Guthrie Family Group 2A – Branch B
ROBERT GUTHRIE c1699SCT – c1750PA and MISS DARLINGTON
of Edinburgh, Midlothian, SCT and Chester, PA

CONTENTS:
Origin Theories
The Family of Robert Guthrie & Miss Darlington
Historical Highlights
Their Story
Mistaken Identities
The Guthrie DNA Project

ORIGIN THEORIES for GFG2A BRANCH B

There is a point in our genealogy research when facts begin to fade and only family legends remain. How much of those traditions are accurate? If there is an inkling of truth to them they are still worth exploring. Prepare to keep an open mind because there may be more to the story. Genetic testing comes in handy when trying to prove that one family line is related to another, but it doesn’t necessarily provide the facts necessary to determine how much of the old tales are true.

Guthrie Family Group 2A – Cluster 1: The Three Brothers Theory consists of Branch B (Progenitor: Robert Guthrie), Branch F (Progenitor: John Guthrie), and Branch I (Progenitor: James Guthrie). According to the family legend revealed in ‘Records of the Guthrie Family of Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Virginia,’ by Harriet Nancy Dunn & Eveline Guthrie Dunn, published in 1898, these men were brothers who worked in iron manufacturing in or near Edinburgh, Scotland.

Their decision to leave Scotland ‘on account of the religious persecutions under which the family suffered’ is noted by the authors. Dunn & Dunn claim the three brothers settled first in Boston where there is a record of a James Guthrie mentioned in the will of John Richardson in 1683. How they reached the conclusion that this James Guthrie was the one who later lived in Pennsylvania is unknown.

Brother John Guthrie settled in Connecticut where he died about 1730 in Litchfield County. John reportedly had 4 sons, but only his namesake John Guthrie has been identified.

The book makes no further mention of the third brother, Robert Guthrie.

Rev. Laurence Rawlin Guthrie, author of ‘American Guthrie and Allied Families’ has gathered more details from various descendants, and most tell a similar version of the tale. The brothers may or may not have travelled together from Scotland. John may have settled in Ireland before going to America. They may or may not have stopped in Boston. They may have come as early as 1700 or not until 1718 when the Ulster movement to New England took place. One account indicates there were seven brothers.

The origin story for this cluster of men and their families is murky and the search for facts presents quite a challenge. The one hope for clarity comes in the form of Y-DNA of Guthrie men who directly descend from Robert, James, and John. The genetic profiles of their descendants match GFG2A with only rare exceptions, which indicates there could be some truth to those family legends after all.

Robert Guthrie remains something of a mystery man. If he was indeed a real person and the brother of the men identified as James Guthrie and John Guthrie, did he emigrate directly from Scotland to Pennsylvania? Did he also stop in Boston? Perhaps that was their port of arrival.

Robert Guthrie has been identified as living in Fallowfield Twp, Chester County, Pennsylvania in 1732, and in Nantmeal Twp in 1734 and 1735. Those are the only facts reportedly associated with the progenitor of Branch B. The rest appears to be supposition that places Robert Guthrie as the head of a family of 4 sons: Adam, James, John, and William. His wife was named as a Darlington. The author writes that there is a hypothetical relationship between these men based on their close residence within the region.

The Chester County tax records prove that a Robert Guthrie lived there between 1732-1735, but they don’t confirm that the man identified was this one.

For the purposes of this research, we will move forward with the theory that Robert Guthrie was indeed a real man who came to Pennsylvania from Scotland in the first quarter of the 18th century. We will continue to list his wife as a Darlington unless presented with other evidence. Y-DNA testing will be conducted on the descendants of the men identified as Robert Guthrie’s sons in order to verify their placement in this Guthrie Family Group and branch.

