Guthrie Family Group 6 – Branch C
JAMES P GUTHRIE c1801-p1840 and MARTHA FANSEY
of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania

CONTENTS:
Origin Theories
The Family of James P Guthrie & Martha Fansey
Historical Highlights
The Guthrie DNA Project
Research, Reading and Resources

James P Guthrie was likely the orphaned or indentured son of Thomas Guthrie, who appeared as head of household in the 1800 U.S. Census for Muncy Creek Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Thomas was listed as age 45 or older (born before 1755), with a wife of similar age and one son and one daughter under age 10 (born 1791–1800). James would fit as that young son. By 1810, Thomas no longer appears in local records, supporting the idea that James grew up without paternal support.

In 1811, a notice in local records described a “James Guthrie” living in Muncy Township as an indentured servant who had run away. This aligns with the absence of a father figure and the socioeconomic realities of early 19th-century frontier Pennsylvania, where orphaned or impoverished boys were often bound out for labor. Family lore (passed through descendants) describes James as a tall man (about 6’3″) who later worked as a policeman or in law enforcement and may have died around 1847 “in the line of duty,” though this remains unconfirmed by primary records.

Important clarification: James P Guthrie’s parents were not Robert Guthrie & Ruth Roberts or William Guthrie & Elizabeth Guthrie (common errors in online trees). Those lines belong to Guthrie Family Group 2A (GFG2A) and are genetically unrelated to GFG6.

JAMES P GUTHRIE
Parents: (Theorized) Thomas Guthrie (bef. 1755 – Aft. 1800 PA) and Unidentified Spouse
Born: About 1801
Location: Pennsylvania, USA presumably
Married: Martha Fansey about 1818-1819 in Lycoming, PA, presumably
Occupation: Farmer (Agriculture)
Died: After 1840 (possibly abt. 1847 per descendant lore)
Location: Unknown, presumably Lycoming, Pennsylvania, USA
Burial: Unknown, presumably Lycoming, Pennsylvania, USA

MARTHA FANSEY
Born: 24 June 1801
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Guthrie Children: Yes
Died: 15 January 1893
Location: Williamsport, Lycoming, Pennsylvania, USA
Burial: Unknown, presumably Lycoming, Pennsylvania, USA

NOTES:
Martha outlived James by decades and raised the family amid the booming lumber economy of the Susquehanna River valley. The couple had at least six confirmed or strongly supported children, with possible others born in the gaps (e.g., between Joseph in 1829 and George in 1836). Several sons became loggers on the Susquehanna and Civil War veterans, reflecting the region’s economic and historical realities. Family Bible records explicitly name Martha Fansey as mother of Joseph Jones Guthrie, providing a key primary link.

GUTHRIE CHILDREN: 6
Y-DNA PROJECT PARTICIPANTS: YES
AUTOSOMAL DNA PARTICIPANTS: YES

LINKS to CHILD / DESCENDANT PAGES:

1. John F Guthrie (c1820PA-p1868) m. Catharine Wolf +children
2. Thomas W Guthrie (1824PA-1906VA) m. Catherine Kurts +children
3. James G Guthrie (1825PA-1901PA) m1. Susam M Wolf + children, m2. Catherine Barger
4. Joseph Jones Guthrie (1829PA-1905PA) m. Susannah A Andrews +children
5. George W Guthrie (1836PA-1904PA) m. Delilah Cable +children
6. Priscilla Guthrie (1837PA-1896PA) m. G. Michael Wolf +children

1795: FORMATION of LYCOMING COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Lycoming County was formed from Northumberland County, Pennsylvania on 13 April 1795. It took up most of North Central Pennsylvania and would later be divided to form Armstrong, Bradford, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Indiana, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, Sullivan, Tioga, Venango, Warren, Forest, Elk, and Cameron. The county also went through several name changes starting with Jefferson County, then Lycoming, then Susquehanna, then Muncy, and back to Lycoming.

Early 1800s–1840s: The Susquehanna River lumber boom defined the economy. Many Guthries (including sons) worked as loggers and raftsmen.

