Guthrie Family Group 13 – Branch A
JAMES GUTHRIE c1762IRE-1839NY and JANE SMITH
of County Antrim, Northern Ireland and New York State, USA

CONTENTS:
Origin Theories
The Family of James Guthrie & Jane Smith
Historical Highlights
The Guthrie DNA Project

ORIGIN THEORIES for GFG13 – BRANCH A

American Guthrie and Allied Families reveals the following on the family of James Guthrie of Livingston County, NY:

“A tradition of this branch of the family is to the effect that their Guthrie ancestors were Covenanters in Scotland and were forced to leave there for Ireland owing to the persecutions which were directed against those of their faith. They went to Ireland in the last quarter of the seventeenth century and after the persecutions had subsided some of them returned to Scotland, while certain ones remained in Ireland and it was from the latter that this branch sprang.

James Guthrie, Sr., was born in 1764, at Balamena, County Antrim, Ireland. There he married Jane Smith, who was born in 1768. About 1817, they migrated to America to join their sons James and Robert, who having proceeded them by some years and had located in Livingston County, NY. It is said that James Guthrie Sr had a brother, who with his family migrated with him, but neither his given name nor place of his settlement are known. James Guthrie Sr died Sept. 23, 1839, at York, NY; his wife, Dec. 12, 1827. Both are buried there.”

Both sons, Robert John Guthrie and James Guthrie are listed with the birthplace of Rathfriland, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

There are 68 pages of original correspondence and notes between author Lawrence R Guthrie and the sources of his information on this family posted at Family Search.

The family stories waver a bit on how James & Jane (Smith) Guthrie and family arrived in America. One descendant suggests that the family, along with James’ brother, arrived at once, and that they all went about clearing land for the purpose of cultivation. Another states that Robert John Guthrie arrived first around 1807, was joined by his brother James, and later by the rest of the family. They 1807 date would make Robert only 14 years old at the time based on his DOB. James Guthrie Sr and family are listed in the 1810 census of Galway, Saratoga County, New York. They were enumerated there again in 1820, but without either of the sons listed. The family story reveals that by 1815, Robert John and James had travelled west to York, Livingston County, New York.

THE FAMILY of JAMES GUTHRIE & JANE SMITH

JAMES GUTHRIE
Born: 1764
Location: Northern Ireland, possibly Balymena in County Antrim
Married: Jane Smith about 1792 in Northern Ireland
Occupation: Unknown
Died: 23 September 1839
Location: York, Livingston, New York, USA
Buried: Olivet Cemetery, Covington, Wyoming, New York, USA

JANE SMITH
Born: 1768
Location: Northern Ireland, possibly County Antrim
Sons: Robert John Guthrie (1793), James Guthrie (1796)
Daughters: Jane Guthrie (1799), Mary Guthrie (1805), Margaret Guthrie (1810), Eliza Ann Guthrie (1813), Martha Guthrie (18??)
Died: 12 December 1827
Location: York, Livingston, New York, USA
Buried: Olivet Cemetery, Covington, Wyoming, New York, USA

CHILDREN:

ROBERT JOHN GUTHRIE
1785IRE-1875NY

Robert John Guthrie was born about 1793 in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. American Guthrie and Allied Families indicates that Robert and his brother James were born in Rathfriland, County Antrim, however this town is actually further south in County Down. The original letter reads “near Rathfriland, I think” so may or may not have merit.

Robert married Mary Cameron about 1824 based on the 1824 DOB of their eldest child, William. He purchased property in York, Livingston, NY on the Genessee River. Mary died in 1863 and Robert in 1875.

Children: 14
Sons: William Guthrie (1824), James Guthrie (1828), Duncan Guthrie (1833), Smith Guthrie (1834), Cameron Guthrie (1838), Robert John Guthrie (1846)
Daughters: Eleanor Helen Guthrie (1827), Jane Ann Guthrie (1830), Mary Catherine Guthrie (1831), Martha Guthrie (1842), Susan Guthrie (1843), Margaret Guthrie (1844), Elizabeth Guthrie (1848)

Y-DNA Project Participants: No
Family Finder Participants: No

JAMES GUTHRIE JR
1796IRE-1851NY

James Guthrie Jr was born in Northern Ireland on 26 June 1796. He and his brother Robert John Guthrie moved from eastern New York to Livingston County, NY about 1815 although the property records I found don’t begin until 1825.

