The Guthrie families of Kingennie and Pitforthie represent a vital branch of the Guthrie clan, bridge-building between the landed gentry of Angus and the spiritual leaders of the Covenanter movement.

Overview: The Transition from Kingennie to Pitforthie

The history of this line is defined by two primary estates in Angus (formerly Forfarshire). While the Guthries were associated with Kingennie from the mid-1400s, a strategic marriage and subsequent land purchase shifted their seat to Pitforthie in the early 17th century.

• Kingennie: Located 2 miles north of Monifieth. Named from the Gaelic ceann gaineich (“The Sand Head”). Formerly the site of “Castle Guthrough.”
• Pitforthie: Located 1.5 miles northeast of Brechin. Acquired by James Guthrie from his stepdaughters (the Wemyss heiresses) around 1620.

I. Lineage Chart: The Lairds of Kingennie & Pitforthie

The Guthries of Kingennie are the direct paternal line ancestors of the Guthries of Pitforthie. The styling change resulted from the sale of Kingennie by one generation and the purchase of Pitforthie by the next.

II. The “Castle Guthrough” Legend

Historical records and local lore suggest that Kingennie was more than just a village; it was a fortified seat.

• The Fortification: Early medieval handbooks describe the remains of a fortified castle at Kingennie.
• Local Lore: Known by locals as “Castle Guthrough,” though its walls disappeared by the late 19th century.
• The Transfer: In 1464, Malcolm Guthrie (Provost of Dundee) married Marjory Strachan, bringing the family firmly into Kingennie’s history for 136 years until its sale to the Wedderburn family.

III. The Succession of the Guthries of Kingennie

1. The Founder: Malcolm Guthrie (c. 1464)

The Guthrie tenure at Kingennie began with a strategic marriage. Malcolm, a Provost and Bailie of Dundee, married Marjory Strachan (Strathauchin) around 1464. Her father, William de Strathauchin, had been the possessor of Kingennie since 1443. This marriage brought the lands into the Guthrie name.

2. The Mid-16th Century Crisis (1562)

The succession faced a violent interruption in 1562. The 3rd Laird, William Guthrie, was slain by Alexander Lauder of Omachie. While the specific motives for the killing remain a “cold case” in genealogy, it left the estate in the hands of his widow, Marion Mauld, and their young heir.

3. The Ninian Guthrie Mystery (1580)

Records from 1580 mention Ninian Guthrie granting a charter that identifies the next William Guthrie as “heir to his grandfather.” Ninian likely acted as a family administrator or held the life-rent of the estate following the 1562 tragedy, ensuring the lands remained in the family until the next heir reached full maturity.

4. The Final Kingennie Laird: William Guthrie (1580–1600)

The last Guthrie to hold the title “of Kingennie” was William Guthrie, husband of Elizabeth Fethie. His tenure was marked by a gradual divestment of the property:

• 1592: He sold the rights to the chaplainry of St. Thomas the Martyr.
• 1596: He began selling parcels of Kingennie land to John Traill.
• 1600: In a final contract signed by William, his wife Elizabeth, and his mother Marion Mauld, the lands were sold to Alexander Wedderburn, the Clerk of Dundee.

IV. The Shift: From Kingennie to Pitforthie

The succession did not end with the sale of Kingennie; it simply relocated.

William Guthrie’s son, James Guthrie, did not inherit Kingennie but instead moved north to Brechin. By marrying Janet Lyon (the widow of John Wemyss), James secured the rights to Pitforthie from his stepdaughters.

• Kingennie Legacy: Established the family as Dundee elite and Angus gentry.
• Pitforthie Future: Transformed the family into a powerhouse of the Scottish Reformation and the Covenanter movement.

V. Kingennie Generation to Generation Details

Kingennie has been occupied since the 1300s, a small village throughout much of its history. The Gaelic origin of the name Kingennie appears to be “ceann gaineich” which means The Sand Head, or Hill. In early Medieval times a fortified castle stood there, which one local farmer calls ‘Castle Guthrough‘. Remains of its crumbling walls were described in 19th century handbooks, but they have since disappeared from the landscape. In 1443, William de Strathauchin is described as the possessor and occupier of Kingennie. His daughter Marjory married about 1464 to Malcolm de Guthrie, a provost of Dundee. They and their Guthrie descendants occupied Kingennie until 1600 when it was sold to their relations the Wedderburns.

MALCOLM GUTHRIE – d. 24 Nov 1482

• Spouse: Marjory Strachans / Strathauchins
• Known Children: William Guthrie (heir) 
• Notes: Served as Provost and Bailie of Dundee. Served as Sheriff Depute of Forfar, Obtained rights to the patronage of a chaplainry at St Thomas the Martyr (1481). There is a Malcolm Guthrie, presumably a different man of the same era, who was the “natural son” of David Guthrie, 1st of Guthrie and 2nd Kincaldrum. In 1465, David Guthrie of that Ilk bought the lands of Balnabreich and on 4 Feb 1472 granted a charter to Malcolm Guthrie. No direct connection between Malcolm Guthrie associated with the Kingennie line and Malcom Guthrie of Balnabreich has been verified or ruled out; further research is required.

WILLIAM GUTHRIE

• Spouse: Janet Arbuthnot
• Known Children: Ninian Guthrie (heir)
• Notes: None at this time.

NINIAN GUTHRIE – Laird of Kingennie

• Spouse: Katherine Moncrief
• Known Children: William Guthrie (died before his father – 1562)
• Notes: The king granted Kingany, with its mill, in Kirriemuir, to Ninian Guthrie, and to his heirs, and a fourth part as a life rent to his wife Katherine Moncrief. (2 Sep 1529). After the death of his heir, William Guthrie, in 1562, a charter by Ninian Guthrie 25 Aug 1580 was made in favor of his grandson, William Guthrie. Ninian Guthrie fell out of favor with the local congregation in Monifieth, apparently due to lack of participation or disagreement with its doctrine, and was excluded from communion, 12 Apr 1584. Ninian Guthrie also served as Sheriff Depute for an unspecified period. Scotland’s legal records include the Testament Dative and Inventory of Niniane Guthrie dated 1587.

