William Gurley III (1748 - 1804)

Born 8 Jan 1748 in Johnston, North Carolina

Husband of Melinda (Cuthbertson) Gurley — married about 1763 in North Carolina

Descendants

Died Oct 1804 at age 56 in Mouth of Shipmans Creek, Rocky River, Anson Co., NC.

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Wayne Austin [send private message]

Biography

Capt WIlliam Gurley was born on January 8, 1748, in Johnston, North Carolina. He married Malinda Cuthbertson in 1758 in North Carolina. They had 12 children in 19 years. He died in October 1804 in Anson, North Carolina, at the age of 56.

William was born in 1748. He passed away about 1804. His will was probated Oct 1804.

This family lived on Rocky River near the mouth of Shipman Branch of (then) Anson County North Carolina. May be in Union County after Union County was split off.

William Gurley married Melinda Cutbertson b ca 1740 bef 1758. Children; 1. Jacob b ca 1756 2. Milinda b ca 1758 3. Pherabee b aft 1758 4. Elizabeth [Betsy] b ca 1760 *** 5. James b ca 1762 6. Jean b ca 1764 7. Willis b ca 1766 8. Sarah b ca 1768 9. Darsass [Dorcas?] b ca 1770 10. William Jr. b ca 1772

The focus of this recording is on "Betsey" the 4th child and her descendants.

Sources

• https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/44386478/person/320037231184/facts

• 1790 United States Federal Census

• Gen. Column of the " Boston Transcript". 1906-1941.( The greatest single source of material for gen. Data for the N.E. area and for the period 1600-1800. Completely indexed in the Index.): 16 Feb 1931, 1343

• U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900

I see no evidence that William Gurley and Malinda were married when William was 10 years old. No half siblings that I can find.

Will of William Gurley, Oct. 1804

In the name of God Amen, I, William Gurley, of the State of N.C. and County of Anson, being in perfect mind, etc. Item 1 give and bequeath to my wife Millinder 300 acres of land of River between Willie Gurley Line and the mouth of Shipman's branch containing the plantation where on I now live. Slaves too. He goes on to list all the other things he is leaving to his wife. Item 1. I bequeath to my eldest dau. Jean two cows, and calf and the yearling to one of sd cows and Barrow belonging to Laughon Gang and other land to be divided between her boys; William, Alexander and Nathan Pool.

I give to my dau. Elizabeth two cows and calf and yearling of said cow. I bequeath to Charlotty and Elizabeth again more stuff. Charlotty is Eliz.{Betsy} dau. Item, 1 give to dau. Sarah, land and stock Item I give my eldest son James Gurley, land and cattle I bequeathe to my son, William Gurley, mulatto and cattle I give to my dau. Darcass [Dorcas?] cattle and a slave I give to my dau. Jean, etc My son Willis Gurley my son William Dau. Ferrabee slave and furnishings To my executors; Willis Gurley and Leonard Musslewhite. Signed by William [W] Gurley, Rich'd Austin, William Gurley Sr, Leonard [x] Musslewhite, State of NC Oct session, 1804. The will was duly approved in open court by the oath of Ric'd Austin a witness thereto and ordered to be rec'd. Tod Robinson.

Land section probated 1815 Continues, nearly 11 years after the regular part of the will

