Ralph Randolph Gurley facts for kids

Ralph Randolph Gurley (born May 26, 1797 – died July 30, 1872) was an American clergyman. A clergyman is a religious leader, like a minister. Gurley was a major leader for 50 years in the American Colonization Society. This group helped free Black Americans move to a new colony in West Africa.

The Society bought land from African chiefs for this colony. Because of Gurley's hard work in raising money and teaching people about the Society, he is seen as one of the founders of Liberia. He even gave Liberia its name.

Ralph Gurley's Early Life and Career

Ralph Gurley was born in Lebanon, Connecticut. He received a good education from a young age. He later graduated from Yale College in 1818.

After college, he moved to Washington, D.C. There, he became a licensed preacher for the Presbyterian church. On May 25, 1827, he married Eliza McLellan. They had a large family together.

Gurley also served as the Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives. This meant he led prayers for the U.S. government leaders. He held this important role from 1829 to 1833, and again from 1847 to 1851.

The American Colonization Society's Mission

Gurley started working with the American Colonization Society in 1822. He was only about 25 years old. He served as the Society's main agent and secretary until 1872. By then, the West African colony had become an independent country called Liberia in 1847.

The American Colonization Society (ACS) was formed by different groups of people. Some members wanted to end slavery (abolitionists). Others owned slaves. They all had different ideas about what should happen to free people of color in the United States. Free people of color were Black Americans who were not enslaved.

These groups decided to help free Black Americans move to a new colony in West Africa. Many chapters of the ACS were set up, especially in Southern states. Some states even bought their own land in Africa for this purpose. Later, these smaller efforts joined the larger ACS project.

Why People Supported Colonization

Some people called this move "repatriation." This means returning to one's homeland. However, by this time, most Black Americans were born in America. They saw America as their home. Many free Black Americans wanted to gain equal rights in the U.S.

But there was a lot of unfair treatment against free Black people in America. This was especially true in the Southern states, where slavery was common. Some people, including some who opposed slavery, thought that free Black Americans might have a better life by starting their own society in West Africa. They hoped this new society would eventually govern itself.

After a major slave rebellion in 1831 led by Nat Turner, many Southern states made life even harder for free Black people. They took away rights, like the right to education or to gather in groups without white ministers present. It became very difficult for slave owners to free their slaves.

Gurley's Impact on the ACS

During Gurley's first ten years with the ACS, the Society's income grew a lot. It went from $778 to $40,000 each year. He traveled widely to give speeches and raise money. The money was needed to pay for ships and travel costs for new settlers going to Monrovia.

Gurley is known as one of the founders of Liberia. He was the one who gave the country its name. He also edited the ACS's newspaper, the African Repository and Colonial Journal. This newspaper shared information about the Society's work.

Gurley even traveled to England to ask for help with the colonization project. American missionaries also went with settlers to Monrovia. They aimed to help convert the local African people they met. Gurley always spoke about the good reasons behind the project, even after Liberia became independent. He believed it showed great progress for African civilization.

The British had also set up their own colony in West Africa called Freetown. This is now the capital of Sierra Leone. They settled Black people there from places like London, Nova Scotia (Black Loyalists who had fought for the British in the American Revolutionary War), and Jamaican Maroons. The British also brought people freed from illegal slave ships to Freetown.

Former U.S. President James Madison was a famous supporter of the ACS. He left $2,000 in his will to the Society through Gurley.

Gurley's Visits to Africa

Ralph Gurley visited Africa three times during his life.

• His first trip was in 1824 for the ACS. He went to help solve a problem between the settlers and the governor, Jehudi Ashmun.
• In 1849, he went again, representing the U.S. government. He reported on the newly independent country of Liberia.
• His last trip was in 1868, late in his life. He traveled on an ACS ship because he wanted to see Liberia again, which was the focus of his life's work.

Gurley's Writings

Gurley also wrote several books. He wrote a biography called Life of Jehudi Ashmun (1835). This book was about the Society's secretary who became an early governor of the colony.

He also wrote about his trip to England in Mission to England for the American Colonization Society (1841). Another book he wrote was Life and Eloquence of Reverend Sylvester Larned (1844).

In his biography of Ashmun, Gurley wrote about the goals of the colonization movement. He mentioned that supporters believed it was important for the happiness of both Black and white people to have separate societies.