WILLIAM GUTHRIE – of Kingennie – d. about 1562

• Spouse: Marion Mauld / Maul
• Known Children: William Guthrie (heir), Henry Guthrie
• Notes: William was slain by Alexander Lauder of Omachie about 1562. No details found yet.

WILLIAM GUTHRIE – Laird of Kingennie

• Spouse: Elizabeth Fethie of Boysack m. 21 Aug 1580 in Monifieth
• Known Children: James Guthrie (Laird of Pitforthie), Jean Guthrie
• Notes: A charter by Ninian Guthrie 23 Aug 1580 identifies William Guthrie as heir to his grandfather. A charter two days later by Ninian Guthrie and William Guthrie to Elizabeth Fethie, future spouse of the said William, of the life rent of half of Kingennie. The rights to the patronage of the chaplainry of St Thomas the Martyr was sold or deferred to David Wedderburn on 26 Oct 1592. In 1596, William Guthrie sold some Kingennie lands to John Traill of Dundee, but the contract was held until he obtained consent from other parties. Finally, on 6 Sep 1600, a contract between William Guthrie of Kingany, Elizabeth Fethie, his spouse, and Marion Mauld, his mother sold the lands of Kingennie to Alexander Wedderburn, Clerk of Dundee. Again, the contract was held until other parties provided consent. Thereafter, on 5 Dec 1600, the Guthries were instructed to remove from the lands of Kingennie in favor of its new heritable proprietor, Alexander Wedderburn.

JAMES GUTHRIE – Laird of Pitforthie – d. 1650

• Spouse: Janet Lyon (aka Jonet, Jean), daughter of James Lyon 6th Laird of Easter Ogil & ___ Guthrie (of that Ilk)
  • Exact marriage date unknown, but likely prior to 1620
• Step-Daughters: Catherine Wemyss, Margaret Weymss
  • (One married Ogilvy of Oldallan in Kincaldrum, the other married Ogilvy of Piel)
• Children: William Guthrie (Minister of Fenwick / Laird of Pitforthie), Andrew Guthrie, Barbara Guthrie, Nicholas Guthrie, David Guthrie (Laird of Pitforthie), Robert Guthrie, Margaret Guthrie, Alexander Guthrie (Minister of Stracthro), John Guthrie (Minister of Tarbolton), Jean Guthrie.
• Notes: OPR birth/baptismal records exist for all children except the stepdaughters and eldest son William. They were baptized at Brechin.

The wife of James Guthrie of Pitforthie is known to be Janet Lyon, a daughter of Lyon of Easter Ogil. It is her family story that provides the key to discovering his Guthrie ancestors. A GENI discussion thread led to a review of ‘Lyon of Ogil‘ taken from a 1734 letter to William Lyon from his father containing a ‘Genealogie of Ogil‘. A single paragraph within the manuscript reveals how “James Guthrie of Kingennie” came into possession of Pitforthie. It also lists a connection on the Lyon side of the family to the Guthries of that Ilk, which may explain why the Pitforthie Guthries are sometimes mentioned as cousins to the Guthries of Guthrie.

During the medieval period in Scotland, the Cathedral of Brechin owned the lands of Pitforthie. The estate and other lands in the vicinity were obtained by David Dempster of Careston by a charter from James II in 1450. When James III ascended to the throne he determined to have all former church lands restored to the church, but the Dempsters kept Pitforthie until the end of the 15th or beginning of the 16th century. Over the years, Pitforthie exchanged hands several times until it came into the possession of John Wemyss.

John Wemyss of Pitforthie married Janet Lyon (aka Jonet, Jean), a daughter of James Lyon, 6th Laird of Easter Ogil and ____ Guthrie (a daughter of Guthrie of that Ilk). This couple had two daughters: Catherine and Margaret Weymss. Upon their father’s death, the girls became heiresses to Pitforthie.

Janet Lyon relict of John Wemyss remarried soon afterward to James Guthrie of Kingennie, a village in Angus (then Forfarshire) about two miles north of Monifieth, which is situated on the north bank of the Firth of Tay on the east cost, also near Dundee. James Guthrie purchased Pitforthie from his Wemyss step-daughters and was thereafter styled as James Guthrie of Pitforthie.

The lands of Pitforthie are about 1.5 miles northeast of Brechin. The Pitforthie’s Guthrie children were baptized there.

VI. Pitforthie Generation to Generation Details

CHILDREN of JAMES GUTHRIE and JANET LYON

This generation produced several influential figures in the Scottish Church:

1. William (Rev.): Minister of Fenwick; Laird of Pitforthie (titular).
2. Andrew: Baptized in Brechin; died young.
3. Janet / Jonet: Married William Rait, whose family eventually acquired Pitforthie.
4. Barbara: survival to adulthood and marital status unknown.
5. Nicholas: survival to adulthood and marital status unknown.
6. David: Inherited the lands of Pitforthie.
7. Robert (Rev.): Licensed to preach but suffered from “numerous infirmities”; died young.
8. Margaret: Married Rev. Laurence Skinner, Minister of Brechin.
9. Alexander (Rev.): Minister of Strickathrow.
10. John (Rev.): Minister of Tarbolton; ejected during the Restoration.
11. Jean: Survival to adulthood and marital status unknown.

