John Gurney, US 1636

Generation One:

John Gurney- b. abt 1603 at England; m(1) abt 1625 Mary Gurney Nee Unknown; m(2) Grissell Griggs Kibbee Gurney Nee Unknown; d. abt 1662-63 at Braintree, Norfolk, MA.

M(1) Children:

1. Sarah Gurney at England

2. Mary b. 1628 at England; m. Daniel Shed

3. Richard b. abt 1630 at England

4. John b. abt 1633 at England

5. Peter b. abt 1635 at England

6. Isaac b. abt 1640 at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA

John Gurney was born in 1603 at England, according to a deposition made in 1653. There is some confusion about John Gurney, there appears to be two. One John Gurney was born in 1615 and was in Braintree, Norfolk, Massachusetts at the age of twenty-one. On 29 September 1636, this John had three more years to serve, since he was a tailor by trade he worked with John Newgate a hatter in Boston, Suffolk, MA. Our John Gurney was in Weymouth, Norfolk, MA by 1636. He had lands granted to him in Weymouth, in the East field, in the mill field, and on the east side of Great Pond. He received this land about 3 February 1651-52. He also owned land in Braintree and sold it on 12 February 1661. His first wife died 20 September 1661 at Braintree, Norfolk, MA and he married for a second time Grissell Griggs Kibbee Gurney Nee Unknown. He died in 1662-63 and his inventory was taken 16 March 1662-63.

Generation Two:

Richard Gurney- b. abt 1630 at England; m. Rebecca Taylor; d. October 1719 at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA.

Their Children:

1. John b. abt 1654 at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA; m. Elizabeth Green

2. Richard b. 18 January 1656 at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA. Aged 63 years

3. Zachariah b. about 1660 at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA

4. Joseph b. 22 February 1664/65 at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA; d. 14 December 1736 at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA. Aged 71 years

5. Mary b. 9 September 1667 at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA; d. 14 February 1736 at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA, aged 68 years

6. Benjamin b. abt 1676 in Weymouth, Norfolk, MA;

Richard was made a freeman in 1681.

Generation Three:

Raymond 1

Zachariah Gurney- b. abt 1660 at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA; m. 1690 Mary Benson; d. 27 October 1732 at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA

Their Children:

1. Zachariah b. 19 November 1695 at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA; m. 26 September 1726 Sarah Jackson at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA;

2. Joseph b. 7 March 1697-98 at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA

3. Nathan b. 15 October 1702 at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA

4. Jacob b. 31 October 1706 at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA; 22 October 1748 Elizabeth Manley at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA; d. 6 September 1793 at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA. Aged 87 years.

5. Mary b. 24 November 1711; m. 3 January 1733/34 John Pratt at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA

Zachariah was called Zee. He was a soldier in Captain Bill Johnson’s Company in King Philip’s War and was about 16 or 17. On July 1675, his uncle, John Gurney of Weymouth and Mendon was one of those killed by Indians at Mendon. Captain Johnson sent out a company of 75 to relieve the town. On 24 July 1675 Zechariah was recorded in Captain Johnson’s company and received £2.14.00, most likely for his services at Mendon. It is not clear whether Zachariah lived in Abington, Plymouth, MA, but all of his children except Jacob moved there. Zachariah did own property on Front Street in Weymouth, Norfolk, MA. His widow, Mary. Lived with their daughter Mary Pratt. The house is located where New England Art Factory is now located in Abington. Cyrus Nash wrote “Old Granny Gurney died in John Pratt’s house at about 100 years.

Raymond 2

Benjamin Gurney- b. abt 1676 in Weymouth, Norfolk, MA; m. 30 December 1701 Rebecca Staples at Braintree, Norfolk, MA; d. 1739 at Middleboro, Plymouth, MA, aged 63 years.

Their Children:

1. Rebecca b. 22 November 1702 at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA

2. Benjamin b. 1704 at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA

Benjamin and Rebecca were married in Braintree, Mass., First Church, by Mr. Moses Fisk. They moved from Weymouth to South Abington about 1707. It is presumed they lived with his cousin, Samuel, who had married his wife's widowed mother. "Benjamin is listed on Axtell's accounts, list of hides, in Feb. 1709, and 1710. He returned to Weymouth in 1710, then back to Abington and on 8 Sept. 1726 bought the Richard Williams farm on the Abington-Bridgewater line." (Plym deeds 25: 79) Benjamin bought the farm from Samuel Staples of Scituate, step-son of Richard Williams and Sarah (Atkins) (Staples) (Gurney) Williams.