1800: US CENSUS of PENNSYLVANIA
Muncy Creek, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, USA

Thos. Guthrie Household: 1M & 1F 45 and over (born before 1755), 1M & 1F under 10 (1791-1800).

This is the possible family of James Guthrie who would be the boy under 10 years of age. Thomas Guthrie was the only Guthrie named as a Head of Household for Lycoming County in 1800. There are none listed for 1810, and James is the only one listed for 1820.

Abt. 1801: BIRTH of JAMES GUTHRIE
Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, USA, presumably

1811: REWARD FOR A RUN-AWAY
Muncy Township, Lycoming, Pennsylvania, USA on 15 May 1811

Six Cents Reward – Ran-away, the second time, from the subscriber, living in Mucy Twp, a bound boy bet. 12 and 13 yrs of age, named JAMES GUTTERY, whoever takes up said boy shall have the above reward but no charges paid. John Carpenter.

Since it appears that Thomas Guthrie probably died before 1810 leaving his son, James Guthrie, an orphan, he was possibly assigned as an indentured servant for an unknown number of years.

Before 1820: MARRIAGE of JAMES GUTHRIE & MARTHA FANSEY
Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, USA, presumably

1820: US CENSUS of PENNSYLVANIA
Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, USA

James Guttry Household: 1M & 1F 16-25 (1795-1804). 1 in Agriculture.

1820: BIRTH of SON – JOHN F GUTHRIE
Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, USA

Abt. 1824: BIRTH of SON – THOMAS W GUTHRIE
Jersey Shore, Lycoming, Pennsylvania, USA

1829: BIRTH of SON – JOSEPH JONES GUTHRIE
Mifflin, Lycoming, Pennsylvania, USA on 25 June 1829

1830: US CENSUS of PENNSYLVANIA
Mifflin, Lycoming, Pennsylvania, USA

James Guthrey Household:
1M 30-39 (1791-1800)
1F 20-29 (1801-1810)
2M 5-9 (1821-1825)
2M under 5 (1826-1830)

This census indicates there was a son born between Joseph (1829) and George (1836).

1836: BIRTH of SON – GEORGE W GUTHRIE
Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, USA

1837: BIRTH of DAUGHTER – PRISCILLA GUTHRIE
Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, USA

1840: US CENSUS of PENNSYLVANIA
Mifflin Township, Jersey Shore, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, USA

James Guttery Household:
1M & 1F 40-49 (1791-1800)
1M 15-19 (1821-1825)
Where are the other children?

There is also this entry, which suggests James and Martha could have been separated in 1840.
Lewis, Lycoming, Pennsylvania, USA
Mrs J Guthery Household:
1F 30-39 (1801-1810)
1M 20-29 (1811-1820)
1M 5-9 (1831-1835)
1F Under 5 (1836-1840)

1840-1850: DEATH of JAMES GUTHRIE

James Guthrie is not listed in the 1850 census, so is presumably dead by that date.

Martha Fansey lived as a widow into the 1890s, outliving many children and witnessing Williamsport’s growth as the “Lumber Capital of the World.”

Abt. 1841: MARRIAGE of SON – JOHN F GUTHRIE
Pennsylvania, USA, presumably

John F Guthrie was married to Catharine Wolf. No date or details known. They were living in Ringgold, Jefferson, PA in 1850 and in Mifflin, Lycoming County, PA in 1860. I have not found this family listed in the 1870 census. Their children were: Martha E Guthrie, James Wesley Guthrie, Louise Guthrie, Catharine Guthrie, Quiggle Guthrie, Caroline Guthrie, Mary J Guthrie & Sarah Guthrie (twins), and Amos Miller Guthrie.

Abt. 1850: MARRIAGE of SON – THOMAS W GUTHRIE
Pennsylvania, USA

Thomas W Guthrie married Catherine Kurtz about 1850. They lived in Nippenose and later Williamsport in Lycoming County, PA. Children: Sarah E Guthrie, William Babbitt Guthrie, Hiram S Guthrie, Laten S Guthrie, Josephine Guthrie, Margaret Guthrie, and Dora Guthrie.

