1A-E: James Guthrie

James Guthrie 1852 AR – bet. 1860-78 AR
of Washington County, Arkansas, USA

JAMES GUTHRIE
Parents: John Guthrie 1821 AL or TN – 1889 AR and Nancy Mahala 1846 MO – 1878 AR
Birth: 1852
Birth Location: Mountain, Washington County, Arkansas, USA
Marriage: N/A
Children: N/A
Death: Bet. 1860-1878
Death Location: Unknown, presumably in Washington County, Arkansas
Burial Location: Unknown, presumably in Washington County, Arkansas
Notes:

James Guthrie was the eldest son of John and Nancy Mahala Guthery / Guthrie. He was eight years old at the time of the 1860 census and had attended school that year. His father was a farmer.

Since the family is not found in the Mountain, Washington, Arkansas census, nor at all in 1870, it is impossible to narrow down James Guthrie’s probably date of death.

In 1878, John and Nancy named another newborn son James P. Guthrie, so it is believed that their eldest died before that date.

Research, Reading, and Resources for GFG1A – Branch E: James Guthrie, Son of John Guthrie and Nancy Mahala

This section provides a curated list of primary and secondary sources relevant to researching James Guthrie (born circa 1852 in Mountain Township, Washington County, Arkansas; died between 1860 and 1878, likely in the same area). As the eldest son of John Guthrie (born 1821/1822 in Alabama or Tennessee; died 1889 in Cove Creek Township, Washington County, Arkansas) and Nancy Mahala (surname unknown; born circa 1846 in Missouri; died between 1878 and 1880, likely in Washington County, Arkansas), James represents a short branch in the Guthrie family tree due to his early death without known spouse or descendants. This limits direct records on him, but broader family context from his parents and siblings offers valuable insights.

The list is organized into primary sources (original records like censuses and vital documents) and secondary sources (interpretations, compilations, or analyses). I’ve prioritized sources that directly or indirectly reference James, his immediate family, or the Guthrie lineage in Washington County, Arkansas. Where possible, I’ve included access notes, historical context, nuances (e.g., spelling variations like “Guthrie,” “Guthery,” or “Guthrey”), edge cases (e.g., missing censuses), and implications for further research. Arkansas vital records were not systematically recorded until 1914, so pre-1900 events rely heavily on censuses and indirect evidence. Genealogical research here may involve cross-referencing with siblings (e.g., Mary, Malissa, John, Elisha, Joseph, Sarah, and James Preston) or migration patterns from Alabama/Tennessee/Missouri to Arkansas in the mid-1800s, driven by land availability and farming opportunities.

Primary Sources

These are original, contemporaneous documents offering direct evidence. They are essential for verifying basic facts like birth, residence, and family structure. Challenges include inconsistent spellings, missing records due to courthouse fires (e.g., Washington County had losses in the 1860s-1870s), and the family’s rural location, which may explain gaps like the absent 1870 census.

  1. 1850 United States Federal Census
    • Details: Enumerates the family in Mountain Township, Washington County, Arkansas. John Guthery (age 29, farmer, born Alabama) heads the household with Nancy (age 21, born Missouri) and children Mary (age 4) and Malissa (age 1). This predates James’s birth but establishes the family’s early presence in the area. No direct mention of James, but it contextualizes his birth around 1852.
    • Context and Nuances: Washington County was a frontier farming region post-Mexican-American War, with many families from southern states settling for cheap land. Spelling is “Guthery,” a common variant—search under multiple forms. Implication: Confirms parents’ ages and origins, supporting James’s estimated birth. Edge case: If the family moved briefly, this might explain later gaps.
    • Access: Available on FamilySearch.org (free; search “John Guthery” in 1850 Arkansas) or Ancestry.com (subscription; Roll: M432_31, Page: 396A). Microfilm at National Archives (NARA Series M432, Roll 31).
  2. 1860 United States Federal Census
    • Details: Mountain Township, Washington County, Arkansas (Post Office: Mountain). John Guthery (age 38, farmer, born Tennessee—note discrepancy with 1850’s Alabama) with Nancy (age 31, born Missouri) and children including James (age 8, born Arkansas, attended school). Siblings: Mary (14), Malissa (11), John (5), Elisha (3). This is the only direct record of James alive.
    • Context and Nuances: Post-1850s Arkansas saw population growth from migration; the family farmed likely subsistence crops. James attending school implies some stability despite rural isolation. Discrepancy in John’s birthplace (AL vs. TN) is common in censuses due to enumerator errors or fluid state boundaries. Implication: James died after this but before 1878 (when a younger brother was named James Preston). Edge case: The blog notes the family is “not found” in some searches—try variant spellings or adjacent townships like Cove Creek.
    • Access: FamilySearch.org (free; Arkansas > Washington > Mountain) or Ancestry.com (subscription; Roll: M653_52, Page: 748). NARA microfilm M653, Roll 52.
  3. 1880 United States Federal Census
    • Details: Cove Creek Township, Washington County, Arkansas. John Guthrie (age 59, widower, farmer, born Tennessee) with children Elisha (23), Joseph (17), Sarah F. (19), and James (2— the younger brother, implying the elder James’s death). No Nancy, confirming her death 1878-1880.
    • Context and Nuances: Post-Civil War Arkansas had economic hardships; John’s widowhood and farming suggest resilience. Naming the youngest “James” honors the deceased elder, a common 19th-century practice. Implication: Indirect evidence of elder James’s death window. Edge case: 1870 census missing—possibly due to enumerator oversight, family relocation, or record loss in Reconstruction-era chaos.
    • Access: FamilySearch.org (free; search “John Guthrie” in 1880 Arkansas) or Ancestry.com (subscription; Roll: 59, Page: 702A). NARA microfilm T9, Roll 59.
  4. Arkansas County Marriage Records (if applicable)
    • Details: No direct marriage for John and Nancy (estimated 1845), but related records like siblings’ marriages (e.g., Sarah Guthrie to Columbus Wilburn, 15 June 1885, Washington County) provide family ties.
    • Context and Nuances: Pre-1850 marriages often unrecorded or lost. Nancy’s young age (16) fits era norms. Implication: No record found, but absence doesn’t disprove—use as proxy for family network.
    • Access: Arkansas County Marriages Index, 1837-1957 on Ancestry.com or FamilySearch.org. Washington County Courthouse archives (Fayetteville, AR) for originals, if extant.
  5. Potential Vital Records (Death/Burial)
    • Details: No formal death certificates for James (pre-1914), Nancy (1878), or John (1889). Burial locations unknown, likely unmarked family plots in Washington County.
    • Context and Nuances: Arkansas mortality schedules (1850-1880) sometimes list deaths; check 1880 schedule for Nancy. Implication: Rely on census gaps for death estimates. Edge case: Courthouse fires destroyed many records—cross-reference with church or land records.
    • Access: Arkansas Death Index (post-1914 only) irrelevant; try FindAGrave.com (no matches found) or local cemeteries like Strickler or Cove Creek.