FAMILY DETAILS

CHILD 1: REV. WILLIAM GUTHRIE – Minister of Fenwick / Laird of Pitforthie

• Born 1620 – Died 1665
• Spouse: Agnes Campbell, a daughter of David Campbell of Sheldon in Ayrshire, m. August 1645 
• Children: Margaret, Agnes, William, Mary, Elizabeth, John
• Notes: During his university days, William was taken under the wing of Rev. James Guthrie (later Minister of Sterling). Many unsourced books list these two Guthrie men as cousins. Whether it was an assumed relationship due to the name, or an actual blood relationship remains unverified. The Kingennie line has no verified ties to the Guthries of Guthrie. However, William Guthrie and his siblings do have a connection as their maternal grandmother was said to be a Guthrie of that Ilk. William was licensed as a Minister of the Gospel in 1642 and later ordained as Minister of Fenwick in 1644. Fenwick is located in Ayrshire, which is likely where his marriage to Agnes Campbell took place in 1645. His children were baptized in Fenwick and most of them died and buried there. The only children to survive past infancy or early childhood were Agnes, who married Matthew Miller of Glenlee, and Mary, who married Rev. Patrick Warner. His father died in 1650 at which time he legally became the next Laird of Pitforthie. William disponed the lands and title in order to focus on his ministry. His brother David Guthrie was the next surviving male heir and legally assumed the lands and title 27 July 1655, about ten years prior to William’s death in 1665. William Guthrie wrote ‘The Christians Great Interest in 1659. It was a turbulent time for men of religion in Scotland. William Guthrie was discharged from the ministry, his church declared vacant, and by an armed force he was removed from it, 24 July 1664. After an illness of 8 to 10 days, he died in the house of his brother-in-law, Mr Lewis Skinner, the Minister of Brechin, on 10 Oct 1665 at 45 years of age. He was buried in the church of Brechin under Pitforthie’s desk.

CHILD 2: ANDREW GUTHRIE 

• Born about 1622 – Died about 1665
• Spouse: None identified
• Children: None identified, no male heirs
• Notes: Baptized under the name ‘Andro’ on 8 Feb 1622 at Brechin with Andro Lyon and Andro Milne as witnesses. Little is known about Andrew Guthrie. When his older brother William Guthrie turned over the estate to a brother, it was to younger brother David Guthrie rather than Andrew. Had Andrew already died by that date? Nothing further is known about this son except that he is presumed to have died in his youth or early adulthood.

CHILD 3: JANET (JONET) GUTHRIE

• Born bef. 1624 – Died 16??
• Spouse: Rev. William Raitt – Minister at Monikie & Dundee – Laird of Pitforthie – m. about 1646
• Children: Jonat Raitt, William Raitt, Agnes Raitt, James Raitt, Robert Raitt, John Raitt, Catharin Raitt, David Raitt, and Laurence Raitt.
• Notes: Let’s clear up some confusion about the identity of the wife of Rev. William Raitt. The Raitt family history clearly identifies his wife as Janet (aka Jonet) Guthrie, who was the eldest daughter of James Guthrie of Pitforthie. Note that all of the baptismal records of the Raitt children identify his spouse as “Jonat” or “Janet” Guthrie. Yet many trees list his wife as the youngest of the Guthrie children, Jean, born in 1636. Note this would make his wife about 10 at the time of their marriage and only 12 for the birth of their eldest child. More likely, the baptismal record for eldest daughter Janet Guthrie, like that of eldest son William Guthrie, went unrecorded or has been lost.

The Raitt family came into possession of Pitforthie after the Guthries quit it. After James Guthrie’s death in 1650, the lands and title were disponed by Rev William Guthrie, Minister of Fenwick, in favor of his younger brother, David Guthrie, who was legally granted the lands of Pitforthie by Cromwell in 1665. The Raitt family histories claim they assumed control of Pitforthie as Janet (Guthrie) Raitt was the eldest daughter and heiress. Her brother Andrew had died in 1665, which is why David was next in line. Brother Robert’s fate is unknown. The next brother in line would have been Rev Alexander Guthrie, Minister of Stracthro, but he had died in 1663. The youngest son of the family, Rev. John Guthrie, Minister at Tarbolton, had been accused of sedition in 1663, condemned to death in 1667, and issued a royal pardon in 1667. It is probable that he was not considered for inheritance.

“Mr William Raitt of Pitforthie whose grandfather was a second son of Hallgreen, or on a cross ingrained sable, a hunting-horn of the first, stringed gules; crest, an anchor, proper, unsigned on the top, with a crest argent: Motto, Meliora spero-sequorque (I hope for better things to come.).” Coat of Arms assigned in 1672. (National Records of Scotland_Coats of Arms Volume 1 p.402Z)

CHILD 4: BARBARA GUTHRIE

• Born 1624-25 – Died 16??
• Spouse: None Confirmed (See Notes)
• Children: None Known
• Notes: Barbara Guthrie was baptized on 1 Feb 1625 at Brechin as witnessed by Andro Lyon, William Lyon (bailee), John Norie, Mr ___, and Jon__. Since the baptism was in early February, her birth may have been at the end of 1624 or early in 1625. It is unknown whether this Barbara Guthrie survived to adulthood or married. Only one marriage record for a Barbara Guthrie is listed in the OPR for years 1630-1654: Barbara Guthrie m. Patrick Kynman on 23 Oct 1640. If this is the correct record, she would’ve been about 16 years of age. No children were found listed in the OPR birth/baptismal records for this couple.

CHILD 5: NICHOLAS GUTHRIE

• Born 1626 – Died bef. 1665
• Spouse: None Known
• Children: None Known
• Notes: This “maid bairn” was named Nicholas, a name commonly given to female children in this era. She was baptized on 2 March 1626 as witnessed by Robert Carnegie of _erreyland, Andro Lyon, T E Liddel. Nicholas Guthrie was noted to be deceased before her brother, Rev. William Guthrie sometime before 10 Oct 1665.

