Guthrie Family Group 1A – Branch A
JAMES GUTHRIE c1720 IRE – 1800/01 NC and ELIZABETH (MNU)
of Ireland, Maryland & North Carolina

CONTENTS:
Origin Theories
The Family of James Guthrie & Elizabeth (MNU)
Historical Highlights
Mistaken Identities
The Guthrie DNA Project
Research & Resources

ORIGIN THEORIES for GFG2A BRANCH A

The Guthries were farmers and men of faith, some might say religious zeal. James Guthrie married ‘late in life’ to Elizabeth, whose maiden name remains a mystery. It is never mentioned in the family documents, which has caused frequent cases of mistaken identity. The most common error labels her as a Dunlap, which is the name of a woman married to a completely different James Guthrie.

Having spent 1 – 2 generations in Northern Ireland, James Guthrie immigrated to Maryland with his family during the mid-late 1760s. They may have lived there for a few years. James was about 50 when his son Robert was born near Baltimore in 1770. Prior to the American Revolution, the family settled in Orange County, North Carolina. Their two sons (James and Robert) and 6 daughters (Ann, Mary, Margaret, Martha, Jean, and Elizabeth) grew to adulthood, married, and moved to Tennessee and Kentucky.

Neither my father’s recollections, the “Sketch of Missouri and Tennessee Guthries” by James Guthrie’s grandson, Rev. Allen Washington Guthrie, nor the collected correspondence of Rev. Lawrence R. Guthrie for “American Guthrie and Allied Families” reveals the details of James Guthrie’s ancestry. The clues that provide him with a past are all due to the wonders of genetic genealogy. Not only does the Direct Paternal Line Genetic Testing (YDNA) of Guthrie men identify other related lineages, it also reveals which of those family lines likely share even closer common ancestry.

Within the details of the YDNA tests are the clues that link GFG2A’s Branches A, E, and H together. Inherited genetic changes indicate close shared ancestry between their progenitors, James Guthrie (A), Robert Guthrie (E), and John Guthrie (H). The latter’s origin story indicates that he is a son of JOHN GUTHRIE & JANE STUART, and so they are also inferred to be the parents for James (A) and Robert (E).

John Guthrie was reportedly a SCOTTISH COVENANTER who was forced to flee to Ireland due to religious persecution. Jane Stuart was said to be an Irish descendant of the ROYAL HOUSE of STUART, which might simply mean her family name is Stuart/Stewart. There is no documentation on John Guthrie or Jane Stuart’s existence in Londonderry, but the YDNA supports the close ties between these three branches.

Another origin story from Guthrie Family Group 2A reveals a belief that they descend from the GUTHRIES of PITFORTHIE. All of the Laird’s sons were men of religion, only one of whom did not become an ordained minister. Some were accused of treason against the crown due to religious reasons. Did one or more of these sons or grandsons flee to Ireland? Proving any connection to the Guthries of Pitforthie will be difficult as most descendant lineages remain untraced. John Guthrie could potentially be a son or grandson of James Guthrie, the LAIRD of PITFORTHIE, which fits both G and H’s origin stories.

The theme of Guthrie men pursuing the ministry of the church continues in Branch A as numerous descendants became ministers of the Presbyterian and later Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

THE FAMILY of JAMES GUTHRIE & ELIZABETH (MNU)

JAMES GUTHRIE
Parents: John Guthrie & Jane Stuart (Theory)
Birth: c1720 (“about 50” in 1770)
Location: Northern Ireland, probably near Londonderry
Marriage: Elizabeth (MNU) c1760-1763
Occupation: Farmer
Death: Nov 1800 – May 1801 (proven range)
Location: Orange County, North Carolina, USA
Burial: Unknown location in Orange or Caswell, NC

ELIZABETH (Maiden Name Unknown)
Parents: Unknown – Family Name Remains Unidentified
Birth: 1743 (Unproven)
Location: Northern Ireland (unproven)
Sons: James & Robert
Daughters: Ann, Mary, Margaret, Martha, Jean, Elizabeth
Death: After 1810 (proven estimate)
Location: Unverified, probably Orange County, North Carolina
Burial: Unknown location presumably in Orange or Caswell, NC,

NOTE:
The birth order of the children is not well defined. Many have a birth date range or estimated DOB.

GUTHRIE CHILDREN: 8
Y-DNA Project Participants: Yes
Autosomal DNA Participants: Yes

LINKED PAGES:
CHILD 1: Mary Guthrie abt. 1765IRE/MD – 1840TN m Alexander McMenamy
CHILD 2: James Guthrie abt.1765IRE/MD-abt.1862TN m. Jane Smith
CHILD 3: Martha Guthrie abt.1766MD – aft.1846KY m1.Hugh Barnett, m2. Joseph Snodgrass
CHILD 4: Ann Guthrie 1766MD – 1834TN m. John Shannon
CHILD 5: Robert Guthrie 1770MD – 1843MO m. Mary Smith
CHILD 6: Margaret Guthrie bef. 1775 MD/NC – aft. 1820TN m. John Forrest
CHILD 7: Jean Guthrie 1775-76NC – 1860TN m. John Madden
CHILD 8: Elizabeth Guthrie 1782NC – 1830-40IL m. Robert Patton

HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS

About 1720: BIRTH of JAMES GUTHRIE
YDNA findings reveal that James Guthrie is the likely son or grandson of John Guthrie & Jane Stuart from Londonderry, N. Ireland. Family data reveals that he was about 50 years old in 1770 making his estimated DOB about 1720.

