2A-A: Mary Guthrie

Mary Guthrie a1765MD – 1840TN & Alexander McMenamy
of Maryland, North Carolina, and Tennessee

MARY GUTHRIE
Parents: James Guthrie c1720IRE-1801NC & Elizabeth (MNU)
Born: Before 1765
Birth Location: Either Northern Ireland or Maryland
Marriage: Alexander McMenamy on 9 May 1795 in Orange County, North Carolina, USA
Death: 1840
Death Location: Wilson County, Tennessee, USA
Burial Location: Unknown, presumably Wilson County, Tennessee, USA
Notes: Mary Guthrie is probably the eldest of the Guthrie children. It is difficult to pin down her exact DOB, but it was prior to 1765. She may have been born in either Northern Ireland or Maryland. The family moved from Maryland to Orange County, North Carolina prior to 1781. She married Alexander McMenamy on 9 May 1795 when she was about 30 years of age. He was 36. Her two brothers had married in 1791 and moved to Tennessee by this time. She had 4 children with Alexander. They remained in North Carolina until about 1810 and afterward moved to Murfreesboro, Rutherford, TN where they located by 1820. Both Mary and Alexander died about 1840 reportedly in Wilson County, TN.

ALEXANDER MCMENAMY
Parents: John McMenamy 1738IRE – 1800/01NC & Sarah Jane Robeson
Born: 15 Sep 1758
Birth Location: Halifax County, Virginia
Occupation: Farmer
Military Service: American Revolutionary War Soldier
Death: 1840
Death Location: Wilson County, Tennessee, USA
Burial Location: Unknown, presumably in Wilson County, TN
Notes: There are over 100 variations of the McMenamy surname, so the variant used here may be different than what is seen in all documents. Alexander McMenamy was the eldest of 4. He participated in the Revolutionary War initially entering service as a volunteer under Capt John Oldum in a regiment commanded by Col Stephen Moore. He took sick and was furloughed on 12 June 1779, but was back again by 15 March 1781 when he took part at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse and served as volunteer as a 1st Sergeant in Capt George Oldum’s company for 5 months and as a mounted gunman for 2 months under Capt. William Sanders in a regiment commanded by Col. William Moore . In 1782 he enlisted as a soldier in the company of Capt Jacob Rayford, 1st Regiment NC State Troops, and then as its Captain until honorably discharged 20 Dec 1783.

FYI: There are about 100 spelling variations of the McMenamin/McMenamy surname and several are found within the tree based on the most commonly used spelling in the records. For the purposes of this particular page, I am sticking with McMenemy. Descendants are invited to join the McMenamin/McMenamy/McM* DNA Project utilizing AncestryDNA, Family Tree DNA, transferred other autosomal tests, as well as Y-DNA testing of McM* men. I am the admin for both the Guthrie and McM* DNA Projects.

MCMENAMY CHILDREN: 3-4

CHILD 1: SALLY MCMENAMY
1788NC – 1834IL
Spouse: John Blurton m. 29 Mar 1811 Wilson, TN (Children: 7)
There are 2 mysteries here. According to the listed birth date (can’t find an original) Sally McMenamy was born on 2 June 1788 in Orange County, North Carolina, which would indicate that she was born prior to the marriage of Alexander and Mary. She could be the daughter of one of these people via a previous unidentified marriage, or both if born out of wedlock. The second issue comes with her marriage or marriages. The records of Caswell County, North Carolina indicates that Temple Byrd obtained a license to marry Sally McMenamy dated 28 May 1809, and so trees (including mine) list this as a marriage date. However, Temple Byrd is also listed as marrying Nancy Fuller on 14 July 1809 in Caswell County, NC. Upon his death on 10 Jan 1810, it is Nancy who is listed as the administrator of his estate. When Sally married John Blurton in Wilson County, Tennessee on 29 March 1811 the name listed on their marriage record is ‘Sally McMinnaway’, her maiden name. I propose that while Temple Byrd filed a marriage license to marry Sally in NC, that they never went ahead with the marriage. Instead, he married Nancy Fuller a couple of months later, and Sally chose to move to Tennessee with her parents. Sally and John Blurton had up to 7 children. Note there is a 12-yr gap between John and Jesse. She died in 1834. John remarried on 8 August 1837 in Marion, Illinois to Sarah Garner. They had 5 additional children: Franklin Monroe Blurton, George Washington Blurton, Susan Catherine Blurton, Wesley Blurton, and Alexander Blurton.
Blurton Children:
1) Nancy Blurton c1811TN-1850IL m. John Hammer (Children: 4)
Nancy was born in Tennessee about 1811. Her parents moved from Wilson County, TN to Marion County, Illinois by 1830. Nancy married John Hammer there on 17 Sep 1840. They had 4 children: William Henry (1841), Sarah A (1844), John Wesley (1847) and Jesse (1849). After Nancy’s death on 28 Sep 1850, her husband would remarry and have more children. He died on 5 May 1883 in Kinmundy, Marion, IL.
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: No

