In the spring of 1697, John Stewart of Bowhouse, Inchinnan, was drawn into the judicial machinery of the Renfrewshire witch trials—a series of legal proceedings that gripped the region during that turbulent period. Originally indicted on April 13, 1697, John faced serious allegations, including participation in a gathering of witches. As the legal process unfolded, the momentum of the case shifted significantly; the proceedings were initially scheduled for May 12, only to be further delayed until May 28, reflecting the administrative complexities and uncertainties that often characterized these mass prosecutions.
Despite the gravity of the initial indictment, the historical record indicates a resolution that stood in contrast to the harsher outcomes of contemporary cases. By May 19, 1697, John was released from custody under caution. Following this release, the record provides no further evidence to suggest that the trial scheduled for late May ever transpired or that further legal action was pursued. For John, the ordeal concluded not with a formal verdict of guilt or innocence, but with a release that removed the immediate threat of the court.