1850: US CENSUS of PENNSYLVANIA
Ringgold, Jefferson, Pennsylvania, USA

Three Guthrie Households:
87 / 88
John Guthrie 30 M Laborer PA
Catharine 28 F PA
Martha 8 F PA
James 6 M PA
Catharine 1 F PA
I H Heasley 21 M Clerking PA

88 / 89
Thomas Guthrie 28 M Laborer PA Married within the Year
Catharine 20 F PA Married within the Year

89 90
James Guthrie 26 M Laborer PA
Susannah Guthrie 21 F PA
Who’s this? Is ‘James’ actually ‘Jones’ and his wife Susan even though they are listed in the 1850 Nippenose census?

1850: US CENSUS of PENNSYLVANIA
Nippenose, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, USA

The Phillips Household:
24 24
Elizabeth Phillips 61 F PA
John Antes 37 M Boatman RE 200 PA
Margaret Mayers 32 F PA
Joseph Gutery 26 M Laborer PA
Susan Gutery 24 F PA
James Gutery 9/12 M PA
Priscilla Gutery 18 F PA

I have not found Martha (Fansey) Guthrie or son George W Guthrie in the 1850 census.

Abt. 1856: MARRIAGE OF DAUGHTER – PRISCILLA GUTHRIE
Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, USA, presumably

Priscilla Guthrie married Michael Wolf. They lived in Pine Creek, Clinton County, in 1860 and then Newberry and Williamsport in Lycoming County. Their children were Floretta Wolf, Ellen Wolf, Harris Wolf, Oliver M Wolf, Priscilla Wolf, and Warren W Wolf.

Abt. 1857: MARRIAGE of SON – GEORGE W GUTHRIE
Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, USA, presumably

George W Guthrie married Delilah Cable. They had 2 known children: Anna Minerva Guthrie and Franklin W Guthrie.

1860: US CENSUS of PENNSYLVANIA

Martha (Fansey) Guthrie – I cannot find her in the 1860 census.
John F Guthrie and his family are in Mifflin, Lycoming, PA.
Thomas W Guthrie and his family are in Nippenose, Lycoming, PA.
George W Guthrie and his family are living next door.
Joseph Jones Guthrie and his family are in Mifflin, Lycoming, PA,
Priscilla (Guthrie) Wolf and her family are in Pine Creek, Clinton, PA.

1860s: Several sons served in the Civil War, reflecting the county’s strong Union support.

1870: US CENSUS of PENNSYLVANIA

Martha (Fansey) Guthrie – Living in Pine Creek, Clinton, PA with daughter.
John F Guthrie and family – I cannot find them in the 1870 census.
Thomas W Guthrie and family are in Nippenose, Lycoming, PA.
Joseph Jones Guthrie and family are in Eldred, Lycoming, PA
George W Guthrie and Sarah Guthrie are in Nippenose, Lycoming, PA.
Priscilla (Guthrie) Wolf and her family are in Pine Creek, Clinton, PA.

1873: US CITY DIRECTORY
Williamsport, Lycoming, Pennsylvania

Guthrie, Martha, widow James P. bds Queen n James Mill, Jaysburg

1877: US CITY DIRECTORY
Williamsport, Lycoming, Pennsylvania

Guthrie, Martha, widow James, bds Market n city limits

1880: US CENSUS of Pennsylvania

Martha (Fansey) Guthrie – Living in Williamsport with daughter’s family
John F Guthrie – Likely deceased by this date
Thomas W Guthrie – Living in Williamsport
Joseph Jones Guthrie – Living in Williamsport
George W Guthrie – Living in Cummings, Lycoming, PA
Priscilla (Guthrie) Wolf – Living in Williamsport

1886: US CITY DIRECTORY
Williamsport, Lycoming, Pennsylvania

Guthrie, Joseph J, laborer, h Anthony ab Jackson
Guthrie, Martha, widow James, h Anthony ab Jackson
Guthrie, Thomas W, grocer, 21 bel Park, h do

1890: US CITY DIRECTORY
Williamsport, Lycoming, Pennsylvania

Guthrie, Catherine, wid John F, h Blooming Grove rd
Guthrie, Joseph J, laborer, h 426 anthony
Guthrie, Martha, wid James P, bds 426 Anthony
Guthrie, Thomas W, grocer, 236 Park, h do

1893: DEATH of MARTHA (FANSEY) GUTHRIE
Williamsport, Lycoming, Pennsylvania

Martha died at about 91 years of age on 15 January 1893 in Williamsport.

