Delaware
1664: New Castle County (Formerly Anstel)
1664: Sussex County (Formerly Whorekill (Hoarkill)
1680: Kent County (Created from Whorekill (Hoarkill)
DELAWARE ONLINE GENEALOGY RECORDS
LIST OF DELAWARE COUNTIES, FORMATION DATES, and MAPS
New Castle County
COUNTY HISTORY:
English rule over territories previously controlled by the Swedes and Dutch became official in 1664, but widespread rule was not established for another decade. The Dutch settlement of New Amstel founded in 1673 was renamed as the town of New Castle and became New Castle County.
Source: Orphans’ Court Proceedings of New Castle County, Delaware April 1761 – July 1777 by Margaret Deakyne Mealy; Published by Colonial Roots.
p195 – 18 Oct 1774
Upon the petition of JOHN VAIL of St. George’s Hnd and JANE his wife and ELIZABETH MCCABE of the said Hnd setting forth that a certain DANIEL GUTHREY late of the same Hnd in his lifetime was seized in a message and tract of land situate in the said Hnd containing 92 acres and by his lwt devised the said messuage and tract of land to his wife MARY and after her decease to his sons ROBERT or SAMUEL. That the said ROBERT and SAMUEL both died in the lifetime of the said MARY whereby the premises descended to the children and other representatives of the said testator. That the said testator left issue ADAM, his eldest son, who is since dead leaving issue one daughter named MARY who has been absent out of this govt upwards of 16 years and never heard of; the above named ROBERT who is also dead as afsd without issue; JANE one of the petitioners; MARY who is intermarried with THOMAS VAIL who is now living; ELIZABETH one of the other petitioners who intermarried with a certain JOHN MCCABE now dead; SAMUEL who is now also dead as afds and left issue several sons and daughters; and RACHEL who hath intermarried with a certain ROBERT STEUART. And praying the Court to divide the premises afsd. So ordered.
Ann’s Notes:
1. The Daniel Guthrey listed above is in error. The name should have been written as Samuel Guthrey.
2. Mary Guthrey, daughter of Samuel & Mary, married Thomas Vail at Old Swedes Church/Holy Trinity Church on 26 Feb 1747.
3. Footnotes in LRG’s ‘American Guthrie’ quote a section from a future Orphans’ Court entry indicating that Elizabeth was dead. I believe that this entry in 1774 indicates that Elizabeth was alive at the time since she was listed as one of the petitioners. It is her husband, John McCabe, who was dead by that date.
4. Robert Guthrey, son of Samuel & Mary, died in 1750. One of the witnesses was John McCabe. Robert was unmarried & childless, and so left everything to his mother. Liber G. Folio 427.
5. Samuel Guthrey, son of Samuel & Mary, died at an unknown date. It is not until 1778 that two of his sons applied to the court for assignment of a guardian, their elder brother William, and so it is possible that their mother had died about that time.
6. LRG’s footnotes indicate that Rachel Guthrey Steuart and her husband had likely moved to Virginia.
p.199 – 17 Jan 1775
The order for the division of the real estate of SAMUEL GUTHREY, dec’d is continued and ordered that CORNELIUS CARTY do act in the room and stead of JOHN HOOK, one of the freeholders named in the afsd order.
p.209 – 18 Apr 1775
The order for the division of the real estate of SAMUEL GUTHREY, dec’d is continued.p.21218 July 1775The order for the division of the real estate of late of Samuel Guthrey, dec’d is continued.
p.215-216 – 16 Aug 1775
Upon the petition of JANE VAIL of St George’s Hnd, widow, formerly JANE GUTHREY, setting forth that SAMUEL GUTHREY, late of the same Hnd, in his lifetime was seized in a messuage and tract of land situate in the Hnd afsd containing 92 acres and by his lwt in writing did devise the said messuage and tract of land to his wife MARY during her natural life and her decease to his sons ROBERT or SAMUEL. That the said ROBERT and SAMUEL both died in the lifetime of their mother, Mary, whereby the said land descended to their children and other representatives; that the said testator left issue, viz:–Adam Guthery, his eldest son, since dead leaving a daughter Mary, who has been out of this government 15 years and has never been heard of; the aforesaid Robert Guthrey, who died without issues; Jane Vail, the petitioner; Mary Guthrey, who married Thomas Vail, and is now living; Elizabeth Guthrey, who married John McCabe, and is now dead; Samuel Guthrey, who is now dead, but left issue, –several sons and daughters; Rachel Guthrey, who married Robert Steward. The petitioner asked for a division of the estate, which was granted.
