Christian Shaw (1685[1] – 8 September 1737[2]) was a Scottish industrialist regarded as the founder of the thread industry in Renfrewshire.
[4] The executed included: Katherine Campbell, Agnes Naismith, Margaret Lang, Margaret Fulton, John Lindsay of Barloch (who was a tenant farmer of the Shaws), John Lindsay (alias Bishop), and his brother James Lindsay (alias Curate)[4] Accounts of the trials reported that Shaw had been "betwitched" by the suspects and was exhibiting behaviours including flying, and "vomiting coal and bent pins".
[1] During the investigations, which were led by Paisley Minister Mr Blackwood,[1] the presbytery ordered prayer and fasting with the victim (Christian Shaw).
[3] An alternative account suggests that Shaw had taken a dislike to a servant, Katherine Campbell, and intentionally feigned bewitchment in order to bring about her death,[6] and that her testimony led to the execution of 24 individuals in her home parish of Erskine.
[8] After his death in 1721[9][10] she returned to the family thread business, travelling with her mother to Holland, where both women observed Dutch spinning techniques.