Guthrie Family Group: GFG6
Group Designation: Branch C – (The Guthries of Lycoming, Pennsylvania)

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

YDNA Matches:  1
Kit 273990
Thomas Guthrie/Spouse UNK > James P Guthrie/Martha Fansey > Joseph Jones Guthrie/Susannah Andrews > Washington Andrew Guthrie/Margaret Knittle (GGP)

Family Finder / Autosomal DNA Kits:  1
Thomas Guthrie/Spouse UNK > Susan Guthrie/Samuel Curts > No further lineage info. // Theorized placement in GFG6 with Thomas Guthrie as ancestor of Susan Guthrie who may be the sister of James Guthrie (Martha Fansey).

Findings:

Our participant has a Y37 marker kit. He matches Group Mode DNA results at 34/37.

DYS439 = 12 instead of 11. He shares this marker with Kit 235133 (GFG6 – Branch H).

DYS456 – 17 instead of 18. Another fast-moving marker with multiple changes across the group. Several have the result of 17, but ranges 16 – 19. Others with the value of 17 are Kits 578951 (GFG6-Branch E), 265262 (GFG6 – Branch G), 251848 (GFG6 – Branch J).

CDYi = 35 instead of 34. This variance is unique to the participant.

Primary Sources & Vital Records

• 1800 U.S. Census, Muncy Creek, Lycoming County, PA: Thomas Guthrie household. Transcription and images available via FamilySearch or Ancestry (public index). Supports origin theory.
• Family Bible Record for Joseph Jones Guthrie (c. 1829 birth): Explicitly lists Martha Fansey as mother. Referenced in descendant records and Ancestry trees; physical bible location may be with family descendants.
• Civil War Pension and Service Records: Thomas W. Guthrie and Joseph Jones Guthrie (Union Army). Available via National Archives (Fold3 or Ancestry images) and U.S. National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers admission records (Thomas, 1899–1906). Confirms service, residence, and death details.
• Priscilla Guthrie Wolf family records: Death-related certificates or affidavits noting James Guthrie (father) birthplace (Ireland variant noted in some descendant trees). Searchable via Pennsylvania vital records indexes on Ancestry or Pennsylvania State Archives.
• U.S. Federal Censuses 1830–1880, Lycoming County (various townships): Proximity and household composition link children (e.g., George W. next to Thomas W. in 1860). Free indexes/transcriptions on FamilySearch; images on Ancestry.

Newspapers & Contemporary Notices

• 1811 Indentured Servant Runaway Notice (Muncy Township): Referenced in local historical context for “James Guthrie.” Full text may appear in digitized Pennsylvania newspapers (Pennsylvania Newspaper Archive or Newspapers.com). Supports orphan/indenture theory.

Secondary & Contextual Resources

• Guthrie DNA Surname Project (WikiTree and FTDNA): Full haplogroup and branch details for GFG6. Confirms genetic separation from other PA Guthries.
• Lycoming County Historical Society & County Histories: Background on lumber economy, Muncy Farms, and early settlement. Digitized volumes available via Internet Archive or local library portals.
• Wildwood Cemetery, Williamsport, PA: Burial records for Joseph Jones & Susannah Guthrie (and possibly others). Searchable on Find A Grave (free).
• User-provided Ancestry Tree (ID 3406955 / person 6132639508): Contains attached facts, sources, and media for James P. Guthrie / Martha Fansey and descendants. Recommended for cross-verification of census images and user-contributed documents.
• Guthrie Genealogy Blog – GFG6 Overview: Main reference page and related posts (e.g., new DNA matches confirming GFG6-Branch C).