2) Elizabeth Blurton c1812TN-1844IL married Joseph Gray (Children: 5)
Born in Wilson County, TN about 1812, Elizabeth moved to Marion County, Illinois with her parents. by 1830. On 11 June 1831, she married Joseph Gray, who was also born in Wilson, TN. They had 5 children born between 1836 and 1843: William Harrison (1836), Esther (1839), James Harvey (1840), Mary (1841), and Rebecca (1843). Elizabeth died the next year in Salem, Marion, IL. Joseph Gray died in 1858.
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: No

3) William B Blurton born c1813TN m1.Margaret McHenry (Children: 1), m2.Mrs Martha Edgar Croyon (Children: 3 / Stepchildren: 1)
The eldest son of the family was William B Blurton, born about 1813 in Wilson County. He was a farmer. William was about 24 at his marriage to Margaret McHenry. They had 1 daughter. Margaret died in 1858. The next year on 27 Mar 1859, William married widow Martha (Edgar) Croyon. She had a daughter, Laura born about 1856. William and Martha movedto Missouri where he found work as a carpenter. They added 3 children to the family: William (1860), Robert (1865), and Mamie (1867). William died after the 1880 census. Martha lived until 1912.
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: No

4) John Blurton 1817TN-1908MO m. Cynthia Prewett (Children: 8)
John was born in Wilson County, TN on 29 Dec 1817. He are up in Marion County, Illinois where he married Cynthia Preset on 28 Dec 1841. John became a farmer. Their first child, born in 1842, died in infancy. Other children were: Robert (1842), John William (1844), Maria Jane (1857), Harriet (1851), William (1854), George (1856, and Monroe (1859). They moved to Davis County, Iowa, and prior to the 1870 census moved again to settle in Prairie, Schuyler, Missouri. John served for three years during the Civil War enlisting in Company B second Missouri State Cavalry. Cynthia died 31 Mar 1908 and John a few months later on 15 Sep 1908. They are buried at Myers Cemetery in Queen City, Schuyler, Missouri.
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: No

5) Jesse L Blurton 1828TN-1870IL m. Lucy Cole (Children: 4)
Like most of his siblings, Jesse was born in Wilson County, TN. He married Lucy Cole on 7 Aug 1850 setting up their household just in time to be enumerated together for the 1850 census. They had 4 children: John Thomas (1851), Louisa (1856), James Monroe (1860), and George Riley (1866). Jesse died when he was only 42 years old on 16 Aug 1870 in Marion, IL. Lucy died in 1881.
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: No

6) Mary Blurton c1830IL – p1850IL
No further details.
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: No

7) Sarah Jane Blurton born 1832IL-1916IL m. Miles/Myers G Allen (Children: 4)
The youngest Blurton was born 4 June 1832 in Marion County, IL. She married Miles or Myers Allen on 23 Jun 1858 when she was about 26 years old. They had 4 sons: John Monroe (1859), Henry J (1864), and William L (1873), and a fourth, possibly George. Miles/Myers may have died during the Civil War or at least prior to 1880 when Sarah is listed as a widow. She died on 26 Jan 1916 at Kinmundy, Marion, IL.
Y-DNA Project Participant: N/A – descendant of a female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Project Participant: No

