THE ONE WHERE SAMUEL GUTHRIE DIES in NEW JERSEY in 1685/86.

If you have been researching Guthrie ancestors, chances are that you have come across ‘American Guthrie and Allied Families’ published in 1933 by Laurence R. Guthrie. His collective work provides a treasure trove of information. Through research, correspondence, and creative thinking, he pieced together stories from earlier published works, family worksheets, and from oral traditions handed down from older generations conveyed to him through the lens of time. Despite the wealth of information presented there, the book does not encompass or connect every Guthrie lineage in existence, nor is it without its flaws. Modern technology has debunked a few theories, or smoothed out some of the jumbled facts that tangled more than one Guthrie lineage. Still, there are mysteries within those pages to be solved. 

Got your detective hat on today?

Starting in ‘American Guthrie and Allied Families’ Book 1, Page 1 . . .
(Reading Options: Open Library, Family Search, Internet Archive, Ancestry’s Card Catalog – Database Online)

Five Guthrie men are introduced:
1) John Guthrie of the Jamestown Settlement, who came to America about 1652.
2) James Guthrie of Suffolk, Massachusetts who reportedly migrated to Bermuda
3) James Guthrey of Prince George’s County, Maryland, present there in 1676.
4) Robert Guthrie living at Block Island, Rhode Island in 1687.
5) Samuel Guthrie, living in Woodbridge, New Jersey in 1685.

A couple of these men have more detailed stories within American Guthrie and Allied Families. John Guthrie from York County and his descendants in King and Queen County, Virginia are covered extensively in the first pages of the book. The rest only come with a snippet that dead-ends into a brick wall.

Or so it seems…

New light has been shed onto the origins of SAMUEL GUTHRIE, who “lived in New Jersey apparently without family or kindred.” An abstract of the will of Samuel Guthrie, of Woodbridge, sick at the house of Richard Paull in Woodbridge. He makes David Vilant sole heir and executor. Signed Dec. 31. 1685. Teste: John Allance, John Walkins. Administration granted to David Vilant, of Perth Amboy, May 10, 1686.”

So many questions. . .
1) Who was Samuel Guthrie?
2) Where did he come from?
3) Why was he in New Jersey?
4) When did he get there?
4) Who were Richard Paull and David Vilant?
5) Why would Samuel Guthrie name David Vilant as has sole heir and executor?
6) Was Samuel Guthrie really without family or kindred?

Questions always create more questions. The more you learn, the more there is to discover.

The clues appear to be minimal. Credit for piecing them together goes to Derrick Johnstone, coordinator of the East Jersey Bound website/database. Johnstone contacted me to share the discovery that Samuel Guthrie is a direct descendant of Alexander Guthrie, 5th Baron Guthrie of that Ilk, his 2x great-grandfather.

The Lineage:
Alexander Guthrie 5th Baron Guthrie of that Ilk, and Agnes Falconer
Samuel Guthrie, litster, merchant, Edinburgh burgess/guild-brother, and Issobell Gairdyn
James Guthrie, merchant, burgess in Edinburgh, and Margaret Broun
Samuel Guthrie, merchant, burgess in Edinburgh, and Catharine Inglis

To verify these findings, I took a deep dive into the available records (that I could easily find online this week) and added the information to my Guthrie Research Tree, and to public profiles on WikiTree that include sources and/or in-line citations for your perusal. 
WikiTree: Alexander Guthrie, 5th Baron Guthrie of that Ilk (Spouse: Agnes Falconer)
WikiTree: Samuel Guthrie, Litster, Merchant Burgess of Edinburgh (Spouse: Issobell Gairdyn)
WikiTree: James Guthrie, Merchant Burgess of Edinburgh (Spouse: Margaret Broun)
WikiTree: Samuel Guthrie, Merchant Burgess of Edinburgh (Spouse: Catharine Inglis)

Let’s gather some facts…..

The date is 31 December 1685. Samuel Guthrie “presently of Woodville, New Jersey” is “sick at the house of Richard Paull of Woodville.” Two sequential documents provide the only known references to Samuel Guthrie in New Jersey.

1685 Dec. 31: BOND. SAMUEL GUTHRIE of Woodbridge to DAVID VILANT, gentleman, of Perth Amboy, for payment of a debt of £200. 

In addition to any personal belongings in Woodville, Samuel Guthrie, put up as his security, a house & land within the Kingdom of Scotland in the market in the South of the street in the City of Edinburgh, Scotland. Agents in Edinburgh were named as James Donaldson and James Somervaill.

1685. Dec. 31: LAST WILL and TESTAMENT of SAMUEL GUTHRIE presently in Woodbridge in the province of New Jersey, gentleman. Sick at the house of Richard Paul in Woodbridge, New Jersey.

David Vilant is named as the sole heir of his personal estate in Woodville, and his executor. The administration of the estate was granted to David Vilant with a bond of surety by Vilant and Robert Hardy on 30 August 1686.