CHILD 6: DAVID GUTHRIE – Laird of Pitforthie

• Born 1627 – Died 23 Oct 1695
• Spouse: Margaret Livingstone, eldest daughter of Patrick Livingstone of Muretoun
• Children: James Guthrie (Minister of Camusnethan, Guthrie, & Carbuddo), Patrick Guthrie, William Guthrie, Francis Guthrie, Margaret Guthrie, Robert Guthrie
• Notes: David was born in 1627 and baptized on 13 Nov 1627 at Brechin. Witnesses were David Livingston, David __, David Liddell, and David Mill. He married Margaret Livingston in 1653 by whom he had 5 sons and 1 daughter. In 1655, he was officially granted the lands, manor, and places of Pitforthie. Other than his son James’ family, most descendants of his remaining children are unidentified. Two years after David’s death on 23 Oct 1695, the lands of Pitforthie were rented out. Pitforthie was eventually acquired by William Rait, Minister at Monikie and Dundee, the husband of David’s sister, Jean Guthrie.

CHILD 7: REV. ROBERT GUTHRIE

• Born 1629 – Died 16??
• Spouse: None
• Children: None
• Notes: Robert was born in 1629 and baptized in Brechin on 4 March 1629. Witnesses: Robert Arbuthnot of Findowrie, Robert Carnegie of Leuchland, Mr Robert ___ , Robert Sinclar, and Robert Fentone. Like some of his brothers, Robert Guthrie was licensed to preach, but he did not. He was of a “tender constitution” and had “numerous infirmities” that made it impossible to sustain the work of being in charge of a parish. He is thought to have died in young adulthood without a spouse or children, but there is no confirmation of that theory.

CHILD 8: MARGARET GUTHRIE

• Born 1630 – Died ????
• Spouse: Rev. Laurence Skinner – Minister of Brechin
• Children: Catharin Skinner, Janot Skinner, Margaret Skinner, John Skinner, Jean Skinner, Catharin Skinner, William Skinner, Anna Skinner
• Notes: Margaret Guthrie was baptized on 22 May 1630 at Brechin as witnessed by __ Carnegie of __town, Tomas Liddell __, and Robt. Fenton. Margaret’s marriage to Rev Laurence Skinner presumably took place prior to the birth of their eldest child in 1653. Rev Laurence Skinner was awarded an M.A. at the University of St Andrews in 1637. In 1642, he was appointed master of the Grammar School at Brechin. Skinner later became the Minister of Brechin and also served for a time as bailie of Brechin. The Skinners hosted Rev William Guthrie when he fell ill in 1665. If alive at that time, Margaret no doubt looked after her brother, but after an illness of 8 to 10 days, he died at the Manse in Brechin. Margaret and Laurence Skinner had eight children. He died in 1691. Her death date is unknown.

CHILD 9: REV. ALEXANDER GUTHRIE – Minister of Stracthro

• Born 1632 – 1663
• Spouse: Magdalen Carnegie – daughter of Alexander Carnegie of Cookson
• Children: May (or Mary) Guthrie, Janet Guthrie, Margaret Guthrie, Alexander Guthrie
• Notes: Alexander Guthrie’s baptism took place at Brechin on 22 March 1632 as witnessed by Mr Alexander Bisset, Alexander Carnegie of __nibstone, Alexander Livingstone, and Alexander Watt. Alexander also went into the ministry. He became Minister of Stracthro serving there between 1655-1662. He was only 30 at his death in 1663. Interestingly, two of his daughters married some folks with familiar names. May married David Lyon. Janet married William grandson of William Lyon of Ogil. A little research is required to figure out which men of these names are correct.

CHILD 10: REV. JOHN GUTHRIE – Minister of Tarbolton

• Born 1633 – Died 1669
• Spouse: Mary Haldane
• Known Children: Major John Guthrie
• Notes: John Guthrie was baptized on 21 Nov 1633 at Brechin as witnessed by John Ogilvy of __, Alexander Carnegie of __nibstone, Hercules Cramont of Gagie, and Jon. Skinner elder and younger. He obtained a Master of Arts at Glasgow in 1652. By 1658 he was Minister at Tarbolton and Barnwell. His marriage date is unknown, but their son was born about 1660. Rev. John Guthrie was in the thick of the religious turmoil of the times. He was deprived of his ministry in 1662 by an Act of Parliament and took part in the Pentland Rising on 29 Nov 1666. He was indicted before the Justiciary Court 15 Aug 1667 and condemned to death, but received a royal pardon on 1 October. There seems to be some confusion about his date of death. He reportedly died in 1669. He may be the man who died in Edinburgh on 30 Aug 1669. That is the only date and location for the death of a John Guthrie that year. A ‘History of Scotland’ notes that a Mr Anderson conducted a divine service on 5 Nov 1676 at the home of Mrs Guthrie, widow of John Guthrie, minister of Tarbolton, which tells us that John Guthrie’s DID was prior to 1676. A final option is the year 1689 as stated by a different source.

CHILD 11: JEAN GUTHRIE

• Born 1636 – Died ????
• Marital Status: Unknown
• Notes: The youngest of the Pitforthie Guthries was daughter Jean Guthrie who was baptized in Brechin on 5 July 1636. The ceremony was witnessed by Alexander Carnegie of __nibstone, Robert Carnegie of Longland, John Dundas, and David Lyon.

She is frequently misidentified in modern trees as the wife of Rev. William Raitt taking the spot that should belong to her eldest sister, Janet (Jonet) Guthrie. 

