So far, like in Somerset, the name SHARLEY or SHIRLEY is rare before 1840. The name does pop up occassionally with the odd baptism, then disappears again just as quick, as the families move on or back to there home parish. Three sons, John, William and James from the Horsington family of William and Anna SHARLEY settled in Bristol, with one son eventually emigrating to New Zealand with his family. (The following comments will be updated as more information becomes available):

1.) James SHARLEY married Ellen COOK of Bratton, Wiltshire in Bristol in 1841. 6 of there children are born here, Wiltshire or Somerset. There youngest child was born in New Zealand in 1854 and the family do not appear in the 1851 census of Bristol, so I assume they left for New Zealand before this.

2.) By 1841 John SHARLEY born, Horsington, Somerset is living in Bristol with his family and is a Policeman and is still there in 1851. By 1861 John and his wife are living in Surrey and they then later move to London. Both children married in Bristol, John in 1854 and Mary Anne in 1859 and that is all I know so far.

3.) William SHARLEY of Horsington married Mary Ann AVERY in 1844. From the census records of 1851 and 1861 there does not appear to be any children from this marriage.