Guthrie Family Group 6 – Branch A
GEORGE GUTHRIE 1751SCT – 1821SCT and JENNET MENNION
of Foulden, Berwickshire, Scotland

CONTENTS:
Origin Theories
The Family of George Guthrie & Jennet Mennion
Historical Highlights
The Guthrie DNA Project

ORIGIN THEORIES for GFG6 BRANCH A

Statutory vital statistics in Scotland begin in 1855 identifying the parents, spouses, and occupations of the deceased. George Guthrie died prior to that date, which means that the Old Parish Records come into play. Anything after 1700 is usually legible, but not necessarily detailed enough to prove familial connections.

The identification of George Guthrie & Jennet Mennion as the ancestors of our project participant comes through the backtracking of records from a descendant in that statutory era whose parents were named upon his death and then proceeding through a list of potential candidate parents based on probable birth ranges.

The death record of David Guthrie 1831-1874, the direct descendant of a Y-DNA Project member, named David Guthrie, millwright, and Elizabeth (actually Isabel) Hamilton, as his parents. David Guthrie, the millwright, died in 1846 at age 57, according to his death record, which allowed an estimate for his DOB of 1789 (range 1788-1790). A search of the OPR records resulted in 4 infants named David Guthrie born 1788-1790 in Scotland. The most likely set of parents were George Guthrie, a millwright and farmer, & Jennet Mennion.

Using the same principles to identify a birth record for George Guthrie, three were only 2 likely entries in Berwick with John Guthrie being the most likely father.

Searching for potential marriages for John Guthrie in Berwick bet. 1725 – 1750 resulted in 2 OPR marriage records:
John Guthry and Agnes Burnett in Foulden on 2 May 1748
John Guthery and Mary Forsyth in Foulden on 4 Nov 1748. The same DOM was recorded in Chirnside.

A search for potential parents for Janet / Jennet Mennions for OPT births in Berwick bet. 1750-1756 provides 3 records in Hutton.
Jean Menens daughter of John Menens 19 Jul 1750
Janet Menins daughter of John Menins 25 Mar 1753 [Most likely based on age at DOD.]
“John Menins younger in paxton had a daughter baptized names Janet, witnesses James Allen and Thomas Wood both portioner Hutton.”
Jean Menens daughter of George Menens 18 Dec 1754

THE FAMILY of GEORGE GUTHRIE & JENNET MENNION

GEORGE GUTHRIE
Parents: John Guthrie and (speculatively) either Agnes Burnett or Mary Forsyth. [Research Required]
Born: 1 April 1751
Location: Eyemouth, Berwickshire, Scotland
Married: Jennet Mennion est. 1782, probably in Berwickshire, Scotland
Occupation: Farmer and Miller; Tenant of Nunlands
Died: 28 June 1821
Location: Foulden, Berwickshire, Scotland
Buried: Foulden Churchyard, Foulden, Berwickshire, Scotland

JENNET MENNION
Parents: (Speculatively) John Menins / Unidentified Spouse
Born: Abt. 1753, possibly 25 Mar 1753
Location: Scotland, presumably. Speculatively in Hutton, Berwickshire.
Sons: George Guthrie, David Guthrie
Daughters: Margaret Guthrie, Agnes Guthrie, Janet Guthrie
Died: 1 May 1820
Location: Nunlands, Foulden, Berwickshire, Scotland
Buried: Foulden Churchyard, Foulden, Berwickshire, Scotland

CHILDREN:

MARGARET GUTHRIE
c1783SCT – 1866SCT

Margaret Guthrie was born about 1783. Her DOB is an estimate based on the age listed in her death record. She married William Johnston, a shepherd. She died on 24 November 1866 at Dunse, Berwickshire, Scotland at 1130pm on Easter Street. She was 83. COD: Old age, natural decay.

Children: 10
Johnston Sons: Peter (1808 Duns), John (1814 (Edrom), William (1820 Foulden), Charles (1722 Newbattle), Thomas (1826 Ayton)

Johnston Daughters: Barbara (1812 Bunkle & Preston), Margaret (1816 Duns), Sarah (1818 Coldingham), Hannah (1823 Ayton), Agnes (1829 Ayton).