READING and RESOURCES

MAP: Moll, Herman, 1745. ‘The Shire of Angus or Forfar” (Digital Repository: National Library of Scotland)

Map: Blaeu atlas Major 1662-5 Volume 6 – Angus Provincia Scotiae Live The Shire of Angus(Digital Repository: National Library of Scotland)

BOOK: Lyon, William, 1870. “Lyon of Ogil“ (Digital Repository: Family Search)
Copy of a Genealogical MS lent by Walter F Lyon,Esq. London in January 1869, the property of Mr John Lyon, of H.M. Ship ‘Eagle’, resident at Harley Lodge, Laughton, Cheshire,, “whole ancestor Sir Patrick Lyon Lord Cafe is mentioned. and who has a letter dated 1734 to Wm. Lyon, Advocate, from a Mr Ramsay, W.S., regarding the said papers, in which he states that they were written by William Lyon’s father.”

p.2 James Lyon succeeded his father sixth Laird of Ogil, and married a daughter of Guthrie of that Ilk, by whom he had two sons, James who succeeded, and William of Baldoukie, who died without issue and left considerably to ye family of Ogil by his death, and two daughters; the oldest, Jean, was married first to Weemes of Pitforthy, to whom she bore two daughters, and then to James Guthrie, son to __ Guthrie of Kingenny, to whom she bore five sons and three daughters, &c.; the 2nd daughter was married to __ Sinclaire, a Fife gentleman, but died issueless.

DOCUMENTS: Ordnance Survey Name Books / Forfarshire (Angus) OS Name Books, Volume 70 / OS1/14/70/11
Digital Repository: ScotlandsPlaces.gov
This survey is is the Parish of Monifieth at Kingennie, and the site of Kingennie Chapel.
Notes include Gaelic name origin of Kingennie: ceann gaineich (The Sand Head, or Hill)
“The occupier of Kingennie farm speaks about the site of a Castle which he says was called Castle Guthrough from which he traces the origin of the name Guthrie and points out the site in a field close to the farm steading, but no other person could be found who knew anything concerning this castle for which reason it has not been written.”

WEBSITE: Canmore – National Record of the Historic Environment
Site Name: Kingennie
Classification: Castle (Medieval)
Archeology Notes – See website

PUBLICATION: City of Dundee Scotland: A Chronicle of the City’s Office Bearers, Chambers, Regalia, Castles & Twin Cities
p.18 Chronological List of Baillies, Provosts and Lord Provosts
The minutes of the Town Council of Dundee which are still in existence do not bear an earlier date than 1552, but as the names of Provosts and Baillies were usually entered in the ‘Lockit-Book’ over every name of an admitted Burgess, it is thus possible to form a more complete historical list of Office Holders for the City. Where dates before 1482 omit any mention of a Provost, the name of the Principal Baillie has been listed.
See also: Millar, Alexander Hastie, 1887. Roll of Eminent Burgeses of Dundee listing the Provosts of Dundee, 1287-1887.

1398 – Robert de Guthry – Baillie
1403 – Robert de Guthry – Baillie
(In the exchequer Roll, the remark reads “Robert de Guthry was the sole Baillie present, the other billies died of the plague.”)
1456 – David Guthrie – Baillie
1467 – Malcolm Guthrie – Baillie
1470 – Malcolm Guthrie – Provost
1472-75 – Malcolm Guthrie – Baillie
1480 – Malcolm Guthrie – Baillie
1712-14 – Magister Henry Guthrie

BOOK: Warden, Alex J., 1871 “Angus or Forfarshire: The Land and People, descriptive and historical, Volume II“, Dundee, Charles Alexander & Co. Digital Repository: ElectricScotland
p.198 – 1479-October 4. Parliament held at Edinburgh. Representatives of Dundee and Forfar were present, and Malcolm Guthrie of Dundee was chosen one of the Commissioners. 

pp.229-230 – Chap III. Sheriffs-Depute, Before 1748
Includes:
1457 – David Guthrie of Kincaldrum, 7th Dec — H. Man. Com. 5 Rep. 622
1481 – Alexander Guthrie of Guthrie – Acta And 95
1560 – Ninian Guthrye of Kingenny – Reg. de Pan, p.309
1578 – Ninian Guthrye of Kingenny – Crawford Case, p.178

BOOK: Warden, Alex J, 1882. “Angus or Forfarshire: The Land and People, descriptive and historical, Volume III“
Dundee, Charles Alexander & Co. Digital Repository: Google Books.

p.29 – The Lands of Pitforthie…
Background info on Pitforthie and identification of its proprietors.
p.31 – “The family of Guthrie acquired a portion of Pitforthie in the early years of the seventeenth century, but we do not know the year. They were in possession some time before 1620. James Guthrie of Pitforthie is mentioned on 24th February, 1637, Reg. Ep. Br. p.230
William Guthrie, the eldest son of the Laird of Pitforthie, was born there in 1620. He studied divinity at St Andrews under the excellent Mr Samuel Rutherford, was licensed to preach in 1642, and ordained minister of Fenwick, in Ayrshire, in 1644. He was a faithful pastor, and when not engaged in his parochial duties, he attended the army as a chaplain in these “troublesome times.” He was the author of “The Christian’s Great Interest,” a well known and valuable work. On Restoration of Charles II, and the suppression of the Presbyterian form of worship and re-establishment of Episcopy, he was deprived of his living, and returned to Pitforthie, where family affairs required his presence. He succeeded to the property on the death of his father, but did not retain it long. He died at Brechin on 10th October, 1665.”
This page also includes mention of the Rait family taking over Pitforthie after the death of William Guthrie, but also misidentifies Rev William Rait as Rev James Rait.

BOOK: Publications of the Scottish History Society, Third Series, Volume XLI, Charters of the Abbey of Coupar Angus, Vol. II, 1389-1608
p.81 – CXLVIII – Notarial instrument recording that following on the proclamation of David Ogilvy of Tolmad, King’s sheriff, of royal letters enjoining Malcolm Guthrie, provost, and John Fotheringham, bailie of Dundee, to afford justice to the abbot and convent of Coupar in respect of the ownership of a tenement in that burgh, the said provost and bailie undertook to do so at the next head court after Christmas.