Read my Related/Unrelated blog entry for more theorizing.
Robert, John, & James: Ironmongers of Edinburgh

THE FAMILY OF ROBERT GUTHRIE and MISS DARLINGTON

ROBERT GUTHRIE
Parents: Unknown
Born: c1699 (unproven) – Estimated Range: 1685-1700
Location: Scotland
Marriage: Unknown, presumably sometime prior to 1725
Occupation: Iron Manufacturing (Scotland), Unknown (Pennsylvania)
Death: 1750 (unproven)
Location: Pennsylvania, specifics unknown (unproven)
Burial: Pennsylvania, specifics unknown (unproven)

MISS DARLINGTON
Parents: Unknown
Born: 1700 (unproven) – Estimated range
Location: Unknown
Presumed Sons: Adam, William, John
Presumed Daughters: None Known
Death: Unknown
Location: Pennsylvania, specifics unknown (unproven)
Burial: Pennsylvania, specifics unknown (unproven)

CHILDREN:

ADAM GUTHRIE
c1725PA-1798PA

Adam Guthrie’s placement as a son of Robert Guthrie of Chester County, PA appears to be based on his ties to West Caln Township. By 1757, he located in West Nantmeal. A sheriff’s deed of 17 May 1757 between John Fairlamb of Chester County to Adam Guthery of West Nantmeal, cordwainer, grants a tract of 100 acres. He married Mercy Irwin, the daughter of a Londonderry, Northern Ireland family about 1758. Prior to that year the tax records listed him as single, and in 1759, George Irwin’s will names Adam as his daughter Mercy’s husband. They later moved to Brandywine Township and attended church with members of the GFG2A-Branch I Guthrie-Bissell family. Mercy died in 1793. Adam survived her by 5 years. He died there in 1798 leaving a will that identifies his family members.

Children: 10
Sons: William, Adam, Robert, John
Daughters: Hannah, Mary, Sarah, Martha, Jane, Elizabeth

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

WILLIAM GUTHRIE
c1726PA-1778SC

William Guthrie’s presence in the area of Back Creek in Hamilton Township Cumberland (now Franklin) County, PA is the key to his placement as a son of Robert Guthrie. James Guthrie and John Guthrie were also living in that area, and they were also grouped as Robert’s presumed sons. William is listed for Cumberland County taxation in 1751 and 1752 in Lurgan Twp.. He married Elizabeth Barnett, the daughter of Thomas Barnett. The couple were named in Barnett’s 1771 Cumberland County will. They moved south to the Waxhaw Settlement in South Carolina and were already settled on lands on Cane Creek by 1771. William Guthrie died there in 1778 leaving a will. Elizabeth died in 1804.

Children: 8
Sons: Robert, James, William Barnett, Adam
Daughters: Margaret, Elizabeth, Ann, Mary

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

JOHN GUTHRIE
c1734PA-p1800PA

John Guthrie was named in The Wilderness Trail as one of 82 prisoners of the Shawnee released at Lower Shawneetown. Like William Guthrie and James Guthrie, he lived along Back Creek in Cumberland (now Franklin) County, PA. Due to that grouping he too is presumed to be a son of Robert Guthrie. In addition to fighting in the Indian Wars at the time, John Guthrie was a Revolutionary War soldier, and an active member of the Covenanter Church. He married a woman named Margaret whose maiden name is presumed to be Brown as that name is used as one of their children’s middle names. John Guthrie’s exact DOD is unknown, but he could be the man named as a Head of Household in the Green, Franklin, PA census of 1800.

Children: 3
Sons: William Brown, Robert
Daughters: Mary

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

HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS

1685-1700: BIRTH of ROBERT GUTHRIE
According to family tradition, Robert Guthrie was one of three brothers who worked in the iron manufacturing trade in or near Edinburgh, Scotland. There has been no documentation of a birth or baptismal record to prove parentage, birth date, or location. A date of c1699 has been gleaned as an estimate from various sources, but a birth range might be appropriate.

c1700: BIRTH of MISS DARLINGTON
Rumors of a Guthrie-Darlington marriage are linked to this family line. No documentation has been found to prove it, nor is there any definite name provided for Robert’s mysterious spouse. The Darlington family trace their American roots to Abraham Darlington of Cheshire County, England, who joined family in Chester County, Pennsylvania at the turn of the 18th century. See ‘Genealogy of the Darlington Family‘. There is no mention of a Guthrie-Darlington relationship in the book. Although the identity of Robert’s wife is unproven, the Darlington family definitely lived in the right location for a such a marriage to occur. The approximated DOB is simply a rough estimate.

