Edward Gurganey

• General Notes
  • Edward Gurganey, Gentleman, whose name appears on the list of the First Supply of settlers, came to Jamestowne, Virginia, in 1608, the second year of the Colony's existence. He was aboard the ship 'John & Francis' commanded by Captain Christopher Newport, which carried about 100 new settlers, and departed London (Gravesend) on 1 Dec 1607, in the company of the 'Phoenix,' commanded by Captain Francis Nelson. The 'John and Francis' arrived at Jamestowne on 2 Jan 1608, to find great dissension among the surviving 38 colonists. Captain John Smith, who had been captured by Chief Powhatan in Dec 1607, and likely saved from death by the aid of Pocahontas, had been released and returned to Jamestowne only to be arrested by his enemies. Smith was saved from hanging by the arrival of Captain Newport with the new settlers. (Separated in fog, the 'Phoenix' had been believed to have sunk, but had actually weathered storms and returned to the West Indies. Repaired and with fresh supplies of food and water, the 'Phoenix' then completed its journey arriving in Jamestowne on 20 Apr 1608).
    
    It is evident that Edward Gurganey was a member of the expedition of 1616, which was sent against the Chickahominies to collect much needed corn, for it is stated in Captain John 'Smith's Works' (Arber Edition, page 529), that Smith's account was taken, in part, from the writings of Edward Gurganey. It seems that Captain Samuel Argall (Deputy Governor of Virginia, 1617-1618), had previously "conditioned" with the Indians before the expedition had set forth, but had been treated with "much scorn and contempt." In 1613 on a voyage up the Potomac River, Argall had captured Pocahontas and taken her to Jamestowne, where she was held as a hostage for English prisoners then in the hands of her father, Chief Powhatan. At Jamestowne she was converted to Christianity and baptized as Rebecca. Pocahontas was baptized by the Reverend Alexander Whitaker before her marriage to John Rolfe in 1614. The 1616 expedition was commanded by Captain George Yeardley (Governor of Virginia, 1618-1621, 1626-27). From 'Smith's Works'..."the Captain gave the word, and we presently fired, when twelve lay, some dead, the rest sprawling on the ground; twelve we took prisoner; near 100 bushels of corn we had for their ransom." Edward Gurganey was associated with Governor Argall in settling 'Argall's Gift.'
    
    Edward acquired much land and was an Ancient Planter. He was granted 400 acres of land in Virginia on 1 Oct 1617. In addition to profits, Virginia colonists achieved their greatest triumph on 30 July 1619, when the Governor, his Councilors, and the Representatives, or Burgesses, met in the Church at Jamestowne to become the first representative assembly in the New World. Besides Governor Sir George Yeardley, those assembled included Mr. Edward Gurganey and Captain Thomas Paulett who were the Burgesses representing 'Argall's Gift.' The Church was the 3rd church in Jamestown and was built in 1617 by Captain Argall. It was the first church known to have been built on the site where the present church stands. One of its unique features was a cobblestone foundation. It endured until 1639 when it was replaced by a brick structure. The 4th church was burned in Bacon's Rebellion in 1676, but was repaired and continued to serve its congregation until about 1750 when it was abandoned in favor of a new church some 3 miles away. The 4th church was ravaged by time and the elements, with only most of its tower remaining. In 1907, the National Society of Colonial Dames erected the 5th church, a reconstruction church next to the original tower, which is the structure which visitors view today. The cobblestone foundations of the 1617 church, together with the brick foundations of the 1639 church, may be viewed under glass within the walls of the present church.
    
    Edward Gurganey died shortly after the Assembly of 1619, as did his wife Ann. In his Will he bequeathed the land to his wife Ann; and in her Will she gave the land to Thomas Harris, who repatented the land in 1636 and in 1639. At the second renewal, Thomas Harris also claimed 100 acres in the name of his 1st wife "Adry Harris, being an Ancient Planter." Their daughter, Adria Gurganey, married Captain Thomas Harris, also an Ancient Planter.
    
    Compiled by James Reid Hancock (HANSER5@@aol.com)
    
    Sources: Gateway Families (1994) by Christy Hawes Bond, distributed in cooperation with The New England Historic Genealogical Society; The Ligon Family and Connections (1947) by William D. Ligon, Jr; Descendants of Edward Gurganey, page 128, Southside Virginia Families, Volume 2 (1951), by John Bennett Boddie, Clearfield, Genealogical Publishing Company; Biographical info: Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001; Jamestowne Society at http://www.jamestowne.org/History3.htm; The "First Supply" which arrived at Jamestown, Virginia, in January 1607/8, at http://www.primenet.com/~langford/places/va608001.htm#People and http://www.apva.org/history/1stsup.html ; Info on Jamestown Churches from Colonial National Park website: http://www.nps.gov/colo/Jthanout/Churches.html; 1890s photo of 1639 church tower http://www.apva.org/history/church.html; Pocahontas' Baptism at U.S. Capitol Rotunda: http://www.aoc.gov/art/baptpoca.htm; Pocahontas Images with notes:
    http://www.lehigh.edu/~ejg1/natimag/pocahontas.htm
    
    According to Note 1 on page 256 of Volume 2 of Philip L. Barbour's "The Complete Works of Captain John Smith," Edward Gurganey was a companion of Captain John Smith.

Click here for details of Edward's family with Anne Walcott

Source/Citation Arrived in America Aboard the Phoenix

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