Christian Shaw

Christian Shaw (1685 – 8 September 1737 ) was a Scottish industrialist regarded as the founder of the thread industry in Renfrewshire.

Early life Christian Shaw was born in Renfrewshire, Scotland in 1685 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) Seven of those accused were hanged as a result of the trials, three men and four women. and that her testimony led to the execution of 24 individuals in her home parish of Erskine.

Bargarran thread Shaw founded the Renfrewshire thread industry, introducing the spinning of fine linen thread to Scotland and the development of her own "Bagarran Thread". After his death in 1721 she returned to the family thread business, travelling with her mother to Holland, where both women observed Dutch spinning techniques. Shaw sketched the thread production process that she saw, and is said to have smuggled some associated machinery back to Scotland in her luggage. The new production methods resulted in a more durable whiter thread, and Shaw established a small thread manufacturing company, "The Bargarran Thread Company", in Johnstone on her return. and was based in Leith. She established a spinning school in the city, taking donations that were distributed to trainee girls.

Shaw married William Gillespie, a glove manufacturer, in Edinburgh in 1737. She died on 8 September 1737, and is buried in Grey Friars Kirk, Edinburgh.