Anson County was formed from Bladen County in 1750 which was 39 years prior to statehood, and the birth of our nation. The first permanent settlement in North Carolina Territory was established in 1653 by settlers coming south from Virginia. It was not until 80 years later that the population reached 14,000 persons. Prior to the revolution North Carolina experienced three great waves of immigrants. In a matter of a few years came more than 20,000 Highland Scotch immigrants they settled mostly in the southeastern section of the state. Later large groups of Scotch Irish came from Pennsylvania. Most of them settled in the western section of the state. By the year 1760, there were approximately 15,000 German immigrants in Forsyth and Guilford counties.
Will Book II, 1750-1880
page 47 Wiliam Gurley - probated Oct. session, 1804, wife, Milinder. Sons: James, Willis and William Gurley. Daughters: Eldest Elizabeth Austin, Jean Pool, Sarah Lauhorn (land adj. John Lauhorn), Dorcas and Ferabee. A calf to Charloty Austin and mentions Jaen Pool's three sons - Alexander, William and Nathan Pool. Executors: Willis Gurley and Leonard Musselwhite. Wit: Richard Austin & William Gurley.
page 49 Jacob Gurley - June 19, 1820, sons: Josiah, Daniel, Nedham, Jesse, William, David and Benjamin Gurley. Daughters: Susanna Gurley and Unity Whitley. Grandson Joseph Gurley. Executor: Jesse & William Gurley. Wit; Richard Austin & Willis Gurley.
DenBoer, Gordon. North Carolina: Atlas of Historical County Boundaries, New York, NY: Charles Scribner's Sons, nd.
Chronology of Anson County
17 Mar 1749/1750 - Anson created from Bladen - includes all of modern Union, Stanly, Montgomery, Richmond, Scotland and portions of Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Rowan, Davidson, Randolph and Robeson