1713: ESTIMATED YEAR OF AMERICAN IMMIGRATION
Author LRG proposes the brothers were in America no earlier than 1713. This presumes that Robert and James arrived around the same time as John who reportedly travelled from Ireland, and this year is key to migrations from the Ulster Plantations in Northern Ireland. We really have no way of knowing exactly when or where these men arrived in America. Depending on which version of their origin story you choose Robert may have gone directly from Scotland to Pennsylvania, stopped in Ireland, entered the colonies at Boston, or paused in Connecticut before finally settling in Pennsylvania.

c1725: BIRTH of ADAM GUTHRIE
Adam Guthrie’s birth is listed as 1725 in Pennsylvania, but this should be considered an estimate with a plus/minus 10 years range. An alternate date of 1733 has also been found.

c1726: BIRTH of WILLIAM GUTHRIE
William Guthrie’s birth is an approximate date easily adjusted plus/minus a decade. If William is indeed the son of Robert Guthrie of Chester County, PA, his birth likely occurred in that county. Sources currently list his birth in Fallowfield, Chester, Pennsylvania.

1732: QUARTER SESSION INDICTMENTS, CHESTER COUNTY, PA
On 29 Aug 1732 in Fallowfield, Chester, PA, Guttery/Gutry, Robert; Crime: Freedom Dues (Poor Conditions and Broken Contract); August 1732; Docket 1723-1733; Page: 267. Also Indentured Servants & Apprentices Records 1700-1855, Page 79

Indentured servants typically worked 4-7 years for food, lodging and ‘freedom dues’, the payment servants customarily received upon the completion of their contracts. The above indictment appears to show that Robert failed to pay the Freedom Dues to one or more indentured servants.
[Can anyone locate the original document?]

1732: TAX RECORDS, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Rob’t Guttery, taxable in Fallowfield Township

1734: TAX RECORDS, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Robert Guttery, taxable in Nantmeal Township

c1734: BIRTH of JOHN GUTHRIE
The same applies to John Guthrie as a presumed son of Robert Guthrie of Chester County, PA. His marriage in 1764 is the only proven date amongst the three brothers (Adam, William, John). If his age was 20-40 at the time of his marriage, an estimated range for his DOB would be 1724-1744.

1735: TAX RECORDS, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Robert Guttery, taxable in Nantmeal Township

1739: DIVISION OF CALN TOWNSHIP
Caln Township was divided into West Caln and East Caln in 1739 when the residents of East Caln petitioned for more manageable boundaries. 

Caln Township, originally formed in 1702, encompassed the territory now embraced in West Caln, East Caln, West Brandywine, East Brandywine, and part of Valley township, and the borough of Downington, and that part of Coatesville lying east of the west branch of Brandywine. {Source: History of Chester County, Pennsylvania}

1750: DEATH OF ROBERT GUTHRIE / NO RECORDS AFTER 1735
Author LRG writes that Robert Guthrie no longer appears in any records for Chester County after 1735, but believes that he may have moved to that part of Lancaster County, PA that later became Cumberland County, PA. This may be because the men designated as Robert’s sons were living in that area. His DOD is listed as 1750, but this is most likely an estimate rather than a fact.

1751: MARRIAGE of WILLIAM GUTHRIE and ELIZABETH BARNETT
The approximate date for the marriage of William & Elizabeth is based on the birth dates of their children. Children: Margaret, Robert, Elizabeth, James, William Barnett, Adam, Ann, and Mary.

1751-1752: WILLIAM GUTHRIE – TAX RECORDS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PA
William Guthrie is listed on tax records for 1751 & 1752. Lurgan is just NW of Shippensburg. In 1784 this part of Cumberland became Franklin County.

1757: ADAM GUTHRIE – PROPERTY PURCHASE
Adam Guthrie was listed as a cordwainer on a sheriff’s deed dated 17 May 1757 when he purchased 100 acres of land in West Nantmeal, Chester, PA.

Cordwainer is a shoemaker who makes new shoes from leather. This differs from the trade of a cobbler which was restricted by British tradition to repairing shoes. Note that presumed brother William Guthrie was also listed as a cordwainer.

1758: MARRIAGE of ADAM GUTHRIE and MERCY IRWIN
Mercy Irwin was the daughter of George Irwin and Jane Matlack. An estimated marriage date was derived from an examination of tax records, listing Adam Guthrie as ‘single’ through 1758, and in George Irwin’s will as Mercy’s husband by 4 Nov 1759. Marriage location is unknown, but Mercy’s family was living in Chester County at the time. Children: William, Hannah, Adam, Robert, Mary, Sarah, Martha, Jane, John, and Elizabeth.