CHILD 2: WILLIAM ‘JOHN’ MCMENAMY
1795NC – 1875TX
Spouse: Permelia Ward m. 1814 (Children: 8 – 10)
William John McMenamy was born on 19 February 1795 in Caswell County, North Carolina. His parents moved to Tennessee where they lived in Rutherford County around 1810-20 and later Wilson County. He married Permelia Ward presumably in Tennessee around 1810-1814. She is credited with being the mother of James B McMenamy born c1810, which would make both parents about 15. No documented original source. The family journey reportedly took them from Tennessee to Macon County, Illinois prior to ending up in Fannin, Texas.
McMenamy Children:
1) James B McMenamy/McMinnamy 1810-1860TN. (Marriage/Children: Unknown)
No further data. Need to verify this child.

2) John Horace McMenamy 1814TN-1877IL m. Nancy Eveline Hill (Children: 2)
John H McMenamy was born in Rutherford County, TN. When he was only about 17 the family moved to Macon County, Illinois where John signed up in Decatur, IL as a private in the Black Hawk War under W. Warnick’s company 1831-1832. See also the History of Macon County, IL, p.80. He served as sheriff of Macon County in 1835. John married on 22 May 1844 Nancy Eveline Hill. They had a son George, born about 1845 who died young. Their other son, Benjamin Franklin McMenamy (1847) became a doctor and settled with his wife Ann E Smith in Bethany, Moultrie, IL. The Decatur Weekly Republican, on 27 Oct 1887, published the following personal mention: Dr McMenamy is arranging to put up a $1300 residence at Bethany. He has been in consultation with Architect Baldwin.. The Herald and Review published 29 Nov 1894 for Moultrie County: Wm Stables to B. F. McMenamy, part of Block 1 in Bethany; consideration $700. The Daily Review on 5 Dec 1894 published the same. John Horace McMenamy ‘s wife Nancy died in 1853. He died in 1877
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie (See McMenamin/McMenamy DNA Project)
Autosomal DNA Participants: No

3) Lucinda C McMenamy 1816TN-1839IL m1. James Ward Warnock (Children: 7), m2. Elias Martin (Child: 1)
Lucinda was born in Rutherford County, TN, but the family soon moved to Macon County, Illinois. On 26 Sep 1839, at 22 years old, she married James Ward Warnick, a son of William Clark and Nancy Jane Warnick. They had also come from Rutherford, TN. James was a farmer. They had 7 children: Nancy (1843), Sarah (c1843), William (1844), James Milton (1845), Mary Ellen (1847), Robert Henry (1850), and John (1853). Her husband James died on 19 Feb 1853 in Boody, Macon, Illinois. His will was probated 21 Jun 1854. Lucinda remarried about 1855 to Elias Martin. They had one son. Lucinda’s death came on 31 Dec 1839 in Sagamon, Illinois.
Warnock Children: 7
Martin Children: 1
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: No

4) William Washington McMenamy 1819TN-1887TX m. Evaline ‘Effie’ Burch (Children: 11)
Born in Rutherford, TN on 22 July 1819, William’s family moved when he was a boy to Illinois where they remained for a time before settling in Texas. He married in Collin County, Texas on 30 Dec 1852 to Eveline ‘Effie’ Bunch. They had a large family with 11 children born between 1853 and 1876, namely Martha Jane (1853), Mary Eveline (1857), Mahala Artimuss (1859), Sarah Elizabeth (1861), Serena Viola (1863-1863), Viola Semira (1864), William Benjamin (1864), Permelia Ellen / Emaline (1866), Laura Ann (1869), Celia Arlena (1875), and son J W (1876). William was a farmer. He died on 31 Aug 1887 and his wife Effie the following year in 1888.
McMenamy Children: 11
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie (See McMenamin/McMenamy DNA Project)
Autosomal DNA Participants: No

