Rev. James Guthrie, c1612-1661
Scottish Presbyterian Devine
Executed for Treason
Artist: Samuel Freeman
Stipple Engraving

STO PRO VERITATE

The Guthrie motto is a fitting one for genealogists, especially when it comes to piecing together the family story of a man who chose to stand for the truth of his own convictions, ultimately dying for them. The resume of the Martyr of Sterling, Rev. James Guthrie’s (c1612 – 1661) religious mission is full, but the details of his personal life from birth and boyhood, to marriage and children provide only a few bare details.

BIRTH: c1612 based on being about 49 at his death in 1661.

None of the Old Parish Records have been conclusively identified as belonging to Rev. James Guthrie. This may indicate his baptism is not listed in the OPR. A search of records 1605-1615 in Scotland for names beginning Gut* Ja* results in 3 potential records.

1610: James Guthrie s/o Hercules Guthrie/_ 4 Feb 1610 Aberdeen

1613: James Guthrie s/o Thomas Guthrie/Catherine Robertson 16 Feb 1613 Edinburgh

1613: James Guthrey s/o David Guthrey/_ 5 Dec 1613 Monifieth



PARENTS: Remain Unidentified – Son of a Laird of Guthrie ?

There are no Old Parish Records for Birth/Baptism, Marriage, Death, or other legal records that include the precise identity of Rev. James Guthrie’s parents. Our only sources are published works providing biographical sketches. The earliest of these is Biographia Scoticana, in 1775 by John Howie with edited versions being retitled during the 1800s as The Scots Worthies. Most modern articles about Rev. James Guthrie, the martyred Minister of Stirling, including Fasti Ecclesiatae Scotina by Hew Scot, published in 1923 use the the same wording. 

Howie’s original quote on the minister’s parentage:

“James Guthrie, son of the Laird of Guthrie (a very ancient and honorable family)…”



The same statement is found in nearly every biographical sketch, sometimes edited by those claiming that James was also the laird’s “eldest” son. Another on Monuments and Monumental Inscriptions in Scotland (1871) states he was a “younger son of Guthrie of that Ilk”. Since Howie did not personally know Guthrie, he must have sourced his writings from older documentation, previously published stories, or his personal theories.

M’Crie’s work on the Life of James Guthrie (1846) is honest about it, “The birthplace of James Guthrie, and the time at which he was born, are equally unknown. He was of an ancient and honorable family, being the son of the Laird of Guthrie, in Angusshire.”

Since no official documents have been found connecting James Guthrie to any parent, some here have speculated that he might be an illegitimate son of a Laird of Guthrie. Scotland has never shied away from bastardy documents or utilizing the terms ‘illegitimate’ or ‘natural child’ whether or not there might be an inheritance to consider. No such status has been found, but it is certainly something to consider.

Other than his wife and children, there is only one Guthrie documented as a relation. Howie’s early work also includes a section on Rev. William Guthrie, Minister of Fenwick. Since he is mentioned as a younger cousin of James Guthrie, that becomes important. “As master and scholar were near relations, William was his particular care, and lodged, when at the college, in the same chamber with him, and therefore had the principles of learning infused into him with more accuracy than his class-fellows.” Oneinstead lists their relationship as uncle-nephew.

William was the eldest son of the Laird of Pitforthie, James Guthrie and his wife Janet Lyon of Easter Ogil. Carslaw’s 1907 ‘Six Martyrs of the Scottish Reformation’ claims a more specific relationship. “Rev. William Guthrie, born 1620, Minister of Fenwick, was the son of a younger brother of James’ father, and lived at Pitforthie in the same neighborhood.”

Nothing has been found in any of the usual sources on Rev. James Guthrie’s life to suggest that he was anything other than a legitimate son of his father, whomever that laird might be. Which Laird of Guthrie is he talking about? During James’ 49 years there were 7 men to hold title as Laird of Guthrie. Some inherited their land and titles, but not always from father to son, while others sold it off to a Guthrie cousin.

