George Leonard Guthrie c1845MD-p1882 & Annie Maria White
of Worcester & Wicomico, Maryland and Nansemond, Virginia

CONTENTS:
Origin Theories
The Family of George Guthrie & Annie White
Historical Highlights
The Guthrie DNA Project

Like all of the branches of Guthrie Family Group 1A, the descendants of George & Maria (White) Guthrie have a claim on the historical lineage tied to the Guthries of Guthrie. The genetic line is proven to have shared direct paternal ancestry with the Guthries of Craigie going back to James Guthrie & Christian Scott, the parents of the first Baron Guthrie of Craigie. This infers a lineal relationship to the Guthries of Guthrie. Does George Guthrie’s line come from one attached to a descendant of that couple, or to a forbearer?

There are currently three American centers of activity for GFG1A. The main hub is found in Middlesex County, Virginia with Branch B progenitor John Guthrie and his wife Elizabeth Baskett. Pennsylvania is the home of Branch C’s William Guthrie and Jane Steele, who are far more recent arrivals to the USA. Branches D and E are both found in Worcester County, Maryland

Recently found evidence now suggests that the progenitors of Branches D and E are half-brothers, the sons of John Guthrie, a farmer born about 1800 living in Worcester County, MD. This theory was formed through the discovery of an indenture between John Guthrie and James S Nelson arranging for an apprenticeship for son John in the art of shoe and bookmaking with a local cordwainer. Examination of vital records shows a marriage between a John Guthrie and Betsy Nelson on 11 Feb 1817 in Worcester, MD, suggesting that Nelson might have been a relative.

The 1830 census of Worcester, MD lists 7 persons in the family: 1M 30-39, 1F 20-29, 2M 10-14, 1M 5-9, 1M and 1F under 5. These are identified as John Guthrie and wife Betsy Nelson, John S Guthrie (1819-1893)/Branch E, William W Guthrie (1820-1893), Thomas B Guthrie (1824-1882), (FNU-Female) Guthrie (c1826-????), and James Guthrie (1826-1903).

Betsy Nelson likely died 1826-1833 as it appears that John Guthrie remarried on 28 Aug 1833 to a Piercey Wilson. The 1840 census shows his wife in an older age bracket than Betsy. The household still numbers 7 with 1M and 1F 40-49, 1F 5-9, 2M and 2F under 5. The two youngest girls believed to be the daughters of John Guthrie and Piercey Wilson are Hannah Elizabeth (c1834-????) and Margaret A (c1834-????). Their mother died 1834-1840. Hannah is found living with older half-brother William in 1850 and older half-brother James in 1860. Margaret is found living with William T and Ann M Lewis in 1850, although it is unknown if there is a family relationship or if she was there as a boarder or a servant. She did have an older half-sister whose identity is unknown.

John Guthrie presumably remarried for a third time. No marriage record has yet been found, but his inferred wife in the 1850 census is named Ann. Their children: George 10, Ann 6, James 5, Charlotte 3, and Charles 2. George is now believed to be George Leonard Guthrie of Branch D.

This theory seems sound as it is backed up by two lineages with matching Y-DNA proving their descendants share a direct line common paternal ancestor who would in this case be John Guthrie of Worcester, Maryland.

We then return to the question of how this family is related to the other branches of Guthrie Family Group 1A. Was John Guthrie a new immigrant from Scotland, Ireland, or England? There are earlier Guthries found living in the area of Worcester County, Maryland, so perhaps he was born there. If so, can his father be identified? Is there another path now traceable to one of the GFG1 branches from Middlesex, Virginia? Not at first glance. Unless a son or grandson of John Guthrie & Elizabeth Baskett unexpectedly survived and went undocumented the majority of their traceable male descendants settled south. There appears to be more wiggle room within the family of William Guthrie and Frances Wilbourn for explorative research, but nothing obvious at this time.

