What an unusual name....I've not run into it before and I figure there are several alternate spellings...it's always helpful if you'll include them (so they may be also looked up, rather than expecting the volunteer to come up with other spellings). If he is from Cos. Antrium or Down, there's a better than average chance that he was a Scots Irish emigrant, not one of Irish descent, so Presbyterianiam would be a good bet for his religion, and is an avenue to be explored. I looked on the CD of area wills...which includes Bucks, Berks, Chester, Lanc, Cumberland, Mont, Phil, Delaware Cos....and I've encluded, below, the only will in that name in any of these counties, up to about 1830 or so; I did see that there was a John mentioned in a 1747 Warrington twp, Bucks Co will (witness only); and a Samuel of Moreland, Bucks Co, mentioned in 1775 and 1789... GOURLEY, JOHN. Northern Liberties. Phila. Co.November 16, 1816. November 26, 1817. 6.533.Estate to wife, Elizabeth Gourley.Execs: Said wife, Elizabeth, Samuel Macferan, Esq.Witnesses: John Sowder, Michael Bowers. There is no mention of the surname in THE HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY PA, by Furhey and Cope, and not included in the 1765 Chester Archives. I've transcribed many tax records that you may access on the Chester County site.... What records do you have that ''show that he may have resided in Chester"? It's helpful to know this to determine where to look Have you visited this site on All Things Gourley? http://www.brucegourley.com/gourley/ Sandra " Thomas Gourley b. 1752, Belfast, Antrim, IRE., came from Ireland supposedly in 1768 to PA. He married Martha McNeely about 1772 in Scranton, Wackawanna Co., PA. Martha was supposedly born in Lancaster, PA. about 1752.......... Records show that he may have resided in Chester, Lancaster, Cumberland Counties. "