American Revolution
1779 Goods on the Pennsylvania Privateer Sloop “Chance”
(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.
May 9, 1779-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Manuscript Document, being an Account Document between “Gurney & Lennox” and ”Patton & Davis,” of goods shipped on the well known Pennsylvania Privateer Sloop “Chance.” This original document measures approx. 8” x 13” being well written in rich brown ink upon clean, laid period paper. It is folded and slightly creased, the center vertical fold was torn and repaired with document tape on the reverse.

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.

The “Patton” of “Patton & Davis” is apparently (Colonel) John Patton. Colonel John Patton (1745-1804), Officer and Philadelphia merchant. Patton was a Colonel of the Sixteenth Regiment of Pennsylvania troops. For a time, he had charge of the defenses of Philadelphia. He was also one of the merchants of Philadelphia who raised, on their own personal responsibility, some two hundred and sixty thousand pounds to help Washington and the army.

Patton married Jane Davis.


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.