Person Page - 35

     Robert Gurley was born in 1765; birth proven by age in 1778.¹ He was an apprentice learning the trade of mariner in 1778 in 1778 at Craven County, North Carolina.^1,2

     Carl R. Gurley Sr. was born in 1918 at Princeton, Johnston County, North Carolina.² He Visited with Carl in 2000

Gurley's Old Mill - Princeton, N.C.

The original portion of the structure was built in 1916 and is two stories high. It was constructed using old oak flooring and large beams. It has eight grain bins with 20,000 bushel capacity made of oak 2 x 4 timbers, stacked flat to a height of 50 feet. Under these there are old flat mill stones used to grind table corn meal. The mill is now used to house a large collection of antiques featuring one of the largest collection of antique toy trains in the United States. Open Monday through Saturday 9:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. Contact Carl Gurley, Princeton, N.C. Telephone 919-936-5121.

In 1914 Mr. John R. Ledbetter, who operated a small wooded General Store where Gurley's now stands in the town of Princeton, decided to build a new brick store.

The brick portion was built at that time and operated as a store until, due to the Depression, was forced to close in 1930. The store stood vacant for six years.

In 1936, Carl and Gardner Gurley, the youngest sons of Hattie and Charlie Gurley, decided to open a store to try and create a job for themselves and make a living. After many tries, Carl and Gardner managed to borrow a small sum of money from a doctor, who owned the building, and opened a general merchandise store, named Gurley Brothers.

On Saturday, August 8, 1936, Gurley Brothers open it's doors. For a few months they were able to move along since the fall season afforded the farmer some cash to spend, while selling tobacco for $.06 to $.12 per pound and cotton $.05 to $.08. After Christmas things grew slow and rough, money was gone and business was slow, so the two brothers started trading groceries and supplies for chickens, country meat, eggs, and butter. Then they would take these products to Raleigh to peddle and sell at the curb market.

The farmers had a large corn crop and the brothers decided to install an old cornsheller and buy corn. Buying lots of corn at $.30 to $.40 a bushel and shipping it by rail car to Tennessee and other states where corn was very short, worked good that year. The next fall there was a good corn crop everywhere, including the west.

Having no market for corn, the store was in trouble again and along with this, the farmers voted to repeal the tobacco production Control Act and plant all they wanted.

After much persuasion, the doctor helped build a mill to grind the corn into feed and table meal. Feed sold for $.90 per 100 pounds and 10 pounds of meal for $.20. This helped until the fall of 1939, when the tobacco market opened and there was so much tobacco with no support, the tobacco companies didn't even want it. The government closed the markets and finally voted a program back in for the next year. There wasn't any money here, so the mill closed in the fall, but the store managed to remain open.

In the fall of 1940, Lowell Milling Co. near Kenly burned, leaving some unsupplied corn meal customers in this area and Wilson County, so the old mill started turning again. The next year, World War II was declared and the demand for food products began to grow.

In 1943, the new section of the mill was built, consisting of eight grain bins of 20,000 bu. capacity, built of oak wood, 2 x 4, laid flat 50 ft. high. Three new flat rocks were added, that processed 400 bu. cornmeal in 24 hours. The feed department produced 40 tons of feed per day. These products were sold to stores and farmers in Eastern North and South Carolina.

The labor force, during the war years, was six ederly men, who carried on in the day time. At night, farm boys under draft age were picked up after supper and brought in to make feed until twelve o'clock and carried back home.
in 1936. He married Martitia Holt circa 1940.³ Carl R. Gurley Sr. died on 22 July 2002 at Wilson, Wilson County, North Carolina.⁴

     Lucy T. Gurley was also known as Lucy Gurley.² She was born in 1795 at Southampton County, Virginia.³ She inherited land from her father, George Gurley in 1828 at Southampton County, Virginia, She was listed in this tax record as L.T.⁴ She was issued a marriage bond on 12 March 1832 at Southampton County, Virginia.¹ She died on 6 October 1867 at Southampton County, Virginia.²

     Rebecca B. Gurley died.² Rebecca B. Gurley was also known as Rebecca B. Finn.³ She was born before 1796; based on age at marriage. She married Henry Gurley, son of Henry Gurley, on 4 January 1816 at Prince George County, Virginia; by a Methodist Minister, Austin Heath.^4,5

     James Gurley was born in 1805 at Virginia.^2,3,4,5 He inherited 70 acres from the estate of his father, George Gurley Jr. in 1828 at Southamton County, Virginia.⁶ He waslisted on the in 1828 tax list of at Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included poll tax only.⁶ He was a witness was riding in a cart with her children and were being followed by Nat Turner's band of insurgants. with Patsy Gurley circa 22 August 1831 at Southampton County, Virginia.⁷ James Gurley was a witness to the Southamption slave uprising led by Nat Turner circa 22 August 1831 at Southampton County, Virginia,

James was on the lookout for the blacks iin the area where he lived. He keep a distance and moved along before them to warn the neighbors of their approach. He told Mrs. John Thomas that the group had mistaken the main road and were approaching her house from the rear.


