George Gourley

Birth: 1769, Ireland Death: Sep. 6, 1853 Indiana County Pennsylvania, USA

George was born about 1769 in Londonderrry, County Derry, Ireland. He died in W. Mahoning Twp., Indiana Co., PA.

"The Marshall Family. A History of the Descendants of William Marshall, (Born, 1722; Died, 1796.)" (O. S., Marshall, Kittanning, Penn., Steam Press of Reichert Bros., 1884). p. 101: "... Alexander Gourley. He was a son of George and Rosanna (McNeal) Gourley, and was born in Ireland. He came to America when three years of age, first to Nova Scotia, then to Pennsylvania. His parents lived for a time in Huntingdon county, and then moved to Indiana county..." pp. 144-145: "John McClelland, ...was married to Nancy Gourley, ... She was the third daughter of George and Rosana (McNeal) Gourley. They were natives of Ireland and sailed from that country about 1817. They landed at Nova Scotia where they remained one year. They came to the United States in 1818 and settled in Huntingdon county, Pa. They remained there about twelve years and moved to Indiana county, Pa., in 1830, where they resided during the remainder of their days. The lived to be quite old, and both died the same week in 1853. They had eleven children, and all lived to grow up except one. Mr. Gourley and four of his sons were blacksmiths. [Note: at the time this information was given, Alexander Gourley and John McClelland were both living and most likely provided the information themselves; thus, it should be accurate]

Stewart's History of Indiana Co. (1913), pp. 769-770 (William H. Crawford sketch): "... George and Rosanna (McNeil) Gourley, came to America from Ireland in 1816, and first located in Nova Scotia. They came to Pennsylvania, settling near Sinking Valley, Blair county, where Mr. Gourley followed his trade, that of blacksmith, for a time. Later he bought a farm in Indiana county, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying Sept. 6, 1853; his wife died Sept. 9, 1853 (both died of dysentery). He was a sincere member of the Presbyterian Church, and used to go eight miles through the woods on horseback to attend services. His children were born as follows: Thomas, Oct. 28, 1805; John, May 19, 1908 (died in May, 1891); James, Aug. 23, 1810 (died March 21, 1867); Margaret, Jan. or June 24, 1812; Alexander, June [sic] 4, 1814; George, March 17, 1816 (died Jan. 23, 1846); Rosanna, June [sic] 12, 1819; Armstrong, Sept. 15, 1820; Robert, May 27, 1822; Nancy, Nov. 23, 1823 (died in August, 1871); Mary Ann, Sept. 18, 1826."

McKnight History of Jefferson Co., PA, Vol. II (1917), pp. 147-8 (sketch of Harry R. Gourley, M. D.): "... George Gourley, established the family in America and western Pennsylvania. Born in 1769 in Londonderry, Ireland, he came to this country and for a few years thereafter resided in Huntingdon county, Pa. His permanent location, however, was then made in Armstrong [sic] county, where he died aged eighty-two years, Sept. 6, 1850 [sic]. His wife, whose maiden name was Rosanna McNeal, died Sept. 9, 1853, and they are buried in the Perry cemetery in Jefferson county. Having come to this section in the pioneer period, they had many interesting tales to relate of the early days which have come down to the present through their numerous descendants. Their large family were born as follows: Thomas, Oct. 28, 1805; John, May 19, 1808 (died in May, 1891); James, Aug. 23, 1810 (died March 21, 1867); Margaret, Jan. 24, 1812; Alexander, June [sic] 4, 1814; George, March 17, 1816 (died Jan. 23, 1846); Rosanna, March 12, 1819; Armstrong, Sept. 15, 1820; Robert, May 27, 1822; Nancy, Nov. 23, 1823; Mary Ann, Sept. 18, 1826..."

Tombstone photo courtesy of Don Ludwig.

Family links:

Spouse:

 Rosanna McNeil Gourley (1779 - 1853)

Children:

 Thomas Gourley (1805 - 1865)*

 John Gourley (1808 - 1891)*

 George Gourley (1816 - 1846)*

 Armstrong C Gourley (1820 - 1889)*

 Mary Ann Gourley Wachob (1826 - 1869)*

*Calculated relationship

Inscription:

GEORGE GOURLEY DIED Sep. 6, 1853 Aged about 84 years.

Burial: Perry Memorial Cemetery Frostburg (Jefferson County) Jefferson County Pennsylvania, USA