Arthur Hurry
Research
Possible son of William Hurrie/Hurry
Supporting Records
Pennsylvania Tax & Exoneration
1785 Montgomery County, East Norriton
Old Pine Street Church
August 5, 1771, Call for Rev. George Duffield
(Believed to be an older Arthur Hurry)
Oath of Allegiance
Oath of Allegiance, Sept 18, 1779
Indenture
Arthur Hurrie as an indenture to John McCalla of Philadelphia Jan 18, 1773 Term 8 yr 9 mo. 12 d., 25 pounds to be paid to father with same amount paid yearly for apparel.
Apprentice in the trade of tailor
Arthur Hurrie is believed to be a son of William although the evidence is somewhat circumstantial and no direct records between the two have been found.
Arthur in Philadelphia
January 18, 1773 Arthur began an indenture with John McCalla for 8 years, 9 months and 12 days to learn to be a tailor. The agreement stated that his father or guardian receive 25 pounds and the same each year thereafter. One record indicates his father’s name was William. This could mean that William is his father or guardian. Records imply or have been interpreted to indicate that he had just arrived in Philadelphia. However, it may be that he was already there.
The older Arthur had indicated that he was returning to Liverpool a few years earlier. It could be possible that he went back to take money to bring more family members to America. However, it is not proven and it is not clear that he actually made the journey to Liverpool. If he did, it is possible that he did not have sufficient money leading to Arthur’s indenture. Another possible scenario is that the agreement was made to give Arthur a trade. Yet, another option is that the agreement was made to get Arthur out of the house since William and Mary split-up that same year.
Arthur would have completed his indenture as a tailor around Oct 1881. There is no mention of him over the next few years. It appears to be him that took the oath of allegiance on Sept 18, 1779 as it indicates he was a tailor. It would imply he was born about 1760 as it states he was about 19. This would also imply that he possibly was indentured until he turned 21.
Arthur in Montgomery County
In 1785, an Arthur Hurry is listed in the tax records for East Norriton and New Hanover Township in Montgomery County. It seems fair to assume that at least the Arthur in East Norriton is William’s son given the ties to the county [Stetler, Moser(claimed, needs to be proven)] and even to the specific area in the county. He could possibly have taken a stage here as a stage line from Philadelphia to Reading passed through Norriton and Trappe. It has been in place since 1781, when created by William Coleman.
In this record, Arthur is listed as “single” and “gone.” Other single men listed as “gone” are Dan McFee and Henry Hatchet. Of interest, the names Charles Thomson and Rittenhouse appear in this same record.
It is possible that Arthur had moved west to New Hanover or was doing business in multiple parts of the county as an Arthur Hurry was listed in that township at the same time. Both are on the list of single men.
Arthur near Pittsburgh
In 1795, a letter had arrived in Greensburg, southeast of Pittsburgh, for an Arthur Hurry. It was sent care of Colonel Torrence. Perhaps Arthur was serving in the military. It is also possible this is an entirely different Arthur.
Arthur in Fayette County, PA
By 1798 an Arthur Hurry shows up in Franklin, Fayette County. And, by 1800, the presumably same Arthur Hurry is in the East Liberty/Dunbar area of Fayette County. Since it mentions he was a tailor in East Liberty before he became a saloonkeeper succeeding Andrew Byers, it seems to indicate that it is the same Arthur. This Arthur Hurry was “especially famous for having a scolding wife, whose sole delight appeared to exist in making Hurry’s life one of misery. Perhaps Arthur had the same taste in women as William as William indicated in a newspaper ad that he feared for his life if he stayed at home with his wife Mary.
The 1800 census says that Arthur’s household contained 2 males under 10, 1 male 10-15 , one m 26-44, 1 female under 10 , and 1 female 26-44. The older female is likely his wife Hannah. This is consistent with Arthur’s approximate age. It also seems to indicate that he likely married between 1785 (listed as single in Montgomery County) and 1889. One interesting thing is that the 1785 Montgomery County record says “gone.” Could this mean Arthur had left for Western Pennsylvania?
Arthur in Mercer County, PA
For the period immediately following 1800, the only Arthur that appears in Pennsylvania is in Mercer County. This area is later Lawrence County. This Arthur Hurry settled in Wilmington Township in 1805. In Dec 1814, he gave money for the building of the bridge over the Shenanago River. He was an early (2nd) Justice of the Peace, which could be anybody in those days. It may have been an elected position.
In 1820, this Arthur is in Neshanock, Mercer, Pennsylvania and the ages for him and his wife are consistent with Arthur the tailor. However, no mention of this Arthur being a tailor or a saloonkeeper has been found.
Also, the history of the area says that he was an Irishman by birth, which could just be an error. Perhaps they got confused between Scotland and Ireland.
It also says he had at least 3 sons as 3 went to the war of 1812 (Joseph, William, and James). Pvt. William Hurry and Pvt. Joseph Hurry served in the Pennsylvania 135th Regiment (Christy’s) in the War of 1812. Pvt. James Hurry served in the Pennsylvania 138th Regiment (Miller’s) in the War of 1812. The names match, but it isn’t clear if these are Arthur’s sons. It is less possible that James of West Virginia was a son. It is known he served in the War of 1812, but it would imply that perhaps Arthur had sons when he was young, although he is later listed as single, or his sons left home at a very early age.
DNA indicates relationship to a family that is believed to have descended from one of Arthur’s sons. This family is still under investigation.