Malcolm guthre preposition Johannis fothringam unius balliuirum burgi de Dunde: Guthrie is not found elsewhere as provost. A man so named is constituted procurator of William Strathechyn, burgess of Dundee, in a charter dated at Dundee, 16 Aug., 1458 (Aberbrothoc, ii. 116) 

Malcom Guthrie appears as custumar of Dundee from 6 July 1480 (Exch. Rolls, ix, p.74) till his death on 24 Nov 1482 (ibid, ix. p.122)

WEBSITE:  Castle of Kingennie (Site of)
Kingennie is in the parish of Monifieth and the county of Angus.
Lat / long: 56.5045400, -2.8593897

BOOK: Malcolm, J. 1910. The Parish of Monifieth in Ancient and Modern Times with a History of the Landed Estates and Lives of Eminent Men, William Green and Sons, Edinburgh
Kingennie pp.324-334

“(William de Strathauchin’s) daughter Marjory married (circa 1464 Malcolm de Guthrie, who was also Provost of Dundee in 1467, 1470, 1472-5, and from 1480 they and their descendants occupied Kingennie until 1600, when the Wedderburns, who were related to the Guthries, succeeded them in occupation of the estate by purchasing the lands from William Guthrie. (The Wedderburn Book, vol. ii pp. 15-16)

BOOK: Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1306-1668 (Digital Repository: Archive.org)

p.84 – Year: 1526 – Entry 337 – (Translated to English) At Edinburgh, Oct. 4 The KING confirmed the charter of James Rynd de Cass, – [which, for a sum of money paid to him, he sold to WILLIAM ANDERSON, and MARGARET OLIPHER his spouse, – a sixth part of the lands of Lwmlethyne, by Job She is always busy, vie. Forfair : — Tenend. said WiL and Marg. and to the other of them living longer in conjoint infeudation, and to heirs begotten among them, failing whom, the heirs of the said Wil. to whomsoever, concerning the king: — Test. “WiL Seyr in Cragnatbro, Niniano Guthre, Job. Keill, D. David Lude, D. Alex. Galloway and M. David Roberti public notary, chaplains: – with the subseription of the said Jac.: – At Dunde, 29 Jul. 1526]: — Test, as in other charters, &c. 51

p.182 – Year: 1529 – Entry 832 – (Translated to English) At Edinburgh, 2 Sept. He granted to NINIAN GUTHRE, and his heirs, the lands of Kingany with Molondo, in the regality of Keryraure, vi. Forfarej – and KATHERINE MONCREIF his spouse, in life rent – a fourth part of the said lands &c.; — which Wil. Wod du Bonyntoun personally resigned: — Test, uf in other works &c. xxv. 19.

p.427 (Entry in a Footnote for 1538-39) Names of assize – Robert Maule of Panmure, Andrew Ogilvy of Duntrone, William Betoun of Westhall, Henry Ramsay of Ardowny, Henry Ramsay of Lawaris, M. John Auchinlek of Wodhall, Ninian Guthrie of Kingany, John Guthrie of Balnabreich, David Guthrie of Essex, M. Alexander Auchinlek, David Guthrie in Inverpeffer, James Natty, Joh. Piggat, Alexander Creichtoun in Crowdy, Alexander Ogilvy in Cany.

Definition: Assize – a court which sat at intervals to administer civil and criminal law.

p.695 (Entry in a Footnote for 1543) Names of Assize:– Walt. Scrymgeour of Glaswall, And. Ogilvy of Duntrone, Ninian Guthrie of Kingany, John Tempilman, David Anderson, Tho. Glenda, John Crak, John Robertsoun, Tho. Duncane, Robert Portar, Alex. Thorntoun, Rob. Crom, Morice Walker, Thomas Barry, Joh. Morgound.

p.705 – Year: 1544 – Entry 3009. (Translated to English) At Edinburgh, Apr. 19 EEGINA, when he had addressed letters to Archibald Hoge, the sheriff in this part, at the instance of John the abbot of Pasleto, they contained. that Job Charteris de Cutbilgurdy as surety for the entry of persons undersigned, in court at Edinburgh 30 Jan. 1543 to undergo laws (for the art and part of the siege by way of the governor and the lords &c. existing in his company, going out from the burgh of Dunde to the burgh of Perth for the pacification of the kingdom, lying in the siege in the war unfolded for their murders), incurred the following penalties, viz. for Job Maule of Panmure, Tho. Fothringham de Powry, Tho. Wentoun of Strathmartyne, . . . Bold de Pitkindie, 100 Pounds for also, for Gilb. Galichtlie 100 marks, for Gilb. Monorgund of the same, WiL Durham of Grange, … Guthre of Hiltoun, And. Gray in Dynnanad, Alex. Gray in Ballegarno, . . . Guthre de Kingany 100 lib. for also, for Job. Gray in Lochtoun 100 marks; and commanding to distrain. 

BOOK: Bardgett, Frank D., 1988. ‘Monifieth Kirk Register‘ Scottish Church History Society. (Digital Repository: Archive.org)

p.182 “Taking the 1573 list of elders as probably not unrepresentative of the first decade of the congregation, it appears that the kirk of Monifieth was managed by lairds from many of the major estates that comprised the parish.” … “Only Ninian Guthrie of Kingennie and Henry Ramsay of Laws played little part in the life of their parish church.” (See footnote 47 – Reasons for this are discussed later.)

p.185-186 “The apparent failure of the congregation of Monifieth to win over a greater proportion of the population of its parish may well have been due to the increasing alienation of two lairds from the hinterland: Ramsay of Laws and Guthrie of Kingennie. If William Durham of Grange had dominated the eldership of 1573, his successor and brother Robert (inherited 1574) was in an even stronger position in 1575. Yet the concentration of leadership in the hands of the lairds of Grange, Omachie, and Ardownie also marked a parochial division whose origin was personal and factional rather than religious. Robert Durham inherited with the Grange a claim to half of the estate of Laws; the dispute (which probably dated back to his father Alexander’s marriage) undoubtedly resulted in a cool relationship between the Durhams and the Ramsays of Laws. On the other hand, sometime around 1562 Alexander Lauder of Omachie had slain William, heir of Ninian Guthrie of Kingennie. Although a contract of assythment had been agreed, Kingennie remained outside the Durham-Lauder camp and, as a deputy-sheriff of Angus, he had allies of his own not so closely connected to the protestant establishment.” (See Footnote 62 – SRO, Reg. Deeds, RD1.5.384; Scrymgeour-Wedderburnn MSS., GD137.639. Kingennie’s principle “friend” was the sheriff of Angus, Lord Gray (of Foulis); Lauder’s was the Earl of Morton.”)