An alternate DOB of c1739 has also been circulated in the IGI and other user-submitted databases. That date is associated with a different James Guthrie, the son of Robert & Bridget (Dougherty) Guthrie, who is likely the nephew or first cousin of this James Guthrie. R&B’s son lived and died in Pennsylvania.

About 1760-1764: MARRIAGE to ELIZABETH (MNU)
Elizabeth’s given name is confirmed in James Guthrie’s will and probate records, but their marriage date and location remain unconfirmed. Presumably in Northern Ireland.

Also unknown is Elizabeth’s maiden name. There is currently no known documentation listing her family name. Many trees across the internet incorrectly list her as Elizabeth Dunlap, who was the wife of another James Guthrie. James & Elizabeth (Dunlap) Guthrie both died at sea on the way to America. They have a completely different origin story and family.

Before 1765: BIRTH of DAUGHTER – MARY GUTHRIE
The 1810 census enumerated Mary as being born before 1765. The 1820 census as before 1775. She may have been born in Northern Ireland or Maryland.

About 1765: BIRTH of SON – JAMES GUTHRIE
James is the eldest of the two sons in the family. He may have been born in Northern Ireland, but his daughter listed his birthplace as ‘Meriland’

Before 1766: BIRTH OF DAUGHTER – MARTHA GUTHRIE
Martha was born before 1775 in either Maryland or North Carolina.

1760-1770: MOVED to AMERICA
Grandson, Rev. Allen Washington Guthrie, wrote that “James Guthrie migrated from the North of Ireland to America before the Revolution and settled near Baltimore. He was then probably 50 years of age and had a wife and several children, though he was not married until late in life.”

1766: BIRTH of DAUGHTER – ANN GUTHRIE
Ann was born 8 Mar 1766, the first child whose birthdate has been documented. I had assumed Ann was the eldest daughter because of the order by which the girls are named in their father’s will …”Ann, Mary, Margaret, and Martha” being identified as the four eldest. However, census records for her sister Mary indicate she was born before 1765, while Ann’s recorded DOB is 1766.

1770: RESIDENCE in BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
Baltimore was one of the major ports for immigrants, so it seems possible that it was the entry point for James Guthrie and his family. No immigration documents have been found to date. The location was provided by James’ grandson, Rev. A.W. Guthrie.

1770: BIRTH of SON – ROBERT GUTHRIE
Robert was born on 3 Nov 1770 near Baltimore, Maryland. At this time James Guthrie was noted to be “about 50” years of age.

Before 1775: BIRTH of DAUGHTER – MARGARET GUTHRIE
Margaret was born before 1775 in either Maryland or North Carolina.

1775-1776: BIRTH of DAUGHTER – JEAN GUTHRIE
Jean was born between 1775-1776. She was also known as Jeany.

1778: OATH OF ALLEGIANCE
This record could apply to this James Guthrie, who was known to reside in the Baltimore, Maryland are during this approximate time frame. A James Guthrie is listed as taking the Oath of Allegiance before the Hon. James Calhoun.

About 1779: MOVED to NORTH CAROLINA
It is likely that the family travelled on one of the established colonial roads. The Upper Road began in Fredericksburg, Maryland and passed through Hillsboro, North Carolina.

1779: NEIGHBOR to HUGH SHANNON
On 14 Dec 1779 James Guttry is listed as a chain carrier during a survey for Hugh Shannon on the Hico next to the Caswell County line. This is the earliest record placing James Guthrie in North Carolina.

1781: TAX RECORDS in ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
James Guthrie appears on a list of ‘delinquent’ property taxes. This is prior to his 1785 purchase of 440 acres, so he must have owned a smaller property in the area.

1781 (MARCH 15): THE BATTLE of GUILFORD COURTHOUSE
Rev. Allen Washington Guthrie reported that his father, Robert, son of James & Elizabeth Guthrie, as a boy, remembered hearing the sound of cannon fire during the Battle of Guilford Courthouse.

1782: BIRTH of DAUGHTER – ELIZABETH GUTHRIE
Elizabeth was born in 1782 Orange County, North Carolina.

1784 (AUGUST 11): PROPERTY PURCHASE IN ORANGE & CASWELL, NC
John Gibson of Washington County, VA to James Guttrie of Orange County, NC for L100, land in Orange & Caswell Counties on E side of county line, 440 acres on S. Hico adj. Forrest, Rawls. 11 Aug 1784. Wit: Thomas Douglass, Benjn Douglass. (Caswell DB C182)

1784 (AUGUST 17): MARRIAGE of DAUGHTER – ANN GUTHRIE
Ann’s marriage to John Shannon took place on 17 Aug 1784 in Orange County, NC. It appears that John & Ann moved west about the same time as her brothers and their wives settling in Robertson County, TN prior to 1800 near the Sumner County, TN line.

