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Abiather Shirley came to the Firelands with his wife, Abigail Ramsdells, and her family, from Oswego, New York in 1811 by way of Lake Erie. They first settled in Danbury Township on the Marblehead Peninsula. Shirley, his wife and children moved to Huron in 1928 where he became a prominent land owner. He died of cholera in 1834. (Video: Abiather Shirley, Afternoon at the Huron Cemetery, 2017)

Photo for Shirley Family
Abiather Shirley bought about 108 acres in 1833 in the area known as south Huron, which was platted in 1834. He built this home at 209 Center Street in 1833-1834. The area was later called Shirleyville. Shirley also built the Shirley Inn, which was located on the corner of Main and Berlin Streets.It was the first hotel in Huron.
Photo for Shirley Family
This map shows South Huron in 1834.
Photo for Shirley Family
Henry Shirley (born 1856) and his brother Orley (born 1863) were the grandsons of Abiather Shirley. The brothers joined their father Barton in the commercial fishing industry.

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