Pursuant to an order of Court & the Direction of the Jury summoned and sworn to lay off and survey the land of William Gurley Dec'd Between the Widow & the heirs of the Dec'd firt laying off the widow's Dower. Beginning at a white oak on the bank of the River & runs so. 136 poles to a red oak the so. 75 E. 120 poles to a stake by three pines then No. 68 Et. 120 poles to a stake by three pines then No. 15 Wt 110 poles to a Hickory on the river bank then up the various courses to the Beginning. And the lots of the Legatees signed by No. 1, 2, 3, &c. First Lot beginning at a white oak on the river bank & runs so. 136 poles to a red oak then so. 75 Et. 120 poles to a stake by three pines then No. 232 poles to a Hickory on River bank then with the various courses of the River to the beginning Lot No. 2 Drawn by Willis Gurley Beginning at a Hickory on the River Bank and runs so. 232 poles to a stake by three pines then No. 68 Et. 210 poles to a stake by three pines then No. 15 Wt. 110 poles to a Hickory on the bank of the River then up the various courses of the sd. River to the beginning . John Laohon No. 3 Beginning at a Hickory of the Bank of the River and runs so. 15 Et. 110 poles to a stake by three pines then No. 68 E. 64 poles to a black oak then No. 24 E. 76 poles then So. 38 Et 120 poles to a stake then No. 12 Wt. 220 poles to a stake on the river bank then with the various courses of the sd. River to the beginning William Gurley No. 4 Beginning at a stake on the river bank the beginning os sd William Gurley Dec'd land & runs so. 12 E. 220 poles to a stake then No. 81. Et. 184 poles to a stake then No. 120 poles to a stake then No. 27 Wt, one hundred and eighty four poles to the river bank then up the various courses ot the River to the beginning. Drury Austin No. 5Beginning at a 100 acres beginning at a post oak the upper side of the over__________ and runs No. 56 E. 180 poles to a red oak then No. 34 Wt. 90 poles to a stake then so. 56 Wt. 180 poles to the beginning. Also seventy acres of a 200 Acre tract beginning at the 3rd corner of a tract & runs so. 25 E. 77 poles to a stake by 2 red oaks & a post oak then No. 65 E. 146 poles to a red oak in the first of the sd. tract then with said line No. 25 Wt. 77 poles then to the beginning. Lot No. 6 Drawn by Benjamin Thomas Beginning at a stake by two red oaks and a post oak in the 3rd. line of sd. Tract and runs with said line S. 25 E. 143 poles then No. 65 E. 116 poles to a corner then No. 25 E. 143 poles then No. 65 E. 116 poles to a corner then No. 25 W. 143 poles then to the beginning. James Guley No. 7 Begins aat a red oak & runs No.20 E. 127 poles to a corner then to the beginning. Surveyed for 125 acres. Sanders Pool, No. 8 Begins aat a stake by a pine & white oak & runs s. 20 wt. 127 poles to a white oak on the 127 poles to a corner, then to the beginning.

Laid down p scare 100 poles to and Inch

Commentary (By John Hammond?)

This Division of William Gurley's land was accompanied by a roughly drawn plat found in deed book (P-262, Anson NC). Here is my written description of information obtained from this record.

Situated on the south side and on the bank of Rocky River, there are four adjoining tracts. Henry Gurley drew the most westerly tract known as I. The other three adjoining tracts are William Gurley No. 2, John Lauhon No. 3, and William Gurley No. 4. William Gurley received the most easterly tract for 30 acres.

Just to the south west of this land, Drury Austin received No. 5 for 100 acres (with 70 acres added). To the south east of the four division adjoining the river, Benj. Thomas received No. 6 for 130 acres. Benj. Thomas's lot was adjoined to the west by Drury Austin's 70 acre addition. James Gurley received 125 acres (not numbered) and situated between Drury Austin's lot no. 5 and the Benj. Thomas No. 6 and Drury Austin 75 acre addition. James Gurley's tract is marked with a line through its middle and dividing the tract into seemingly two tracts. The name of James Gurley is written in the northern half, leaving the southern half blank. Could this have been Sanders Pools lot? If so, why was his name left out on the Division? The date for the division of William Gurley's land is found at the bottom of the Plat. The division occurred nearly ten years after the will of William Gurley was probated. Here is the date: July 1815. Then this Division of land was returned in open Court and ordered to be registered.

Tod Robinson Clk

akh_40112added this on 21 Nov 2012

I doubt anyone would be married when they are 10 years (as we have William Gurley and birth of 1st child in 1758) old and have children within 2 years. I don't know what is incorrect be it the birth date or the marriage record or just the wrong person attached to some date. [CWA 27 May 2021]