In a medium bowl combine molasses, hot water, and baking soda. Stir well. Whisk in beaten egg.
In a medium bowl combine flour and brown sugar. Mix well, then cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Place half of the crumb mixture in the bottom of a 9-inch pie shell and pour the molasses filling on top. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly across the top.
Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Lower temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake an additional 30 minutes.