James married Dorothy Burrell on 10 April 1827 in York, Livingston, NY. They remained their for the duration of their lives and raised 11 children. James was a devout Christian and was an elder and clerk of the session of the Covenanter Church of York. James died in York on 22 February 1851 and Dorothy on 25 September 1889. They are buried with many other family members at Olivet Cemetery.

Children: 11
Sons: Cuthbert Guthrie (1829), John Guthrie (1830), James Guthrie (1836), William A Guthrie (1843)
Daughters: Jane Guthrie (1828), Elizabeth Guthrie (1832), Margaret Guthrie (1834), Mary Guthrie (1839), Anna Guthrie (1841), Dorothy Guthrie (1845), Martha B Guthrie (1848)

Y-DNA Project Participants: Yes
Family Finder Participants: No

JANE GUTHRIE
1799IRE-1853NY

Jane Guthrie was born in Northern Ireland. She likely came to America when her parents arrived. Jane and her younger sister Ann appear to have remained single. They jointly owned property together. Jane died on 13 May 1853. She is buried at Olivet Cemetery.

MARY GUTHRIE
1805IRE-1881NY

Mary Guthrie was born in Northern Ireland, presumably County Antrim about 1805. She married Thomas Copeland about 1837. They settled in Covington, Wyoming, New York, the neighboring county to the west of Livingston County, NY. Thomas Copeland was a farmer. They had two sons and four daughters. Mary died in 1881 and Thomas in 1888. They are buried at Olivet Cemetery, in Covington, Wyoming, NY.

Children: 6
Sons: James Copeland (1845), John G Copeland (1848)
Daughters: Elizabeth Copeland (1838), Mary J Copeland (1840), Margaret Copeland (1841), Martha Copeland (1843)

Family Finder Participants: No

MARGARET GUTHRIE
1810NY-1886WI

Margaret Guthrie was reportedly born at Ballston Center, Saratoga, NY on 19 September 1810, and census records corroborate a NY birthplace. She married James Stewart on 31 October 1831 in Genesee, New York. They had 4 sons and 3 daughters. The family moved from New York to Wisconsin by 1850. Margaret died in LaGrange, Walworth, Wisconsin on 24 Feb 1886. Her husband James died the following year.

Children: 7
Stewart Sons: William James Stewart (1834), John Stewart (1835), Archibald Stewart (1840), Samuel H Stewart (1852)
Stewart Daughters: Anna Stewart (1842), Helen M Stewart (1848), Mary E Stewart (1850)

Family Finder Participants: No

ELIZA ANN GUTHRIE
1813NY-1852NY

Eliza Ann Guthrie apparently went by the name Ann. She was born in New York about 1813, possibly in Livingston County. She remained unmarried and resided on property jointly owned with her sister Jane Guthrie. Ann died in York, Livingston, New York on 22 October 1852, and is buried with the family at Olivet Cemetery in Covington, Wyoming, NY.

MARTHA GUTHRIE
18??- Unknown

Martha Guthrie’s name is listed in American Guthrie as the youngest child, but without dates of birth and death for reference.

HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS

1764: BIRTH of JAMES GUTHRIE
County Antrim, Northern Ireland, possibly in Ballymena

The 1810 census lists James as 26-44 (born 1766-1784).
The 1820 census lists James as born before 1776.
The 1830 census lists James as 60-69 years old (born 1761-1770)
The family memorial stone indicates James was 75 at his death in 1839.

1768: BIRTH of JANE SMITH
Northern Ireland, probably in County Antrim

The 1810 census lists Jane as 26-44 (born 1766-1784).
The 1820 census lists Jane as born before 1776.
The family memorial stone lists Jane as 59 years old at her death in 1827.