GEORGE LEONARD GUTHRIE
Parents: Unknown
Born: c1845
Location: Maryland, probably Worcester County
Marriage: Annie Maria White 1860-1863 in Maryland
Occupation: Laborer, Sawmill Hand
Death: 1881-1892
Location: Unconfirmed, probably Nansemond, Virginia
Buried: Unknown, probably Nansemond, Virginia

ANNA MARIA WHITE
Parents: Robert White & Mary Ann McVey (Online Trees)
Born: 1843
Location: Maryland, USA
Sons: William Wesley Guthrie, Alfred Winfield Guthrie
Daughters: Mary Louise Guthrie
Marriage 2: William D Oliver on 31 Mar 1892 in Suffolk, Virginia
Death: 24 Dec 1919
Location: Williamsburg, James City, Virginia, USA
Buried: Suffolk, Virginia, USA

CHILDREN:

MARY LOUISE GUTHRIE
1866MD-1953NC

Mary Louise Guthrie was born in Maryland on 31 July 1866. She lived in Wicomico, Maryland and then Nasemond, Virginia with her family before her marriage to James Daniel Sumner on 17 May 1883. They were parents to 8 children. James was a blacksmith. Between 1900-1910 they moved to Burgaw, Pender, North Carolina. James was employed in the Saw Mill. Mary died in Wilmington, New Hanover, North Carolina on 12 Dec 1953. She is buried at the Burgaw cemetery in Pender County.

Children: 8
Sumner Sons: Thomas Mills Sumner, Samuel Lawrence Sumner, Preston Sumner, James Daniel Sumner, John Lewis Sumner
Sumner Daughters: Maryana Sumner, Daisy Bell Sumner, Annie Sumner

Family Finder Participants: None

WILLIAM WESLEY GUTHRIE
1877MD-1951VA

William Wesley Guthrie was the eldest son of the family born on 10 Sep 1877 in Maryland. They had moved to Nansemond, Virginia by the time he was three. William married Alida L. Matthews on 25 Nov 1894 in Gates, NC. He worked as a Carriage Painter, a truck driver on a farm, and painter. They lived in Suffolk, Virginia and had 5 children. William died in Suffolk on 27 Oct 1951.

Children: 5
Sons: George Leenwoord Guthrie, William Horace Guthrie, Algerd L Guthrie
Daughters: Grace Bell Guthrie, Pearl A Guthrie

Family Finder Participants: None

ALFRED WINFIELD GUTHRIE
1882VA-1931VA

Alfred Winfield Guthrie was born 19 Feb 1882 in Nansemond County, Virginia. He was twenty at the time of his marriage to 16 year old Emma Rose Small on 14 Oct 1902. They were parents to 10 children, including a son who died in infancy. Alfred was a plumber and worked in that industry. He died at only 49 years of age on 4 Jun 1931. Emma survived him by 37 years. She died 1 Dec 1968. Both ar buried in Suffolk.

Children: 10
Sons: Alfred Rawles Guthrie, (Baby Boy) Guthrie, Shirley ‘Gus’ Winfield Guthrie, George Edward Guthrie, Carlton Raymond Guthrie, Frank Preston Guthrie
Daughters: Virginia Irene Guthrie, Thelma Louise Guthrie, Bernice Mae Guthrie, Anna Mary Guthrie.

Y-DNA Project Participants: Yes
Family Finder Participants: Yes

1840-1850: BIRTH of GEORGE GUTHRIE

First comes the question of his name. George’s son Alfred’s marriage record lists him as George L Guthrie. The transcription of daughter Mary’s marriage record lists him as George H. Guthrie. Alternate names found in trees shows him as George William Guthrie.

Depending upon the census records you choose as belonging to this George Guthrie, he was born sometime between 1840-1850 (c1845). His parents may have been John & Ann Guthrie listed in the 1850 district 2 census of Worcester, MD.

c1843: BIRTH of ANNIE MARIA WHITE
Maryland, USA

Annie Maria White was born in Maryland about 1843 (alternate DOB as early as 24 Jun 1839) to Robert & Mary White.

1850: US CENSUS of MARYLAND
Worcester County, Maryland, USA

GUTHERY HOUSEHOLD: Jno Guthery 50 farmer birthplace unknown, Ann Guthery 35 Ann Guthery 6 George Guthery 10 James Guthery 5 Charlott Guthery 3 Charles Guthery 2. 

US CENSUS of MARYLAND
Distict 7, Cecil County, Maryland, USA

WHITE HOUSEHOLD: John White 44 mason real estate 300, Mary White 23, Mary White 17, John White 14, Elizabeth White 13, Margaret White 11, Ann White 9, Sarah White 6, William White 2, Josephine White 1. All listed with a birthplace of Maryland.

1860: US CENSUS of MARYLAND
Costens, Worcester, Maryland, USA

John H Hancock 31; Elizabeth Hancock 21; Leonard Guthrie 15 [Another entry for a George Guthrie, 22 (b.1838) is listed on the farm of Elijah Brittingham and family in the same location as above.]