1759: ADAM GUTHRIE – PROPERTY PATENT
Nottingham Township, Chester, PA
Warantee: Gutry, Adam – Survey 100A 14 Mar 1759, Returned 10 Apr 1759 100A, Patentee: Adam Guthry, Rec Vol A No 20 p245. Book C58 page 60. E. Nottingham

1759 (November): ADAM GUTHRIE – DEED OF RELEASE
Deed Book S – pp521-524. A deed of release by William Irwin & Grace, his wife; Archibald Irwin & Margaret, his wife; John Irwin & Isabella, his wife; Jared Irwin; Sarah Irwin; Mary Irwin; Adam Guthrie & Mercy his wife, and Leticia Irwin.

1764: JOHN GUTHRIE – PRISONER OF THE SHAWNEE
LRG references The Wilderness Trail, by Charles Augustus Hanna (1911), which lists John Guthrey a prisoner released at Lower Shawneetown during the Indian Wars. The connection of this man with Branch B’s John Guthrie is made by LRG based on statements by descendants of his son William Brown Guthrie.

1764: MARRIAGE of JOHN GUTHRIE and MARGARET BROWN
This the only confirmed DOM for any of the couples named on this page.
John and Margaret were married in St James Church on 5 November 1764 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. 3 Children: Mary Guthrie, William Brown Guthrie, and Robert Guthrie.

1765: ADAM GUTHRIE – TAX RECORDS, CHESTER COUNTY, PA
Adam Guthrie – 100 acres, 2 horses, 2 cows, 6 sheep, 0 slaves

1768: ADAM GUTHRIE – PROPERTY PURCHASE
East Caln, Chester, Pennsylvania – 8 jun 1768
Chester DB W2 – pp50-51 – John Irwin (son of Sarah Irwin) & wife Margaret, to Adam Guthery of East Caln, part of a 260 acre tract patented to Sarah Irwin on 4 Jan 1748.

1771 (May): WILLIAM GUTHRIE – PROPERTY / LAND GRANT
Waxhaws Settlement, South Carolina – 4 May 1771
In 1787, William’s son, James Guthrie sells 194 acres of land, which is indicated to be part of a tract granted to William Guthrie by the Hon. William Bull Esq bearing the date 4 May 1771.

1771 (October): WILLIAM & JOHN GUTHRIE – BARNETT’S WILL
Thomas Barnett wrote his will naming his son-in-law William Gothery. A John Gothery was listed as a witness to the will.

This is perhaps the only time when two of the three brothers (Adam, John, William) are listed in the same document.

1773: WILLIAM GUTHRIE – NEIGHBOR
Mr. Dan’l Wilson with his 100 acres, as follows: “(b) P.F. 2027; 6 Jan. 1773; on Rising Springs waters of Kane Creek, Waxhaw settlement; bd’d (bounded) by William Guthrie; sur. 29 Feb. 1773.

1773: JOHN GUTHRIE – TAX RECORDS, BEDFORD COUNTY, PA
Transcript of Taxables, Bedford County, 1773. “John Guthery, 1 pound.”(Pa Arch Ser 3, Vol 22, p.49)

1774: ADAM GUTHRIE – TAX RECORDS / LAND OWNERS
Listed for East Caln, Chester, PA

1774 (July): WILLIAM GUTHRIE – PROPERTY / LAND GRANT
229 Acres situation on North side of Cane Creek in Waxhaw Settlement being a tract of land first granted to William Guthrie by his Excellency William Bull Esq. – dated July 26, 1774

1774 (December): JOHN GUTHRIE – PROPERTY WARRANT
Warrantees of Land, Bedford County, –“Guthrie, John, 300 acres, Dec. 27., 1774; Guthrie, John, 178 acres, Dec. 27, 1774.”(Pa Arch Ser 3, Vol 25, p521)

1776: JOHN GUTHRIE – TAX RECORDS, BEDFORD COUNTY, PA
Transcript of Taxables, Bedford County, 1776. Bethel Township,”Guthery, John, uncultivated land tax 5 ponds, 11 shillings; provincial Tax 2 pounds, 11 shillings”(Pa Arch Ser 3 Vol 22, p 145)

1778 (August): JOHN GUTHRIE – PROPERTY PURCHASE
Bedford County, Pennsylvania on 15 Aug 1778
A tract of land in said township containing 150 acres called”Brush Heap”

1778: DEATH of WILLIAM GUTHRIE
William Guthrie died on 3 September 1778 in Waxhaws, Lancaster, SC.

