User Home Pages: The Descendants of Jonathan Gurley of Georgia

The Descendants of Jonathan Gurley of Georgia

Updated June 2, 2013
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Jonathan Gurley was born May 23, 1843, possibly in Paulding County, Georgia. Jonathan is listed in the 1850 Carroll County, GA census along with several other children. They lived with William T. Gurley (born about 1788 in NC)and Susan Gurley (born 1808 in SC). Jonathan was listed in the 1870 (Van Wert District)Polk County, GA census. In the 1880 census,he is listed as head of household in Paulding County, GA. This census list his mother as Sausin Gurley (possibly a mis-spelling of Susan).
Oral Family history says that Benjamin Gurley and Martha Pace were the parents of Jonathan Gurley. I have since found that this is not accurate. I believe Benjamin and William F. Gurley were sons of William T. Gurley and brothers, or half-brothers, of Jonathan. We accepted that Benjamin died sometime after the 1850 Cobb County, Baits Dist., GA census, and that Martha remarried a Mr. Collins. This is not accurate either as reflected in a letter written by Martha's father, Rev. Barnabas Pace. The letter is shown below:
Letter written by Rev. Barnabas Pace to his nephew, Rev. Samuel Pace Getzen (son of George and Fanny Pace Getzen):
At Home July 22, 1853, Dear Nephew,
I reached home the 18th of July being just about ten weeks and in answer to yours and many of my brother's prayers found all well. Nothing wrong worth naming, is my home and family. But oh the trial that awaited me. I reached Marietta the 12th. The 13th, I bought two dresses for my daughter Martha who lives twelve miles from Marietta. On my way home some half-hour after buying the dresses one of my neighbors told me she was buried the Saturday before leaving 8 children all small, the youngest but 10 days old. Oh that I could have seen her but God's will be done. Yet praise be God she died with Glory in her Soul. She became baptized her 16th year fought a good fight kept the Faith and henceforth do believe she received a crown of Glory. Her dear children, husband Benjamin Gurley, sisters and brothers poor father and mother must and will mourn their loss but she enjoys her great gain, Heaven, Her Savior and God many dear connections and friends. Samuel your dear mother is there. They cannot come to us but glory to God through Christ we can go to them. Glory Glory
She was [loved] by many brethern and sisters and many dear friends, enemies she had none. Praise the Lord oh my Soul for the many favors done me throughout my life.
O Samuel, Samuel never have I had a better crop in my life a small failure is oats & sweet potatoes but nothing elseCotton uncommonly good. I have heard of some dry spots but generally on this side of Atlanta a plenty will be made and to spare. I have nothing new to write to you. All is well nothing wrong. Write me soon. I badly want to hear from you all & the drought among you.
Yours in Gospel bondBarnabas Pace
P.S. Give my love to your Father & Sisters, Cousin Polly, God bless you and the children long may you live as ornament to your sex & dear children. B. Pace (end of letter)
On May 12, 1861 in Polk County, Georgia, Jonathan married Martha Jane Dugger. Martha was born September 23, 1843. Her parents were John Dugger and Sarah Owens Dugger who were married in Paulding County on January 11,1843 (Polk Co.was still a part of Paulding Co. until 1851). Jonathan was mustered into the 1st GA Cavalry, Company A in March 1862 at Cedartown, Polk County, Georgia. Jonathan was captured at Van Wert, Polk County, GA, November 1864. He was taken to Kingston GA and transported to Camp Douglas and was held prisoner until June 18, 1865. As a term of his release, Jonathan signed an oath of allegiance which gave the following information: complexion: dark, hair: light, eyes: grey, height: 6 ft., remarks: Kingston, GA.
Jonathan died on February 15, 1910. Martha Dugger Gurley died March 25, 1910. They are both buried at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Dallas, GA.

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