Shirley's Close

Shirley's Close

Shirley's close was named after the Shirley family, who also appear in early records as Shirrilaw or Shirlaw. At least three generations of the family made their living as boot and shoemakers, based here from the early 1700s.

By 1825 John Shirley, medical doctor and surgeon, was the head of the family and was succeeded in the 1860s by his son Thomas, also a doctor. The Shirley family connection with this close ended with the death of John F Shirley in 1926.