Christian Shaw

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Christian Shaw of Bargarran was famous for her involvement in the Renfrewshire witchcraft trials, and for being the founder of the thread industry in Renfrewshire.

Christian's symptoms closely mirrored those reported from the recent Salem witch trials in America. Belief in witchcraft at this time was prevalent throughout the country. Even those who did not believe in it were very aware of the seriousness of accusations of witchcraft.

Mr Blackwood, a Paisley minister and famous witch-finder, was called in to investigate the claims of Christian Shaw. There is a possibility that he himself actually convinced Christian that she was bewitched!

The investigation led to eight people being accused of witchcraft. While in prison awaiting trial one of the accused was found dead in his cell; it was presumed he had committed suicide. The other seven were tried, found guilty and sentenced to death. They were all hanged and then burnt on the Gallowgreen in Paisley. These trials were the last major witch trials in Scotland. The site of the Gallowgreen is marked with the shape of a horseshoe in the centre of the road at the junction of Maxwellton Street and George Street in present day Paisley.


The title page of an account of the witchcraft trials published in 1698. This book can be consulted in the Local Studies Library.


Later, as an adult and a widow, Christian was involved in the manufacture of thread on a small scale. Her thread was judged to be of such good quality that Lady Blantyre took some to Bath, where it was bought by lace manufacturers. An acquaintance of Christian's returned from Holland and passed on to her information about the advanced manufacturing and sales techniques used by the Dutch. With this knowledge Christian expanded her business, employing and training more workers and building mills. Bargarran thread became widely known and the "Bargarran" trademark was recognised as a mark of quality.


This section of a map by Johan Blaeu, 1654 shows Bargarran and the surrounding area.
Others soon noticed Christian's success, and a Mr Pollock of Paisley began to manufacture thread using her techniques. This was the beginning of thread manufacturing in Paisley, and the start of an industry in which Paisley dominated the world for a time. It led to the establishment of multi-national companies J and P Coats and John Clark and Son, and shaped the history of the town.

In her later life Christian continued to be a successful business woman. In February 1737 when in her fifties, she married William Livingstone, a prosperous glover, in Edinburgh. Christian then disappears from public record.

For more information on Renfrewshire's famous people, contact the Local Studies Library by

• email: locstuds.els@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• phone: 0141 889 2360
• fax: 0141 887 6468
• write to:
  Reference and Local Studies Library
  Central Library
  68 High Street
  Paisley
  PA1 2BB

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