Needed: A complete transcript of these entries. (PDF)
Land, Probate, and Court Records for New Jersey (searchable database)

Who was David Vilant of Perth Amboy, New Jersey? (Read More) (Check East Jersey Bound)He may have been a merchant, a lawyer, or both. Samuel Guthrie owed him £200 the reason for which is not known, but might be buried within the text of the bond.

Samuel Guthrie mentioned his house and land on the south side of the street in Edinburgh. This is the key to finding him, his family, and his ancestors back in Scotland.

The name Samuel is not the most common of Guthrie surnames, which is fortunate when conducting a search of one of Scotland’s largest cities even in the 1600s.

The National Records of Scotland’s catalogue search results in just 4 references when “Samuel Guthrie” is entered. Fortunately, one of them includes details: GD76/384 – Instrument of Sasine – 10 Dec 1683. Note the date is just 2 years before Samuel Guthrie’s death in Woodbridge, New Jersey.

“Instrument of sasine in favour of William Griersone, merchant, burgess of Edinburgh, and Marion Gardine, his spouse, of annualrent of £60 Scots granted to them in heritable bond, 11 August, 1682, by Samuel Guthrie, merchant, burgess of Edinburgh, with consent of Catherine Inglis, his spouse, over a tenement of templeland, with a hall, study, kitchen, shop and other chambers, in the Overbow of burgh of Edinburgh, lying on the south side of the lane, between lands of deceased George Goodweyter on east, a piece of land formerly waste and latterly pertaining to deceased James Wardlaw on west, tenement of deceased John Blackstack and James Ross on south, and the High Street on north, which tenement was apprised from deceased Robert Ramsay, merchant, burgess of Edinburgh, heir of John Ramsay, by deceased James Guthrie, father of said Samuel.“

The document describes a tenement lying on the south side of the lane in the burgh of Edinburgh. While it does not specifically spell out that this is the Samuel Guthrie who went to New Jersey within 3 years and died there, the description of the house’s location appears to match the information in the Bond/Will.

Importantly, we learn that Samuel Guthrie was a merchant burgess of Edinburgh, that his wife was Catherine Inglis, and that his father, deceased by 1683, was James Guthrie.

“A burgess was a merchant given trading rights within the Burgh. The title of Burgess could only be achieved by completing an apprenticeship to a burgess, by right of being a burgess’ son, or by marrying the daughter of a burgess.” (An Amateur’s Guide to Family History Research in Midlothian, Scotland)

Samuell Guthrie married Catharine Inglis on 25 January 1676 in Edinburgh.
(ScotlandsPeople. Marriages (OPR) Scotland, Edinburgh 685 / 1 page 165 of 358. Ref: 25 Jan 1676. Samuel Guthrie merchant. Catharine Inglis. National Records of Scotland.)

Children:
(ScotlandsPeople. Births (OPR) Scotland, Edinburgh 685 / 1. Parents: Samuell Guthrie/Catharine Inglis +variant spellings)

• Sarah Guthrie: abt. 5 Dec 1676 SCT – Unk
  • “Samuel Guthrie merchant & Catharine Inglis A D N Sarah. Witnesses: Andrew Young writer to her majesty’s signet, Robert Gairdine merchant, Mr William Henderson Bibliptgerar, John Gairdine merchant.”
  • Survival to adulthood, marital status, and issue unknown.
• Catharine Guthrie: abt. 27 Dec 1677 SCT – Unk
  • Samuell Guthrie merchant & Catharine Inglis A D N Catharine. Witnesses: Andrew young writer to her majesty’s signet; Robert Gairdine merchant, John Gairdine merchant, Mr William Henderson bibliothekar, James Guthrie merchant.
  • Survival to adulthood, marital status, and issue unknown.
• Samuel Guthrie: abt. 22 Jun 1679 SCT – Unk
  • “Samuell Guthrie merchant & Catherine Inglish A S N Samuell. Witnesses Andrew Young writer to her majesty’s signet, John Gairdine merchant, Mr Wm Henderson bibliothekar, __ Somerh__ writer and James Guthrie writer, James Guthrie merchant.”
  • Survival to adulthood, marital status, and issue unknown.
• Jean Guthrie: abt. 27 Jan 1680 SCT – Unk
  • “Samuel Guthrie merchant & Catherine Inglis A D N Jean. Witnesses: William Grier john Gairdin merchant, James Guthrie writer, John Cunningham tailor and Samuel Guthrie __ merchant.”
  • Survival to adulthood, marital status, and issue unknown.
• James Guthrie: abt. 28 Feb 1682 SCT – Unk
  • “Samuel Guthrie merchant & Catherine Inglis A S N James. Witnesses: John Gairdine, James Guthrie, merchant, James Guthrie writer, and Mr William Henderson bibliothekar.” 
  • Survival to adulthood, marital status, and issue unknown.

Did any of Samuel and Catharine’s children survive to adulthood? Are there other clues that lead to a traceable lineage?

As to why Samuel Guthrie headed for New Jersey between 1683 and 1685, we can only speculate that it was either as part of his mercantile business, or that he was planning ahead for the potential arrival of his family from Scotland. Although it is very curious that he would make no mention of his wife or children in his will.

(Read Description of 16th and 17th Century: Gloomy and Overpopulated Edinburgh)

Why East Jersey?

