A marker on a grave in Shepherd Memorial Park notes the burial spot of Hugh Gourley, 1747-1832.
Part of the cemetery was originally a private family cemetery of the Smith and Gourley family. These graves are to the right of the circle about 250 feet from the entrance.
When Shepherd Memorial Park began and the old tombstones removed, it was noted that Gourley’s stone had the words “Revolutionary War” engraved on it.
The original tombstones were replaced with the flat markers used in the cemetery today.
Gourley’s Revolutionary War service was engraved on the new marker at the cemetery today.
Gourley came to America on October 1772 aboard the ship Free Mason out of Larne, Ireland. The ship landed December 1772 in Charleston, S.C. Some spellings list his name as “Gorley.”
Gourley’s name is listed in the “Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution,” stating that he “served in the militia under Col. Brandon.”
This was Col. Thomas Brandon and Gourley is listed in the Second Spartan Regiment of Militia under the command of Brandon.
On the 1790 census, Gourley is living in Spartanburg County, S.C. By 1810 the census places him in Old Buncombe County, the region of today’s Henderson County.
The gravestone of his wife, also in today’s Shepherd Memorial Park, states her name as Nancy. In his will, her name is Murphy. It is unclear if this was her maiden name.
The couple had five known sons. James Gourley moved to Tennessee where he married Violet Wilson. Hugh Gourley Jr. was living in Tennessee when he enlisted in the War of 1812 and died during the war. Edward Gourley married Elizabeth Fletcher and moved to Tennessee. Robert Gourley moved to Kentucky. John Gourley moved to Tennessee where he married first Prudence Wilson and second Harriett Giles.
The couple had four known daughters. Elizabeth Gourley married William Fletcher. Sarah Jane Gourley married Joseph Fletcher. Mary Gourley moved to Tennessee and married Robert Thomas Fleming Jr.
Daughter Catherine married Joseph Smith, another early settler in the community. She died in 1828 leaving two children. Adaughter, Sarah Smith, married Jesse Corn and moved to Georgia. A son, Solomon Gourley Smith, married Eleanor “Nellie” Love and inherited the Gourley property in Naples.
Joseph Smith, husband of Catherine Gourley, was listed on the 1800 census in the Morgan District of Buncombe County (today’s Henderson County). Censuses in 1820 and 1830 place him near Orr and other families in today’s Etowah section of the county.
When Hugh Gourley wrote his will, his son Hugh Gourley Jr. and daughters Catherine and Elizabeth had preceded him in death.
Following is the will of Hugh Gourley:
“p. 19.  April Session 1833..  14 Dec. 1828..  I, Hugh Gourley, being stricken in years, but of a sound mind & memory. I will unto my beloved wife Murphy Gourley my house where I now live, with free privilege of wood and profits from the plantation as to support her during her life time. Also, all household and kitchen furniture & bedding of every kind, one loom and tacklin to be her own property. Also, the house to be kept in proper repair out of the estate during her life.
I will to my son, James Gourley or his representatives fifty cents.
I will to my son Edward Gourley or his representatives fifty cents.
I will unto my son Robert Gourley or his representatives fifty cents.
I will unto my son John Gourley or his representatives fifty cents.
I will unto my dtr. Mary Gourley or her representatives fifty cents.
I will unto my son-in-law Joseph Smith formerly husband of my dtr. Catherine six and one quarter cents.
I will unto my dtr. Sarah or her representatives fifty cents.
I will unto my granddaughter formerly Sarah Smith now Sarah Corn $100 in silver which sum I expect to place in her hands in a few days and file her receipt in this paper.
I will to my grandson Solomon Smith who now lives with me, my tract of land whereon I now live containing 500 acres, lying on the South side of Mud Creek, tho not to be disposed of during the natural (life) of my wife. By his complying with the  provisions herein made for my aforesaid wife, Murphy.
I also will unto my grandson Solomon Smith all my stock of cattle, hogs, horses, sheep of every description that I may have. Also all farming tools and perishable property, and to pay the above sums to the above mentioned persons.
I will and desire that my wife Murphy shall have all the cash found in my possession at my death for her support. 
I appoint my friend Andrew Wilson & Jesse Corn executors.
Wit; John Miller & Hannah Roads. 
Signed, Hugh Gorley.. 
Proved in open Court on oath of John Miller.”