Ann’s Notes:
1. Note that Jane Guthrey Vail is now a widow.
2. Elizabeth Guthrey McCabe is no longer listed as a petitioner. The phrasing seems to indicate that she is now dead.
p.218 – 17 Oct 1775
JAMES MATTHEWS, admin of JOHN VAIL, dec’d who was admin of the estate of MARY GUTHREY, dec’d produced the said JOHN VAIL’s account of his admin of the said MARY’s estate. Balance remaining 50.11.10.
Ann’s Notes:
1. It is interesting that the original petition for division of Mary’s estate (the land of her deceased husband) was brought to court by Jane & Elizabeth rather than by John Vail who was the official administrator.
p.223 – 16 Jan 1776
The freeholders appointed to divide the real estate of MARY GUTHREY, dec’d among the heirs of the said dec’d, now make the following return, we have been on the lands and premises of your petitioner and do report that we are of opinion it will not bear a division. Ordered that freeholders do go upon the lands and premises of the afsd MARY GUTHREY, dec’d and value the same.
p.226-227 – 23 Feb 1776
The freeholders appointed to value the real estate of MARY GUTHREY, dec’d now make the following return, we the subscribers do value said real estate at 3.10.0 per acre. And thereupon JANE VAIL, one of the daughters of the said MARY GUTHREY, dec’d and prayed the Court to order the lands and premises afsd to her upon her giving security for the payment of 322 pounds. The Court approves of WILLIAM MOODY for security.
Ann’s Notes:
1. Sixteen months after the original petition was filed in the court, the valuation of the real estate was finally settled.
2. The entry immediately following this one is of general historical interest and so I will include it below. Though it has no specific bearing on the Guthrey/Guthrie family, it does speak to the fact they were living on the brink of war.
The Court taking into consideration the sitation of the records and papers belonging to the Orphan’s Court of this county and the danger they may be in if kept in the town of New Castle the ensuing season should the present disputes between Great Britain and the American Collonies continue, are of opinion that for their great safety, they aught to be removed by the Clerk, RICHARD MCWILLIAMS, ESQ. to some convenient house at or near the village of Christiana Bridge or at or near to the village of Newark; and for this purpose DAVID FINNEY, JOHN EVANS, and SAMUEL PATTERSON, ESQS. are appointed and directed to fix upon such convenient house and obtain the use of the same for the Clerk of the Orphan’s Court afsd at the public expense. And the said Clerk is directed and authorized to remove all the records and papers afsd to such place as soon as conveniently may be upon notice from the said DAVID FINNEY, JOHN EVANS, AND SAMUEL PATTERSON or any two of them. And this Court is of opinion that the expense of removal should be paid by the county. And it is also recommended to the said RICHARD MCWILLIAMS, as Recorder of Deeds for the county afsd, that he remove all the records and papers in his siad office of Recorder, together with the records and papers of this Court. Signed JOHN JONES, president; JOHN MALCOLM, and RICHARD CANTWELL.
p.234 – 15 Oct 1776
JAMES MATTHEWS, admin of JOHN VAIL, dec’d who in his lifetime was admin of the estate of MARY GUTHREY, dec’d produced a further account of the admin of the said MARY’S estate. Balance due 4.1.1 to the estate of the said MARY GUTHREY.end sourceSOURCE: Orphans’ Court Proceedings of New Castle County, Delaware April 1778 – July 1787by Sarah Deakyne Burke; Published by Colonial Roots
p.22 – 8 Apr 1778
ROBERT GUTHREY and JAMES GUTHREY, minors orphan children of SAMUEL GUTHREY, late of St. George’s Hnd, dec’d, chooseth for their guardian their brother, WILLIAM GUTHREY of Pencader Hnd, of who the Court approves.
