RALPH RANDOLPH GURLEY was born in Lebanon, Conn., May 26th, 1797. His father, the Rev. John Gurley (Y.C. 1773), was the first pastor of the Congregational Church in Exeter Parish, in Lebanon. His mother was Mary, daughter of the Rev. David Porter, D.D., of Catskill, N.Y.
After graduation he studied theology, and was licensed to preach by the Baltimore Presbytery. In 1822 he was appointed Agent of the American Colonization Society, and from that time till his death devoted himself to its service. He resided in Washington, D. C, and though never ordained performed much labor as a preacher and pastor among the poor of the city He thrice visited Liberia; for the first time in 1824, when he originated the plan of government under which the colony has been successfully conducted. He edited the "African Repository," the monthly organ of the Society, prepared the annual reports, and published several volumes, of which the most important were a life of Ashmun, the Agent at Liberia, a life of Rev. Sylvester Larned, and an account of his own mission to England. In 1864, on account of declining health, he was made honorary secretary. His death took place in Washington, July 30th, 1872.
His wife, Eliza McLellan, whom he married in 1827, died April 27th, 1872. Eleven of their children died before them.