1786: PROPERTY – LAND ENTRY
Enters for 62 Acres, Hico River, Orange Co., NC neighboring own property. Warrant issued 29 Aug 1786.

1787: JURY DUTY
Source: Abstracts of the Minutes of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions of Orange County, NC February 1787 through November 1795 Compiled by Alma Cheek Redden (SLC FHL) p.6
Tuesday Morning 9 o’clock 29th may 1787.Ordered Sheriff summons following persons as Jurymen, next county court:[includes] John Patton, Sr. and James Guttery[Note: The latter could’ve been James Guthrie’s son James who would have been in his early 20s by that time.]

1788: NEIGHBOR to WILLIAM MUZZLE
A deed for William Muzzle dated 18 Nov 1788 in names “Guttery” as owning the neighboring property along the Hico, although it does not specify him as being “James Guttery”.

1790: US CENSUS OF NORTH CAROLINA
Source: “Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States taken in the year 1790 North Carolina”
The 1790 census for Orange, Caswell and Granville counties is not complete. The state itself was divided into 8 districts with several counties falling into each district. The HILLSBOROUGH DISTRICT was comprised of 6 counties: Chatham, Randolph, Wade, Caswell, Granville and Orange. The last 3 counties are listed as “missing” with the names being taken from TAX lists of the time. 

Therefore, the James Godfrey listed for At. Asaph’s District of Hillsborough District of Orange County, NC is a name taken from the TAX LISTS and not the actual census. The fact that James Guttry (Guthrie) is not listed is only significant because he was living in one of the ‘missing’ districts.

This also explains why there is no enumeration of those members of his household as with the many other counties.

1790: LAND PATENT in ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
Land Patent Book 75 Page 28 File No. 1992 Grant No: 1080 Entered 29 Aug 1786 Entry No 151 Issued 17 Nov 1790. “Granted unto James Guthra 123 acres of land in Orange County on the waters of the Hico.”

1791 (JANUARY): MARRIAGE of SON – ROBERT GUTHRIE
Robert Guthrie married Mary Smith, a daughter of Andrew Smith & Elizabeth Kerr. She is one of 9 Smith siblings, the first of two who married into this Guthrie family. This marriage took place on 29 Jan 1791 in Hillsborough, Orange County, NC. This couple moved to TN soon after their marriage along with their siblings James & Jane. Sister Ann & her husband John Shannon possibly made the move at the same time.

1791 (FEBRUARY): MARRIAGE of SON – JAMES GUTHRIE
James Guthrie married Jane Smith, a daughter of Andrew Smith & Elizabeth Kerr. She is one of 9 Smith siblings, the second of the two that married into this Guthrie family. This marriage took place on 25 February 1791, about a month after Robert & Mary (Smith) Guthrie were wed. The bondsman to the marriage was Andrew Smith, possibly Jane & Mary’s father. This couple moved to TN soon after their marriage along with their siblings Robert & Mary. Sister Ann & her husband John Shannon possibly made the move at the same time.

Before 1792: MARRIAGE of DAUGHTER – MARGARET GUTHRIE
The exact date of Margaret’s marriage to John Forrest remains unknown. Based on the date of their daughter’s 1792 birth, it was likely before then. This couple moved to Tennessee prior to 1820.

1794: FRIEND & NEIGHBOR
Source: Orange County Deed Book Ten – 1742 (404).
Jan 10, 1794 Isaac Rayney enters 130 acres in Orange Co on GREAT BRANCH of HAW River; border: Joacob Holt, George Holt & Peter Brinkley, Sr

[Note: Isaac Rainey was James Guthrie’s (Guttry) ‘trusty friend’ and executor of his estate. This entry places Isaac as a property owner close to land owned by James Godfrey of the Haw River area.] 

1795: MARRIAGE of DAUGHTER – MARY GUTHRIE
Mary was married to Alexander McMenamy on 9 May 1795 in Orange County, NC. Her father (or brother) James Guthrie is listed as the bondsman. Alexander & Mary were still living in North Carolina in 1810, but had moved to Rutherford, Tennessee by 1820.

Before 1800: MARRIAGE of DAUGHTER – MARTHA GUTHRIE
Martha apparently married a man named Hugh Barnett. Their son, James Guthrie Barnett was named in her father James Guthrie’s will, which was written in Nov. 1800. Her husband died soon afterward, and Martha remarried in 1803 to Joseph Snodgrass.

NOVEMBER 1800 – MAY 1801: DEATH OF JAMES GUTHRIE, SR.
James Guthrie wrote his will on 1 Nov 1800 in Orange County, NC wherein he named his wife, children, and several grandchildren. All but two of his daughters had married by that date.