1860: US CENSUS of MARYLAND
Coulbournes, Worcester, Maryland, USA (Post Office: Snow Hill)

Ann M White, 17, is found in the household of Benjamin & Priscilla Cummans working as a domestic servant.

1860-1866: MARRIAGE of GEORGE GUTHRIE & ANNIE MARIA WHITE

It is presumed that George & Annie married before the birth of their daughter Mary in 1866. No marriage record found. There is a Civil War Draft Registration for a George Guthrie of Sandy Hill (corresponding to the one born in 1838) with a marital status of ‘married’ on 1 July 1863.

1866: BIRTH of DAUGHTER – MARY LOUISE GUTHRIE
Maryland, USA on 31 July 1866

Mary Louise Guthrie was probably born in Salisbury, Wicomico, Maryland on 31 July 1866.

1870: US CENSUS of MARYLAND
Salisbury, Wicomico, Maryland, USA

GUTHRIE HOUSEHOLD: George Guthne 25 day laborer; Anna Guthrie 27; Mary Guthrie 3

1877: BIRTH of SON – WILLIAM WESLEY GUTHRIE
Salisbury, Wicomico, Maryland, USA

Willie was born on 10 Sep 1877 in Maryland sometime prior to the family’s move to Nansemond County, Virginia.

1880: US CENSUS of MARYLAND
Cypress, Nansemond, Virginia, USA

GUTHRIE HOUSEHOLD: George Guthne, 25, Sawmill Hand; Anna Guthne 27; Mary Guthne 12, Willie Guthrie 4

1881-1892: DEATH of GEORGE GUTHRIE
Nansemond County, Virginia, USA – Probably

George Guthrie died in his late thirties or early forties of unknown causes. No death record found. His youngest son would have been conceived in 1881. His widow remarried in 1892. So the death occurred between those years.

1882: BIRTH of SON – ALFRED WINFIELD GUTHRIE
Nansemond County, Virginia, USA

Alfred was born in Virginia, probably in Suffolk, Nansemond County on 19 Feb 1882.

1892: MARRIAGE of ANNIE GUTHRIE & WILLIAM D OLIVER
Suffolk, Nansemond, Virginia, USA on 31 Mar 1892

1900: US CENSUS of VIRGINIA
Suffolk, Nansemond, Virginia, USA

GUTHRIE HOUSEHOLD: William W Guthrie 23 carriage painter, Elida L Guthrie 24 wife, George L Guthrie 4 son, Grace B Guthrie 2 daughter, William H Guthrie 3/12 son, Alford L Guthrie 2/12 son, Annie M Oliver 57 mother, William D Oliver 43 father-in-law drayman.

1900-1910: PRESUMED DEATH of WILLIAM D OLIVER

Annie’s second husband, William D Oliver, was alive in 1900 to be listed with her at her son Willie’s home. Her commitment papers at the Eastern State Hospital in 1909 listed her as married. By the 1910 census, she is listed as a widow.

1910: US CENSUS of VIRGINIA
Eastern State Hospital, Williamsburg, James City, Virginia, USA

Inmate: Annie Oliver, Female, White, 67, Widowed, born in Maryland, parents both born in Maryland

“The Eastern State Hospital, built in 1773 in colonial Williamsburg, was the first public facility in the US constructed solely for the care and treatment of the mentally ill. The hospital’s patients were moved in the 20th century to a new facility outside Williamsburg. By 1935 the ESH housed some 2000 patients with no more land for expansion. The original building had been burned but was reconstructed in 1985. Today it operates as a museum about the treatment of mental illness.” {SOURCE}

1919: DEATH of ANNIE WHITE GUTHRIE OLIVER
Eastern State Hospital, Williamsburg, James City, Virginia, USA

Annie’s death certificate reveals that she had been in residence in the city 10 years, 11 months 10 days. Based on the 1910 census, that seems to indicate that she was a patient at the Eastern State Hospital during that time. Also confirmed by the death certificate where B. I. Bell signed that he attended Annie from 22 Jan 1909 – 24 Dec 1919. She died of cerebral hemorrhage. The certificate also mentions her commitment papers as a source of data for her death certificate rather than a family member.

THE GUTHRIE DNA PROJECT

Guthrie Family Group: GFG1A
Group Designation: Branch D – (The Guthries of Worcester, MD)

Haplogroup: R-M269
Confirmed Haplogroup: R-Y62042

YDNA Matches:
Kit 846168 (+FF)
George Leonard Guthrie/Annie Maria White > Alfred Winfield Guthrie/Emma Ross Small (GP) +more

Family Finder / Autosomal DNA Kits:
None

Findings:

The YDNA participant matches the genetic profile of GFG1A. He has tested at the Y111 marker level and has 6 mutations compared to Group Mode DNA.

