William Gurney

William Gurney (August 21, 1821 – February 2, 1879) was a soldier and statesmen from New York and South Carolina, who distinguished himself in the Civil War and within the craft of Freemasonry.

Early life Gurney was born at Flushing, Long Island, in 1821. He was of Quaker extraction.

Gurney went to New York City in 1837, and obtained employment as a clerk in the wholesale establishment of A.N. Brown, in Dey street. He became a junior partner of Mr. Brown, and afterward the head of the firm of Gurney & Underhill, which succeeded the old firm. He was one of the originators of the Five Points Mission in New York City.

In 1864 he joined the command of Gen. Q.A. Gillmore, who was then operating on the South Carolina coast. He was severely wounded at Deveaux's Neck, near Charleston, in December 1864, and was sent North for medical treatment.

On his recovery, he returned south and was assigned to duty as Commander of the post at Charleston, taking over the job from Stewart Woodford. While in this position, Gurney was involved in an incident with Stephen Atkins Swails, the first African American Commissioned Officer.

He was promoted for gallantry in action to the rank of brigadier general. Gurney returned to New York in July, 1865, where he was mustered out of the service.

The 127th New York Volunteers he had raised was mustered out on June 30, 1865 after three years of service to the United States.

Post Civil War life Gurney went back with his family to Charleston, where he established himself as a merchant and cotton factor.

In 1870 Gurney was appointed Treasurer of Charleston County. He was a member of the Electoral College in 1872 from South Carolina, and was the Commissioner from that State in the Centennial Exposition. He continued to reside in Charleston until about 1878, when he came North on account of his health.