James Guthrie 1731 – 1799PA and Ann (MNU)
of Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA

JAMES GUTHRIE
Parents: James Guthrie b.1691-1711SCT – 1778PA and (FNU) Bissell (Presumed/Theoretical Parents)
Birth: Abt. 1731
Birth Location: Unknown
Marriage: Ann (MNU) – bet. 1750-1754
Occupation: Tailor, Farmer, and Inn & Tavern Keeper
Military Service: Continental Army – 2nd Lt. Eighth Regiment Pennsylvania [See: Battle of Brandywine]
Death: 24 Oct 1799
Death Location: Brandywine Manor, Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA
Burial: Forks of the Brandywine Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Glenmoore, Chester, PA

ANN (MNU)
Parents: Unidentified
Birth: Abt. 1735
Birth Location: Unknown, possibly Chester County, Pennsylvania
Children: Ann (c1750), Sarah (c1755), James (c1760), William (c1763), John (c1767)
Death: 1807
Death Location: West Chester, Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA
Burial: Forks of the Brandywine Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Glenmoore, Chester, PA

NOTES:

Multiple sources, usually quoting or misquoting each other, tell the story of the three brothers who came to America from Scotland with varying details. This branch reportedly descends from James Guthrie and his spouse, an unidentified woman known only as Miss Bissell. The theorized eldest son of this presumed family is James Guthrie (1731-1799) who married a woman named Ann, her maiden name unknown. Could she actually be the Bissell? We’ll probably never know.

James’ birthplace is also lost to the confusion surrounding the family origins. Did his father come directly from Scotland to America or stop in Ireland or in Boston before moving on to Connecticut or Pennsylvania? No proof one way or the other. Based on the known DOB of the children, it is believed that James and Ann married between 1750-1754, either in Connecticut or in Pennsylvania. James’ first documented appearance is on the Tax Records for West Caln Township, Chester County, PA in 1753, which makes sense as he was then about 21-22 years of age and officially an adult eligible for taxation. A complaint was filed against James Guthrie, tailor, West Caln, by an indentured servant on 30 Aug 1757 for a broken contract. He purchased East Caln property in 1768 and 1770 afterward being taxed as an inn / tavern keeper and landholder. During the 1770 tax year he was an Innkeeper with 150 acres, 2 horses, 2 cattle, and 6 sheep. According to family tradition, James Guthrie was a patriot soldier during the American Revolution. He is believed to have raised a force of local men to join at the Battle of Brandywine, which occurred on 11 Sep 1777. The 1790 US Census lists his household with 2 males 16 and over, 1 male under 16, and 2 females. James Guthrie wrote his will in Brandywine, Chester, Pennsylvania on 11 Aug 1798 and added a codicil on 13 Aug 1799. He died on 24 Oct 1779 at the age of 68 and is buried at the Forks of the Brandywine Church cemetery. His widow, Ann, survived him by several years. She died in 1807.

CHILDREN: 5

ANN GUTHRIE
1750-1835PA

The eldest child of the family is believed to be Ann Guthrie, born about 1750 presumably in Chester County, PA. She married Jacob Haines on 22 June 1784 in Lancaster County, PA. Her father’s 1798 will identified her as Ann Haines. To son-in-law and daughter Jacob and Ann Haines £50, and to their son James £30 when 21. At her mother’s death in 1807, Ann received the “remainder” of her mother’s estate along with her sister, Sarah Entriken after bequests were made to several grandchildren. Jacob and Ann were members of the Sadsbury Monthly Meeting (Quakers) and their family births recorded in the Book of Records.
CHILDREN:
1) Joshua Haines 1785PA-1809PA (twin) – died at 23 years of age, unmarried.
2) James Haines 1785PA-1807PA (twin) – died at 22 years of age, unmarried.
3) Baby Haines 1787PA-1787PA
4) Ann Haines 1788PA-1850OH m.1812PA Benjamin Fullerton Linville +children
5) Jacob Haines 1792PA-1809PA – died at 17 years of age, unmarried.
6) Reuben Haines 1796PA-1840PA m. Jane Souders +children
7) Elizabeth Haines 1797PA-1846PA m. Arthur Linvill +children
8) Mary Haines 1799PA-1879PA m. John Cam Long +children
9) John Haines 1801PA-????PA – No further details.

Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: No

SARAH GUTHRIE
1755PA-1805PA

Sarah Guthrie married James Entriken (Antrican, Entrican) in Pennsylvania. One tree lists 3 Oct 1780 as their DOM, but lists no source data. The Entriken name is associated with Covenanters in western Scotland and this family were early settlers in Chester County, PA. According to the Enterkin Family History, James may have been among the third generation of men by that surname in Pennsylvania. James and Sarah reportedly moved to Ross County, Ohio after their marriage in 1780, but returned to Chester County, Pennsylvania. Only two children are identified in American Guthrie and Allied Families, p.217 are Mary and James. The Enterkin Family History also includes three additional children: Samuel, George, and John.

The couple was named James Guthrie’s will, written 11 Aug 1798 and proven 18 Nov 1799. To son-in-law James Antrican $1 and to his wife Sarah the value of £5 per year for 20 years, and in case of her death, the remainder to her daughter Mary Antrican. James Entrekin is listed in the East Caln Tax List of 1786 and a decade later in the West Caln Tax List of 1798. Sarah was still alive in 1804 when her mother Ann made a bequest in her will leaving the “remainder” of her estate to Sarah and her sister Ann, but Sarah, who died in 1805, pre-deceased her mother Ann, who did not die until 1807.

The Enterkin Family History lists James’ death year as 1800. It is also found as 12 July 1830 in random trees, but again unsourced. He is not found as a HOH in PA during the 1800, 1810, 1820, or 1830 census. The latter DOD could refer to his son rather than himself.
CHILDREN:
1) James Entriken born 1776-1794 if he is James Antrican of 1820 Brandywine, Chester census +children
2) Mary Entriken 1782PA-1846PA m.1803PA Russell Batten +children
3) George Entriken 1784PA-1892PA m.1834PA Ann Mercer -no children
4) John Entriken 1792PA-1826PA m. Lettice McClelland +children
5) William Entriken 1793-1854 m. Mary MNU +children +children

Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: Yes

JAMES GUTHRIE
abt.1760PA-bef.1798

Little is known about James and Ann’s son also named James except that he lived long enough to father a child, Ann Guthrie. He is presumed to have died prior to the writing of his father’s will in August of 1798. His daughter Ann was bequeathed £100 at 21 years of age. The identity of Ann’s mother is unknown.
CHILDREN:
1) Ann Guthrie – birth year est. 1777-1798 – No further info.

Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – No Direct Male Descendants
Autosomal DNA Participants: No

WILLIAM GUTHRIE
1763PA-1835PA

“William Guthrie, son of James and Ann Guthrie, served in the Chester County Militia during the Revolutionary War. He sold to his brother John the greater part of the lands bequeathed him by his father. He was a blacksmith by trade and had a sop where Guthriesville now stands. He was an influential man in his community, at one time and another owned several tracts of land in Brandywine Township.” [LRG, p.217]

A religious revival in the aftermath of the revolution brought the spread of Methodism to the country. Although William had been raised a Presbyterian, he became a member of the nearby Hopewell Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a church trustee, and known for his zeal and piety. William was twice married to two Battin sisters. Mary Batten was his first wife and the mother of his children. They married sometime before 1786, probably in Chester County. Mary died on 30 March 1819. The widower, then in his mid fifties, married Mary’s spinster sister, Hannah Batten. No children by this second marriage. William died on 30 Jan 1835 at about 72 years of age. Hannah lived until 7 April 1861. She died at Guthriesville, Chester, Pennsylvania at 84.
CHILDREN:
1) James Batten Guthrie 1786PA-1845PA (Storekeeper / Postmaster) m.1813PA Isabella McMullen +children
2) Ann Guthrie 1790PA-1816MO m. Joseph Rea +children
3) Jane Guthrie 1792PA-1813PA – died at 21 years of age – Unmarried
4) Mary Guthrie 1793PA-1830PA m. Robert Scantlon +children
5) Hannah Guthrie 1796PA-1857PA m. William Rigg +children
6) Sarah Guthrie 1798PA-1878PA m. John McMullin +children