1793: BIRTH of SON – ROBERT JOHN GUTHRIE
Northern Ireland, possibly County Antrim, or Rathfriland, County Down

The 1830 census lists Robert as 30-39 (born 1791-1800).
The 1840 census lists Robert as 40-49 (born 1791-1800).
The 1850 census lists Robert as 54 years old (born 1796).
Find-a-Grave lists Robert’s DOB as 1793.

1796: BIRTH of SON – JAMES GUTHRIE JR
Northern Ireland, possibly County Antrim, or Rathfriland, County Down

James Guthrie’s DOB is documented as 26 June 1796.

1807: ARRIVAL IN EASTERN NEW YORK STATE

The correspondence by descendants with author Lawrence R Guthrie reveals that this branch first arrived in eastern New York about 1807, and that it was son Robert John Guthrie who arrived first, followed by James, and then the parents and siblings. I think it was most likely the whole family arriving in 1807 because Robert John and James were underage at the time.

1810: US CENSUS of NEW YORK
Galway, Saratoga County, New York, USA

THE JAMES GUTHRIE HOUSEHOLD:
1 – Male – 26-44 (1766-1784) – James
1 – Female – 26-44 (1766-1784) – Jane
1 – Male – 10-15 (1795-1800) – James
1 – Female – 10-15 (1795-1800) – Jane
2 – Females – Under 10 (1801-1810) – Mary & Margaret
This enumeration indicates that son Robert John Guthrie was living elsewhere in 1810. He would have been about 17, unmarried, and living in someone else’s household. Daughters Eliza Ann (1813) and presumably Martha (Year Unknown) were not yet born,

1815: ARRIVAL IN YORK, LIVINGSTON, NY

1815 is the year that sons Robert John Guthrie and James Guthrie went to York, Livingston County, New York to clear land for cultivation, and were followed ‘a few years later’ by their parents and siblings.

1819: FORMATION of YORK TOWNSHIP
York Township was formed from Caledonia & Leicester

1820: US CENSUS of NEW YORK
Galway, Saratoga County, New York, USA

THE JAMES GUTHRIE HOUSEHOLD:
1 – Male – 45 and up (born before 1776) – James
1 – Female – 45 and up (born before 1776) – Jane
1 – Female – 16-25 (1795-1804) – Jane
2 – Females – Under 10 (1811-1820) – Margaret and Eliza Ann
Persons Engaged in Manufactures: 1
Both Robert John and James Jr are living elsewhere in 1820. Based on the family stories, they should be in York, Livingston, NY setting up farms. Daughters Jane and Ann remained single their entire lives, so are most likely two of the females enumerated above. Daughter Mary born in 1805 and still unmarried in 1820 is also not listed here. Daughter Margaret did not marry until 1831 and would be only 10 in this census, and therefore should be living at home. The only question is about daughter Martha. There is still no clue as to her birth/death.

1821: FORMATION of LIVINGSTON COUNTY, NEW YORK, USA
Livingston County, NY was formed from Genesee and Ontario Counties, both of which appear to border York Township in current Livingston County where this Guthrie family settled.

About 1823: MARRIAGE of SON – ROBERT JOHN GUTHRIE
New York, USA, presumably in York, Livingston County

Robert married Mary Cameron. They were parents to 14 children: William (1824), Eleanor Helen (1827), James (1828), Jane Ann (1830), Mary Catherine (1831), Duncan (1833), Smith (1834), Sophia (1837), Cameron (1838), Martha (1842), Susan (1843), Margaret (1844), Robert John (1846), and Elizabeth (1848).

1825: PROPERTY PURCHASE by JAMES GUTHRIE JR
York, Livingston County, New York, USA on 7 May 1825

Liber 3 – Pages 336-337: John Grieg & Clarissa his wife to James Guthrie Junr – Lot#2 of York Township containing 67-3/4 acres

1825: PROPERTY PURCHASE by ROBERT JOHN GUTHRIE
York, Livingston County, New York, USA on 7 May 1825

Liber 3 – Pages 338-339: John Grieg of Canadaigua, Ontario County, NY & Clarissa his wife to Robert J Guthrie of Livingston County, NY – a tract on Lot#2 of David Finley’s subdivision of the Tuscarora Tract containing 77 acres for $900.

