In the spring of 1697, William Miller, a resident of Gatesyde of Fourmakure in the parish of Erskine, found himself entangled in the intensive judicial scrutiny that defined the Renfrewshire witch trials. As the legal proceedings unfolded throughout the region, William was formally brought before the authorities on May 19th. The primary allegation levelled against him was participation in a meeting of witches, a charge that placed him at the heart of the intense local anxieties concerning the presence of clandestine, supernatural gatherings within the community.
Unlike many of his contemporaries who faced the direst outcomes during this period of fervor, the legal process concerning William concluded with a distinct resolution. Following the examination of the charges detailed in case record C/LA/2978, the court determined that he should be released on caution. By providing a financial guarantee to ensure his future good behaviour and continued presence for potential legal requirements, William was able to avoid the more severe punishments often associated with such accusations, marking a rare conclusion within the broader context of the 1697 proceedings.