Scottish Colony, 1683 – “Following the acquisition of a share of East Jersey by Scottish Quaker and later Governor Robert Barclay, Scottish settlers were recruited and began to arrive in Perth Amboy and surrounding areas beginning in 1683. Most were not Quakers, but rather Calvanists from Edinburgh, Montrose, Aberdeen, and Kelso.”
(Klett, Joseph R. Using the Records of the East and West Jersey Proprietors. New Jersey State Archives.
(Klett, Joseph R. ‘An Account of East Jersey’s Seven Settled Towns, circa 1684‘. The Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey, Vol. 80, page 110.)

Middlesex County was established in East Jersey on 7 March 1683 and formally divided into Woodbridge, Perth Amboy, and Piscataway townships.

“Thomas Pearson brought his ship, Thomas and Benjamin, to East Jersey in the fall of 1684, and thereafter regarded himself as a resident of Perth Amboy.” Aboard that ship was a man transcribed as John Guthrie. Could the name Saml. have been misinterpreted as John on the original form? Or were there two Guthries in East Jersey at that time?
(The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography. “The Proprietors of the Province of East New Jersey, 1682-1702. July 1953 ed.)
Needed: Digital copy of original manifest.}

There is a connection between Thomas Pearson and David Vilant. In Nov 1684, Vilant bought the indenture of John Mackdonald, recently arrived aboard the Thomas and Benjamin, from Captain Thomas Pearson.
(Nelson, William, (1899) Calendar of Records in the Office of the Secretary of State, 1664-1703, p64. New Jersey Historical Society. New Jersey Archives. Paterson, N.J.: Press Printing and Publishing. Digital Repository: HathiTrust.) 

East Jersey Bound creator, Derrick Johnstone’s thesis on ‘Scots Emigrants to East Jersey, 1682-1702‘ provides some background on the motivations of Scottish merchants to acquire a foothold there. David Vilant was also one of these merchants.

We now know that Samuel Guthrie was a merchant burgess of Edinburgh, that he had a wife Catherine Inglis, whom he married in 1676, and children: Sarah (1676), Catharine (1677), Samuel (1679), Jean (1680), and James (1682). There are no more children documented for this couple in the OPR after 1682, another clue that an event of some sort occurred in 1683 or soon afterward. Samuel Guthrie died in Woodbridge, New Jersey sometime between the writing of his will on 31 Dec 1685 and 30 Aug 1686 when administration of his estate was granted to David Vilant.

Catharine’s parents remain unverified. There are two infants by the name Catharine Inglis born in Edinburgh during the 1650s: Alexander Inglis/Catharine Steill on 28 Oct 1653 and James Ingis/Anna Houston on 30 Oct 1659.

Did Catharine remarry after Samuel’s death? Maybe. The OPR include the marriage of a Catharin Inglis to James Bell in Edinburgh on 28 Dec 1685. However, this date is prior to Samuel Guthrie’s death on or after 31 Dec 1685. Hmm. More questions. This is the only OPR marriage record for any variant of Catherine’s name. Women were listed by their maiden surnames even after marriage. OPR Death Records for Edinburgh list several women of the name (or variants), but without a clear connection to Samuel Guthrie.

Looking back at the beginning of Samuel Guthrie’s life, we know that his father was James Guthrie, a merchant burgess in Edinburgh. Since Samuel’s birth date or age at his death is unknown, a broad estimation is appropriate. Catherine Inglis, his wife, was probably born in the 1650s. Samuel Guthrie was presumably an adult by the time of his marriage in 1676, and certainly by the time his youngest child was born in 1682.

A search at ScotlandsPeople’s Births (OPR) for infants named Samuel Guthrie born in Edinburgh to fathers named James without any limitation on birth year provides only 2 results for 1654 and 1688. The latter year of 1688 is automatically ruled out as it is after Samuel’s death.

The 1654 record is also comparable to the year for Catherine Inglis’ DOB in either 1653 or 1659.

20 October 1654: James Guthrie. Merchant. Margaret Broun. A.S. N. (a son named) Samuel. Witn: Samuel Guthrie, litster (dyer), Johne Meakle, James Broun, cordiner. Alexander Guthrie. David Guthrie. Samuel Meakle.
(ScotlandsPeople. Births (OPR) Scotland, Edinburgh 685/1 Page 540 of 651. 20 Oct 1654. Samuel Guthrie. Parents: James Guthrie and Margaret Broun.)

As we dive into records for James Guthrie and Margaret Broun’s generation, we’ll discover that Samuel Guthrie, litster (dyer) is James’ father and Samuel’s grandfather. Alexander and David Guthrie are James’ brothers and therefore Samuel’s uncles. John Meakle was the husband of James’ sister, Issobell Guthrie, and Samuel Meakle was their son, so the Meakles were uncle and 1st cousin to the infant Samuel Guthrie.