Last Will & Testament, JAMES GUTHRIE, Orange County Courthouse, NC

Page 1 of 2
“In the name of God Amen. I James Guthrie of Orange County and State of North Carolina being in perfect mind and memory but finding the decline of life and my disalution fast approaching and calling to mind the certainty of death I constitute this my last will and testament making void all other wills and testaments heretofore made Committing my body to the dust from whence it came and my soul to the mercy of God who gave it and as to my temporal property it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I dispose of as follows. 

Page 2 of 2
First I give and bequeath to my son James Guthrie 100 acres of land lying on the North Side of the Creek adjoining William McKee and also to my son Robert Guthrie, I give and bequeath 100 acres lying West of the land I give to my son James adjoining John Hulch, also, I give and bequeath to my four eldest daughters Ann, Mary, Margaret and Martha to each the sum of 10 shillings – also I give and bequeath to my daughter Jean Guthrie one feather bed and furniture and flax wheel and saddle which she now has in her possession and also one horse and two cows at her marriage or my wife’s death and also I give and bequeath to my youngest daughter Elizabeth Guthrie one feather bed and furniture and flax wheel and saddle and also a horse and two cows at her marriage or my wife’s death – I also give will and bequeath to my grandson James Guthrie son of James, and Robert Guthrie son of James each the sum of 10 pounds at my wife’s death to be taken care of for them by their parents with Interest, and also I will and bequeath to my grandsons James Shannon, James Barnett, James Forrest, James McMenamy the sum of five pounds at my wife’s death to be taken care of for them by their parents with Interest, also I will and bequeath to my well beloved wife Elizabeth Guthrie all my lands on the South side of the Creek and moveable property during her life or widowhood, and in case she should marry, the land and all the property to be divided equally amongst all my children, and further appoint my trusty friend David Mitchell and Isaac Rainey Executors of my estate nothing doubting their fidelity in the Execution of the same and in testemony of this being my last will and testement I have herunto set my hand and fixed my seal this first day of November one thousand eight hundred_________

Constitued ordained\\\published and declared in the presence of 
John Rainey
Wm McManamy
Jno Sanders

[Signed by James Guthrie]

Proved at the Orange County Court May Term 1801

The Execution of the foregoing last will and testament of James Guthrie dc’d was duly proved in open court by the oath of Wm McMenamy and Jno Sanders subscribing witnesses and ordered to be recovering at the same time Executors therin named qualified accordingly.”

[Note: James Guthrie, Sr. does not identify by name the creek which runs through his land. He gives the names of two neighbors: William McKee and John Hulch. He does not indicate any property which may have been transferred to his sons or daughters prior to his will.]

1801 (JULY): INVENTORY of the ESTATE of JAMES GUTHRIE, SR.
An inventory of his estate indicates that he owned 6 horses, 16 cattle, 15 sheep, 22 hogs and 4 geese. There were also 3 bibles, 8 small books and 3 pairs of spectacles among his belongings. At the time of his death he may have possessed about 523-1/2 acres of land on the Orange & Caswell County line and near the Person County border. The executors conducting the inventory were David Mitchell and Isaac Rainey.

Source: “Inventories and Accounts of Sales, 1800-1808” for Orange County, NC
July 5th 1801 An inventory taken of the Estate of James Guthrie Dec’d.

6 head of Horse
16 head of Cattle
15 head of Sheep
22 head of Hogs
4 Geese

Plantation tools: 1 cart, 3 bare shear ploughs and 2 shovel ploughs, 2 axes, 2 Mattocks, 4 hoes, 3 iron wedges, 1 iron tooth harrow, 3 clevises, 2pr. chains, 3 chissels, 2 augers, 1 gouge, 3 files and 2 hand saws, 4 bells, 1 pitchfork, 1 dung fork, shovel & spade, dawing knife, 1 cutting box & knife, 1 reap hook & hammer.

Household furniture: 4 bed steads & 2 beds & furniture, 1 chest and 1 trunk, 2 flax wheels, 2 cotton wheels, 1 check reel, 7 chairs, 1 black walnut table, 1 pine table, 2 lg pewter dishes, 6 basons, 5 pewter plates, 6 spoons, 6 knives and forks, 1 white rug, and 1 funnel, 1 small looking glass, 1 pr sheep shears, 1 large Bible, 2 small Bibles, 8 small books, 3 pairs spectacles and 1 case, a man’s saddle, a woman’s saddle, 2 bridles, 2 pots, 2 pot racks, 1 set fire irons, 1 loom, 3 pr. harness, 2 stays, 5 water pails, 1/2 bushel, 7 casks, 2 churns, 1 razor and Hoan, 16 working spools, 2 pair cards, 1 salt sellar, 1 tumbler, 3 black bottles.

Cash in hand 3 pounds 10 shillings.
Bonds 84 pounds 10 shillings 4 pence

David Mitchel
Isaac Rainey Exr.