Definition: assythment – indemnification for injury; specifically the satisfaction formerly demandable by the family of a person slain but now superseded by damages recoverable by an action.

p.186 “The decade 1575-1585 saw a determined attempt by the dominant faction of the eldership to bring to heel the parish’s dissidents. On 3 March 1576/7, a series of morality prosecutions directed against them began that extended to 1584 and which a full arsenal of ecclesiastical sanction were to be employed.”
Three lawsuits were tied together: 
Adultery/Harlotry: Henry Ramsay, Laird of Laws, and Margaret Kinnaird, his “harlot” 
Adultery: Henry Guthrie of Laws and Marge Vatsoun (Watson)
Adultery: James Duncan servant to the Laird of Kingany and Isobele Duncan
“Margaret Watson was the first of the accused to seek reconciliation with the church. She promised obedience “in tyme cuming” on 12 April, and her child was baptized. Nevertheless, further summons was issued against all the accused on 19 April (1579).”

p.188-189 “Will the fall and arrest of the Earl of Morton on 31 December 1580, the climate of national affairs turned against those in the kirk advocating stricter discipline. No more was heard of the misconduct of Laws and the kirk session found its grip on the parish slipping from its hand. The final entry in the saga came on 12 April 1584. Among a long list of those excluded from the Communion held that day were Henry Ramsay of Laws with Janet Brady “his harlot”. Much more significantly, also excluded were: “Ninian Guthrie of Kingany and Gibhe Neill ar because they ar niche reconciles to yir kirk.”

WEBSITE: Parties in the Protocol Books of the Town Clerks of Arbroath (A Finding Aid)

1591/2/5 – Sasine – Wm Guthrie of Kynganie – Henry Maule port of Skryne, Isabella Maule his dtr – annual rent on lands of Kynganie

BOOK: Wedderburn, Alexander. 1898. ‘The Wedderburn Book, A History of the Wederburns in the Counties of Berwick and Forfar, designed of Wedderburn, Kingennie, Easter Powrie, Blackness, Balindean and Gosford; and their Younger Branches; Together with Some account of Other Families of the Name. 1296-1896. Volume I. The History. (Digital Repository: HathiTrust)

p.127 – The Purchase of Kingennie
“The lands of Kingennie (see footnote 3) were purchased by (Alexander Wedderburn) some nine years after his acquisition of Wester Gourdie. They were the property of William Guthrie and his wife Elizabeth Fethie, by whom, 21 April 1600, one John Traill, bailee in Dundee, was infeft in the Maynis (mains) of Kingennie (S.W. 121) which he then charged with an annual rent of eight bolls victual in favor of the clerk, who soon after agreed to buy the lands from the Guthries for 10,800 merls. The contract is dated 6 Sep 1600, and there is an obligation, 17 Sept, by Guthrie not to sell any of his lands or deal with the price of Kingennie without the consent of various persons, including the clerk. As in the case of Wester Gourdie, so in that of Kingennie, Wedderburn seems to have at once set about freeing the property from the charges upon it. Thus he redeems one annual rent, 20 Oct 1600; and pays off som arrears of another, 1 Nov. There is another contract between the Guthries and the clerk and his wife, Helen Ramsay, for the sale of Kingennie, in which the price is put at 16,000 merks in all, of which 4,800 is said to have gone in clearing off all charges. On the same day (1 Nov) the property is renounced by the vendors as sold “without redemption: Elizabeth Fethie, wife of the vendor, makes a judicial ratification of the contract; and the lands are resigned “by delivery of staff and baton” into the hands of William, Earl of Angus, the superior charters of them being granted to Wedderburn and his wife and their heirs by both Guthrie and the Earl, who subsequently, 25 Nov, made a gift of the nonentry mills and duties of the lands in favor of the clerk. There is a discharge to Wedderburn for the price, dated 3 Dec 1600, and another for a further 5,000 merks two days later. A notarial instrument declaratory of the consent of Guthrie and his tenants to remove from the lands is also dated 5 Dec, and on Dec 10 the clerk exercised his rights as owner by granting a tack of the mains to John Traill, already in occupation under William Guthrie.
Footnote 3: The lands of Kingennie had been held by the Earl of Angus in 1443 by William de Strathauchin from whom they passed first to his daughter Elizabeth and then in 1464 to her sister Marjorie, who married Malcolm of Guthre and had a son and heir William Guthrie, who married Janet Arbuthnot, and had a son Ninian, from whose grandson William (m. Elizabeth Fethie) the lands were bought in 1600 by Alexander Wedderburn.

BOOK: Wedderburn, Alexander, 1898. ‘The Wedderburn Book, A History of the Wederburns in the Counties of Berwick and Forfar, designed of Wedderburn, Kingennie, Easter Powrie, Blackness, Balindean and Gosford; and their Younger Branches; Together with Some account of Other Families of the Name. 1296-1896. Volume II. The Evidence. (Digital Repository: Electric Scotland)

INDEX:
i = found in Volume I – The History
ii = found in Volume II – The Evidence

p.8 – Entry 39 – Year: 1580. Aug 25 — Charter by Ninian Guthrie of Kingennie in favor of William Guthrie his grandson; witnessed by Mr Alexander Wedderburn, and Alexander and Robert W(edderburn) notaries.

p.9 – Entry 51 – Year: 1586. March 19 — Charter by William Guthrie of Kingennie to Elizabeth Fethie his wife & c. Written and witnessed by Mr Alexander Wedderburn. viii, iv, 16.