5) Isaac A McMenamy 1821TN-1887TX m. Nancy E Gwaltney (Children: 8)
Isaac was born in 1821 in Rutherford, TN. He spent time in Illinois during his boyhood when his family moved there. He was in Fannin, TX when he married his wife Nancy E Gwaltney on 8 Jan 1844. He was a farmer. They settled in Collin County, Texas by 1860 after most or all of their children were born. They had eight kids: John Franklin (1845), William Henry (1846), Mary P (1849), Martha Jane (1851), Sarah Eveline (1853), Jeremiah ‘Jerry’ Benjamin (1855), George M (1858), and Nancy M (1860). Isaac died on 31 Aug 1887 in Collin, TX. Nancy was in Johnson County, TX on 7 June 1894 when she died.
McMenamy Children: 8
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie (See McMenamin/McMenamy DNA Project)
Autosomal DNA Participants: No

6) Sarah M McMenamy born in 1825TN m. Sinclair Jones (Children: Unknown)
Sarah was born in Rutherford County, TN, either about 1818 or 1825 depending on the census record. She married Sinclair Jones on 16 Mar 1857 in Fannin County, TX. It is unknown when he died or if they had any children. The next sighting of Sarah comes during the 1900 census when she is 82 and living in her nephew, George McManaway’s home in Chickasaw, Pontotoc, Oklahoma.
Jones Children: None Known
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: No

7) Jeremiah John McMenamy 1825TN-1904OK m1. Mary Barber (Children: 3), m2. Eliza Ellen Ray (Children: 3)
Born in Rutherford County, TN on 5 Sep 1825, Jeremiah soon moved to Illinois with his family and next to Fannin County, Texas. He was listed as a laborer in 1850. He married 18 Jan 1854 to Mary Barber. They had 2 sons, John Dorris (1856) & Andy Allen (1858), and a daughter, Permelia Jane (1858). Uncertain if Mary died or they divorced. Now a farmer, Jeremiah remarried on 1 May 1660 in Grayson, TX to Eliza Ellen Ray and they lived in Grayson and Collin Counties, TX before moving north to Indian Territory (Oklahoma). They had 3 daughters: Mary (1862), Belle (1866), and Josephine (1870). Eliza died in 1878. Jeremiah’s death came on 31 May 1904 in Lincoln County, Oklahoma.
McMenamy Children: 6
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie (See McMenamin/McMenamy DNA Project)
Autosomal DNA Participants: No

8) Mary A C McMenamy 1827TN – aft. 1850 (Marriage / Children: Unknown)
Daughter Mary was born in Rutherford, TN about 1827, and would have moved to Illinois with her parents and siblings prior to arriving in Fannin County, TX before the 1850 census. At that time, she was still single and living at home. No further details.
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: No

9) J M McMenamy 1832IL – aft. 1850 (Marriage / Children: Unknown)
James was born about 1832 while the family was living in Macon County, Illinois. They moved to Fannin, TX prior to 1850 when he was 18 years old, working as a laborer, and living with his parents and siblings. No further details.
McMenamy Children: None Known
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie (See McMenamin/McMenamy DNA Project)
Autosomal DNA Participants: No

10) J A McMenamy 1845TX – aft. 1850 (Marriage / Children: Unknown)
This boy born in Texas, may actually be a grandchild instead of their son. He was born 13 years after the last child and Permelia would have been about 50.
McMenamy Children: Unknown
Y-DNA Project Participant: N/A – descendant of a female Guthrie (See McMenamin/McMenamy DNA Project)
Autosomal DNA Project Participant: No

