Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History & Culture Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva's Black History

Record Detail

Record #41 from Free Black Families of Colonial Delmarva (abstracted by Paul Heinegg)

State Delaware
County (Primary) Sussex
Other Counties Worcester
Family Name Gurley
Family History Notes Members of the Gurley family were 1 i. Francis, born say 1760. ii. Bryan, head of a Sussex County, Delaware household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [DE:425] and 8 "free colored" in 1820 [DE:218], probably the husband of Nancy Cornish. 1. Francis Gurley, born say 1760, was taxable in Wicomico Hundred of Worcester County in 1783 [Assessment of 1783, MSA S1437, p.4]. He purchased 25 acres in Worcester County called Castle Fine for 12 pounds on 11 June 1793, 7 acres on 3 May 1794, and 50 acres on the north side of Aydolet's branch for 28 pounds on 12 September 1800. He sold 25 acres leading to Captain Winder's Mill at Salisbury for $250 on 14 April 1810 and he and his wife Nelly sold 156 acres called Hard Fortune, Gurley's Choice and Hazel Ridge for $300 on 1 April 1812 [DB P:31-2, P:372-3, AB:78, AC:282]. He was head of a Worcester County household of 9 "other free" in 1790, 9 in 1800 [MD:914] and 3 in 1810 [MD:486]. He left a 22 March 1830 Sussex County will naming his wife Ellender and sons William and Robert [DSA, RG 4545.9]. He was the father of i. William. ii. Robert.
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[Author (if known)], Free Black Families of Colonial Delmarva (abstracted by Paul Heinegg), [Date (if known)], Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva’s Black History, Nabb Research Center, Salisbury University.

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