Here is another clue toward the “legitimate son” argument. M’Crie’s Life of Guthrie reveals that on the night before his execution, Guthrie had addressed several letters to his ministers and private individuals, and “he stamped them with his family seal in the usual manner, and then across, so that the armorial bearings were undistinguishable on the wax. On being asked the cause of this strange proceeding, he replied, “I have now nothing more to do with coats of arms.”

EARLY LIFE & EDUCATION:

Depending on the source, James Guthrie spent his youth at Guthrie Castle…. or in a completely unknown location. His circumstances, presumably as a laird’s younger son, afforded him a “course of classical education learning at the grammar school and college.” He graduated from St Andrew’s University with an M.A., became one of its regents, and distinguished himself with his lectures on philosophy. 

RELIGIOUS MATTERS:

Understand that James Guthrie’s religious upbringing was Episcopalian in opposition to the Presbyterian principles that he would come to embrace. It was not until he met Samuel Rutherford and others that he joined in the weekly society meetings and found himself examining his viewpoint on religious matters. 

In 17th Century religion, “Episcopalian” meant churches governed by bishops generally appointed by the monarch, while “Presbyterian” implied rule by Elders nominated by congregations. The National Covenant in 1638 was an agreement signed by many in Scotland opposing the king’s Episcopalian-leaning reforms of the Church of Scotland, which had become increasingly Presbyterian since the Reformation. The Covenant committed its signatories to stand together in defense of the nation’s religion. King Charles I saw this as an act of rebellion against his rule leading to the Bishops’ Wars 1639-40.

In 1642, James Guthrie was “ordained minister of Lauder, Berwickshire, and soon distinguished himself in the cause of the National Covenant.” Five years later, a division in the Covenanter ranks put former allies on opposing sides. Some recommended the acceptance of certain conditions. Rev. James Guthrie was regarded as one of the principle leaders among those protesting engagement in such an agreement. He “wanted the full force of the Covenants in national life in all parts of the kingdoms.”

Rev. James Guthrie was promoted to the ministerial post at the Church of the Holy Rood in Sterling in 1649 or 1650. He held the position until his death. Along with colleague Mr David Bennett on 28 Feb 1651, Guthrie wrote a formal protestation refusing to acknowledge the King’s right to interfere with them in the discharge of their ministerial functions. They also shared their opinions with their congregants in the form of their sermons drawing further attention by those in power.

The next few years brought more of the same conflicts, with Rev. James Guthrie considered a sticker-foot (sure-footed) about standing firm for his ideals and the cause. 


MARRIAGE, WIFE, & CHILDREN:
There is no mention of Rev. James Guthrie’s spouse in John Howie’s original work. In 1876, yet another printing of The Scot’s Worthies included “A Supplement Containing Memoirs and Historical Sketches of Ladies of the Covenant” providing us with our only details about Mrs Guthrie and her children in the days before, during, and in the aftermath of Guthrie’s execution. 

Rev. James Guthrie’s wife has been documented as Jane Ramsay, a daughter of Ramsay of Shielhill.


There is no identified OPR Birth/Baptismal Record for Jane Ramsey, daughter of Ramsay of Shielhill, nor any notation of her age in comparison to that of her husband. Guthrie was about 49 at his death in 1661. Only one of their children has an estimated age in 1661. William “Willie” Guthrie was 4 – 5 years old, born about 1656 – 1657, so it is likely that Sophia was also under 10 years of age, born after 1650.



There is no identified OPR Marriage Record for Rev. James Guthrie and Jane Ramsey. Based on the estimated ages of their children, their marriage was probably bet. 1650 – 1655, which was also right after he moved from his charge at Lauder to the presumably more prestigious role at Stirling.

The couple are documented as parents of two children: William and Sophia.

