ABSTRACT
Christian Shaw, daughter to a gentleman of good account, called John Shaw, laird of Bargarran, in the parish of Erskine, within the shire of Renfrew, a smart lively girl, and of good inclinations, about eleven years of age, perceiving one of the maids of the house, named Katherine Campbell, to steal and drink some milk, she told her mother of it; whereupon the maid Campbell (being a young woman of a proud and revengeful temper, and much addicted to cursing and swearing upon any like occasion, and otherwise given to purloining) did in a most hideous rage, thrice imprecate the curse of God upon the child; and at the same time did thrice utter these horrid words, “The devil harle (that is, drag) your soul through hell.” This passed upon Monday, August 17, in presence of several witnesses, who afterwards made evidence of it.
