In the spring of 1699, the parish of Govan in Lanark became the site of a distressing sequence of events centered on Margaret Murdoch, the daughter of John Murdoch of Craigtown. Claiming to be tormented by the influence of witches, Margaret identified a multitude of local figures as her perceived assailants. This situation prompted a rigorous ecclesiastical and medical investigation, during which the girl was scrutinized by both a doctor and a gathering of ministers to account for her condition. Among those named in the ensuing panic was James Jock, a resident of the parish whose name became inextricably linked to the testimony swirling around the girl’s claims.
The historical record suggests that James occupied a precarious position during this period of fervor. On April 22, 1699, a woman in Glasgow provided formal testimony against him, further drawing him into the orbit of the accusations directed by Margaret. Despite the suspicions cast upon him by both the young girl and his fellow townsfolk, the archives do not indicate that James was ever subjected to formal legal proceedings or a trial. While his name is explicitly preserved in the documentation of these grievances, the ultimate outcome for James remains unknown, as the record falls silent regarding his fate following these initial accusations.