DYS392 = 14 (Group Mode 13) matches Kit 290792, which is from GFG1A Branch E, the other Worcester, MD line.

CDYa = 38 (Group Mode 37) is a fast moving marker.

DYS557 = 18 (Group Mode 17) is unique to this participant.

DYS712 = 17 (Group Mode 18) is shared with 3 others including two descendants of James Guthrie & Christian Scott. 

DYS504 = 16 (Group Mode 17) is unique to this participant.

DYS513 = 12 (Group Mode 13) is shared with 3 other participants including two descendants of James Guthrie & Christian Scott.

Shared mutations at DYS392 and CDYa, as well as a regional connection in Worcester, MD suggest that Branches D and E may be more closely related than the overall common group ancestor.

Shared variances at DYS712 and DYS513 could indicate descent from James Guthrie & Christian Scott. However, less than half of the group has tested at the Y111 level, so the finding could be more common.

Primary Sources

Primary sources are original records created at or near the time of events, offering direct evidence. For this branch, they cluster around mid-19th-century Maryland, reflecting rural, agricultural life in Worcester County amid post-Civil War migrations. Key repositories: Maryland State Archives (MSA), FamilySearch, Ancestry, and U.S. Census Bureau via online platforms.

Marriage Records

• George Guthery and Ann Maria White: Married 3 February 1863 in Worcester County, Maryland. This is the foundational record for Branch D, establishing the union shortly after the Civil War era. Source: Maryland County Marriages, 1658–1940 (FamilySearch.org; film #0014260). Context: No license date listed, but bond or certificate implies a simple civil or church ceremony; nuances include variant spellings (“Guthery” vs. “Guthrie”). Access: Free on FamilySearch; searchable on Ancestry as “Maryland, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1655–1850.”
• Related Ancestral Marriages (for context on John’s line): John Guthrie and Betsy Nelson, 11 February 1817, Worcester County (possible mother of earlier siblings); John Guthrie and Piercey Wilson, 28 August 1833, Worcester County (potential mother of George if timeline overlaps). Sources: Maryland Marriage Records transcripts (MSA, Hall of Records, Annapolis). Implications: Helps trace paternal lineage; edge case of undocumented marriage to Ann (c. 1835–1840) affects maternity assignment.

Census Records

Censuses provide snapshots of household composition, occupations, and migrations. George’s family appears in agricultural districts, with literacy often unnoted, reflecting working-class status. Discrepancies: Ages fluctuate ±5 years; race consistently white.

• 1850 U.S. Federal Census, District 2, Worcester County, Maryland: Household of John Guthery (50, farmer) includes George Guthery (10, male). Establishes George’s birth c. 1840 and residence in rural Maryland. Roll: M432_299, Page: 313B. Access: Ancestry.com or FamilySearch (free). Nuances: Lists Ann (35) as inferred spouse, supporting theory of her as George’s mother; adjacent households may indicate kin networks.
• 1860 U.S. Federal Census, Costens District, Worcester County, Maryland: George Guthrie (22, laborer) in Elijah Brittingham household, suggesting employment as a farmhand pre-marriage. Roll: M653_481, Page: 635. Access: Ancestry. Context: No Annie yet; implies single status.
• 1870 U.S. Federal Census, Salisbury, Wicomico County, Maryland: George Guthrie (25, day laborer), Anna (27, keeping house), Mary (3), Willie (4). First post-marriage record, showing move to Wicomico (formed 1867 from Worcester). Roll: M593_598, Page: 661A. Access: FamilySearch. Implications: Birthplaces all Maryland; economic status low (no real estate value listed).
• 1880 U.S. Federal Census, Cypress, Nansemond County, Virginia: George Guthrie (25, sawmill hand—age likely erroneous, should be ~40), Anna M (37), Mary L (12), Willie (4). Indicates migration to Virginia for work. Roll: 1379, Page: 39A, Enumeration District: 052. Access: Ancestry. Edge case: Age inconsistency may stem from informant error; highlights occupational shift to lumber industry.
• Related Censuses for Parental Context:
  • 1830 U.S. Census, District 2, Worcester: John Guthrie household with young males fitting George’s siblings.
  • 1840 U.S. Census, Western District, Worcester: John (40–49) with children under 5–10, aligning with George’s birth.

