In the spring of 1658, the judicial machinery of early modern Scotland converged upon a woman named Bessie Neveing, a resident of Renfrew. On April 3, 1658, Bessie was formally processed under case number C/EGD/779, marking the beginning of a legal ordeal that would define the final days of her life. The administrative records of the period reflect the systematic nature of these proceedings, as the gravity of the accusations necessitated a transfer of jurisdiction to a figure of significant local authority.
On the same day, her trial—documented under reference T/LA/1125—was brought before Sir George Maxwell of Pollok. As a member of the landed gentry and a local magistrate, Maxwell was tasked with overseeing the inquiry into Bessie's conduct. This referral to a high-ranking official like Sir George highlights the regional importance placed upon the adjudication of such matters in Renfrew during this era. Following this referral, the historical record leaves Bessie’s fate to the outcomes of the proceedings held under Maxwell’s oversight.