Family Finder Participants: No

GEORGE GUTHRIE
c1784SCT – 1871SCT

George Guthrie was born about 1784 in Hutton, Berwickshire, Scotland. He was baptized there on 20 Sep 1784. He married Eleanor / Helen Dodds. Their children were born in Foulden. George was a millwright. He later moved to Fogo. His wife died in 1831. He lived for another 40 years. He died at 745PM on 10 Nov 1871 at Charterhall, Parish of Fogo, at the age of 88. COD: Old Age.

Children: 5
Sons: George Guthrie (1813), Adam Guthrie (1818), John Guthrie(1822)
Daughters: Margaret Guthrie (1811), Janet Guthrie (1821)

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

AGNES GUTHRIE
c1786SCT – 1855SCT

Agnes Guthrie was born at Edrington Mill in Mondrington about 17 Dec 1786 in Mordington, Berwickshire, Scotland. She married Thomas Johnston, an engineer. Their children were born in Chirnside, Foulden, and Edrom. She lived at Edrom for about 41 years before her death at age 68 on 19 August 1855. COD: Dropsy of chest.

Children: 10
Johnston Sons: Peter (1809 Foulden), George (1816 Edrom), Thomas (1820 Edrom), John (1822 Edrom), William (1828 Edrom)

Johnston Daughters: Janet (1811 Chirnside), Barbara (1813 Edrom), Sarah (1818 Edrom), Ann (1823 Edrom), Hannah (1826 Edrom)

Family Finder Participants: No

DAVID GUTHRIE
1788SCT – 1846SCT

David Guthrie was born and baptized on 18 May 1788 at Mordington, Berwickshire, Scotland. He married Isabel Hamilton in Cranston, Midlothian, Scotland on 14 Oct 1820. “David Guthrie, millwright, in parish of Foulden, & Isabel Hamilton, dau. of John Hamilton at Murrays toll in this parish appeared before the session & acknowledged their irregular marriage 14th Oct 1820 Coldstream Bridge & married accordingly 10 May 1822.” Isabel died in 1843 of uterine cancer. David in 1846 of fever. David also worked as a millwright. He and his wife Isabel had been living in Edinburgh at the time of their deaths.

Children: 7
Sons: George Guthrie (1821), David Guthrie (1831), John Guthrie (1832), Robert Guthrie (1838)
Daughters: Jean (1823), Isabella (1827), Hannah (1835)

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

JANET GUTHRIE
c1791SCT – 1866SCT

Janet Guthrie was born about 1791 in Scotland. She married David Cockburn, a master joiner. Their children were born in Foulden and Ladykirk. Janet died at age 75 on 20 June 1866 at Paxton, Hutton, Berwickshire, Scotland. COD: Natural Decay.

Children: 4
Cockburn Sons: William (1819 Foulden), George (1824 Ladykirk)
Cockburn Daughters: Agnes (1816 Foulden/Ladykirk), Janet (1826 Ladykirk)

Family Finder Participants: No

HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS

1720-1740 / c1730: BIRTH of GEORGE GUTHRIE’S PROBABLE FATHER
Berwickshire, Scotland

Giving John Guthrie a rough estimate birth range of 1720-1740, there are 4 potential sets of parents in Berwickshire, Scotland:
John Guthrie in Ladykirk 1724
Patrick Guthrie in Edrom 1727
James Guthrie in Ladykirk 1736
George Guthrie in Edrwom 1736.
There are 46 others elsewhere in Scotland.

1755: MARRIAGE of JOHN GUTHRY
Coldstream, Berwickshire, Scotland on 21 Dec 1755

Proclamation from John Guthry.
Note: No spouse’s name listed

1763: BIRTH of GEORGE GUTHRIE
Coldstream, Berwickshire, Scotland on 18 May 1763

John Guthrie laborer in Coldstream had his son George baptized who was born on the 18th current.

