations concerning allegations of witchcraft. This judicial process occurred during a period of intense scrutiny by ecclesiastical authorities, who held the power to initiate inquiries into the conduct of parishioners suspected of malevolent supernatural practices. As part of this group, Elizabeth was subjected to the formal scrutiny of the local kirk session, which served as the primary mechanism for investigating reports of spiritual and communal misconduct in mid-seventeenth-century Scotland.
The specific accusations leveled against Elizabeth centered on allegations of property damage, with the record noting a grievance involving the destruction or spoilage of ale. In the socio-economic context of the 1650s, the household production and preservation of ale were vital domestic activities, and the sudden loss of such supplies was frequently viewed with suspicion by neighbors. Elizabeth remained under the jurisdiction of the Presbytery as they navigated the legal complexities of these charges, marking a distinct point of conflict between her actions and the expectations of her community.