Death and Burial Records

• George Leonard Guthrie’s Death: Estimated 1882–1892, likely Nansemond County, Virginia (post-1880 census, pre-Annie’s potential widowhood). No exact certificate found; inferred from absence in 1900 census and family narratives. Source: Derived from genealogical compilations; check Virginia Death Records, 1853–1912 (Ancestry). Nuances: Cause unknown; implications for descendants include orphan research.
• Annie Maria White’s Death: After 1880; no record located. Possible in Virginia; search Nansemond/Suffolk vital records via Virginia Department of Health.
• Related Deaths: John Guthrie (after 1850, Worcester); James Guthrie (brother?, 10 May 1903, Snow Hill, cause unknown—death certificate via MSA). Headstone: Bates Methodist Church Cemetery, “James Guthery Born May 26 1826, Departed May 10 1903.”

Military Records

• No direct service for George, but related: Brothers Thomas B. Guthrie and James Guthrie enlisted as Union privates (1862, Maryland Volunteers). Sources: Maryland Volunteers, War of 1861–65 (Fold3.com or Ancestry). Context: George may have avoided draft due to age/labor role; nuances in family Union allegiance amid border state dynamics.

Probate and Land Records

• Walty Jones’ Will (1856, Worcester County): Mentions related Jones kin (e.g., Euphemia Guthry), indirectly linking via marriages. Source: Maryland Register of Wills Records, 1629–1999 (FamilySearch, film #005647795). Access: Free online. Implications: Explores in-law networks.
• Earlier Guthrie Probates (colonial context): Patrick Guttrey (1759 will, Worcester); James Guttrey (1754 inventory). Source: MSA Probate Records, Colonial Index G, 1634–1777. Nuances: May connect to deeper GFG1A roots, but unproven for Branch D.

Secondary Sources

Secondary sources interpret primary data, offering narratives, analyses, and genetic insights. They are valuable for contextualizing Branch D within broader Guthrie migrations from Virginia to Maryland, but verify against originals to avoid propagation of errors (e.g., conflated individuals).

Genealogy Websites and Blogs

• Guthrie Genealogy Blog: Comprehensive pages on Branch D, including “D: John Guthrie & 3 Wives” and “1A-D: Leonard Guthrie” (brother of George). Details origins, timelines, and DNA theories. Coordinator: Ann Guthrie. Access: Free. Context: Reconfigures lineages based on recent evidence; nuances include speculative maternity for George (Ann vs. Piercey).
• WikiTree Profile for John Guthrie: Lists George as son, with sources like 1850 census. Managed by community; includes DNA connections. Access: Free. Implications: Collaborative; edge cases like typographical errors (e.g., James’ birth as “1926” vs. 1826).

DNA and Genetic Resources

• Guthrie DNA Surname Project (FamilyTreeDNA): Y-DNA and autosomal tests confirm GFG1A profile for Branch D descendants. Kits (e.g., B18761) link to related branches. Access: https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/guthrie (requires account; group admin: Ann Guthrie). Context: Matches skew to GFG1A-Branch B (Virginia); nuances in mutations suggest John Guthrie’s paternity.

Books and Published Histories

• American Guthrie and Allied Families by Laurence R. Guthrie (1940s?): Covers colonial Guthries in Maryland, Virginia, etc. Relevant sections on Worcester County lines. Access: Archive.org (full text free). Context: Broad overview; implications for tracing pre-1800 roots, though not specific to George.
• Records of the Guthrie Family of Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Virginia by Eveline Guthrie Dunn and Harriet Nancy Dunn (1898): Includes Virginia-Maryland migrations; potential links to GFG1A. Access: ElectricScotland.com (PDF free) or Ancestry. Nuances: Focuses on allied families; verify with DNA.
• Maryland Historical Magazine (1972, Vol. 67, No. 4): Articles on colonial Maryland, including probate and church records relevant to early Guthries. Access: MSA or Ancestry (PDF). Context: Broader socio-economic insights, e.g., tobacco taxes affecting farmer ancestors.

Other Compilations

• Maryland Online Genealogy Records (FamilySearch Wiki): Aggregates links to censuses, vitals; useful for expanding searches.
• Sargeant Memorial Collection (Norfolk Public Library): Genealogy files on Virginia families; potential for Nansemond records post-1880.

Consider helping everyone out by sharing your knowledge about your family line. There may be only a handful of people in your immediate family, but hundreds or thousands more around the globe who share your more distant Guthrie ancestry. A little bit of research can potentially provide someone with the clue they need. Contact Ann if you have info to share, want to write an article, or collaborate to create one.