1779: WILLIAM GUTHRIE – ESTATE PROPERTY SALE
A property sale by his wife and son proved in 1789 mentions, “The said William Guthrie by his Last Will and Testament….” indicating that a will existed, but I have not found a record of it.

1779: JOHN GUTHRIE – TAX RECORDS, BEDFORD COUNTY, PA
Bethel, Bedford, Pennsylvania on 7 Dec 1781
John Guthrie of Bethel Township, Bedford County, and Margaret his wife, for 1,200 pounds continental currency, sell to John Moroney a tract of land in said township containing 150 acres called”Brush Heap,”

1780 – ADAM GUTHRIE – TAX RECORDS, CHESTER COUNTY, PA
Adam Guthry 150 acres; James Guthrey 180 acres.
Note that the James Guthrey listed here is Adam’s presumed cousin from GFG2A-Branch I.

1781: ADAM GUTHRIE – TAX RECORDS, CHESTER COUNTY, PA
Adam Guttery 220 Acres, 4 horses, 6 cattle; James Guttery 220 acres, 4 horses, 5 cattle.

1784: JOHN GUTHRIE – MILITARY SERVICE – REVOLUTIONARY WAR
“A Return of Capt. James McKinney’s Company of Militia, of the First Battalion of Bedford County as they stand entered in the Class Roll with respect to Duty and Delinquency of said Company. Fifth Class–Men’s names. . . . John Guthrey, served personally.”

Solders of the Revolution, Bedford County. . .John Gutry, private.”(Pa Arch Ser 5, Vol 4, p.605)

“Depreciation Pay, Bedford County, Militia…Gutry, John, private.”(Pa Arch Ser 5, Vol 4, p240)

1790: JOHN GUTHRIE – US CENSUS of FRANKLIN COUNTY, PA
Franklin County was formed from Cumberland County in 1784.
Gutorey, John, 2 free white males 16 and upwards, including head of family; 2 free white females, including head (wife) of family. (U.S. Census of 1790, Vol. for Pa, p.121)

1790: BRANDYWINE TOWNSHIP ESTABLISHED
Brandywine Township was once part of Caln Township first established in 1702. Caln was divided into West Caln & East Caln in 1739. Brandywine Township would later divide again in 1844 into West & East Brandywine Township.

1792-1796: ADAM GUTHRIE – CHURCH AFFILIATION
Adam Guthrie and James Guthrie are listed as pew holders for the period of 1792-1796 at Forks of the Brandywine Church in Chester County, PA.

1793: ADAM GUTHRIE – TAX RECORDS, CHESTER COUNTY, PA
Adam Guthrie Sr.
The next category is ‘inmates’ including: William Guthrie, J. Guthrie, and Adam Guthrie Jr.

1793: DEATH of MERCY (IRWIN) GUTHRIE
Adam Guthrie’s wife Mercy died sometime in 1793 in Chester County, PA. She is buried in the Seceder Cemetery near Brandywine Manor.

1794-1795: ADAM GUTHRIE – CHURCH AFFILIATION
Adam Guthrie, James Guthrie, and William Guthrie are on ‘A List of Subscribers to the Fund for Enclosing the Graveyards by a Stone Wall, in 1794-95’.

1795: JOHN GUTHRIE & WILLIAM GUTHRIE – RELIGIOUS DELEGATES
A list of delegates to a conference of Reformed Presbyterian (Covenanter) Church held in Scotland, Franklin County, Pa. September, 1795. Among others–“William Guthrie,”…”John Guthrie.”

Note that the William Guthrie listed cannot be John Guthrie’s presumed brother because that man died in 1779. He is possibly John’s son, William Brown Guthrie, who would be about 23 years old.

1798: ADAM GUTHRIE – PROPERTY SALE
Brandywine, Chester County, Pennsylvania on 28 March 1798
Chester DB R2 – pp34-37. Adam Guthrie, yeoman, to William Guthrie, both of Brandywine, for 600 pounds gold and silver PA money, 2 contiguous tracts, part of 260acres granted to Sarah Irwin by patent dated 4 Jan 1748.