SAMUEL GUTHRIE, merchant burgess of Edinburgh, was born on or about 20 Oct 1654 to parents James Guthrie, merchant, and Margaret Broun. He married Catherine Inglis in Edinburgh on 25 Jan 1676. They had 5 children: children: Sarah (1676), Catharine (1677), Samuel (1679), Jean (1680), and James (1682). Samuel Guthrie travelled to East Jersey between 10 Dec 1683 and 31 Dec 1685. On the latter date he was sick at the home of Richard Paul in Woodbridge, New Jersey, in debt to David Vilant for £200. He wrote a bond and his last will and testament. His death occurred between 31 Dec 1685 and the date Vilant, his sole heir and executor, was granted administration of his estate on 30 Aug 1686.

JAMES GUTHRIE, merchant burgess in Edinburgh isn’t difficult to track down when you know where to look.

On 6 Dec 1624, Samuel Guthree, litster (dyer), and Issobell Gairdin A. S. N. (a son named) James. Wit: James Guthree, Hercules Cramond, James Gairdin. (ScotlandsPeople. Births (OPR) Scotland, Edinburgh. 685 / 1 Page 540 of 651. 6 Dec 1624. Samuel Guthree. National Records of Scotland.)

James Guthrie was in the mercantile business, as was his father, Samuel Guthrie, litster, merchant burgess and guild-brother of Edinburgh. Both James and his older brother, David Guthrie, were admitted to the Roll of Edinburgh Burgesses on 26 Sep 1655, but this was only after their father, Samuel Guthrie, and oldest brother, Alexander, had died.

Alexr. Guthrie, burgess and guild-brother, elder (corset), as eldest son to umquhille (deceased) Samuell Guthrie, litster, burgess and guild-brother. (11 Nov 1640)

David Guthrie, burgess and guild-brother, litster, eldest son to umqhille Samuell Guthrie, by right of said father, burgess and guild-brother. (26 Sep 1615) [Note: After Alexander’s death, and presumably Hercules and Johne, David was noted to be the eldest (surviving) son of Samuell Guthrie.]

James Guthrie, burgess and guild-brother, merchant, second son to umqhille (deceased) Samuell Guthrie, by right of said father, burgess and guild-brother. (26 Sep 1655) [Note: James was noted to be the second (surviving) son on the roll.]

No marriage record was found in the OPR for James Guthrie and Margaret Broun. They are presumed to have married prior to Samuel’s birth in 1654. He is the first of 5 children found in the Edinburgh records for the couple.

Children:

• Samuel Guthrie: abt. 20 Oct 1654 SCT – bef. 10 Aug 1686 NEW JERSEY
  • James Guthrie merchant & Margaret Broun A S N Samuel. Witn: Samuel Guthrie litster, Johne Meakle, James Broun, cordiner, Alexander Garedin, David Guthree, Samuel Meakle. 
  • Spouse: Catharine Inglis married 25 Jan 1676 in Edinburgh. 
  • Issue: Sarah (1676), Catharine (1677), Samuel (1679), Jean (1680), James (1682)
• Alexander Guthrie: abt. 20 Apr 1656 SCT – Unk
  • James Guthree merchant & Margaret Broun A S N Alexander. Witn: John Meake tailor, James Broun cornier, Alexander Gairdin merchant, David Guthrie, Wm Blair.
  • Survival to adulthood, marital status, and issue unknown
• James Guthrie: abt. 4 Oct 1657 SCT – Unk
  • James Guthree merchant & Margaret Broun A S N James. Witn: John Meakle, James Broun cornier, David Guthrie litster, Wm Blair merchant, James Broun younger, Alexander Gairdin and John Gairdin mrt.
  • Survival to adulthood, marital status, and issue unknown
• Johne Guthrie: abt. 8 May 1659 SCT – Unk
  • James Guthree, merchant, Margaret Broun, lawful son named Johne. Witnesses: John Meake tailor, Alexander Gardin, merchant, David Guthrie, litster.
  • Survival to adulthood, marital status, and issue unknown
• Jeane Guthrie: abt. 9 Nov 1661 – Unk
  • Umquhille (deceased) James Guthrie merchant & Margaret Broun A D N Jeane. Wit: Robert Sanded, William Greirson, John and Alexander Gairdin, merchants.
  • Survival to adulthood, marital status, and issue unknown

The birth/baptismal record of youngest daughter, Jeane Guthrie, reveals that her father James Guthrie died prior to 9 Nov 1661.

(Caution! Be aware that there is a misidentification error online. Some trees have supplanted this James Guthrie and replaced him with Rev. James Guthrie, Minister of Sterling who was executed in Edinburgh on 1 Jun 1661. This is not the same man. Different occupation. Different wife. Different children.)

JAMES GUTHRIE was born on or about 6 Dec 1624 to Samuel Guthrie, litster, merchant burgess of Edinburgh. Like his father, he was a merchant, and eventually added to the Roll of Burgesses of Edinburgh. He married Margaret Broun about 1654, when he was about 29-30 years of age. The couple had 5 children: Samuel (1654), Alexander (1656), James (1657), John (1659), and Jeane (1661). James Guthrie died in 1661, likely between February and November, location unknown. He would have been about 36-37 years old.