There is a family story that "Cyrus Nash wrote (D-VIII:15) about Benjamin not coming home at the right time. His wife Rebecca, set out to look for him and found him lying in a field asleep. It made her so sore that she took the pipe out of her (underlined) mouth and set fire to the grass around him to give him a good scare. She succeeded and also succeeded in causing one of the biggest fires of the times, burning over many acres of low ground, which thereafter was known as 'Granny Gurney's Swamp'."

On 20 Oct. 1730, Benjamin sold his farm to Abraham Pierce and moved to Middleboro, Mass. (Plym. Reg. 31: 69, 70) On 28 Oct. 1730, together with his son, Benjamin Jr., he bought land from Samuel Tinkham of Middleboro. It was made up of 3 lots of upland and 1 lot of meadow containing about 2 acres. (Plym Reg. 39:79) On 3 May 1749, Benjamin, Jr. later sold the farm after his father's death. Benjamin, Sr. died in Middleboro, Mass., his will dated 4 Ma 1738, pro. 1739, (Plym. Prob. 8 :98) "to my wife Rebeckah Gurney, one half of my homestead that is in partnership between myself and my son Benjamin Gurney; to son Benjamin all of that parcel of land bought of Joseph Richards; to daughter Rebecca Taylor, wife of Daniel Taylor, L 40 to be paid to her out of my estate at her mother's decease; to son-in- law Daniel Taylor, 20 shillings; moveables to my wife."

Generation Four:

Dunbar 1

Joseph Gurney- b.7 March 198 at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA; m. 10 June 1718 Mary Perkins; d. 1772 killed when cutting down trees, aged 73 years.

Their Children:

1. Sarah b. 15 January 1720 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 1 November 1739 Samuel Tirrell at Abington, Plymouth, MA; d. 5 December 1783 at Bedford, Hillsborough, NH, aged 63 years.

2. Perkins b. 13 April 1723 at Abington, Plymouth, MA: m. 8 January 1747 Jane Derby at Abington, Plymouth, MA; d. 27 February 1792, aged 68 years

3. Mary b. 15 January 1726 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 5 January 1744 Isaac Hersey at Abington, Plymouth, MA; d. 15 October 1823, aged 97 years.

4. Betty b. 19 January 1728 at Abington, Plymouth, MA;

5. Lydia b. 15 June 1730 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; 7 November 1745 William Hersey at Abington, Plymouth, MA

6. Joseph b. 4 February 1735 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; 8 September 1758 Sarah Shaw at Abington, Plymouth, MA

7. Benonie b. 3 April 1737 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; 24 November 1763 Caroline Wilkes at Abington, Plymouth, MA,

8. Remember b. 11 October 1742 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 21 July 1763 John Wilkes at Abington, Plymouth, MA; 1 February 1823 at Abington, Plymouth, MA, aged 80 years

9. Huldah b. 1 November 1754 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; 6 June 1770 Isaiah Jenkins at Abington, Plymouth, MA; d. 17 December 1829 at Abington, Plymouth, MA, aged 75 years

Raymond 1

Nathan Gurney- b. 15 October 1702 at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA; m. 12 May 1725 Sarah Harden at Abington, Plymouth, MA; d. 17April 1786 at Abington, Plymouth, MA, aged 83 years.

Their Children:

1. Martha b. 24 July 1725 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 4 September 1745 Zachariah Shaw at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA

2. Rebekah b. 4 October 1727 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 9 January 1746 Joseph Tirrell at Abington, Plymouth, MA

3. Lemuel b. 11 July 1730 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m 3 December 1750 Rebecca Derby at Abington, Plymouth, MA; d. 17 July 1804 at Abington, Plymouth, MA, aged 74 years.

