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No restrictions. Open for research.

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Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], in the William Henry Gurney papers #4644-z, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Acquisitions Information

Purchased from Charles Apfelbaum of Valley Stream, N.Y., in December 1992 (Acc. 93009).

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Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. § 132 1 et seq.), and Article 7 of the North Carolina State Personnel Act (Privacy of State Employee Personnel Records, N.C.G.S. § 126-22 et seq.). Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill assumes no responsibility.

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• Gurney family.
• Gurney, William Henry, 1827-1890.
• Soldiers--United States--Correspondence.
• United States. Army--Military life--History.
• United States. Army--Officers--Correspondence.
• United States. Army. Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, 7th (1861-1864)
• Virginia--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.

William Henry Gurney, son of carpenter Ephraim and Eliza Drew Raymond Gurney, lived in South Abington, Mass. He married Jane Woods Bourne (d. 1912) in 1848. Their children were Catherine Jane (b. 1849); Darleina Frances, who died in infancy; Ada Frances (b. 1853); and Frank William (b. 1870). Gurney worked as a stamper and guilder at the time of his enrollment in the 7th Massachusetts Volunteers.

Letters and other documents relating to William Henry Gurney's service as captain with the 7th Massachusetts Volunteers, 1861-1864. Gurney wrote to his wife Jane from camps in various locations in Virginia telling her about camp life, offering his opinions of commanding officers, and expressing his love for her and their children. He also wrote of his anticipated discharge in 1864. Also included are a few notes on Gurney family history and a 1903 letter from a professional genealogist requesting information on the family.