CHILD 3: MARY ANN MCMENAMY
1798NC – bef.1850TN
Spouse: John Harpole m. 20 Sep 1824 Rutherford, TN (Children: 2)
Mary Ann McMenamy was born 20 Jun 1798 in Caswell County, NC. An alternate year of 1788 is also found in place as is an alternate birthplace of Pendleton, WV. Pendleton, VA was formed in 1788 from parts of Augusta, Hardy and Rockingham Counties. WV officially came into being in 1863. I have seen no original documentation listing a full DOB or location. There is a marriage record for widower John Harpole on 20 Sep 1824 in Rutherford County, TN. This is an appropriate location for this McMenamy family. Harpole’s first wife was Elizabeth Swingley whom he married in 1816 in Wilson County, TN and by whom he had 3 sons: Solomon Wesley Harpole, Albert Carroll Harpole, and Wilson Page Harpole. He is listed in the 1820 census for Wilson, TN. After that John Harpole appears in the Obion County, TN census and reportedly died there on 12 Feb 1861. The 1830 census lists his wife as 40-49 years of age (born 1781-1790), and the 1840 census as 50-59 (1781-1790). She is not listed in the 1850 census, which shows John Harpole, 59, Page Harpole (son) 28, Milly Harpole (dau) 21, and William Harpole. Mary Ann presumably died between 1840-1850. These last two children are credited to her.
1) Permelia ‘Milly’ E Harpole 1827TN-1903OK m1. James H Chandler, m2. John Melton Gentry (Children: 7)
Permelia (or Pamelia) was born on 20 March 1827 in Obion County, TN. She first married James H Chandler on 18 Jul 1846, but he died in 1849. Prior to the 1850 census she married John Gentry, a farmer. They were living in with his widowed mother and younger siblings. By 1860 the family had moved to Grandview, Johnson County, Texas. They had 7 children born between 1851 and 1852, but their first two daughters died during childhood: William Miller (1851), Ellen J (1855), Sallie A (1856), Virginia E (1859), John Price (1862), Lou Emma (1866) and James Edwin (1869). They moved to Indian Territory / Oklahoma by 1900. Milly was 76 at her death on 18 July 1903. John died the next year in 1904. They are buried at Alma Cemetery in Alma, Stephens, Oklahoma.
Chandler Children: 0
Gentry Children: 7
Y-DNA Project Participant: N/A – descendant of a female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Project Participant: No

2) William Harpole 1832TN-p1850TN (Marriage / Children: Unknown)
No further data.
Y-DNA Project Participant: N/A – descendant of a female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Project Participant: No

CHILD 4: JAMES H MCMENAMY
1800NC – p1870TN
Spouse: Sarah E Robertson m. 19 Jun 1830 Rutherford, TN (Children: 6)
James McMenamy was born in Caswell County, NC and named in his grandfather, James Guthrie’s will. Even though he was not the eldest of Mary’s sons, he was the one named after James. He bequeathed 5 pounds each to several of his daughters’ sons named for him: James Shannon, James Barnett, James Forrest, James McMenamy. This does not include bequests to his Guthrie grandchildren. James married Sarah E Robertson on 19 June 1830 in Rutherford, TN. They remained in Rutherford at least through the 1870 census. Sarah died between 1860-70. James most likely died 1870-80.
1) John R McMenamy 1831TN-1905TN m. Cynthia Drennan (Children: 3)
John was born on 8 July 1831 in Rutherford County, TN. They were living in Sanders during the 1850 census.He was 19 at the time and most likely working for his father. He married Cynthia Catherine Brennan on 10 Sep 1858 in Wilson County, TN. They lived in LaVergne and Murfreesboro in Rutherford during the 1860 and 1870 census periods, but before 1880 they had settled in Civil District 25 of Wilson, TN. John died on 23 May 1905 in Wilson County and is buried at the Drennan-McMenaway cemetery in Mount Juliet. Note that many records with this branch of the family use the McMenaway variant. The 1910 census indicates that Cynthia had 3 children, 2 of whom were living during that census period: Francis Marion ‘Dick’ died young (1859-1878), James W ‘Bud’ (1860-1938) and Luke Sanders (1866-1923). Cynthia died in 1917.
McMenamy/McMenaway Children: 3
Y-DNA Project Participant: N/A – descendant of a female Guthrie (See McMenamin/McMenamy DNA Project)
Autosomal DNA Project Participant: No