Orange County August Term 1801

The foregoing Inventory of the estate of James Guthrie Dec’d was returned by David Mitchel and Isaac Rainey Exrs on oath and ordered to be recorded.

[Notes: Note that “2 pr. Chains” were listed in the inventory. These are possibly chains used in surveying land. If James Guthrie, Sr. is indeed the chain-carrier listed in the surveys below, this would lend some credence to that theory.

1801 (DECEMBER): MARRIAGE of DAUGHTER – JEAN GUTHRIE
Jean Guthrie’s marriage to John Madden took place on 10 Dec 1801 in Orange County, NC. Their bondsmen were Alexander Madden and Henry M. Collum. The couple remained in North Carolina through 1810 and were living in Humphreys County, Tennessee by 1820.

1803: TAX LIST
JAMES GUTTERY, 200 acres, Gloucester District
[Note: This is the most likely entry to be this James as it is in the Hyco Creek area. It also shows 200 acres of land in Caswell County, which is the amount of land sold by sons James & Robert Guthrie after the death of their father. The remainder of the land was sold by their mother in 1810 and recorded in Orange County, showing that the Guthrie lands crossed the county border bet. Caswell and Orange.]

1803: 2nd MARRIAGE of DAUGHTER – MARTHA (GUTHRIE) BARNETT
Mrs. Martha (Guthrie) Barnett, the widow of Hugh Barnett, married Joseph Snodgrass on 26 May 1803 in Warren County, KY.

1803: MARRIAGE of DAUGTHER – ELIZABETH GUTHRIE
Elizabeth Guthrie married Robert Patton in Orange County, NC on 28 July 1803. Their bondsman was William Smith, who was most likely the brother of Jane & Mary (Smith) Guthrie who had married Elizabeth’s brothers James & Robert Guthrie. Robert & Elizabeth Patton moved to Robertson County, Tennessee between 1805-1809. After a few years they moved north to Gallatin County, Illinois and were settled there by 1820.

1804: ESTATE FILES
Isaac Rainey, the executor of James Guthrie’s estate, versus Samuel Madden Sr for payment of 7 pounds 7 shillings.
Source: Family Search – North Carolina Estate Files – Probate, James Guthrie, 1804 Orange County, NC.

1804: MYSTERY at OLD GASPER RIVER CEMETERY, LOGAN COUNTY, KY
This old cemetery contains the grave of an Elizabeth Guthrie. The photos of the memorial stone are of poor quality due to the faded stonework and use of chalk to enhance it. The transcription of the information posted at Find-a-Grave also contains an error by listing the death year as 1801 instead of 1804, which also causes a DOB miscalculation. It reads: “In memory of M__ (Mrs?) Elizabeth Guthrie who deceased on the 21st of Oct 1804 aged 70 years.” This would make her estimated birth year 1734. This grave has intrigued me ever since it was brought to my attention.

The Gasper River Meeting House is where Rev. James McGready preached leading to a great revival of religion and is considered the birthplace of Cumberland Presbyterianism. His three small congregations were at Gasper River, Muddy River, and Red River. The biographical sketch on Rev. Robert Guthrie, son of James and Elizabeth Guthrie, indicates that he was an early follower of Rev. McGready’s preaching. Theoretically, the Guthrie brothers and their wives could have come to the region at the same time when they settled along the Red River in Tennessee. The recent discovery that their sister Martha (Guthrie) Barnett Snodgrass and family owned land on the Gasper River provides another reason to believe that the Elizabeth Guthrie buried at the Old Gasper River Cemetery is related to this family. She would be the correct age to be James’ wife and the mother of these eight children. Her death in 1804 would provide a reason for son Robert Guthrie to head back to North Carolina the following year. See the Estate Business and Property Sale below. Only one fact appears to stand in the way of that theory, and it’s a big one. On 6 Nov 1810, Elizabeth Guthrie, and her sons-in-law, John Madden and Alexander McMennamy of Orange County, NC, sold to Richard Hinslee land inherited from Jamess Guthrie Sr. Who is the Elizabeth Guthrie in Old Gasper River Cemetery if she is not this Elizabeth Guthrie, and where did this woman disappear to after 1810?

1805: ESTATE BUSINESS
On 24 August 1805 in Logan County, Kentucky, son-in-law Joseph Snodgrass, the husband of daughter Martha, grants Power of Attorney to Robert Guthrie to act on his behalf to receive any money or property due to him from the estate of James Guthrie, deceased.

1805: PROPERTY SALE in CASWELL COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
JAMES GUTHRIES and ROBERT GUTHRIES of Sumner County, TN to Bailor Burch of Person County, NC, for L100, 200 acres on S. Hico adj. George Eubanks, Crisp, Mitchell. 28 Oct 1805. Wit: Isaac Rainey, Wm Mansfield.

1807: NEIGHBORS
Source: Caswell County NC Deed Books 1777-1817, Abstracts by Katharine Kerr Kendall
Deed Book O p.305 
12 Nov 1807 George Herndon of Orange to Samuel Bryans of Person, 100acres on waters of S. HICO at GUTTRY’s line. Witness: ANDREW MADDEN. Proved Feb Term 1810.

