William Gurney

William Gurney (August 21, 1823 – May 12, 1880) 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. Pre-Civil War life 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. Masonic affiliations Gurney was affiliated with many Masonic lodges including Adelphic and Arcana and in 1853 was one of the founders of Continental Lodge No. 287 Free and Accepted Masons in the state of New York. He was also a member of Adelphi Chapter and Morton Commandery.