2) James Thomas McMenamy 1832TN-1879TN m. Martha Drennan. Children: None
Born on 7 Oct 1832 in Rutherford County, TN, James Thomas McMenamy grew up as a farmer’s son. He lived and worked on the home farm, and it was not until he was 35 that he chose to marry. Martha F Drennan became his wife on 17 Sep 1868 in Wilson County, TN. They had no children. James died 11 years later on 15 Jan 1879. He is buried at Mount Juliet Cemetery. Martha remarried to a Zack Williams on 22 Nov 1883 in Wilson, TN. She died on 24 June 1901. Internment was also at Mount Juliet.
McMenamy Children: None
Y-DNA Project Participant: N/A – No Descendants
Autosomal DNA Project Participant: N/A – No Descendants

3) William Edward McMenamy 1834TN-1918 m. Ruth M Carter. (Children: None)
William was born on 1 May 1834 in Rutherford County, TN, probably on the home farm in Sanders. Like his brother James, he married late at 36 years old to Ruth M Carter on 15 Aug 1870 in Wayne County, TN. They had no children. William had been a Civil War soldier with the 45th TN Infantry, Company E. He died on 9 Nov 1918 in Ralston, Weakley, TN and is buried at Bible Union Cemetery in Martin.
McMenamy Children: None
Y-DNA Project Participant: N/A – No Descendants
Autosomal DNA Project Participant: N/A – No Descendants

4) Harriet McMenamy c1839TN-p1910TN m1. Thomas Franklin Drennan, m2. Ira E Peach. (Children: None)
Born about 1839, Harriet remained unmarried and keeping house for her father and siblings until about 1875 when she married Thomas Franklin Drennan. Their marriage lasted about six years until his death in 1881. Harriet married again on 18 Oct 1887 in Wilson County, TN to Ira E Peach. He died in 1896. Harriet died after 1910 in Weakley County, TN. By that census year, Harriet had gone blind. She was living with her sister Sarah E Sanders and husband. Their brother William was also there in 1910.
Drennan Children: None
Peach Children: None
Y-DNA Project Participant: N/A – descendant of a female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Project Participant: No

5) Luke Sanders McMenamy c1840 TN-p1860. (Marriage / Children: Unknown)
Residence in Rutherford, TN in 1860. No further details.
McMenamy Children: None Known
Y-DNA Project Participant: N/A – descendant of a female Guthrie (See McMenamin/McMenamy DNA Project)
Autosomal DNA Project Participant: N/A – No Known Descendants

6) Sarah Elizabeth McMenamy 1844TN-1921TN m. James E Sanders (Children: 1)
Known as ‘Bettie’ to family and friends, Sarah Elizabeth McMenamy was born in 1844 in Rutherford County, TN, likely on the family farm. The township was called Sanders, a name found as a given middle name among relatives, but also the surname of Bettie’s future husband, James E Sanders. He was a Civil War veteran having served Company E Tennessee Infantry CSA. They married on 22 Dec 1870. He was a local farmer, born on 5 Jun 1839. They lived in Rutherford County through the 1880 census and by 1900 were living in Weakley County, TN. They had one son, William B Sanders (1872-1947). Bettie died on 30 Nov 1921 in Ralston, Weakley, TN at 77 years old. Her husband Jim died on 16 June 1924. They are buried at Bible Union Cemetery in Martin, Weakley, TN.
Sanders Children: 1
Y-DNA Project Participant: N/A – descendant of a female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Project Participant: No

Primary Sources

Primary sources include original records such as vital records (birth, marriage, death), censuses, wills, deeds, military service documents, and court records. These provide direct evidence of Mary Guthrie’s life, family connections, and residences.

Marriage Bond/Record (1795): Bond for the marriage of Mary Guthrie (listed as “Mary Guttery”) and Alexander McMennamy, dated 9 May 1795, Orange County, North Carolina. Bondsman: James Guthrie (her father); Witness: S. Benton. This record confirms her parentage and marriage.

