Katherine Campbell (accused witch) facts for kids

Katherine Campbell (also known as Katie Campbell or Catherine Campbell) was a young woman who lived in the 1600s. She was a maidservant who was accused of theft and witchcraft. This happened during the last big witch hunt in Scotland, known as the Paisley witch trials.

Katherine Campbell's Story

Katherine Campbell was about 20 years old. She was described as a "well-favoured lass." She had moved from the Highlands of Scotland to Paisley, Renfrewshire, to find work. Many people moved to towns like Paisley to find jobs during this time.

The Accusation

In August 1696, a young girl named Christian Shaw accused Katherine. Christian was about ten or eleven years old. She was the daughter of a rich landowner in Bargarran. Christian claimed she saw Katherine secretly drinking milk in the kitchen. When Christian told her mother, Katherine was told off.

Later, Katherine scolded Christian for telling tales. She angrily shouted some harsh words at Christian. After this, Christian claimed that Katherine had put a spell on her. Christian then started to have strange fits and felt very sick.

During these fits, Christian would struggle as if fighting invisible attackers. She would cry out that Katherine and another woman, Agnes Naismith, were hurting her. Even though these women were not nearby, Christian blamed them. She said that Katherine Campbell was leading a group of witches in the town.

The Paisley Witch Trials

By January 1697, Christian's father, John Shaw, took the accusations seriously. He asked for a special group to investigate the case. This led to many people being accused of witchcraft. About 35 people, both men and women, were accused. This event became the last major witch hunt in Scotland, known as the Paisley witch trials. Katherine Campbell had already tried to run away when she heard she would be accused. She was quickly taken into custody.

On February 18, 1697, the special group reported their findings. They said there was clear proof of witchcraft. Twenty-two people were chosen to go to trial quickly.

The trial began in Paisley on April 13, 1697. It was very difficult for the accused to get a fair hearing. Seven people were tried, and all seven were found guilty. These included Katherine Campbell, Agnes Naismith, Margaret Lang, Margaret Fulton, John Reid, John Lindsay, and James Lindsay. The Lindsay brothers were very young, only eleven and fourteen years old.

The "Proof" Against Katherine

During the trial, unusual "evidence" was used against Katherine. Christian Shaw had been throwing up hairballs. The strange thing was that this stopped when a ball of hair was found in Katherine Campbell's pocket. This hairball had several colors. When it was burned, Christian's sickness seemed to get better.

People believed there was a link between Christian's illness and the hairball Katherine had. Witnesses said the hairball looked like Christian's own hair. Katherine said she knew nothing about the hairball. However, just having the hairball was seen as proof that Katherine was guilty.

The Sad End

The people found guilty were allowed to speak from a platform before they were executed. Katherine Campbell and the others were executed on June 10, 1697.

After their execution, Katherine Campbell's remains were buried with the other accused. This mass grave was at Maxwellton Cross. Today, this spot is where Maxwellton Street and George Street meet. This grave marked the end of the last major witch hunts in Europe.

A horseshoe and a circle of cobblestones were placed at the grave site. According to local stories in Paisley, the horseshoe was believed to bring good luck and wealth to the town. This belief lasted until the horseshoe was lost in the 1970s. After that, some people in Paisley felt the town's good fortune began to decline.

See also

• Paisley witches