There is no record found in the OPR for SAMUEL GUTHRIE’s birth. Since it is known that he was a litster, and a merchant burgess and guild-brother in Edinburgh, a look at the Edinburgh Register of Apprentices and the Roll of Edinburgh Burgesses provides an unexpected revelation.

REGISTER of APPRENTICES:
16 Mar 1601: Samuel Guthrie, son to Alexander Guthrie of that Ilk, with John Gairdyn, litster.

26 Mar 1606: Hercules Guthrie, son to Alexander Guthrie of that Ilk, with James Gairdyn, litster.

ROLL of BURGESSES:
13 Apr 1608: Samuel Guthrie, burgess, litster (hagbuit), by right of wife Issobell, daughter to David Gairdin, litster, burgess. [Note: Hagbuit = Armed with a hagbut or arquebus. Act of 24 Dec 1567: “The billies and council ordains that “every man at the making of him burger sall obleis himself to hair jam spear sword buckler and steel bonet for serving of the billies and dude toun when thai hair ado & to keep the wappenshawing with the nychbors under sik pants as may be laid to their charge.”]

2 Sep 1612: Samuell Guthrie, guild-brother, merchant, burgess of befoir (corset), by right of Issobell, daughter to David Guardin, litster, burgess and guild-brother. [Note: Corslet = furnished with a corset, needed for admission as a guild-brother.]

11 Nov 1640: Alexr. Guthrie, burgess and guild-brother, elder (corset), as eldest son to umquhille (deceased) Samuell Guthrie, litster, burgess and guild-brother. [Note: Corslet = furnished with a corset, needed for admission as a guild-brother.]

31 May 1643: James Meikle, burgess and guild-brother, tailor (corset), by right of wife Issobell, daughter to Samuell Guthrie, lister, burgess and guild-brother.

26 Sep 1655: David Guthrie, burgess and guild-brother, litster, eldest son to umqhille Samuell Guthrie, by right of said father, burgess and guild-brother. (26 Sep 1615) [Note: After Alexander’s death, and presumably Hercules and Johne, David was noted to be the eldest (surviving) son of Samuell Guthrie.]

26 Sep 1655: James Guthrie, burgess and guild-brother, merchant, second son to umqhille (deceased) Samuell Guthrie, by right of said father, burgess and guild-brother. [Note: James was noted to be the second (surviving) son on the roll.]

Two men by the name Alexander Guthrie of that Ilk, successively held possession of the lands and title of Guthrie during the late 1500s to early 1600s, these being the 5th and 6th lairds, a father and son. Both Burke’s Commoners and Burke’s Gentry, and all other references quoting those references, list Alexander Guthrie 5th of that Ilk and spouse Agnes Falconer with three sons: Alexander (6th), William (7th) and Henry. Alexander Guthrie 6th of that Ilk married Jean Leighton, but they had no male issue, which resulted in his younger brother William Guthrie succeeding to Guthrie lands and title.

There is no mention of Alexander Guthrie of that Ilk, either 5th or 6th, with sons named Samuel and Hercules. The timing of their estimated birth dates suggests that they are probably the younger sons of Alexander, 5th of that Ilk.

Having a prominent father would explain how an apprenticeship was arranged. It is very interesting to see that the master litsters for both young men were John and James Gairdin. Samuel Guthrie also married a Gairdin daughter. The Guthries and Gairdin (Gairdyn) families were neighbors in Angus, and feuds over land, crops, and servants had resulted in murder on both sides. Alexander Guthrie 4th of that Ilk had been killed by Patrick Gairdyn, and his son William Guthrie took vengeance.

• Various apprentices were trained by Samuel Guthrie, litster, over the years:
  • William Davidson, second son to James Davidson, of Heirvestoune – 7 Apr 1619
  • Robert Goodie, son to late Robert Goudie, wright – 22 Mar 1622
  • Alexander Culloch, son to Thomas Culloch, merchant, burgess of Forres – 3 May 1626
  • William Blair, son to Thomas Blair, of Neve – 27 Jul 1631
  • John Garden or Gairden, son to Alexander Gairden of Gairden, of Cranston – 6 Aug 1634
  • Nicoll Heriot, son to Mr George Heriot, minister at Kirkmahoe – 25 Nov 1640

Samuel Guthrie married Issobell Gairdin (or Gairdyn), daughter of David Gairdin, litster, Burgess of Edinburgh on 21 Jan 1608.

Just a few months later, on 13 Apr 1608, Samuel was officially admitted to the Roll of Edinburgh Burgesses by right of his wife, Issobell, daughter of David Gairdin, litster, burgess. Duties were payable for burgesship and guildbrothership. Burgesses had to be married and reside within the Burgh. Craftsmen could not be burgesses unless they had completed an apprenticeship. The guild occasionally named someone to the roll ‘gratis’ for their good deeds to the town.