Y-DNA Project Participants: No
Autosomal DNA Participants: Yes

JOHN GUTHRIE
1767PA-1836PA

John Guthrie was born about 1767 in Chester County, Pennsylvania. He married Esther Dunn by whom he had eight children. John inherited a portion of his father’s estate, but purchased most or all of his brother William’s legacy. John was a carriage builder and shop owner, which may have been conducted in conjunction with his brother William’s blacksmith shop at Guthriesville. Esther died 11 Oct 1830. John died six years later on 10 Oct 1836.
CHILDREN:
1) Robert Guthrie 1792PA-1848OH m.1820 Sarah Welch +children
2) Ann Guthrie 1794PA-1875MI m.1815PA Lewis Phipps Righter (farmer) +children
3) Esther Guthrie 1796PA-1880PA m.1818PA Levi Allison (farmer) +children
4) James Guthrie 1799PA-1883OH (carpenter) m. Elizabeth (MNU) +children
5) Jacob Guthrie 1802PA-1881IA (farmer) m.1827PA Elizabeth Diller +children
6) Joseph Guthrie 1806-(farmer) m.1831PA Margaret Wilson +children
7) John Dunn Guthrie 1808PA-1884PA (blacksmith) m.1844PA) Thamsina (Kerlin) McFadden +children
8) William Guthrie 1810PA-1894PA (farmer) m1.1839PA Rachel Harris, m2.1851 Mary Witherow Moore +children

Y-DNA Project Participants: Yes
Autosomal DNA Participants: Yes

Primary Sources

• Tax Lists (Chester County, PA): James Guthrie appears as an adult taxpayer in West Caln Township, 1753 (earliest documented record, confirming presence by early adulthood). Additional entries: West Caln 1766; East Caln 1770 (listed as innkeeper with 150 acres, 2 horses, 2 cattle, 6 sheep); East Caln 1775 (170 acres, tavern keeper, Provincial tax); Brandywine 1793 (alongside sons William and others). Reconstructed versions available via Ancestry.com, “U.S. Census Reconstructed Records, 1660-1820” (1770 entry explicitly notes innkeeper details). These establish occupations, property, and residency progression.
• Court/Indentured Servant Records (Chester County, PA): Complaint filed 30 Aug 1757 against “James Gutthrey, Tailor, West Caln” by an indentured servant for broken contract (Masters Index, Folder 57, Indentured Servants and Apprentice Records, 1700-1855). Additional: 1787 deposition in “Gutray vs. Gable” (East Caln, Folder 7, Document 5). Confirms early occupation as tailor.
• Deed/Land Records (Chester County Deed Books): Purchase 1 Jan 1768 from James Steele (DB F2, pp. 184-187: East Caln property). Assignment/deed 30 Oct 1770 from James Batten & wife Lydia (DB F2, pp. 187-190: Bradford Twp to James Guthrey of West Caln, East Caln land). Later: 27 Dec 1792 purchase from James Tenney & wife Sarah (DB H2, p. 262: Brandywine). Also noted in 1774 East Caln Land Owners list (alongside Adam Guthry and others). These document property accumulation and shift to Brandywine.
• U.S. Federal Census: 1790 U.S. Census, Brandywine, Chester County, PA: James Guthry household (2 males 16+, 1 male under 16, 2 females). Matches known family composition (sons William/John, wife Ann, daughters).
• Probate/Will Records (Chester County Wills): Will of James Guthrie (Brandywine), written 11 Aug 1798, codicil 13 Aug 1799, proved 18 Nov 1799 (Will Book K, Vol. 10, pp. 150-153; abstracted in Ancestry.com, “Chester County, Pennsylvania Wills, 1713-1825,” Lineages, Inc.). Detailed bequests: wife Ann (provision); son-in-law James Antrican/Entrican ($1) and daughter Sarah (£5/year for 20 years, remainder to granddaughter Mary Antrican); son-in-law Jacob Haines & daughter Ann (£50, grandson James £30 at 21); granddaughter Ann Guthrie (dau. of James, £100 at 21); son William (land + 6 acres woodland, grandson James £30 at 21); son John (remainder land, £50, etc.); minor bequests (Hannah Cornwell £10; Presbyterian Congregation at Brandywine Manor £10 for poor; grandson Robert Guthrie son of John £10; codicil adds grandson James son of John £25 at 21). Executors: sons William/John and son-in-law Jacob Haines. Proves children: Ann (m. Haines), Sarah (m. Entriken/Antrican), William, John (James Jr. predeceased).
• Wife Ann Guthrie’s Probate: Will of Ann Guthrie Senr. (proved 1806/1807, Will Book L, Vol. 11, pp. 184-185; abstracted in Chester County Wills 1713-1825 and USGenWeb “Wills: Abstracts… Proved 1806-7”). Bequests reference daughters Ann Haines and Sarah Entriken (remainder estate after grandchildren); granddaughter Mary Battin (formerly Entriken); granddaughter Ann Guthrie (dau. of Jas./William); etc. Confirms Ann’s survival to 1807 (death West Chester, Chester Co.), burial same cemetery as husband, and family continuity.
• Church/Quaker/Marriage Records: Daughter Ann Guthrie m. Jacob Haines 22 June 1784 (Lancaster Co./Sadsbury Monthly Meeting, Quaker); births in “Book of Records” (Ancestry.com collection 2189). Family associated with Forks of the Brandywine Presbyterian Church (burials).
• Burial Records: James Guthrie (d. 24 Oct 1799, age ~68) and Ann (d. 1807) interred at Forks of the Brandywine Presbyterian Cemetery, Glenmoore, Chester Co., PA (Plot 2 N E Row 16 for James; grave location unconfirmed in some notes). Find A Grave Memorial #46091511 (James); cross-referenced in SAR registry listings.
• Military Context (Limited Primary): Attributed as 2nd Lt., 8th Pennsylvania Regiment (Continental Army) in family tradition, with possible role raising local men for Battle of Brandywine (11 Sep 1777). No direct commission/pension file ties unequivocally to this James (a separate 1841 pension W9468 references a Lt. James Guthrie in same regiment under Capt. Miller, but applicant timing suggests possible confusion or descendant). Brandywine Soldiers site notes “no official record” for the local band. Secondary tradition only; not a confirmed primary for this individual.