1810: PROPERTY SALE IN ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
Elizabeth Guthrie (widow of James Guthrie), John Madden & Alexander McMinnamy (her sons-in-law) of Orange sold to Richard Hinslee of same, 300 pounds for 323-1/2 acres on South Hico. By 1820, the Madden & McMenamy families had moved to Tennessee.

Source: Orange County (NC) Deed Book 13
p.448, 6 November 1810, Elisabeth Guthrie, John Maden, & Alexander McMinnamy of Orange to Richard Hinslee of same, 300 pounds, 323 1/2 acres, on South Hico, begin at a stake & rocks in an Old Field, S 6 ch to pointers, W 8ch 75lk. to a stake, S 23 ch 75lk to pointers, W 34ch to a hickory, N 54ch 25lk to a post oak, E 82 ch to pointers near a spring, S 85 ch 25 lk to 2 pines, W 7ch 25 lk to a stake, N 16 ch to a post oak John Dunn’s corner, W 9 ch to pointers, N 43 ch 50 lk to a spanish oak, W 22 ch to first station, signed Elizabeth (X) Guthrie, John Madden, Alexander McMinnamy, Wit: John Dunn & William McMinnamy, proved February Term 1811 by William McMinnamy.

1811: NEIGHBORS
Source: Orange County (NC) Deed Book 13
p.568 24 Aug 1811 Samuel Bryan of Granville to William Carnal of same 100 acres. Part of tract [[above]] from William Muzzle to David Herndon 19 Aug 1799.
On waters of South Hyco, begin at a black oak on Guthrie’s line . Proved Aug Term 1811.

1810-1820: DEATH OF WIDOW: ELIZABETH (MNU) GUTHRIE
After James Guthrie’s death in 1800/01, Elizabeth appears to have remained in Orange County, NC, possibly living on the homestead property or with either her daughter Jean (Guthrie) Madden or Mary (Guthrie) McMenamy. There is no sign of her in family records after 1810.

MISTAKEN IDENTITIES

Both James Guthrie and his wife Elizabeth have fallen prey to multiple cases of mistaken identity across the internet. Their son James Guthrie and wife Jane Smith have also been co-opted a time or two.

James Guthrie Sr:

James is frequently found listed as the son of Robert Guthrie & Bridget Dougherty (GFG2A-Branch E). This incorrect connection is complicated by the fact that James and Robert do have a close genetic connection. James is also probably young enough to be Robert’s son, however evidence tells us that he is not. The family’s origin story tells us that James did not arrive in America until the 1760s, whereas Robert and his family were already in Pennsylvania as early as the 1740s. Robert and wife Bridget Dougherty had a son named James Guthrie, born in 1739, appears to be documented in the records of Cumberland County, PA during the 1760s-1780s, and died there in 1793. George W Guthrie, Mayor of Pittsburgh, reported that James had died in 1763. Either way, he would not qualify to be the James Guthrie who was ‘about 50’ in 1770, and settled in Orange County, NC prior to 1779.

James is also not the James Guthrie who was a spouse to Elizabeth Dunlap. That couple was also from Northern Ireland, but both of them died at sea before reaching America. Their children settled in VA.

Elizabeth (MNU)
Elizabeth’s maiden name is not known. As mentioned above, Elizabeth (Dunlap) Guthrie was the wife of a different man, who also happens to be named James Guthrie. They died at sea! Their children were: Margaret (Guthrie) Walker, (FNU Daughter) Guthrie, Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Guthrie, Jennie (Guthrie) Jennings, Mary (Guthrie) Bilderback, and Adam Guthrie who m. Hannah Polke.

James & Jane (Smith) Guthrie
A case of same names/similar dates/different locations. A James Guthrie married to a Jane Smith is also found in New York. That family belongs to Guthrie Family Group 13, and is not genetically related to this one.

GUTHRIE DNA PROJECT

Guthrie Family Group: GFG2A
Group Designation: Branch A – Cluster 5 (Guthrie-Stuart)

Haplogroup: R-M269
Confirmed Haplogroup: R-Z30233

YDNA Matches: 5
Kit 24607 (+FF)
James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU > James Guthrie/Jane Smith > Robert Guthrie/Aseneth Motheral > James Irvin Guthrie/Nancy Elizabeth Guthrie* (GGP) // ALSO: James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU > Robert Guthrie/Mary Smith > Robert Wesley Guthrie/Nancy Foster > Nancy Elizabeth Guthrie*/James Irvin Guthrie (GGP) +more

Kit 84129 (+FF)
James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU > Robert Guthrie/Mary Smith > Andrew Andrew Harvey Guthrie/Jane Stewart Kirkpatrick > Robert Alexander Guthrie/Hattie Eliza Sims > William Harvey Guthrie/Lula Mae Dodson (GGP) + more