She and her son, George, who was 15 drove her carriage out the front gate just before the rebels appeared from the other direction. They headed to Jerusalem but, they feared that they might be overtaken and the Thomases abandoned the carriage and escaped into the woods on foot.


Meanwhile, James Gurley was still on the lookout, he saw the insurgents coming, he jumped over a well and hid in the bushes where he could still see and hear them as they asembled by his "still" shed. One writer in 1900 speculated that Nat Turner's group of men forced the salves of Gurley and neighbors to join them as they moved from home to home.


James Gurley saw the slaves following a cart filled with women and children and reported his sighting to Major Pitt Thomas. Thomas held them at bay until the woman, Mrs. Patsy Barrett (James' sister) and her children escaped to the home of their mother, Mrs. Lucy Gurley.


James was intrumental in saving several lives and members of his family during this countywide emergency.^8,9
He waslisted on the in 1833 tax list of at Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included one slave.⁶ He waslisted on the in 1835 tax list of at Southampton Conty, Virginia, his household's taxable property included three horses. He was living with a Jos. Gurley.⁶ He married Virginia E. Blow on 20 January 1842 at Southampton County, Virginia.^1,10 James Gurley married Levinia (?) before 1870 at Southampton County, Virginia.¹¹

     Virginia E. Blow was born in 1817 at Southampton County, Virginia.² She married James Gurley, son of George Gurley Jr. and Lucy Martin, on 20 January 1842 at Southampton County, Virginia.^1,3

     William D. Gurley was born circa 1818.¹ He was educated at William and Mary College and studied law between 1835 and 1838 at Richmond, Virginia.^1,2

     John M. Gurley was born in 1800.^2,3,4 He and George Gurley Jr. werelisted on the in 1817 tax list of at Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included five slaves over 16 and three between 12 and 16, he had four horses, and a two wheel cart. His son John was also listed in the household as a tithable male.⁵ John M. Gurley waslisted on the in 1817 tax list of at Southampton County, Virginia, he was living in the household of his father, George Gurley Jr.⁶ He waslisted on the between 1818 and 1819 tax list of at Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, he was living on his brother, Henry's land and was listed on Henry's tax list.⁷ He and Henry Gurley werelisted on the on 30 April 1819 tax list of at Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included 5 slaves over 16 and one between 12 and 16 years old , two horses, and a two wheel gig valued at $120. His brother, John was also living in the household. He paid $5.20 in tax.⁸ John M. Gurley was (an unknown value) in 1822 at Southampton County, Virginia.⁹ He waslisted on the between 1824 and 1826 tax list of at St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included 2 horses only.⁷ He wasnot listed on the in 1827 tax list of at Southampton County, Virginia.⁷ He inherited 70 acres from the estate of his father, George Gurley in 1828 at Southampton County, Virginia.⁷ He waslisted on the in 1828 tax list of at St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included eight slaves, five horses, assessor prob-sheriff.⁷ He waslisted on the in 1829 tax list of at St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included five slaves, five horses assessor- Prob. Sheriff, and one jig.⁷ John M. Gurley is head of household on the census of 1830 at Southampton County, Virginia, asJno Gurly. He was listed as 30-39, there were two other males 20-29 in the home, a male, 10-14, one female 60-69, one female 20-29, and an infant girl 0-4 years old.. Enumerated with were an unknown person.¹⁰ He waslisted on the in 1830 tax list of at St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included three slaves, three horses, Assessor Prob. Sheriff.⁷ He waslisted on the in 1835 tax list of at Southampton County, Virginia, he paid poll tax only.⁷ He waslisted on the in 1836 tax list of at St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included three slaves, three horses, Assessor Prob. Sheriff.⁷ He was listed as security in the estate of Clements Rochell who was from Southampton County, Virginia, his position was certified by a Southampton judge and the will was probated in on 24 November 1846 at Hertford County, North Carolina.¹¹ He was administrator of the estate of James Scott on 18 March 1850 at Southampton County, Virginia.¹²