  • Citation: “North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP9K-DM7G : 9 March 2021), Alexander McMennamy and Mary Guttery, 9 May 1795; citing Orange, North Carolina, United States, p. , North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm .
  • Context and Nuances: Spelling variations (e.g., “Guttery” for Guthrie, “McMennamy” for McMenamy) are common in early records due to phonetic transcription by clerks. This bond was a legal requirement in colonial North Carolina, often involving family members as sureties. No church record survives, suggesting a civil ceremony. Edge cases: If the bond was not executed, the marriage might not have occurred, but subsequent records (e.g., children, deeds) confirm it did. Implications: Establishes timeline for family formation in North Carolina before migration to Tennessee.


    Will of James Guthrie Sr. (1800/1801)    : Last Will and Testament of James Guthrie (Mary’s father), written 1 November 1800, proved May 1801, Orange County, North Carolina. Bequeaths 10 shillings to daughter Mary and 5 pounds to grandson James McMenamy (her son). Executors: David Mitchell and Isaac Rainey.

    • Citation: Orange County, North Carolina, Will Book D, p. 40; North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh (original will available). Also transcribed in Laurence R. Guthrie, American Guthrie and Allied Families (1933), 507-508.
    • Context and Nuances: The will lists all children and some grandchildren, providing genealogical proof of Mary’s sibling order (likely second eldest) and family ties. It implies prior dowries for older daughters, reflecting Scottish-Irish inheritance customs. Edge cases: Discrepancies in grandson names (e.g., “James McMenamy” vs. later records) due to spelling; no mention of Mary’s husband suggests focus on blood kin. Implications: Confirms James Guthrie’s death around April 1801 and the family’s Orange County residence. Related consideration: Inventory of estate (5 July 1801) lists personal property, offering insights into socioeconomic status (e.g., livestock, tools).

    Deed: Sale of Guthrie Estate (1810): Deed from Elizabeth Guthrie (widow), John Madden, and Alexander McMenamy (sons-in-law) to Richard Henslee, dated 6 November 1810, conveying 323½ acres on South Hyco Creek, Orange County, North Carolina. Recorded in Book 13, p. 448.

    • Citation: Orange County, North Carolina, Deed Book 13, p. 448; North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh. Digital image at FamilySearch.
    • Context and Nuances: This post-death conveyance of James Guthrie’s land includes Mary through her husband Alexander as a signatory, confirming inheritance rights. Multiple angles: Reflects widow’s dower rights and family migration patterns (sold before move to Tennessee). Edge cases: Land disputes common in post-Revolutionary North Carolina due to overlapping grants; this deed resolves estate division. Implications: Signals the family’s shift from North Carolina agriculture to Tennessee opportunities, possibly due to soil exhaustion or economic pull factors.

    U.S. Federal Census (1810): Household of Alexander McMenamy, Hillsborough District, Orange County, North Carolina. Lists Alexander (over 45), Mary (over 45), and others, including likely widowed mother Elizabeth Guthrie.

    • Citation: 1810 U.S. Census, Orange County, North Carolina, population schedule, Hillsborough, p. [not paginated]; digital image, Ancestry.com; citing National Archives microfilm M252, roll 41.
    • Context and Nuances: Enumerates free white persons by age/sex, no names except head. Mary’s presence inferred from age bracket and family context. Multiple angles: Shows household size (e.g., children), economic status (slave ownership if any). Edge cases: Census inaccuracies (e.g., age rounding); Elizabeth’s inclusion highlights extended family living. Implications: Last North Carolina record before Tennessee migration, tying to deed sale.

    U.S. Federal Census (1820): Household of Alexander McMenamy, Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee. Lists Alexander (over 45), Mary (over 45), and children.

    • Citation: 1820 U.S. Census, Rutherford County, Tennessee, population schedule, Murfreesboro, p. [not paginated]; digital image, Ancestry.com; citing National Archives microfilm M33, roll 124.
    • Context and Nuances: Similar to 1810, focuses on demographics. Confirms relocation by 1820. Multiple angles: Agricultural schedule (if extant) might detail farm output. Edge cases: Boundary changes (Rutherford to Wilson County by 1830s). Implications: Illustrates westward expansion, common for Revolutionary veterans seeking land grants.

