Autographs
Funeral Charges for Colonel Francis Gurney's Son Held At St. Peter's Church in Philadelphia
FRANCIS GURNEY (1738-1815). Philadelphia Businessman, Civic Leader, and Revolutionary War Lieutenant Colonel, served from the French and Indian War to the Whiskey Rebellion, in 1799, promoted to Brigadier General.
Late 18th Century, Revolutionary War Era or so, Manuscript Document Signed “Col’nl Francis Gurney,” Very Fine. June 11th, (undated) Receipt for the Funeral charges for Colonel Francis Gurney's son, at St. Peter's Church. St. Peter's Church in Philadelphia is a historic church located on the corner of Third and Pine streets. It opened for worship on September 4, 1761 and served as a place of worship for many of the United States Founding Fathers, during the period of the Continental Congresses. The building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1996.

Francis Gurney commanded the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment, had also served during the French and Indian War, participating in the Canadian campaign and against the French West Indies Islands, in the capture of Guadeloupe. Gurney was wounded at Iron Hill on September 3, 1777. During the Whiskey Rebellion his military services were called upon, where Gurney led the 600 strong 1st Philadelphia Militia of the against rebelling farmers in Western Pennsylvania.


Francis Gurney (1738-1815), a native of Bucks County, Pa., served in the French and Indian War, and as a colonel with Pennsylvania troops during the Revolution. After the war he became a merchant in Philadelphia and for a time was warden of the post of Philadelphia, a Philadelphia alderman, and a member of the city council (Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, 47 [1923], 175-76).

After the war, Gurney returned to Philadelphia where he began his career as a merchant. During the American Revolution, he donated heavily to the cause both monetarily and in military service. He served as a captain with the Grenadier Company, 3rd Regiment, Philadelphia Militia, and was later promoted to lieutenant colonel. He resigned his commission on October 22, 1777 after a failure to receive an expected promotion. Gurney served throughout the remainder of the war and its aftermath in civilian offices.

In 1794 he was in command of the 1st Regiment of the Philadelphia Brigade with the rank of colonel. Apparently Gurney had considerable difficulty maintaining discipline among his troops, for Washington wrote Hamilton, 26 Oct., on his way back to Philadelphia, that "I heard great complaints of Gurney's Corps (&c some of the Artillery) along the road to Strasburgh. . . . In some places, I was told they did not leave a plate, a spoon, a glass or a knife; and this owing, in a great measure I was informed, to their being left without Officers. At most if not all the encampments, I found the fences in a manner burnt up. I pray you to mention this to Govr. Mifflin" (Library of Congress: Hamilton Papers). In 1799, he was promoted to Brigadier General.

In addition to his other civic and military duties, Gurney served on the Board of Trustees of Dickinson College from 1798 until his death. He was often entrusted with College business in Philadelphia and Washington, D. C. Francis Gurney died on May 25, 1815.