     George G. Gurley was born in 1799 at Southampton County, Virginia.^1,3,4,5,6 He and Henry Gurley werelisted on the in 1816 tax list of at Southampton County, Virginia, the accounting was made on April 17. Record clearly notes that the houseold was occupied by Henry Gurley and his brother George and they were the two white tithables over 16. They had four slaves over 16, four horses, one of which was a stud horse. In a addition there is a column called "rate of coverage with the notation $4.00. Tax paid was $10.98 for the year.^2,7 George G. Gurley and Henry Gurley werelisted on the in 1817 tax list of at Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included eight slaves (four over 16 and four betwen 12 and 16), two horses, and a two wheel cart valed at $140. His brother, George was also living in the household. (With George living in the household, this identifies this record being this Henry, instead of that of his uncle.)^2,4 George G. Gurley waslisted on the in 1817 tax list of at Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, he was living with his brother Henry.² He and George Gurley Jr. werelisted on the in 1819 tax list of at Southamton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included three males over 16, one slave over 16 and 7 between 12 and 16, a two wheel jig, and land. Son George Gurley and Wm. Cricholm were two additional tithable white males living in the household.^8,9 George G. Gurley waslisted on the in 1819 tax list of at Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included noted as living with his father, George Gurley Jr.¹⁰ He waslisted on the between 1823 and 1825 tax list of at St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included one horse, 65 acres adjacent to Bennett Edwards and 40 received from Newit Edwards by deed. Noted Assessor Prob. Sheriff.² He served as Commissioner of Revenue for St. Lukes Parish in 1825 at Southampton County, Virginia.¹¹ He wasnot listed on the in 1826 tax list of at St. Luke's parish, Southampton County, Virginia.² He waslisted on the in 1827 tax list of at St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included nine slaves, five horses, and two ordinary licenses one for $5.25 and another for $18.00.² He waslisted on the in 1828 tax list of at St. Lukes Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included nine slaves, 5 horses, an ordinary license for $18.00 and the following land: 42 acres from Elizabeth Bealby deed, adjacent to James Gurley.² He waslisted on the in 1829 tax list of at St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included three slaves, two horses and 112 acres deeded to Amos Stephenson.² He waslisted on the in 1830 tax list of at St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included one slave and two horses.² He waslisted on the between 1831 and 1833 tax list of at St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included Poll tax only paid, there was no land or other property.² He waslisted on the in 1833 tax list of at Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included two slaves.¹² He waslisted on the in 1836 tax list of at St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included.¹² He and his family moved to at Shelby County, Tennessee, in between 1836 and 1838 based on the birth of his daughter Georgianna who is recorded in the census as being born in Tennessee.⁶

     Bolling Gurley was born in 1810 at Virginia.¹ He married Lucy (?) before 1830.² Bolling Gurley waslisted on the in 1830 tax list of at St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included one slave and mention of Jim Vick's, Gray Mills, and N. Johnson.³ He waslisted on the in 1831 tax list of at St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included one horse, mentions Jim Vicks.³ He waslisted on the in 1834 tax list of at St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included only a mention of a Mr. J.A. Bodnet.³ He waslisted on the in 1835 tax list of at St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included a mention of "for Jim Vicks, 1 free negro."³ He waslisted on the in 1836 tax list of at St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included mentions one free negro for Jno. Vicks.³