Children: 10

• Alexander Guthrie: abt. 11 Jun 1609 – 20 May 1646, Burgess of Edinburgh, Merchant
  • 11 Jun 1609: Samuell Guthre merchant and Issobell Gairdin A S N Alexander. W: Samuel Gairdin in L___ and James Gairdin. (OPR Edinburgh 685/1 page 376 of 405)
  • Marital Status and Issue Unknown.
  • Legal Records: Wills and Testaments – 20 May 1646 – Alexander Guthrie, merchant, burgess of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Commissary Court CC8/8/62
• Sara Guthrie: abt. 3 Mar 1611 St Cuthbert’s – Unk
  • 3 Mar 1611: Samuell Guthrie met & Issobell Gairdin A D N Sara. W: ____Gairdin. (OPR Edinburgh 685/1 page 80 of 280)
  • Survival to adulthood, marital status, issue unknown.
• David Guthrie: abt. 23 Jul 1612 – 14 May 1661, Burgess of Edinburgh, Litster
  • 23 Jul 1612: Samuell Guthrie merchant & Issobell Gairdin A S N David. W: David Gairdin, Alexander ___ (OPR Edinburgh 685/1 page 52 of 338)
  • Spouse: Agnes Fairlie m. 3 Jun 1647
  • After the death of Alexander, his older brother, David Guthrie was admitted as a burgess and guild-brother by right of his late father, Samuell Guthrie, litster, on 26 Sep 1655.
  • Guthrie Children: Issobell, Issobell, Agnes, Samuel, Margaret, David
• Hercules Guthrie: abt. 29 Jul 1613 – bef. 26 Sep 1655
  • 29 Jul 1613: Samuelll Guthree Merchant & Issobell Gairdin A S N Hercules. w: Johne Lyndsay, Barth. Fleming (OPR Edinburgh 685/1 page 82 of 338)
  • Survival to adulthood, marital status, issue unknown.
  • Presumed dead before 26 Sep 1655 when younger brothers are admitted to Roll of Edinburgh Burgesses.
• Issobell Guthrie: abt. 27 Apr 1615 – abt. 23 Jan 1649
  • 27 Apr 1615: Samuell Guthrie merchant & Issobell Gairdin A D N Issobell. w: George Crawford, Robert Guthrie. (OPR Edinburgh 685/1 page 129 of 338)
  • Spouse: Johnne Meakle, tailor
  • Meakle Children: Samuel, Issobell, Johnne, James
• Agnes Guthrie: abt. 9 Feb 1617 – aft. 1635
  • 9 Feb 1617: Samuel Guthrie litster & Issobell Gairdin A D N Agnes. w: Hercules Cramond, Hercules Guthrie (OPR Edinburgh 685/1 page 180 of 388)
  • Spouse: William Chisholme m. 17 Oct 1633
  • Chisolme Children: Christiane
• Johne Guthrie: abt. 11 Oct 1618 – bef. 20 Sep 1655
  • 11 Oct 1618: Samuel Guthrie litster & Issobell Gairdin A S N Johne. w: Johnne Gairdin, Hercules Guthrie (OPR Edinburgh 685/1 page 231 of 338)
  • Survival to adulthood, marital status, issue unknown.
  • Presumed dead before 26 Sep 1655 when younger brothers are admitted to Roll of Edinburgh Burgesses.
• Jeane Guthrie: abt. 30 Jan 1620 – Unk
  • 30 Jan 1620: Samuel Guthrie litster & Issobell Gairdin A D N Jeane. W: Johnne Gairdin, Hercules Guthrie. (OPR Edinburgh 685/1 page 275 of 338)
  • Survival to adulthood, marital status, issue unknown.
• Nicolas Guthrie: abt. 25 Dec 1621 – Unk
  • 25 Dec 1621: Samuel Guthree litster & Isobell Gairdin A D N Nicolas. W: Mr Johnne Guthrie minister, Alexander Barbour weaver, Hercules Cramond merchant. (OPR Edinburgh 685/1 page 338 of 338)
  • Survival to adulthood, marital status, issue unknown.
• Barbara Guthrie: abt. 19 Apr 1623 – Unk
  • Saturday Afternoon 19 Apr 1623: Samuel Guthrie litster & Issobell Gairdin a daughter Barbara. W: Hercules Guthrie, James Guthrie. (OPR Edinburgh 685/1 page 51 of 323)
  • Survival to adulthood, marital status, issue unknown.
• James Guthrie: abt. 6 Dec 1624 – 1661
  • 6 Dec 1624: Samuel Guthrie litster & Issobell Gairdin A S N James. w: James Guthrie, Hercules Cramond, James Gairdin. (OPR Edinburgh 685/1 page 98 of 323)
  • Spouse: Margaret Broun – married about 1654
  • Guthrie Children: Samuel, Alexander, Johne, Jeane
• Andrew Guthrie: abt. 19 Mar 1626 – Unk
  • 19 Mar 1626: Samuell Guthrie litster & Issobell Gairdin a sonne named Andrew. w: Mr Andrew Ramsay, Alexander Barbour, and Johnne Gairdin. (OPR Edinburgh 685/1 page 146 of 323)
  • Survival to adulthood, marital status, issue unknown.