1798 (Probably Late June/Early July): DEATH of ADAM GUTHRIE
Adam Guthrie died intestate in Brandywine, Chester, Pennsylvania. Letters of administration were granted on his estate to son Adam Guthrie on 6 July 1798. He and his wife Mercy were buried in the Brandywine Seceder Cemetery.

1798 (October): ADAM GUTHRIE’S ESTATE RECORDS
Brandywine, Chester County, Pennsylvania

Source: Will Index Chester Pennsylvania, Microfilm 0020840, FHL
Adam Guthrie – Brandywine – Date of Granting Letters: July 6, 1798
Names of persons to whom granted: Adam Guthrie
Amt. of Bond: 1000L Jas and Wm Guthrie
Inv. Filed: Aug 21, 1798
Acct Filed: (Blank)
No. of Papers: 4643
Will Book & Page: (Blank)
Admin Docket & Page: 2-434 

“Deed dated Oct 20, 1798, recorded, West Chester, Pa.  Adam Campbell and wife Hannah, William Guthrie and wife Hannah, Robert Guthrie of Washington Co. and wife Margaret, James Love and wife Mary, John Thompson and wife Sarah, of Berks Co., John Hanna and wife Jean, Martha Elton, widow of Robert Elton, John Guthrie, Elizabeth Guthrie, children and heirs of Adam Guthrie late of Brandywine twp deceased  TO  Adam Guthrie, son of said Adam, excepting one acre conveyed by Adam Guthrie to William Guthrie.  The consideration being the several amounts devided in the will to the sons and daughters, 25 pds to Hanna Campbell – 5 to William Guthrie – 50 to Robert Guthrie – 50 to James Love and Mary his wife – same to Sarah Thompson and Martha Elton and 100 to Elizabeth Guthrie, Spinster.  [description:] Whereas, by Patent Jan 4, 1748, 226 A. [?] in West Caln, confirmed to Sarah Irwin, who on Oct. 31, 1765 conveyed to John Irwin, who with Margaret his wife conveyed to Adam Guthrie, 90 1/2 A. now Brandywine twp. June 8, 1768.  Also Wm Wilson and Catharine his wife conveyed to Adam Guthrie 50 A. June 8, 1768.  Said Adam, made will, which was not completely executed — heirs convey in accordance with his wishes.” 

1800: JOHN GUTHRIE – US CENSUS of FRANKLIN COUNTY, PA
Green, Franklin, Pennsylvania
Household of John Gutherie: 1M/1F45 and over; 1M26-44; 1M/1F16-25; 1M/1F under 10.

AFTER 1800: DEATHS of JOHN & MARGARET (BROWN) GUTHRIE
No records of John or Margaret ‘s deaths have been found. If the above census record does apply to this couple both appear to have been alive in 1800.

1804: DEATH OF ELIZABETH (BARNETT) GUTHRIE
Elizabeth died in Lancaster County, South Carolina on 24 Oct 1804.

THEIR STORY

The family legend tells us that ROBERT GUTHRIE was one of three brothers who came to America in the late 17th or early 18th century. He settled in Chester County, Pennsylvania, married a Darlington from the family living in that area, and had three sons: ADAM GUTHRIE, WILLIAM GUTHRIE, and JOHN GUTHRIE. Although their family connection is based mostly in theory, it is backed up through Y-DNA connections and limited documentation.

Robert Guthrie’s early occupation in Scotland was presumably in the trade of iron manufacturing noted in the family story. Although his brother John Guthrie continued that business in Connecticut, it is unknown what Robert pursued as his occupation once settled in Pennsylvania. Two of his three designated sons were in trade as cordwainers (shoemakers). All of these sons were likely involved in the Indian Wars occurring at the time. Son John was taken prisoner by the Shawnee, but later released.

ADAM GUTHRIE is initially associated with ROBERT GUTHRIE in Nantmeal, Chester, PA. After his marriage he lived in East Caln, probably in the area that later became Brandywine Township where he is noted to have been a member of the Forks of the Brandywine Church. Another member of that church was James Guthrie, a cousin who descends from GFG2A-Branch I.

JOHN GUTHRIE & WILLIAM GUTHRIE reportedly lived near each other on Back Creek in Hamilton Township, Cumberland (now Franklin) County, PA. Their association continued in documentation as John Guthrie was witness to the will of William’s father-in-law, Thomas Barnett. That ended when William Guthrie moved to South Carolina.