Ann’s Notes:
1. Robert & James Guthrey are the children of Samuel Guthrey Jr and his wife Margaret Knox. Samuel Jr was the son of Samuel Guthrey Sr & wife Mary.
2. Samuel & Margaret were married at Old Swedes/Holy Trinity Church in October 1745.
3. Samuel died on an unknown date prior to 1774 when his sisters Jane Guthrey Vail & Elizabeth Guthrey McCabe petitioned the court to divide land inherited from their father after their mother’s death.
4. The space of 4 years between the time of that 1774 petition and the 1778 guardianship request suggests that Robert & James’ mother, Margaret Knox Guthrey, was alive during that time frame and recently died.
5. The selection of their brother William Guthrey as a guardian indicates that he is of age in 1778. The fact that they could request their own guardian indicates that Robert & James were probably not very young minors.
p.17-18 – 28 Apr 1778
We, WILLIAM GUTHREY and JOSIAH WILLIAMS both of Pencader Hnd, are bound unto ROBERT GUTHREY and JAMES GUTHREY minor orphan children of SAMUEL GUTHREY, late of St. George’s Hnd afsd, dec’d, in the sum of 100 pounds, to be paid to the said ROBERT GUTHREY and JAMES GUTHREY.
p.200 – 22 & 24 Feb 1787
SAMUEL GUTHREY and wife vs WILLIAM PATTERSON and WILLIAM WEIR, admins of JOHN EDWARDS, dec’d. Citation. Returns cited. Continued.
SAMUEL GUTHREY and wife vs WILLIAM PATTERSON and WILLIAM WEIR, admins of HANNAH EDWARDS, dec’d. Citation. Returns cited. Continued.
Ann’s Notes:
1. The Samuel Guthrey listed here is Samuel Guthrey III, son of Samuel Guthrey Jr and Margaret Knox.
2. Samuel was apparently one of their older sons and thus did not require a guardian in 1778 as did his brothers Robert & James.
3. Samuel’s wife was Susannah Edwards. Their marriage date is unknown. It is presumed that John & Hannah Edwards were Susannah’s parents.
p.205 – 3 Apr 1787
SAMUEL GUTHREY and wife vs WILLIAM PATTERSON and WILLIAM WEIR, admins of JOHN EDWARDS, dec’d. Citation. Returns cited. The defendants appear and are discharged upon payment of fees.
SAMUEL GUTHREY and wife vs WILLIAM PATTERSON and WILLIAM WEIR, admins of HANNAH EDWARDS, dec’d. Citation. Returns cited. The defendants appear and are discharged upon payment of fees.
Ann’s Notes:
1. The above entries are known to be related to the Guthrie/Guthreys of St George Hnd and Pendcader Hnd, New Castle County.
2. There is a second group of Guthrie/Guthreys living in Mill Creek Hundred, Delaware at about the same time. DNA testing has proven that the Mill Creek Hundred Guthrie descendants of William Guthrie & Mary Welch are NOT genetically related to the Guthries of the Md/Pa Group. Though it is believed that the Guthries of St George & Pencader Hnds are related to the Md/Pa Group, there is no current representative in the DNA project with a verified lineage descending from Samuel & Mary Guthery.
3. The entries below will NOT include any verified to belong to the Mill Creek Hundred group. See original sources for those entries.