There are only 2 entries in Berwick, both to men named John Guthrie/ Guthry. First in Eyemouth on 1 Apr 1751, and then in Coldstream on 22 May 1763. Based on the dates, the latter seems more likely.

c1782: MARRIAGE of GEORGE GUTHRIE & JENNET MENNION

This is an estimated DOM based on the birth year of the first known child.

c1783: BIRTH of DAUGHTER – MARGARET GUTHRIE
Berwickshire, Scotland

Margaret Guthrie was born about 1783 in Berwickshire, Scotland.

c1784: BIRTH of SON – GEORGE GUTHRIE
Hutton, Berwickshire, Scotland

George Guthrie was baptized on 20 Sep 1784 in Hutton

1786: BIRTH of DAUGHTER – AGNES GUTHRIE
Mordington, Berwickshire, Scotland

Agnes Guthrie was born at Edrington Mill in Mordington about 17 Dec 1786.

1788: BIRTH of SON – DAVID GUTHRIE
Mordington, Berwickshire, Scotland

David Guthrie was born and baptized on 18 May 1788.

c1791: BIRTH of DAUGHTER – JANET GUTHRIE
Berwickshire, Scotland

1791 – 1855: DEATH of WIFE – JENNET (MENNION) GUTHRIE
Berwickshire, Scotland, presumably

I have not found a verified death record for Jennet Guthrie, but the burial monument reads:
“In Memory of Jennet Lennon wife of George Guthrie Tenant in Nunlands who died May 1st 1820 aged 67 years.
George Guthrie tenant of Nunlands who died June 28th 1821 aged 70.”

c1807: MARRIAGE (EST.) of DAUGHTER – MARGARET GUTHRIE
Berwickshire, Scotland, presumably

Margaret Guthrie presumably married William Johnston about 1807 prior to their first child’s birth. No record found. They had 10 children. Margaret and her the adult children still living with her were enumerated on the 1841 (Duns), 1851 (Edrom), and 1861 (Duns) Census of Scotland.

1809: MARRIAGE of DAUGHTER – AGNES GUTHRIE
Foulden, Berwickshire, Scotland on 7 May 1809

Agnes Guthrie married Thomas Johnston, a miller. They lived in Foulden and Edrom. Ten children.

c1810: MARRIAGE (EST.) of SON – GEORGE GUTHRIE
Berwickshire, Scotland, presumably

George Guthrie (Jr) married Eleanor / Helen Dodds about 1810, presumably in Berwickshire. They had 5 known children: Margaret (1811), George (1813), Adam (1818), Janet (1821), and John (1822). It is noted on a gravestone for George and Helen that they had 3 children die in infancy. One of these was John Guthrie, born and died in 1822.

1814: MARRIAGE of DAUGHTER – JANET GUTHRIE
Foulden, Berwickshire, Scotland on 25 November 1814

Jenet Guthrie married David Cockburn, a master joiner.

1820: MARRIAGE (IRREGULAR) of SON – DAVID GUTHRIE
Cranston, Midlothian, Scotland on 14 Oct 1820

David Guthrie married Isabel Hamilton in Cranston, Midlothian, Scotland on 14 Oct 1820. This marriage ceremony was later documented as being ‘irregular’, which might mean that it was not properly announced in the home parishes at the set intervals.

1821: DEATH of GEORGE GUTHRIE
Foulden, Berwickshire, Scotland

George Guthrie, Age: (none listed), Residence: Nunlands, Buried: Foulden, COD: (None Listed)

1822: MARRIAGE (REGULAR) of SON – DAVID GUTHRIE
Coldstream Bridge, Berwickshire, Scotland

David Guthrie, millwright, in parish of Fouldon, & Isabel Hamilton, dau. of John Hamilton at Murrays toll in this parish appeared before the session & acknoweldged their irregular marriage 14th Oct 1820 Coldstream Bridge & married accordingly 10 May 1822.

1846: DEATH of SON – DAVID GUTHRIE
St Cuthberts, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland

DAVID GUTHRIE, millwright, 57, S Leonard? Street, Fever.