Secondary Sources

Laurence Rawlins Guthrie, American Guthrie and Allied Families (Chambersburg, PA: Kerr Print. Co., 1933), pp. 216-217 (digital on Ancestry.com). Identifies James (presumptive son of James Guthrie & ___ Bussell) and Ann (MNU); notes children (partial list: Mary, James); William’s militia service, blacksmith trade, Guthriesville lands. Origin of “three brothers” Scotland-to-PA story and Bissell/Bussell theory (hypothetical parents: James Guthrie SCT/PA ca. 1691-1778 & Miss Bissell). Cites tax/deed/will clues but mixes traditions.

Philip B. Entrekin, The Enterkin Family History (Baltimore: Gateway Press, 1998), p. 177 (Chapter XVI, Samuel Etrekin; FamilySearch digital). Covers Sarah Guthrie m. James Entriken/Antrican connections and bequests.

WikiTree Profile: James Guthrie (Guthrie-285) and Ann (Unknown-715531): Comprehensive sourcing of all primaries above (taxes, deeds DB F2/H2, will abstract, 1790 census, 1757 servant record, etc.); notes DNA GFG2A match; discusses parentage theory from LRG book as unproven/hypothetical (possible Ann as Bissell instead); highlights tree confusion. Highly reliable modern synthesis.

Find A Grave Memorial #46091511 (James Guthrie): Burial details, family links (Ann, children), SAR registry note (with Carson/Craig/Smith). User-contributed photos; links to military/newspaper searches (secondary).Other Compilations (Contextual, Less Specific): “Records of the Guthrie Family…” (Dunn, 1898/electricscotland.com or Archive.org) and similar early works mention broader PA Guthries but predate or differ from this branch’s details; used in LRG synthesis but not primary for this James/Ann. FamilySearch/Geni trees often repeat errors (e.g., mother “Ann Bussell”).

Additional Considerations and Implications: No birth/marriage record for James (ca. 1731, possibly Ireland/SCT/CT per traditions) or Ann (ca. 1735, possibly Chester Co.). Children confirmed via will: Ann (m. Haines, Quaker), Sarah (m. Entriken, d. 1805), James Jr. (predeceased), William (m. Batten sisters; blacksmith/heir), John. Hypothetical parents unverified—LRG’s theory drives “three brothers” narrative, but primaries start 1753 with no earlier SCT/PA link; Y-DNA (GFG2A match here) separates from ruled-out siblings. Edge cases: Tavern/innkeeper role, land sales (William to John), Presbyterian ties, possible Quaker daughter-in-law links. Military unconfirmed officially but culturally significant in Brandywine context. For research: Prioritize Chester County Archives for originals; cross-check DNA project for matches. These sources collectively provide a robust, evidence-based portrait while highlighting unresolved parentage.