SOURCE: Orphans’ Court Proceedings of New Castle County, Delaware Record Book F: July 1787 – May 1788 Record Book G: July 1788 – Feb 1793 by Sarah Deakyne Burke; Published by Colonial Roots; FHL US/CAN 975.11 P2w v.4
No St George Hnd / Pencader Hnd entries
SOURCE: Orphans’ Court Proceedings of New Castle County, Delaware Record Book H: April 1793 – Dec 1799 Record Book I: May 1800 – Apr 1802 by Sarah Deakyne Burke; Published by Colonial Roots; FHL US/CAN 975.11 P2w v.5
No St George Hnd / Pencader Hnd entries
SOURCE: Orphans’ Court Proceedings of New Castle County, Delaware Book I – J August 1802 – March 1811 by Margaret Deakyne Mealy; Published by Colonial Roots; FHL US/CAN 975.11 P2w v.6
p.43 – 23 Aug 1804
The court appoints ALEXANDER VAIL guardian of DEBORAH SMITH, a minor orphan child of ROBERT SMITH, dec’d. SAMUEL GUTHERY as surety.
p.6 – 15 Mar 1805
Ann’s Note:
1. Samuel Guthrey is listed as owning neighboring land to Isaac Evans, dec’d, of Pencade Hnd who died in 1797.
p.79 – 23 Aug 1805
Ann’s Note:
1. Samuel Guthery is named among a group of freeholders who assessed the real estate of Jane Whann, dec’d, and recommended that it not be divided.
p.80 – 23 Aug 1805
Ann’s Notes:
1. Samuel Guthery is named among a group of freeholders who assessed the real estate of Isaac Evans, dec’d, of Pencader Hnd, and recommended that it not be divided. The court ordered them to go again to assess its value.
2. A previous entry had establised that Isaac Evans was a neighbor of Samuel Guthrey’s in Pencader Hundred.
p.120 – 4 Mar 1807
Ann’s Notes:
1. Samuel Guthery was listed among a group who assigned the valuation of the real estate of Levi Bunker and Jesse Bunker, minors, a lot in the village of Glasgow. Children of William Bunker, dec’d.
p.133 – 25 Aug 1807
Ann’s Notes:
1. Samuel Guthery was listed among a group who assigned the valuation of the real estate of Robert and William Cooch Middleton, minors, children of Robert Middleton, dec’d.
p.152 – 18 Aug 1808
Ann’s Notes:
1. Samuel Guthery was listed among a group who assigned the valuation of the real estate of Susannah Whann, a minor child of William Whann, dec’d.
p.156 – 7 Mar 1809
The Court appoints SAMUEL GUTHREY guardian of WILLIAM WILEY, a minor orphan child of JOHN WILEY, dec’d. MORGAN JONES as surety.Upon the petition of SAMUEL GUTHREY, guardiang of WILLIAM WILEY, a minor orphan child of JOHN WILEY, dec’d, it is ordered that freeholders do go upon the lands of the said minor and value the same.
p.164 – 11 Mar 1809
Ann’s Notes:
1. Samuel Guthrey in another group to assign a valuation of real estate. The name of the heirs is on p.163, which I failed to copy.
p.172 – 22 Aug 1809
Ann’s Notes:
1. Samuel Guthery in another group to assign valuation of real estate. Lands of James & Thomas McMullen, minor children of Robert McMullen, dec’d.
p.180 – 6 Mar 1810
Ann’s Notes:
1. Samuel Guthery in another group to assign valuation of real estate. Lands of James & David Miles, minor orphan children of Laurence H. Miles, dec’d.
SOURCE: Orphan’s Court Proceedings of New Castle County, Delaware Book K: Aug 1811 – Apr 1820 Book L: Apr 1820 – Apr 1822by Margaret Deakyne Mealy; Published by Colonial Roots; FHL US/CAN 975.11 P2w v.7
p.7-8 – 27 Aug 1811
Ann’s Notes:
1. Samuel Guthrey in another group to assign annual valuation of real estate for the minor orphan children of Daniel Tindal, dec’d.
2. Next entry. Reporting on the valuation of estate of James & Thomas McMullen, minor orphans of Robert McMullen, dec’d.
p.24 – 21 Aug 1812
Ann’s Notes:
1. Samuel Guthrey is listed as a neighbor of Margret Adair, widow of William Adair, late of Pencader Hnd.
p.28 – 25 Aug 1812
Ann’s Notes:
1. James Guthrey is listed with several of the same men often grouped together with Samuel Guthrey to value property. Here, James’ group recommends that the real estate of William Bunker not be divided. This is the first mention of James in any group to assign the valuation of property.