4. Noah b. 4 May 1735 at Abington, Plymouth, MA;

5. Elijah b. 15 May 1735 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 10 April 1752 Mary Copeland at Weymouth, Norfolk, MA; d. 15 February 1816, aged 80 years.

6. Nathan b. 22 November 1739 at Abington, Plymouth, MA

7. Silus b. 14 June 1743 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 7 January 1767 Ruth Palmer at Abington, Plymouth, MA; d. 5 April 1825 at Freetown, Bristol, MA. Aged 81 years.

8. Sarah b. 14 March 1746 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 27 October 1763 John Tirrell; d. 1816, aged 69 years

9. Jacob b. 13 March 1748 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 14 December 1769 Elizabeth Keene at Pembroke, Plymouth, MA; d. 9 August 1806 at Abington, Plymouth, MA, aged 58 years.

10. John b. 10 May 1751 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 13 June 1776 Sarah Norton, at Abington, Plymouth, MA; d. 5 May 1829 at Abington, Plymouth, MA

Hobart's History of Abington indicates that Nathan was the son of John, but this is incorrect. Error probably arose because there were confused wording on some transactions regarding the estate of John Gurney of Little Comfort. However, Weymouth Vital Records, Cyrus Nash (GIII: 87, G014:18) and the Anna Gurney papers conclusively prove that Nathan was the son of Zechariah. Nathan removed from Weymouth and married 12 May 1725, Abington, Sarah Harden, daughter of John and Mary Littlefield Abington Vital Records *Sarah Harden was the younger sister of Little Jane Harden whose baptismal record stated she was of Little Comfort. On 20 January 1720, Nathan and his brother Joseph were two of six men who bought land in Abington, agreed to in 1730 to build a sawmill and dam, sold it in 1748 (Plymouth Deeds 39:92, 31:94, 39:262, 38:233) On 14 February 1727 Nathan bought for f25 from his cousin David of Easton 1/6 part of the land or inheritance formerly belonging to David's deceased Father, John of Little Comfort. He may possibly have bought an additional 1/6 share from his cousin John of Connecticut. On 25 January 1733 he purchased for f428 a tract of land about 107 acres from John Stowell on which he eventually settled, part woodland, part swamp, part meadow (Plymouth Deeds 52:90) Farm joined that of his brother Joseph near Plymouth Street, Whitman. He was called a housewright in the deed. It was from Nathan and Zechariah that the Gurney's of Old Abington and Bridgewater descend.

Raymond 2

Benjamin Gurney- b. abt 1704 in Weymouth, Norfolk, MA; Relationship 1 (never married) Jane Harden; m(1) Sarah Morse

Relationship Children:

1. Benjamin v. abt 30 May 1730 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m.

M(1) Children:

2. Susannah b. abt 1733; m. 26 July 1752 Jabez Benson;

3. Grace b. abt. 1735; m. 28 November 1757 Joshua Raymond at Middleboro, Plymouth, MA

4. Lemuel b. abt 1738; m. Elizabeth Wrightington

5. Benjamin b. abt 1743; m. Thankful Ellis

Other possible children:

6. George m. Sarah Benson

7. Jemima m. 3 January 1754 Josiah Hathaway

Benjamin had a relationship with Jane Harden and fathered her son, Benjamin, in Abington, Plymouth, MA. Jane went back to Braintree, Norfolk, MA with her parents. Benjamin moved to Middleboro, Plymouth, MA with his. Benjamin married Sarah Morse in Middleboro, Rev. Benjamin Ruggles officiated.

In addition to the land he bought with his father, Benjamin also bought 8 acres in Middleboro from Samuel Eddy, Jr. on 7 November 1731. He was also a subscriber to the church in what is now Carver, Plymouth, MA. He moved to Rochester, Plymouth, MA and died there before 1722. On 13 December 1772, his son, Lemuel mortgaged "a certain tract in Rochester in the easternmost part of said town, it being the estate of my father, Benjamin Gurney, Late of Rochester, " (Plym. Reg. 57:47)

Generation Five:

Raymond 1A

Noah Gurney- b. 4 May 1735 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 15 December 1757 Ruth Poole at Abington, Plymouth, MA; d. 14 July 1821 at Abington, Plymouth, MA, aged 86 years.

