In the spring of 1699, a midwife residing in Lanark known only as Bell became caught in the periphery of a burgeoning witchcraft investigation. The scrutiny began with the testimony of Margaret Murdoch, the daughter of John Murdoch of Craigtown in the parish of Govan, who claimed to be tormented by witches. In her accusations, Margaret implicated a wide circle of individuals, dragging Bell into a situation that brought her before the collective judgement of contemporary authorities. The gravity of these claims was such that she faced the scrutiny of both a medical doctor and numerous ministers, who were tasked with investigating the validity of the girl's allegations.
On April 22, 1699, the tension surrounding Bell intensified in Glasgow, where one man and three women provided formal testimony against her. Despite these efforts to link her to the alleged supernatural disturbances, the historical record remains curiously silent regarding her ultimate fate. While the testimonies suggest that Bell was a focus of intense suspicion, there is no evidence that the legal system initiated formal proceedings against her. Consequently, though she was clearly identified and targeted within the framework of this case, she appears to have escaped the documented outcomes that defined the lives of many others accused during this period.