1855: DEATH of DAUGHTER – AGNES (GUTHRIE) JOHNSTON
Edrom, Berwickshire, Scotland on 19 August 1855

Agnes Johnston, 68, born Eddington Mill in Mordington, living in Edrom 41yrs, Parents: George Guthrie, farmer, & Janet Mennon, both decd, Spouse: Thomas Johnston, engineer, 10 children named. COD: Dropsy of chest.

1866: DEATH of DAUGHTER – JANET (GUTHRIE) COCKBURN
Hutton, Berwickshire, Scotland on 20 June 1866

Janet Cockburn, widow of David Cockburn, master joiner, died at 345PM in Paxton, Hutton, 75, Parents: George Guthrie & Janet Mennon, both decd, COD: Natural Decay. Informant: James Armstrong, son-in-law.

1866: DEATH of DAUGHTER – MARGARET (GUTHRIE) JOHNSTON
Dunse, Berwickshire, Scotland on 24 November 1866

Margaret Johnston, widow of William Johnston, shepherd, died 1130PM at Easter Street, Dunse, 83, Parents: George Guthrie, Miller & Janet Mennen, both decd, COD: Old Age, Natural Decay.

1871: DEATH of SON – GEORGE GUTHRIE (JR.)
Charterhall, Fogo Parish, Foulden, Berwickshire, Scotland on 10 Nov 1871

George Guthrie (formerly a Miller), widower of Helen Dodds, died 745PM at Charterhall, Parish of Fogo, 88yrs, Parents: George Guthrie, farmer, & JANET Mennan, both decd, COD: Old Age. Info: Margaret Lillie, daughter.

THE GUTHRIE DNA PROJECT

Guthrie Family Group: GFG6
Group Designation: Branch A – (The Guthries of Berwickshire, Scotland)

Haplogroup: R-M512 > RM198
Confirmed Haplogroup: R-YP371

YDNA Matches:  1
Kit 271912
George Guthrie/Jennet Mennion > David Guthrie/Isabella Hamilton > David Guthrie/Sarah McMichan > David Guthrie/Ann Lyons (GGP) +more

Family Finder / Autosomal DNA Kits:  1
George Guthrie/Jennet Mennion > David Guthrie/Isabella Hamilton > David Guthrie/Sarah McMichan > David Guthrie/Ann Lyons > Cornelius Lyons Guthrie/Mary Ellen Hennessy > Lillias Lee Guthrie/Manuel Joseph Morris (GGP)

Findings:
Guthrie Family Group 6 has the most genetic variances of the groups. This seems to indicate that some of the branches are more distantly related than others. Members of this group may not have official matches to all of the other members within it, but collectively they are from the same genetic group.

Our participant for GFG6-Branch A has a Y25-marker test, which is the minimal level usually needed for confirming a match to a Guthrie Family Group. His Y-DNA matches 7 of the 15 members of the group, who are all members with the Group Mode DNA (most common result at any given genetic marker). 

There are 3 genetic variances compared to Group Mode DNA on his Y25 marker test. DYS390=26 is unique to this participant. All others = 25. He shares the other 2 genetic markers with Kit 307769 (GFG6-Branch D): DYS389i = 14 (group mode 13) and DYS389ii = 30 (group mode 29). This last marker is also shared with a 3rd participant Kit 265262 (GFG6-Branch G). These matching genetic markers could result from inherited changes in the base Y-DNA for the group. Once a genetic mutation occurs, it gets passed down to the next generation.

READING & RESOURCES

WEBSITE: ScotlandsPeople – Old Parish Records

WEBSITE: Scottish Monumental Inscriptions. Photographs and transcriptions of burial grounds in Scotland. See Foulden PDF (Requires Purchase)

WEBSITE: Old Scottish Genealogy & Family History. Records > Berwickshire > Foulden Records.

WEBSITE: Scotlands Places. Tax Rolls for Berwickshire. Includes Nunlands entry.

BOOK: Lewis’s Topographical Dictionary of Scotland 1847 and Atlas – EBOOK (Purchase Required)
Includes Nunlands, Foulden.

WEBSITE: National Library of Scotland. GAZETTEER: (DOWNLOAD PDF)