In November 1629, Margaret Nicolsone, a married woman of middling socioeconomic status residing in Markle, Preston, found herself the subject of an intense legal inquiry. The proceedings, which lasted from the 7th to the 23rd of November, were overseen by Colville and the Bishop of Dunblane. The investigation was initiated following a denunciation by an individual named Hammilton, who was known to beg at the Nicolsone household and had, at one point, slept in their outhouse. Records indicate that the case against Margaret was complex, emerging amidst local social friction; testimony gathered during the intensive questioning of neighbors and family members highlighted that Margaret was known to have quarreled with many people in her community.
Simultaneous to the focus on Margaret, the legal records note that Hammilton himself faced scrutiny for allegedly attempting to seduce a neighbor’s wife. This context of local disputes and shifting accusations characterized the atmosphere in which the investigation unfolded. Despite the exhaustive gathering of witness statements in Edinburgh, the authorities ultimately determined that the case should not proceed further. Consequently, the accusations against Margaret were dropped, and the matter was concluded without a formal trial or sentencing.