Kit 934432 (+FF)
James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU > James Guthrie/Jane Smith > Robert Guthrie/Aseneth Motheral > James Irvin Guthrie/Nancy Elizabeth Guthrie* (GGP) // ALSO: James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU > Robert Guthrie/Mary Smith > Robert Wesley Guthrie/Nancy Foster > Nancy Elizabeth Guthrie*/James Irvin Guthrie (GGP) +more

Kit 981291
James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU > Robert Guthrie/Mary Smith > James Smith Guthrie/Lethe Burns > Robert Burns Guthrie / Nancy A Killian > Robert Edward Lee Guthrie / Alida ‘Lida’ C Bowers (GGP) +more

Kit B1131
James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU > James Guthrie/Jane Smith > William H Guthrie/Unknown Wildridge > Samuel William Guthrie/Margarett E Carr > William M Guthrie/Rebecca Jane Johnson (GGP) +more

Family Finder / Autosomal DNA Kits:  15
Kit 27183
James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU > Ann Guthrie/John Shannon > Mary Ann ShannonWilliam Finley > Elizabeth A Finley/Henry Woodward (2xGGP)

Kit 36912
James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU > Elizabeth Guthrie/Robert Patton > Margaret Eveline Patton/James Baker > Elizabeth Ann Baker/Ralph S Tweedy (2xGGP)

Kit 126536
James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU > James Guthrie/Jane Smith > Robert Guthrie/Aseneth Motheral > James Irvin Guthrie/Nancy Elizabeth Guthrie* (GGP) // ALSO: James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU > Robert Guthrie/Mary Smith > Robert Wesley Guthrie/Nancy Foster > Nancy Elizabeth Guthrie*/James Irvin Guthrie (2xGGP) +more

Kit 136959
James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU > Robert Guthrie/Mary Smith > Elizabeth Guthrie/George W Wills > Margaret T Wills/James Monroe Gardner (2xGGP)

Kit 168521
James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU > Ann Guthrie/John Shannon > Samuel Marion Shannon/Avarilla Johnson > Kelly Shannon/Louisa Lucas (2xGGP)

Kit 261903
James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU > James Guthrie/Jane Smith > Sarah Guthrie/David Spear Kerr (4xGGM)

Kit 311304
James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU > Ann Guthrie/John Shannon > Samuel Marion Shannon/Avarilla Johnson > Harriet Shannon/Grafton Winfield > Nancy Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Winfield/William Turner Stone (2xGGP)

Kit 315716
James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU > James Guthrie/Jane Smith > Robert Guthrie/Aseneth Motheral > James Irvin Guthrie/Nancy Elizabeth Guthrie* (GGP) // ALSO: James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU > Robert Guthrie/Mary Smith > Robert Wesley Guthrie/Nancy Foster > Nancy Elizabeth Guthrie*/James Irvin Guthrie (2xGGP) +more

Kit 317762
James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU > Ann Guthrie/John Shannon > Mary Ann Shannon/William Finley > Elizabeth A Finley/Henry Woodward (2xGGP)

Kit 345349
James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU > Robert GuthrieMary Smith > Anna Guthrie/William Burney > Harris Lacky Burney/Mary Lucy Vick > Anna L Burney/George F Lucas (2xGGP)

Kit 393480
James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU > Ann Guthrie/John Shannon > William Marion Shannon/Mary Lucinda Cook > Robert Southern Shannon/Abigail L Durett (2xGGP)

Kit 448989
James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU > Robert Guthrie/Mary Smith > Anna Guthrie/Willim Burney > Harris Lacky Burney/Mary Lucy Vick (2xGGP)

Kit 587303
James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU > Mary Guthrie/Alexander McMenamy > William J McMenamy/Permelia Ward > Isaac A McMennamy/Nancy E Gwaltney (2xGGP)

Kit 680641
James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU > Robert GuthrieMary Smith > Andrew H Guthrie/Margaret Kirkpatrick > Hugh Kirkpatrick Guthrie/Martha Ann Norman > Mary Jane Guthrie/Jasper Dolan Parks (GGP)

Kit B252532
James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU > > James Guthrie/Jane Smith > William H Guthrie/Unknown Wildridge > Samuel William Guthrie/Margarett E Carr > William M Guthrie/Revecca Jane Johnson (GGP) // Also descends from GFG2A Branch I via Thomas Guthrie/Mildred Howell line.

FINDINGS:
James Guthrie/Elizabeth MNU had 2 sons: James and Robert.
Participants in the Y-DNA Project represent both descendant lineages.
All match the GFG2A genetic profile.

Cluster 5 (Guthrie-Stuart) is a project designation.

GFG2A-Branches A, E, and H share a genetic mutation at DYS534=14 (Group Mode=15).

This shared mutation shows a Pattern of Inheritance and suggest closer familial ties than with the overall group. Because all three branch progenitors are from Ireland or specifically the Londonderry area of Northern Ireland and have birthdates within the space of a generation it is possible that they are brothers having inherited the unique mutation from their father.