SAMUEL GUTHRIE, litster, merchant burgess of Edinburgh and guild-brother was a son of Alexander Guthrie of that Ilk and spouse Agnes Falconer. He served an apprenticeship with Johnne Gairdyn, lytster. He married Issobell Gairdin, a daughter of David Gairdin, merchant burgess of Edinburgh. Months later, he was officially admitted to the roll of Edinburgh Burgesses by right of his wife, as a daughter of a burgess. He was later admitted as a guild-brother. Samuel and Issobell had 10 children whose births/baptisms are recorded in the Old Parish Registers of Edinburgh. Samuel died about 1640 afterwhich his son, Alexander Guthrie, was admitted to the Roll of Edinburgh Burgesses.

According to the Edinburgh Register of Apprentices, 1583-1666, SAMUEL GUTHRIE and HERCULES GUTHRIE were sons of ALEXANDER GUTHRIE of that ILK.

16 Mar 1601: Samuel Guthrie, son to Alexander Guthrie of that Ilk, with John Gairdyn, litster.

26 Mar 1606: Hercules Guthrie, son to Alexander Guthrie of that Ilk, with James Gairdyn, litster.

Alexander Guthrie, 5th Baron Guthrie of that Ilk, was born about 1542-1551 (See Age Calculations) His marriage to Agnes Falconer, daughter of Sir Alexander Falconer, of Halkerton, and Elizabeth Douglas, took place on 15 Apr 1567.

Alexander Guthrie, 5th of Guthrie, was a member of the King’s Bodyguard of 25 Gentleman Pensioners, otherwise known as the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms. The corps was established during the reign of King Henry VIII in 1509. When James VI became James I of England upon Queen Elizabeth I’s death in 1603, the corps served the sovereign in both Scotland and England. Their duty was to provide a mounted escort and serve as the King’s bodyguard, but by James’ reign the role was more ceremonial.

The children of Alexander Guthrie and Agnes Falconer are not found listed in the Old Parish Registers. The earliest recorded births and baptisms are from 1553 beginning just a decade before their marriage. John Burke’s ‘The Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland, Vol.II“ section on the Guthries of Guthrie lists this couple with 3 sons: Alexander Guthrie and William Guthrie, successively barons of Guthrie, and Henry Guthrie. There is no reference made to other children male or female.

The commissariat record of Edinburgh, Register of Testaments, documents Alexander Guthrie’s will or death on 16 Jan 1588-9.

Alexander’s wife, Agnes Falconer, passed away on or about 2 Nov 1591.

The succession of Guthrie lands and title went to eldest son, Alexander Guthrie, 6th of that Ilk, Although he married Jean Leighton, they reportedly had no male issue. Any female issue remain undocumented or at least undiscovered.

The succession fell next upon Alexander’s brother William Guthrie the next male heir in line, but he too had no male heirs.

Why then were Henry, Samuel, and Hercules and their lines of descent not the next up for inheritance? Because William Guthrie first wadset (mortgaged) a part of the barony of Guthrie to his distant cousin, David Guthrie of Kincaldrum, on the 19th and 23rd Apr 1621 for 22,000 merks (£1222.4s.5-3/4d sterling).

Even though the family of Alexander Guthrie and Agnes Falconer has expanded by two sons, Samuel Guthrie and Hercules Guthrie, there are still details to be discovered. There are numerous Scottish records online that could be hiding Guthrie data. Do Alexander and Agnes’ descendants by Samuel Guthrie survive in the present day? If they do, let’s gather some evidence.

The Lineage:

• Alexander Guthrie 5th Baron Guthrie of that Ilk, and Agnes Falconer
  • Alexander (6th), William (7th), Henry, Samuel, Hercules
• Samuel Guthrie, litster, merchant, Edinburgh burgess/guild-brother, and Issobell Gairdyn
  • Alexander (1609), Sara (1611), David (1612), Hercules (1613), Issobell (1615), Agnes (1617), Johne (1618), Jeane (1620). Nicholas (1621), Barbara (1623), James (1624), Andrew (1626)
• James Guthrie, merchant, burgess in Edinburgh, and Margaret Broun
  • Samuell (1654), Alexander (1656), James (1657), Johne (1659), Jeane (1661)
• Samuel Guthrie, d.1685/86 NewJersey, merchant, burgess in Edinburgh, and Catharine Inglis
  • Sarah (1676), Catharine (1677), Samuel (1679), Jean (1680), James (1682)

WikiTree Profile: Alexander Guthrie, 5th Baron Guthrie of that Ilk (Spouse: Agnes Falconer)
WikiTree Profile: Samuel Guthrie, Litster, Merchant Burgess of Edinburgh (Spouse: Issobell Gairdyn)
WikiTree Profile: James Guthrie, Merchant Burgess of Edinburgh (Spouse: Margaret Broun)
WikiTree Profile: Samuel Guthrie, Merchant Burgess of Edinburgh (Spouse: Catharine Inglis)

Guthrie, Laurence R (1933) American Guthrie and allied families : lineal representations of the colonial Guthries of Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, North and South Carolina, some post-revolutionary emigrants and of some allied families. Chambersburg, Pa.: Kerr Print. Co. Digital Repositories: Open Library, Family Search, Internet Archive, Ancestry’s Card Catalog – Database Online8

Johnstone, Derrick. Database Online: East Jersey Bound. Scots emigrants to East New Jersey in the 1680s. Ref: Samuel Guthrie, Person ID 146278, b. Oct 1654 Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland.