Secondary Sources

These compile or interpret primary data, offering broader context on Guthrie migrations, Arkansas history, and related families. Use cautiously—verify with primaries—as they may contain errors or biases toward prominent lines.

  1. Guthrie Genealogy Blog (Online Resource)
    • Details: Dedicated site by a Guthrie researcher, with pages on James, parents, and siblings. Summarizes censuses, estimates dates, and notes DNA ties (Y-DNA Group 1A).
    • Context and Nuances: Modern compilation drawing from censuses and Ancestry trees. Strong on Arkansas Guthries but speculative on unrecorded events (e.g., death ranges). Implication: Excellent starting point for branch E; explores nuances like name recycling. Edge case: Blog author’s assumptions (e.g., no 1870 census) may overlook variants—double-check.
    • Access: Free online; updated periodically. Related Ancestry tree: https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/3406955/person/292257251463/facts.
  2. American Guthrie and Allied Families by Laurence Rawlin Guthrie (1933)
    • Details: Comprehensive genealogy of colonial Guthries, covering Pennsylvania, Virginia, and southern migrations. No direct entry for this John/Nancy/James, but sections on Arkansas Guthries (e.g., Christopher Columbus Jarrett Guthrie in Clarksville; Joseph Guthrie in Fort Smith) and broader lineages (e.g., John Guthries in Virginia/Tennessee). Includes allied families like Davis or Woods (relevant to siblings’ marriages).
    • Context and Nuances: Pre-DNA era book; focuses on Revolutionary War descendants but notes post-1800 emigrants to Arkansas. Implication: Useful for tracing potential origins of John Guthrie (AL/TN roots). Edge case: Omits minor branches like this one—may indicate this family was lesser-known or undocumented at publication.
    • Access: Free full text on Archive.org. Physical copies via libraries or reprints.
  3. History of Washington County, Arkansas (Local Histories)
    • Details: Books like History of Washington County, Arkansas (1889, Shiloh Museum reprint) or Pioneers of Washington County mention early settlers but no direct Guthries. Related: Arkansas Genealogical Society publications (e.g., Arkansas Family Historian, 1979-1989 issues) have queries on similar families, though none match this branch exactly.
    • Context and Nuances: County histories emphasize land grants and Civil War impacts; Guthries as farmers fit the narrative. Implication: Contextualizes rural life—e.g., Mountain Township’s isolation. Edge case: Sparse on poor families; focus on elites.
    • Access: Shiloh Museum of Ozark History (Springdale, AR) archives; PDFs on Arkansas Genealogical Society site (https://argensoc.org/; e.g., 1979 issue at https://argensoc.org/wp-content/uploads/afh/AFH173Sep1979.pdf—no Guthries, but model for queries).
  4. Online Genealogy Databases and Trees
    • Details: Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org trees link this family, often citing the blog or censuses. WikiTree has 6,947+ Guthrie profiles, including Arkansas entries (e.g., Izard County Guthries, potentially related). FindAGrave has memorials for later Guthries in Washington County.
    • Context and Nuances: User-generated; prone to errors but useful for leads (e.g., sibling migrations to California). Implication: DNA matches on Ancestry could confirm branch. Edge case: Conflicting trees (e.g., Nancy’s surname as “MNU”—maiden name unknown).
    • Access: Ancestry.com (subscription; search “James Guthrie 1852 Arkansas”); FamilySearch.org (free); WikiTree (free, collaborative).
  5. Arkansas Historical Commission Resources
    • Details: State archives hold land records (e.g., John’s possible homestead claims via GLO) and probate (post-1889 for John). No direct hits, but contextual for family farming.
    • Context and Nuances: Post-1836 Arkansas Territory records show settlement patterns. Implication: Land deeds might reveal inheritance if James lived longer. Edge case: Pre-1900 probates sparse.
    • Access: Arkansas State Archives (Little Rock; online catalog at https://ahc.digitalcollections.arkansas.gov/).

For completeness, consider related considerations: DNA testing (e.g., Y-DNA for Guthrie patriline) via FamilyTreeDNA’s Guthrie project; local societies like Washington County Genealogical Society for queries; or broader histories like Historic Families of Kentucky (1888) for southern migrations, though not direct. This list is not exhaustive—new digitizations may emerge. Start with censuses for verification, then secondary for expansion. If pursuing, document discrepancies (e.g., birthplace variations) to build a robust narrative.