Hay Gurney
(1826-1890)
13 October 1860

Volume 2, page 38, sitting number 1449.

Francis Hay Gurney was the eldest surviving son of Daniel Gurney (1791-1880) and Lady Harriet Jemima née Hay, and an older brother of Somerville Arthur Gurney.

He appears on the 1861 census, a 35-year-old banker and magistrate, born at North Runcton in Norfolk, living at Thorpe in Norfolk with his wife, Margaret Charlotte Gurney, and their ten children.

He died on 1 December 1890 leaving an estate valued at £17,160. A detailed obituary appeared two days later in the Norwich Mercury (3 December 1890). 'The death of Lieut.-Colonel Francis Hay Gurney, we regret to report, took place, after a few days' illness, at his residence, Thickthorn, Hethersett, at half-past 12 on Monday morning. He was the eldest son of the late Mr Daniel Gurney, of North Runcton, and Lady Harriet Hay, daughter of William, 16th Earl of Errol. By his marriage in 1847 with Margaret Charlotte, daughter the late Sir W. Brown ffolkes, Bart, M.P., of Hillington, the deceased leaves a numerous family, of whom Mr Reginald Gurney, of Bury St Edmunds, is the eldest surviving son. He was a Justice of the Peace for Norfolk, and Deputy Lieutenant. For many years he had been a partner in the banking firm of Gurneys, Birkbecks, and Co. When the Volunteer movement was started in 1859 he took great interest in it, and became the first Captain of No. 3 Company of the Norwich Corps. A few years later he raised and commanded a troop of Light Horse. Subsequently he joined the Suffolk Yeomanry (Loyal Suffolk Hussars) and not very long ago he retired with the brevet rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He held Conservative views, but took no active part in political life. As Chairman of the Committee of Management he rendered good service to the Norfolk and Norwich Musical Festivals. Mr Hay Gurney will be best remembered for his kindly disposition, social qualities, and gentlemanly bearing. By his death the hunting field will miss a keen sportsman, and the city and county a familiar face and figure. He was at the Bank on Wednesday in last week, engaged in business, but in the afternoon he complained of pains in the head; and though persuaded to go home, he said he would remain and rest. In the evening he went home to Thickthorn, which he never left again. [...] The cause of death was pressure on the brain, probably caused by the enlargement of a blood vessel. Deceased was born in 1826. The funeral takes place at Intwood on Thursday, at noon.'

[From an album compiled by the sitter's brother Somerville Gurney, a prominent Quaker of Norfolk.]