The lack of early records means that many of the questions posed for this branch of Guthrie Family Group 2A may remain unanswered. Y-DNA testing of men from John’s line is required to verify that it belongs to GFG2A. More testing of William’s line is also recommended.

MISTAKEN IDENTITIES

This is less a case of mistaking Robert Guthrie’s wife for another person as it is making assumptions about her identity in the first place.

‘American Guthrie and Allied Families’ author, Laurence R Guthrie, wrote that Robert’s wife was ‘supposed to be a Darlington’ presumably based on correspondence he had with Guthrie descendants of this line. However, there is no documented evidence of a Guthrie-Darlington marriage, nor any prominent genetic evidence amongst its descendants in the Guthrie DNA Project of Darlington ancestry.

The Darlington were prominent in Connecticut and Pennsylvania during the time that Robert Guthrie lived in Chester County, PA. Researchers have speculated that of the several Darlington families in the area at the time that Robert’s wife might be either Elizabeth or Rebecca Darlington. Some trees combine the names Rebecca Elizabeth or Elizabeth Rebecca. Again, there is no documented evidence linking any of these names to Robert Guthrie of Chester County, PA.

THE GUTHRIE DNA PROJECT

Guthrie Family Group: GFG2A
Group Designation: Branch B – Cluster 1 (The Three Brothers Theory)

Haplogroup: R-M269
Confirmed Haplogroup: R-Z30233

YDNA Matches: 7
Kit 69040 (+FF)
Robert Guthrie/Miss Darlington > William Guthrie/Elizabeth Barnett > James Guthrie/Jane Carnes > Samuel Guthrie/Elizabeth Hope (2xGGP) +more

Kit 132679 (+FF)
Robert Guthrie/Miss Darlington > William Guthrie/Elizabeth Barnett > James Guthrie/Jane Carnes > James G Guthrie/Margaret Phillips > David Morrow Guthrie/Martha Eveline Miller (2xGGP) +more

Kit 190173 (+FF)
Robert Guthrie/Miss Darlington > Adam Guthrie/Mercy Irwin > Adam Guthrie/Mary Elton > Robert Elton Guthrie/Eva Catherine Spawr (2xGGP) +more

Kit 297757
Robert Guthrie/Miss Darlington > William Guthrie/Elizabeth Barnett > Robert Guthrie/Mary Taylor > William Forguison Guthrie/Mary Hodge Slaughter (2xGGP) +more

Kit 467718 (+FF)
Robert Guthrie/Miss Darlington > Adam Guthrie/Mercy Irwin > Adam Guthrie/Mary Elton > Robert Elton Guthrie/Eva Catherine Spawr (2xGGP) +more

Kit 640279 (+FF)
Robert Guthrie/Miss Darlington > William Guthrie/Barnett > James Guthrie/Jane Carnes > Samuel Guthrie/Elizabeth Hope > Harvey Logan Guthrie/Margaret Delilah Martin (2xGGP) +more 

Kit 894953 (+FF)
Robert Guthrie/Miss Darlington > William Guthrie/Elizabeth Barnett > James Guthrie/Jane Carnes > Samuel Guthrie/Elizabeth Hope > Richard Hope Guthrie/Sarah Ellen Stewart (2xGGP) +more

FAMILY FINDER / AUTOSOMAL DNA KITS:  16

Kit 93036
Robert Guthrie/Miss Darlington > William GuthrieElizabeth Barnett > William Barnett Guthrie/Patsy Jackson > Richard Perry Guthrie/Josephine F Lewis > Ellen Thompson Guthrie/John Wesley Woodson (2xGGP)

Kit 122333
Robert Guthrie/Miss Darlington > William GuthrieElizabeth Barnett > Elizabeth Guthrie/Samuel Walkup > Samuel Walkup Jr/Mary Patton > Lucinda Walkup/Daniel C Johnson (2xGGP) 

Kit 191915
Robert Guthrie/Miss Darlington > William Guthrie/Elizabeth Barnett > James Guthrie/Jane Carnes > Samuel Guthrie/Elizabeth Hope > Richard Hope Guthrie/Sarah Ellen Stewart (2xGGP)

Kit 235210
Robert Guthrie/Miss Darlington > William GuthrieElizabeth Barnett > William Barnett Guthrie/Patsy Jackson > Richard Perry Guthrie/Josephine F Lewis > Ellen Thompson Guthrie/John Wesley Woodson (2xGGP)