RESEARCH & RESOURCES:

BOOK: Guthrie, Laurence R. (1933) ‘American Guthrie and allied families : lineal representations of the colonial Guthries of Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, North and South Carolina, some post-Revolutionary emigrants and of some allied families’. The Kerr Printing Company, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

Digital Scans of Correspondence and Notes by ‘American Guthrie and Allied Families’ author Laurence R Guthrie with descendants of James Guthrie of Maryland and North Carolina. Repository: Family Search. Original documents are in my possession.

SKETCH OF TENNESSEE AND MISSOURI GUTHRIES
A 13-page typed document originally written by Rev. Allen Washington Guthrie on his family history. Follow the link above. Additional information on his own descendants is documented in a letter by one of his great-granddaughters.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Historical Foundation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church:
Guthrie, Allen Washington 1813-1891
Guthrie, Eli, 1801-1837
Guthrie, James Smith 1793-1855
Guthrie, Robert 1770-1843
Guthrie, William H. 1803-1872

Orange County, North Carolina Genealogy – Wiki

Sumner County, Tennessee Genealogy – Wiki

TNGenWeb – Sumner County, Tennessee Genealogy

ARCHIVES – Sumner County, Tennessee Archives

Sumner County, Tennessee Genealogists Companion

Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness – Sumner County, Tennessee

DOCUMENTS: Sumner County Tennessee Tax Records 1787-1794, FHL Film #004769060, Item 3, Starting on Image 81 of 875 Images. There are no Guthrie entries in the records.

DOCUMENTS: North Carolina Land Grant Files, 1693-1960. Digital Repository: Ancestry.com
James Guthrie – 123 Acres – Grant # 1080 – Issue Date – 17 Nov 1790 – Orange County, North Carolina

DOCUMENTS: Cross Index to Wills, 1756-1962; Wills 1752-1952. FHL Film # 004087726, IMG 65 of 659.
Jas. Gutherie – Probated May 1801 – Book D – Page 40
Devisees: Jas. Gutherie, Robt. Gutherie, Ann Gutherie, ary Gutherie, Margaret Gutherie, Martha Gutherie, Jean Gutherie, Elizabeth Gutheie, Jas. Gutherie, Robert Gutherie, Elizabeth Gutheire.
Book D – Page 40 – Last Will and Testament of James Guthrie – FHL Film #004778836, IMG 125 of 424.

DOCUMENTS: Last Will and Testament of James Guthrie of Orange County, North Carolina.
Wills (Orange County, North Carolina), 1782-1968.
FHL Film #007640570 Images 371 and 372 of 1308. Digital Repository: Family Search.

DOCUMENTS: Last Will and Testament of James Guthrie of Orange County, North Carolina. North Carolina, Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998. Digital Repository: Ancestry.com

DOCUMENTS: James Guthrie (1804), North Carolina Estate Files, 1663-1979, Orange County. 8 images.

BOOK: Bennett, William D (1994). Orange County, North Carolina Inventories & Estates, 1800-1808 (Orange County Records).
An inventory of the Estate of James Guthrie, Decd – 5 July 1801.

DOCUMENTS: North Carolina Land Grant Images and Data
James Guthra was issued 123 acres of land on 17 Nov 1790 in Orange County, located “On waters of Hico”. This was recorded in Land Patent Book 75 page 28 as Orange County Grant # 1080. The original request for this land was entered on 29 Aug 1786 and assigned Orange County Entry # 151. It took 4 years and 3 months to issue the grant.

BOOK: Peden, Henry C, Jr. ‘Revolutionary Patriots of Baltimore Town and Baltimore County, Maryland 1775 – 1783’
p.113 Guthrie, James. Oath of Allegiance, 1778, before Hon. James Calhoun. (A-2/41)
See also…
COLLECTION: Oaths of Fidelity and Oaths of Allegiance Collection ( MS 3088)
Physical Repository: H. Furlong Baldwin Library Repository https://www.mdhistory.org/

LRG CORRESPONDENCE & NOTES: Descendants of James Guthrie of Maryland and North Carolina

DOCUMENTS: General Index to Deeds – Orange County, NC – Grantors – IMG 148-149. FHL Film # 007545815
Guthrie, Elizabeth et al to Richard Henslee – 6 Nov 1810 – Deed – Book 13 – Page 448
Note that there are many entries on this page for Hugh B Guthrie and relations. This is a GFG1 lineage: Hugh Blair Guthrie.

DOCUMENTS: General Index to Deeds – Orange County, NC – Grantees – IMG 594-596 of 733. FHL Film #007545818. Guthrie-Guthery entries on p.75 and 76. These pages include entries starting in 1856.

DOCUMENTS: General Index to Deeds – Caswell County, NC – Grantors – FHL Film # 007513232
‘ GUT’ Entries- IMG 304 of 421
Guthrie, Jas & Robt to Burch, Bailor – D L – Book O – Page 247

DOCUMENTS: General Index to Deeds – Caswell County, NC – Grantees – FHL Film # 007550425
‘GUT’ Entries – IMG 322 of 435
None appear applicable to this family.