2. Important! If this James Guthrey is James, son of Samuel & Margaret Guthrey, then it might debunk my theory about James being Branch C’s James who m. Elizabeth Eilor. Need to verify.
3. Also possible that James’ name was written in error instead of Samuel’s since Samuel Guthrey had been among those assigned to evaluate the William Bunker estate. Note below that the next William Bunker entry has Samuel listed again.
p.41-42 – 22 Sep 1813
Ann’s Notes:
1. Samuel Guthery is back with the group reporting on the valuation of real estate of Mary Middleton, dec’d. The next entry indicates that Mary Middleton’s property was in Pencader Hnd.
2. Samuel Guthery subscribed to the valuation of the William Bunker real estate, located in Pencader Hnd.
p.140 – 17 Apr 1818
Ann’s Notes:
1. Petition of Thomas Vail in relation to matters concerning the estate of Robert Smith, late of Pencader Hnd, mentions that Smith’s lands neighbored those of Robert Guthrie.
p.143 – 24 Aug 1818
Ann’s Notes:
1. Robert Guthery provided surety in a case wherein John Turner, a minor orphan of George Turner, dec’d, chose a guardian.
p.160 – 19 Aug 1819
WILLIAM MAGANS, a minor orphan child of THOMAS MAGANS, dec’d chooses for his guardian WILLIAM GUTHREY. SAMUEL GUTHREY as surety.
p.169 – 14 Apr 1820
Ann’s Notes:
1. Petition of William Guthrie, executor of the lwt of Thomas Magens, late of the town of New Castle, & guardian of William Magens, makes a case for the sale of Magens’ property in order to pay Magens’ debts.
p.177 – 25 Aug 1820
WILLIAM GUTHRIE, exec of the lwt of THOMAS MAGANS, dec’d, do certify that I did sell at public auction on 24 June 1820 all the lot of land for $43 to JEREMIAH BOWMAN of the town of New Castle. Signed 24 Aug 1820. William Guthrie, exec.
HOT TOPIC
Are the GUTHRIES of PENCADER HUNDRED, NEW CASTLE COUNTY, DE
ancestors of the GFG2A – BRANCH C line?
CLUES:
- Naming patterns. Samuel & Mary Guthrie’s eldest son was named Adam. The name is also found in other GFG2A Group Branches.
- James, son of Samuel & Margaret (Knox) Guthrie, is the right age to be the James Guthrie who married Elizabeth Eilor.
- DNA: Descendants of Robert & Edumund, presumed sons of James & Elizabeth, share MD/PA DNA Match.
- Documentation links Robert & Edmund with the Sapp Family.
- They are also linked via documentation to their presumed brother James Guthrie (1789-1845) who married Louisa Rebecca Naylor.
- It is this James Guthrie (1789-1845) who has the documented ties to parents James Guthrie & Elizabeth Eilor.
- Ira Ellsworth Guthrie (b.1881), a descendant of James & Louis Rebecca (Naylor) Guthrie reported that his ancestors included “Samuel & Rebecca” and their son “James Guthrie” who married Elizabeth Eilor.
- There is no indication of a “Samuel & Rebecca” of the right generation living in Colonial America or Scotland. However, there was one couple by those names and with ties to a few proverbial skeletons that might have made them stick in Ira’s memory.
- Samuel H. Guthrie, son of Samuel & Susanna (Edwards) Guthrie married Rebecca Driggs, the sister of the country’s most notorious counterfeiter. Their son was allegedly involved in the gang. Census records indicate that Samuel was born in Delaware.
- A search of Delaware records leads to a 4-generation line of men named Samuel Guthrie.
DELAWARE NATURALIZATION RECORDS
JOHN GUTHRIE
23 May 1862
New Castle County
KENT COUNTY
DELAWARE NATURALIZATION RECORDS
PATRICK GUTHRIE
7 May 1848
Kent County