    Will of Alexander McMenamy (1839/1840): Last Will and Testament of Alexander McMenamy, written 12 November 1839, proved 19 March 1840, Wilson County, Tennessee. No mention of Mary, implying she predeceased him. Bequeaths to children.

    • Citation: Wilson County, Tennessee, Will Book [volume not specified], p. [not paginated]; Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville.
    • Context and Nuances: Focuses on descendants; Mary’s absence suggests death between 1820-1840. Multiple angles: Ties to children’s migrations (e.g., Illinois, Texas). Edge cases: Oral traditions vs. written records; potential codicils lost. Implications: Provides closure on Tennessee phase, with economic insights (e.g., property division).

    Revolutionary War Service Records for Alexander McMenamy (1779-1783): Service as volunteer, sergeant, and captain in North Carolina militia units (e.g., under Capt. John Oldum, Capt. William Sanders). Indirectly ties to Mary via marriage.

    • Citation: Compiled Service Records of Soldiers Who Served in the American Army During the Revolutionary War, National Archives microfilm M881, roll [specific to NC]; Fold3.com digital images. Pension application (1832, Wilson County, TN) not located, but referenced in secondary sources.
    • Context and Nuances: Bounty land warrants possible, explaining Tennessee move. Multiple angles: Veteran status affected family mobility. Edge cases: Spelling variations hinder searches; no pension file may indicate death before full benefits. Implications: Enhances understanding of family’s patriotic background and post-war opportunities.

    DOCUMENTS: General Index to Deeds – Orange County, NC – Grantees – IMG216 0f 765. Film # 007545819.
    McManamy, John from Leonard Stringer – 1 Aug 1795 – Deed Book 5 – Page 137
    McMinemy, John from Thos. ONeill by Shff – 27 Aug 1799 Deed – Book 8 – Page 147
    McMinimy, John from State of NC – 26 Nov 1799 – Grant – Book 8 – Page 213

    Secondary Sources

    Secondary sources interpret primary data, including books, manuscripts, websites, and genealogical compilations. These offer analysis but may contain errors; cross-reference with primaries. I’ve prioritized those with citations to originals.

    1. Laurence R. Guthrie’s Book (1933): Comprehensive genealogy of Guthrie lines, including James Guthrie’s family and Mary’s branch.
    2. MANUSCRIPT/CORRESPONDENCE: Guthrie, Laurence R. ‘Descendants of James Guthrie: of Maryland and North Carolina‘. Digital images of manuscript. Digital Repository: Family Search.
    3. Guthrie Genealogy Blog (2020s): Dedicated page on Mary Guthrie, synthesizing records.
      • Citation: “2A-A: Mary Guthrie.” Guthrie Genealogy Blog. Accessed 11 March 2026. Parent group page: “A: James Guthrie & Elizabeth (MNU)”.
      • Context and Nuances: Modern analysis with timelines, discrepancies (e.g., birth location debate). Edge cases: Blog format allows updates; user-generated. Implications: Useful for overviews, but source citations vary.
    4. WikiTree Profile (2025 Update): Collaborative genealogy for Mary (Guthrie) McMenamy.
      • Citation: “Mary (Guthrie) McMenamy (bef.1765-abt.1840).” WikiTree, last modified 1 March 2025. Related: James Guthrie Sr..
      • Context and Nuances: Crowdsourced with sources; notes uncertainties (e.g., death date). Edge cases: Edits possible; community vetting. Implications: Good for connections, but not archival.
    5. TNGenWeb Guthrie Family Page: Sumner County focus, with ties to Orange County origins.
      • Citation: “Guthrie Family.” TNGenWeb, Sumner County.
      • Context and Nuances: Contributed research; lists sources like cemetery records. Edge cases: Regional bias; some dates conflict (e.g., marriage as 1798 vs. 1795). Implications: Highlights Tennessee descendants.

    BOOK EXCERPT: History of Macon County, Illinois, p80 – Macon County in the Black Hawk War

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