Kit 469488
Robert Guthrie/Miss Darlington > Adam Guthrie/Mercy Irwin > Adam Guthrie/Mary Elton > Robert Elton Guthrie/Eva Catherine Spawr > Robert Elton Guthrie/Lucy Kelsall (2xGGP)

Kit 482491
Robert Guthrie/Miss Darlington > Adam Guthrie/Mercy Irwin > Adam Guthrie/Mary Elton > Robert Elton Guthrie/Eva Catherine Spawr > Robert Elton Guthrie/Lucy Kelsall (2xGGP)

Kit 509486
Robert Guthrie/Miss Darlington > Adam Guthrie/Mercy Irwin > Adam Guthrie/Mary Elton > Robert Elton Guthrie/Eva Catherine Spawr > Robert Elton Guthrie/Lucy Kelsall (2xGGP)

Kit 515833
Robert Guthrie/Miss Darlington > John Guthrie/Margaret Brown > William Brown Guthrie/Isabella Sterrett > Margaret Guthrie/John Hoge Gregg > John Newton Gregg/Elizabeth Bilson (2xGGP)

Kit 533187
Robert Guthrie/Miss Darlington > Adam Guthrie/Mercy Irwin > Adam Guthrie/Mary Elton > Robert Elton Guthrie/Eva Catherine Spawr > Robert Elton Guthrie/Lucy Kelsall (2xGGP)

Kit 615709
Robert Guthrie/Miss Darlington > Adam Guthrie/Mercy Irwin > Adam Guthrie/Mary Elton > Robert Elton Guthrie/Eva Catherine Spawr > Robert Elton Guthrie/Lucy Kelsall (GGP)

Kit 848344
Robert Guthrie/Miss Darlington > Adam Guthrie/Mercy Irwin > Adam Guthrie/Mary Elton > Robert Elton Guthrie/Eva Catherine Spawr > Robert Elton Guthrie/Lucy Kelsall (2xGGP)

Kit B82386
Robert Guthrie/Miss Darlington > William Guthrie/Elizabeth Barnett > James Guthrie/Jane Carnes > Samuel Guthrie/Elizabeth Hope > Richard Hope Guthrie/Sarah Ellen Stewart (2xGGP)

B155849
Robert Guthrie/Miss Darlington > Adam Guthrie/Mercy Irwin > Sarah Guthrie/John Thompson > William H Thompson/Mary Ann Herb > Levi Herb Thompson/Mary Hoch > William Hoch Thompson/Susan Letitia Artman (GGP)

Kit B268349
Robert Guthrie/Miss Darlington > William GuthrieElizabeth Barnett > Robert Guthrie/Mary Taylor > William Forguison Guthrie/Mary Hodge Slaughter > Mary Taylor Guthrie/Gray Jones (2xGGP)

Kit B574658
Robert Guthrie/Miss Darlington > William Guthrie/Elizabeth Barnett > Robert Guthrie/Mary Taylor > William Forguison Guthrie/Mary Hodge Slaughter > Robert Guthrie/Amanda J Whitlock (2xGGP)

Kit B590014
Robert Guthrie/Miss Darlington > William Guthrie/Elizabeth Barnett > Robert Guthrie/Mary Taylor > Samuel Taylor Guthrie/Sarah Phillips > Thomas Franklin Guthrie/Mary Elizabeth Clatterbuck (2xGGP)

FINDINGS:
Robert Guthrie’s Hypothetical Family included 4 sons: Adam, John, James, and William.

Participants in the Y-DNA Project represent Adam, James, and William. We have a FF participant representing John.

Cluster 1 (The Three Brothers Theory) is a project designation that includes Branches B, F, and I. One genetic finding amongst the descendants of this cluster is the frequency of Group Mode DNA results, where the participant has the most commonly found result at any given genetic marker.

All descendants match the genetic profile for GFG2A, but high quality tests prove that presumed son James Guthrie is most likely not the brother of Adam and William. James’ descendants share genetic mutations with another branch of GFG2A instead indicating a pattern of inheritance that places him in Branch G rather than Branch B. See Branch G for more on James Guthrie and related YDNA/FF Kits.

Branch B’s Hypothetical Family now consists of sons Adam, William, and John.