Derrick Johnstone’s thesis on ‘Scots Emigrants to East Jersey, 1682-1702‘

Early Land Records, ca.1650-1900s. Land, Probate, and Court Records (NJ), New Jersey State Archives: Searchable Databases and Records Request Forms, State of New Jersey, Department of State, New Jersey, USA. REF: Guthrie, Samuel of Woodbridge. A (EJ) : Folio 265-266 (SSTSE023)

Nelson, William, (1899) Calendar of Records in the Office of the Secretary of State, 1664-1703, p64. New Jersey Historical Society. New Jersey Archives. Paterson, N.J.: Press Printing and Publishing. Digital Repository: HathiTrust.

National Records of Scotland. Catalogue Search. https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue/search.aspx?st=1&tc=y&tl=n&tn=n&tp=n&k=GUTHRIE&ko=p&r=&ro=s&df=&dt=&di=y

National Records of Scotland. Catalogue Search. GD76/384: Instrument of Sasine dated 10 Dec 1683. “Instrument of sasine in favour of William Griersone, merchant, burgess of Edinburgh, and Marion Gardine, his spouse, of annualrent of £60 Scots granted to them in heritable bond, 11 August, 1682, by Samuel Guthrie, merchant, burgess of Edinburgh, with consent of Catherine Inglis, his spouse, over a tenement of templeland, with a hall, study, kitchen, shop and other chambers, in the Overbow of burgh of Edinburgh, lying on the south side of the lane, between lands of deceased George Goodweyter on east, a piece of land formerly waste and latterly pertaining to deceased James Wardlaw on west, tenement of deceased John Blackstack and James Ross on south, and the High Street on north, which tenement was apprised from deceased Robert Ramsay, merchant, burgess of Edinburgh, heir of John Ramsay, by deceased James Guthrie, father of said Samuel.”

Burgesses & Guild Brethren. An Amateur’s Guide to Family History Research in Midlothian, Scotland.

Klett, Joseph R. Using the Records of the East and West Jersey Proprietors. New Jersey State Archives.

Klett, Joseph R. ‘An Account of East Jersey’s Seven Settled Towns, circa 1684‘. The Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey, Vol. 80, page 110.

Grant, Francis J (1906). Scottish Record Society: The Register of Apprentices of the City of Edinburgh, 1583-1666. Volume 1: 29 May 1583 to 28 Dec 1647. Ref: p.77 (image 87 of 222) Guthrie Entries. “Guthrie, Samuel, son to Alexander G., of that Ilk, with John Gairdyn, litster. 16 Mar 1601.” and “Guthrie, Hercules, son to Alexander G., of that Ilk, with James Gairdyn, litster. 26 Mar 1606.” Digital Repository: HathiTrust.

 Watson, Charles B. Boog (1929) Scottish Record Society: Roll of Edinburgh Burgesses, 1406-1700. Ref: p.223 “James Guthrie, burgess and guild-brother, merchant, second son to umqhille (deceased) Samuell Guthrie, by right of said father, burgess and guild-brother.” Note: Same day as older brother David. Listed as a ‘second son’ which may indicate that some of his other brothers were deceased prior to potential admission to the roll and guild. Digital Repository: HathiTrust.

ScotlandsPeople. Old Parish Registers (OPR) Scotland, Edinburgh 685/1

John Burke’s ‘The Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland, Vol.II“

Angus or Forfarshire. The Land and People. Descriptive and Historical. By Alex. J. Warden FSA Scot. Author of “The Linen Trade” and “The Burgh Laws of Dundee. Vol III. Dundee. Charles Alexander & Co. 1882.

 Scotland’s People. Wills and Testaments Reference Edinburgh Commissary Court. Guthrie, Alexander of that Ilk in Angus. 16 Jan 1589. CC8 / 8 / 19. Testament Testamentary and Inventory.

The Commissariot Record of Edinburgh, Register of Testaments. Ancestry.com. The commissariot record of Edinburgh, register of testaments. [database on-line]. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. Original data:The commissariot record of Edinburgh, register of testaments.. Edinburgh: British Record Society, Scottish Section, 1897. Ref: p.118 (image 123 of 309). “Guthrie, Alexander, of that Ilk in Angus. 16 Jan 1588-9”

The Commissariot Record of Edinburgh, Register of Testaments. Ancestry.com. The commissariot record of Edinburgh, register of testaments. [database on-line]. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. Original data:The commissariot record of Edinburgh, register of testaments.. Edinburgh: British Record Society, Scottish Section, 1897. Ref: p.90 (image 95 of 309). “Falconer, Agnes, sometime spouse to Alexander Guthrie of that Ilk, in Angus. 2 Nov. 1591.”

Scotlands People. Wills and Testaments. Edinburgh Commissary Court. Falconer, Agnes sometime spouse to Alexander Guthrie of that Ilk, in Angus. 2 Nov 1591. Testament Dative and Inventory. CC8 / 8 / 23.