Their Children:

1. Asa b. 11 December 1758 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 1 July 1781 Mary Hersey at Abington, Plymouth, MA; d. 25 March 1843 at Abington, Plymouth, MA, aged 84 years.

2. Joseph Pool b. 9 May 1761 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 18 December 1783 Sarah Reed at Abington, Plymouth, MA; d. 28 May 1851 at Abington, Plymouth, MA, aged 90 years.

3. Noah b. 1766 at Abington, Plymouth, MA

4. Jeremiah b. abt 1769 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 29 April 1790 Mary Fullerton at Abington, Plymouth, MA; d. 15 February 1848 at Abington, Plymouth, MA, aged 79 years.

5. James b. 27 June 1770 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. Ann Gurney; d. 18 June 1839 at Freetown, Bristol, MA, aged 69 years.

6. John b. abt 1772 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 1 April 1796 Mary Ramsdell

7. Oliver b. abt 1774 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; d. 16 December 1852, aged 78 years.

Raymond 1B

Nathan Gurney- b. 22 November 1739 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 19 November 1768 Molly Palmer at Abington, Plymouth, MA; d. 29 November 1820 at Abington, Plymouth, MA

Their Children:

1. Nathan b. 14 May 1769 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 6 January 1791 Hannah Shaw at Abington, Plymouth, MA; d. 11 January 180 at Abington, Plymouth, MA. Aged 80 years.

2. Mary Gurney b. 31 July 1775 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 15 November 1794 Malachi Jenkins

3. Labeus Gurney b. 14 August 1777 in Abington, Plymouth, MA

Generation Six:

Raymond 1A

Noah Gurney- b. 1766 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 29 April 1790 Molly Reed at Abington, Plymouth, MA; d. 7 September 1846 at Abington, Plymouth, MA, aged 80 years

Their Children:

1. Lydia b. 29 October 1790 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; d. 29 February 1844 at Abington, Plymouth, MA. Aged 53 years.

2. Jonathan Reed b. 15 December 1792 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 6 June 1816 Deborah Reed at Abington, Plymouth, MA; d. 16 June 1875 at Abington, Plymouth, MA, aged 82 years.

3. Noah b. 5 February 1794 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 19 September 1824 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; d. September 1870 at Abington, Plymouth, MA, aged 76 years.

4. Ruth Gurney b. 5 March 1797 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 7 July 1822 Labeus Gurney at Abington, Plymouth, MA; d. 23 January 1879 at Abington, Plymouth, MA, aged 81 years.

5. Cyrus b. 11 June 1799 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 1 February 1831 Mary Gurney at Abington, Plymouth, MA; d 4 October 1884 at Abington, Plymouth, MA, aged 85 years.

6. Charity b. 31 March 1801 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. John Steingardt

7. Mary b. 31 March 1801 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 6 June 1827 Harvey Fullerton at Abington, Plymouth, MA; d. 1882, aged 78 years.

8. Abigail Dyer b. 5 July 1807 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 25December 1828 Enoch Hall at Abington, Plymouth, MA

9. Ichabod b. 13 July 1810 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 16 January 1842 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; d. 1885, aged 74 years.

Generation Seven:

Raymond 1A and B

Labeus Gurney- b. 14 August 1777 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m (1). 7 July 1822 Ruth Gurney at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m (2) 8 January 1800 Susanna Lazell at Abington, Plymouth, MA; d. 29 December 1861 at Abington, Plymouth, MA;

M(1) Children:

1. Mary Palmer b. 7 February 1825 in Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. 12 December 1844 Quincy T. Harden at Abington, Plymouth, MA;

2. Charles Fosdick b. 22 July 1828 at Abington, Plymouth, MA;

3. Eliza GURNEY b. 9 March 1834 at Abington, Plymouth, MA; m. Josiah Dunbar

M(2) Children:

4. ?? Gurney b. 22 May 1802

5. Lebbeus b. 15 May 1803; m. Mary Reed

6. Nathan b. 6 May 1807 7.Nahum b. 25 July 1805; 23 October 1828 Cloe Gloyd at Abington, Plymouth, MA

Labbeus Gurney lived at the fork in the road of Plymouth and Pleasant Street, Abington, MA now Whitman