     Henry Gurley was born in 1789 at Southampton County, Virginia; date is based on Henry Gurley appearing on the tax list in his father's household in 1805. Relationship is proved by the mention of Henry in the disposition of his father's land in the tax records of Southampton County.¹ He was listed on the tax entry for George Gurley Jr. in 1805 at Southampton County, Virginia; on April 27. It accounted for himself, Henry Gurley, and Exum Worrell as tithable males over 16. His propery included one slave 12-16, five slaves over 16 years old, and four head of cattle. According to W.R. Cooke, he owned two parcels of land with 145 and 171 acres.^2,3 Henry Gurley was probably the unnamed male over 16 on the tax listing of George Gurley Jr. in 1806 at St. Lukes Parish, Southampton County, Virginia; seven slaves (one between 12 and 16), and four head of cattle. According to researcher Cooke, he had four parcels of land as follows: 210 2/3, 771/4, 175, 133 1/3 acres in size. There were two males over 16 in the household, Goerge and probably his son, Henry.^2,4 Henry Gurley waslisted on the in 1811 tax list of at Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property was inventoried there was no taxable property in the household, just Henry Gurley.^1,5 He waslisted on the in 1812 tax list of at Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included only himself.^1,6 He waslisted on the in 1813 tax list of at St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included one horse.¹ He waslisted on the in 1814 tax list of at Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included himself as a white tithable and he owned one horse. He paid .21 in tax in 1814.⁷ He It is clear that Henry was educated, he was a subscriber to Nicholson's Encylopedia circa 1815 at Southampton County, Virginia.⁸ He waslisted on the in 1815 tax list of at St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included himself, one horse and one silver match or watch case. He paid $.71.^1,9 He and George G. Gurley werelisted on the in 1816 tax list of at Southampton County, Virginia, the accounting was made on April 17. Record clearly notes that the houseold was occupied by Henry Gurley and his brother George and they were the two white tithables over 16. They had four slaves over 16, four horses, one of which was a stud horse. In a addition there is a column called "rate of coverage with the notation $4.00. Tax paid was $10.98 for the year.^1,10 Henry Gurley and George G. Gurley werelisted on the in 1817 tax list of at Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included eight slaves (four over 16 and four betwen 12 and 16), two horses, and a two wheel cart valed at $140. His brother, George was also living in the household. (With George living in the household, this identifies this record being this Henry, instead of that of his uncle.)^1,11 Henry Gurley waslisted on the in 1818 tax list of at Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included ten slaves, one horse, a two wheel jig and an ordinary license to run a tavern or a hotel. His brother John was also living in the household.¹² He and John M. Gurley werelisted on the on 30 April 1819 tax list of at Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included 5 slaves over 16 and one between 12 and 16 years old , two horses, and a two wheel gig valued at $120. His brother, John was also living in the household. He paid $5.20 in tax.¹³ Henry Gurley waslisted on the in 1820 tax list of at Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included nine slaves and one horse. William Blow was also living in the household.¹⁴ He waslisted on the in 1821 tax list of at Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included eight slaves, a two wheel riding gig valued at $50, and a merchants license.¹⁵ He waslisted on the in 1822 tax list of at Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included nine slaves, two horses, and a two wheel gig, which was a riding cart pulled by a horse.¹⁶ He waslisted on the in 1823 tax list of at Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included 12 slaves, two horses, and a two wheel gig.¹⁷ He waslisted on the in 1824 tax list of at Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included 14 slaves, two horses, two two wheel carriages value: $50 and $75, one four wheel coach valued $240.¹⁸ He waslisted on the in 1825 tax list of at Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, his household's taxable property included 13 slaves, 2 horses, and an "ordinary license" to run an ordinary which was either a tavern or a hotel.¹⁹ He died before 1826 at Southampton County, Virginia; proven by the mention in his fathers disposition of land in the tax documents of 1828 that land was left to Henry's heirs. In addition, in 1826 the estate of Henry Gurley is mentioned in the tax lists of Southampton County. Henry's estate inclued 12 slaves, three horses, a gig valued at $50 and a car or coach valued at $200.²⁰ The estate of Henry Gurley waslisted on the in 1826 tax list of at Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, Virginia, the household's taxable property included 12 slaves, three horses, a gjg valued at $50, and a car or coach valued at $200.¹

     Annie E. Crawford also went by the name of Lizzie Crawford.¹ She was born on 19 June 1867.¹ She married Edgar Lewis Daniel Gurley, son of Nestes Hannible Gurley, on 24 November 1887 at Wayne County, North Carolina.^1,2 Annie E. Crawford died on 18 February 1901 at Wayne County, North Carolina, at age 33.^1,3

     Pearl Hornaday was born on 21 November 1872.¹ She married Edgar Lewis Daniel Gurley, son of Nestes Hannible Gurley, on 2 April 1903 at Wayne County, North Carolina.^2,3 Pearl Hornaday died on 13 June 1960 at Wayne County, North Carolina, at age 87.¹

     Nestus Hornaday Gurley was born in 1905.¹ He died in 1907 at Wayne County, North Carolina.¹

     Robert Gurley was also known as .² He was born on 31 July 1888 at Nahunta, Wayne County, North Carolina.^1,3 He died in 1894 at Wayne County, North Carolina; was buried in what appears to be a small family cemetery.¹

     Wiley E. Aycock was born on 22 July 1888.¹ He married Mildred Ellen Gurley, daughter of Calvin Luther Gurley and Ellen Jerusha Price, on 5 October 1915 at Wayne County, North Carolina.^1,2 Wiley E. Aycock died on 12 December 1938 at Wayne County, North Carolina, at age 50.¹

     Lydia Edwards was born in 1808 at North Carolina.² She married William Gurley, son of Lewis Gurley Jr. and Grace Wiggs, after 26 February 1833 at Johnston County, North Carolina.^1,3 Lydia Edwards was on the census of 1840 at Boonhill, Johnston County, North Carolina.⁴ She died between 1860 and 1868.

     John T. Gurley was born in 1839 at Wayne County, North Carolina.^3,4 He was on the census of 1840 at Boonhill, Johnston County, North Carolina.⁵ As of after 1850, John T. Gurley was also known as Jack.⁶ He began military service on 15 July 1862 at Wayne County, North Carolina, when he enlisted in Company I, 15th Regiment.^2,7,4 He died on 13 December 1862 at Fredricksburg, Virginia; killed in the Battle at.^8,9