When his mother, Margaret Strickland, re-married following the death of his father, Thomas Kirk Shaw, Samuel lived for a time with his mother and step-father in Muirkirk. His step-father was a Coal Miner. Subsequently, he lived with his brother, Thomas Shaw, in Dalmellington. Both Samuel and Thomas were Ironstone /Coal Miners.
Samuel Shaw married Susan McGill on 31 December 1901.
According to the 1911 Census, they had four children:
Thomas Shaw born about 1902
Martin McGill Shaw born 24 January 1905, Newmains, Lanarkshire. Married Jean Brown Boyes (15 June 1934, Castleton)
Jeanie Shaw born about 1908
George Shaw born about 1910