About 1827: MARRIAGE of SON – JAMES GUTHRIE JR
New York, USA, presumably York, Livingston County

James married Dorothy Burrell about 1827. They were parents to Jane (1828), Cuthbert (1829), John (1830), Elizabeth (1832), Margaret (1834), James (1836), Mary (1839), Anna (1841), William (1843), Dorothy (1845), and Martha (1848).

1827: DEATH of WIFE – JANE (SMITH) GUTHRIE
York, Livingston County, New York, USA on 12 Dec 1827

Jane is buried at Olivet Cemetery in Covington, Wyoming County, New York, USA.

1830: US CENSUS of NEW YORK
York, Livingston County, New York, USA

THE JAMES GUTHRIE SEN. HOUSEHOLD:
1 – Male – 60-69 (born 1761-1770) – James
2 – Females – 20-20 (born 1801-1810) – Jane and Mary
2 – Females – 15-19 (born 1811-1815) – Margaret and Eliza Ann
This census takes place after Jane (Smith) Guthrie’s death. The sons remain living elsewhere, and there is still no sign of Martha, who I am starting to think died in infancy or early childhood.

THE JAMES GUTHRIE JR. HOUSEHOLD:
1 – Male – 30-39 (1791-1800) – James
1 – Female – 20-29 (1801-1810) – Dorothy
1 – Female – Under 5 (1826-1830) – Jane
1 – Male – Under 5 (1826-1830) – Cuthbert

THE ROBERT J GUTHRIE HOUSEHOLD:
1 – Male – 30-39 (1791-1800) – Robert
1 – Female – 20-29 (1801-1810) – Mary
1 – Male – 5-9 (1821-1825) – William
1 – Male – Under 5 (1826-1830) – James
2 – Females – Under 5 (1826-1830) – Eleanor and Jane Ann

1831: MARRIAGE of DAUGHTER – MARGARET GUTHRIE
Genesee County, New York, USA on 31 October 1831

Margaret Guthrie married James Stewart. They moved to La Grange, Walworth County, Wisconsin by 1850. Children: William James (1834), John (1835), Archibald (1840), Anna (1842), Helen (1848), Mary (1850), and Samuel (1852).

1832: PROPERTY PURCHASE by JAMES GUTHRIE JR
York, Livingston County, New York, USA on 25 June 1832

Liber 10 Pages 443-444: John Greig of Canadaigua, Ontario County, & wife Clarissa to James Guthrie Junior of York for $650 Part of Lot#1 (65acres) part of David Finley’s subdivision of the Toscarora Tract

1833: PROPERTY PURCHASE by ROBERT GUTHRIE & JAMES GUTHRIE JR
York, Livingston County, New York, USA on 9 September 1836

Liber 18 Pages 284-286: Alexander Haney & wife Mary to Robert J Guthrie and James Guthrie Junior – Part of Lot 46 of a tract on or near the Genesee River for consideration of $140.

About 1837: MARRIAGE of DAUGHTER – MARY GUTHRIE
New York, USA, either in Livingston or Wyoming County

Mary Guthrie married Thomas Copeland. They settled in Covington, Wyoming County, New York and raised 7 children. Elizabeth (1838), Mary (1840), Margaret (1841), Martha (1843), James (1845), and John (1848).

1837: PROPERTY PURCHASE by ROBERT J GUTHRIE
York, Livingston County, New York, USA on 26 June 1837

Liber 20 Pages 213-214: Archibald Stewart & Abigail to Robert J Guthrie

1839: PROPERTY SALE by ROBERT J GUTHRIE & JAMES GUTHRIE JR
York, Livingston County, New York, USA on 14 May 1839

Liber 27 Page 35: Robert J Guthrie and James Guthrie Junior, and Mary & Dorothy their wives, of York, Livingston County, to John Hamilton, for $150, 2 acres, part of Lot 46 on the Genesee River, part of the 40,000 acre Wilkins Tract.