 William Guthrie was 4 – 5 years old at the time of his father’s execution, so born about 1656 – 1657. His sister Sophia’s age is unknown. She may have been older or younger than William.

Several years after James Guthrie’s death, Mrs. Jane Guthrie and her daughter Sophia were taken prisoner after their home had been searched for potential Covenanters in hiding. A banned book was discovered among their possessions. Both she and Sophia were brought before the Privy Council on 8 Feb 1666, where their guilt and punishment were discussed. Confinement continued until the next court and probable banishment to the Shetland Islands. In March they petitioned the council for an alternate location in Holland, which was the typical location for religious dissidents to be banished, including the author of the book. They punted the decision to the next level, but no documentation has been discovered, so Mrs Guthrie and Sophia’s final destination remains unknown.

In 1669, Mrs Guthrie sent in another petition. Her son William Guthrie (who would then have been about 12 – 13 years of age) had become ill. She requested that she be allowed to return to Edinburgh to tend to him. The petition was granted for a stay of one month.

William Guthrie, called Willie by his father, became a studious boy intent upon following in his father’s footsteps by becoming a preacher. It is interesting to note that Mrs Guthrie and Sophia were imprisoned and banished, but their fate was not shared by Rev. James Guthrie’s son. He was likely in school and not part of the banned book discovery, which may have left him out of it, but he was clearly in a situation that allowed him to remain in school in Edinburgh. Was he supported by relatives? Was he living at the school or with friends or relatives? Their only son, William Guthrie died before he became a licensed preacher. The most likely Old Parish Record to be the account of his death is dated 14 April 1674 and is found among the Edinburgh deaths and burials.

1674 GUTRIE, WILLIAM (Old Parish Registers Deaths 685/1 Edinburgh) page 100 of 199
Please verify the following transcription:
Mr William Guthrie son to right Mr James Guthrie late minister at Stirling

There are no Guthrie descendants of Rev. James Guthrie and Jane Ramsay. Whether Sophia lived to adulthood to marry and produce children is unknown.

A MARTYR FOR THE CAUSE:
“The Restoration rendered the prospects of the “protesters” hopeless. Guthrie and nine others met in Edinburgh (23 August 1660) and drew up a “humble petition” to the king setting forth their loyalty, and reminding him of his obligations as a covenanter. The meeting was ordered to disperse, and as the warning was unheeded arrests were made.”

Guthrie had long since seen this day coming for he had one asked his wife whether she preferred his imprisonment to be in the Castle at Stirling or in Edinburgh. Despite his generally kind-hearted, giving nature, the man was not known for his humor. His biographers suggest that martyrdom may have been a foregone conclusion. “This is a terrible and most fearsome time,” he predicted, “for some men’s heads will not stand long on their shoulders.” Certainly, Guthrie stuck determinedly to his beliefs, even refusing the apparent bribe of a bishopric if he would consent to retract what he had written. Banishment had always been the severest censure laid upon preachers, but all but one of Guthrie’s judges chose death.


DEATH & BURIAL:
Rev. James Guthrie, convicted of high treason, sentenced to death by hanging and dismemberment, was executed on 1 Jun 1661 at the Cross of Edinburgh. The remains were buried at St. Giles Cathedral, but his head adorned the Netherbow Port for 28 years. 

READING RECOMMENDATIONS:
For a quick summary, read Wikipedia’s page on James Guthrie (Minister) – Provides a more detailed synopsis extracted from a long list of source material.

Carslaw, William Henderson (1907). Six martyrs of the Scottish reformation. Paisley: A. Gardner, publisher by appointment to the late Queen Victoria. pp. 126–161, 191–195.

Howie, John; Carslaw, W. H. (1870). “James Guthrie“. The Scots worthies. Edinburgh: Oliphant, Anderson, & Ferrier. pp. 257–268.

M’Crie, Thomas (1846). Lifes of Alexander Henderson and James Guthrie. Edinburgh: Printed for the Assembly’s Committee

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