1839: DEATH of JAMES GUTHRIE
York, Livingston County, New York, USA on 23 September 1839

James is buried at Olivet Cemetery in Covington, Wyoming County, New York.

1840: US CENSUS of NEW YORK
York, Livingston County, New York, USA

THE ROBERT J GUTHRIE HOUSEHOLD:
1 – Male – 40-49 (1791-1800) – Robert
1 – Female – 30-39 (1801-1810) – Mary
1 – Male – 20-29 (1811-1820) – Unknown
1 – Male – 15-19 (1821-1825) – William
1 – Male – 10-14 (1826-1830) – James
2 – Females – 10-14 (1826-1830) – Eleanor Helen and Jane Ann
2 – Males – 5-9 (1831-1835) – Duncan and Smith
1 – Female – 5-9 (1831-1835) – Mary Catherine
1 – Male – Under 5 (1836-1840) – Cameron
2 – Females – Under 5 (1836-1840) – Sophia
Persons in agriculture: 4

THE JAMES GUTHRIE (JR) HOUSEHOLD:
1 – Male – 40-49 (1791-1800) – James
1 – Female – 30-39 (1801-1810) – Dorothy
1 – Male – 15-19 (1821-1825) – Unknown
1 – Female – 10-14 (1826-1830) – Jane
1 – Male – 10-14 (1826-1830) – Cuthbert
1 – Male – 5-9 (1831-1835) – John
2 – Females – 5-9 (1831-1835) – Elizabeth and Margaret
1 – Male – Under 5 (1836-1840) – James
1 – Female – Under 5 (1836-1840) – Mary
Persons engaged in agriculture: 2

THE JANE GUTHRIE HOUSEHOLD:
1 – Female – 30-39 (1801-1810) – Jane
1 – Female – 20-29 (1811-1820) – Eliza Ann

1844: PROPERTY PURCHASE by JAMES GUTHRIE
York, Livingston County, New York, USA on 20 Aug 1844

Liber 28 Pages 284-285: John Gilmore & wife Margaret of Genesee County to James Guthrie of Livingston County, part of Lot#1 which is part of David Finley’s subdivision of Tuscorara Tract – 92acres 31rods.

1848: PROPERTY SALE by ROBERT JOHN GUTHRIE & MARY GUTHRIE
York, Livingston County, New York, USA on 29 Jun 1848

Liber 35 Page 134-135: Robert J Guthrie and Mary his wife to Alexander Boyd and James Gordon, Trustees of the Associate Church of York and Covington for consideration of $18.75 a parcel containing 30 rods.

1850: US CENSUS of NEW YORK
York, Livingston County, New York, USA

Note that the census images are out of order splitting this family between images 41 and 52.

THE ROBERT GUTHRIE HOUSEHOLD:
(Image 41 of 71)
Robt. Guthrie 54, M W farmer RE: 8750 IRE
Mary Guthrie 46 F W SCT
Hellen Guthrie 23 F W NY
Jas. Guthrie 22 M W NY 1 attended school (college)
Jane Guthrie 20 F W NY
Mary Guthrie 18 F W NY attended school
Duncan Guthrie 17 M W NY attended school
Smith Guthrie 16 M W NY attended school
Sophie Guthrie 13 F W NY attended school
Campbell Guthrie 12 M W NY attended school
(The remainder of the family is on image 52 of 71)
Martha Guthrie 10 F W NY attended school
Susan Guthrie 8 F W NY attended school
May Guthrie 6 F W NY attended school
Robt. Guthrie 4 M W NY
Eliz Guthrie 2 F W NY

THE JAMES GUTHRIE (JR) HOUSEHOLD
Jas. Guthrie 53 MW Farmer RE: 8330 IRE
Dorothy Guthrie 44 FW ENG
Jane Guthrie 22 FW NY
Cuthbert Guthrie 21 MW Farmer NY
John Guthrie 19 MW NY attended school (college)
Eliz. Guthrie 17 FW NY
Mary Guthrie 16 FW NY attended achool
James Guthrie 14 MW NY attended School
Mary Guthrie 11 FW NY attended school
Ann Guthrie 9 FW NY attended school
Wm. Guthrie 7 MW NY attended School
Dolotha Guthrie 5 FW NY attended School
Martha Guthrie 2 FW NY
Hugh Calderwood 30 MW Laborer SCOT

THE JANE GUTHRIE HOUSEHOLD:
Jane Guthrie 51 MW RE:275 IRE
Ann Guthrie 35 FW SCOT
Two original errors. Jane is listed as male. Ann is listed as born in Scotland.

1851: DEATH of SON – JAMES GUTHRIE JR
York, Livingston County, New York, USA

Buried at Olivet Cemetery in Covington, Wyoming, NY.
Probate dated 14 February 1851 in York, Livingston, NY.
James’ wife Dorothy (Burrell) Guthrie survived him. She died in 1889.

1852: DEATH of DAUGHTER – ANN GUTHRIE
York, Livingston County, New York, USA on 22 October 1852

Buried at Olivet Cemetery in Covington, Wyoming, New York.

1853: DEATH of DAUGHTER – JANE GUTHRIE
York, Livingston County, New York, USA on 13 May 1853

Will written 1 March 1853.
Buried at Olivet Cemetery in Covington, Wyoming, NY.

1854: ESTATE SALE – JANE GUTHRIE
York, Livingston County, New York, USA ON 4 January 1854

Liber 45 Pages458-459: Thomas Copeland of Peoria, Wyoming County, NY executor of Jane Guthrie of York, Livingston County, to James Collings, $360, tract of 15 acres jointly owned by Jane Guthrie and Ann Guthrie, also decd.

1854: PROPERTY – DEED OF RELEASE
York, Livingston County, New York, USA on 4 January 1854

Liber 45 Pages 459-460: Robert J Guthrie & Mary his wife, Cuthbert Guthrie, John Guthrie & Elizabeth Guthrie, Thomas Copeland & Mary his wife, Archibald McCartney & Jane his wife, to James Cullings.

1856: PROPERTY – DEED OF RELEASE
York, Livingston County, New York, USA on 26 June 1854

Liber 50 Page 74: John Guthrie, guardian to James, Mary, Anna, William, Dorothy, and Martha Guthrie, all under 21, release rights to property previously owned by Ann & Jane Guthrie and conveyed to James Collings.

1857: DEATH of SON – ROBERT JOHN GUTHRIE
York, Livingston County, New York, USA in 1857

Buried at Olivet Cemetery in Covington, Wyoming, NY
Probate on 2 Nov 1857 and 4 Jan 1858.
Robert’s wife Mary survived him. She died in 1863.

THE GUTHRIE DNA PROJECT

Guthrie Family Group: GFG13
Group Designation: Branch A – (The Guthries of Saratoga & Livingston, NY)

Haplogroup: I-M223
Confirmed Haplogroup: I-M223

YDNA Matches:  1
Kit 273618
James Guthrie/Jane Smith > James Guthrie Jr/Dorothy Burrell > Cuthbert Guthrie/Paulina Elizabeth Armstrong (GGP) +more

Family Finder / Autosomal DNA Kits:  1
Kit B9210
James Guthrie/Jane Smith > Robert John Guthrie/Mary Cameron > William Guthrie/Janet Robertson > John Robertson Guthrie/Jennie S Wilson > Jeanette ‘Nettie’ M Guthrie/William Henry Scott > No Further Lineage Info Provided 

Findings:

Kit 273619 matches the genetic profile for other Guthrie lineages grouped into GFG13, including Descendants of Robert Guthrie 1773NC-1856TN & Jane Norwood, and Edwin Guthrie 1808SC-1875AL & Mary Elizabeth Cagle.

This kit is a Y37 marker test matching Group Mode DNA (the most common value found at any given marker) 36/37.

DYS437 = 25 versus Group Mode = 26. This variance is unique to this kit. As this is the only kit representing Branch A descendants, there is too little info to determine if this variance is common to the branch or simply a random or recent change in the DNA.