p.14 – Entry 110 – Year 1596. May 22-23 — Charter by William Guthrie of Kingany to John Traill of Dundee of the lands called the “Crymbillis” or “Trumbillis” of Kingany with tends, &c. Witnessed by Mr Alexander Wedderburn, town clerk of Dundee. vii, iv, 21, viii, xiv, 23.

p.14 – Entry 111 – Year 1596. May 24 — Reversion by John Trail to William Guthrie of the said lands &c. Witnessed by the said Mr Alexander W(edderburn). (Parchment) vii, iv, 22.

p.15 – Entry 121 – Year 1600. April 21. — Contract between William Guthre of Kingennie and Elizabeth Fethie his spouse, with consent of Henri Maull and Andrew Maull of Gouldie on one part, and John Traill, bailie of Dundee, on the other part (narrating two earlier contracts) by which the former parties agree to infeft Traill in the Maynis of Kingennie, &c. in feu firm, for 24 bolls vitual yearly. Dated at Dundee. (Three sheets in good state) vii, ii, 4.

p.15 – Entry 122 – Year 1600 (date wanting) — Renunciation by John Traill, burgess of Dundee, to Mr Alexander Wedderburn, common clerk of Dundee, of an annual rent of 8 bolls victual forth of the Maynis of Kingennie, which the granter had from William Guthre of Kingennie, under reversion for 460 merks, now redeemed by the said Mr A. W. (Conclusion and date wanting, one sheet, in fair state) vii, ii, 5

p.15 – Entry 123 – Year 1600 Sep 6 — Contract between Wm. Guthre of Kingany, Elizabeth Fethie, his spouse, and Marion Maud his mother, on the one part, and Mr Alexander Wedderburn Clerk of Dundee, on the other part, for the sale of the lands of Kingany to the latter for the sum of 10,800 merks. Signed at Dundee by the parties and witnesses. (scroll of two sheets, in fair state) vii, ii, 6.

p.15 – Entry 124 – Year 1600. Sep 17 — Obligation by William Guthre of Kingany not to sell any of his lands nor to dispose of the money received from Mr Alexander Wedderburn as the price of Kingany, without the advice and consent of Henry Fethie of Ballish, Henry Maull, portioner of Skryne, Andrew Maull of Gouldie, William Maull, burgess of Edinburgh, Henry Ramsay of Ardowny, and the said Mr Alexander Wedderburn. Signed at Monyfuith by all the parties. (one leaf fair.) vii, ii, 7

p.15 – Entry 125 – Year 1600. Oct 20 — Renunciation by Henry Maull, now of Skryne and Isobell Mauld his daughter to whom he was tutor, in favor of Mr Alex. Wedderburn common clerk of Dundee and “now heritable proprietor” of the lands of Kingennie, of an annual rent of 20 merks, forth of the said lands, which the said Mr. A. W. as assignee to William Guthre of Kingennie had redeemed for 200 merks. At the Skryne. Signed by Henry Maull. (English, parchment) viii, iii, 2.

p.15 – Entry 126 – Year 1600. Nov 1 — Discharge by Walter Graham of Calgary to Mr Alexander Wedderburn, clerk of Dundee, in name of William Guthrie of Kingany of £40 in payment of arrears of annual rent forth of the lands of Kingany. Dated at Dundee. vii, xi, 11

p.15 – Entry 127 – Year 1600. Nov 1 — Contract between William Guthrie of Kingany, Elizabeth Fethie his spouse, Marion Maud his mother, &c. on the one part, and Mr Alexander Wedderburn, clerk of Dundee, and Helen Ramsay his spouse, on the other, for the sale to the latter of the lands and mayns of Kingany, for which the said Mr Alexander becomes bound to pay 11,200 merks, which with 4,800 paid for clearing off reversions, makes 16,000 merks in all. Signed at Dundee. David Wedderburn is a witness. (Scroll of three sheets, in fair state) vii, ii, 8

p.16 – Entry 128 – Year: 1600. Nov 1 — Renunciation by William Guthre of Kingany, with consent of Elizabeth Fethie his spouse, Marion Mauld, and Henry Fethie of Ballisak, in favor of Mr Alexander Wedderburn, common clerk of Dundee, and Helen Ramsay his spouse, of the feu maill which they had bound themselves to pay for the lands of Kingany, with manor place, orchards, mill, mill lands and pedicle, before called Carneton, now Crymbills of Kingany, all of which were sold to the said Mr Alexander and his spouse heritably, without redemption. Dated at Dundee. (English, parchment) viii, iii, 3.

p.16 – Entry 129 – Year 1600. Nov 1 — Judicial ratification by the said Elizabeth Fethie of the said contract of sale of the lands of Kingany (see No.123), done in the chamber of the said Mr Alexander Wedderburn. (English, parchment) vii, iii, 4.

p.16 – Entry 130 – Year 1600. Nov 1 — Procuratory of resignation by William Guthre of Kingany, with consent (as in No. 128), & c. in favor of the said Mr. Alex. W. and Helen Ramsay his spouse, in conjunct fee, and their heirs, of the lands of Kingany by delivery of staff and baton in the hands of William, Earl of Angus. Dated at Dundee. Seal of William Guthre attached. (English, parchment) viii, iii, 5.

p.16 – Entry 131 – Year: 1600. Nov. 1 — Charter by the said William Guthre, with consent of his said wife and mother and others in favor of the said Mr Alexander Wedderburn and his wife in conjunct fee and they heirs procreate between them, whom failing, the heirs of the said Mr Alexander whatsoever, of the lands of Kingany, &c. for certain great sums of money, to hold of the granter in feu-ferme (the duty is not stated). Contains precept of saline and is dated at Dundee. (Latin, parchment; seal gone.) viii, iii, 6.

p.16 – Entry 132 – Year 1600. Nov 1 — Charter in similar terms to hold a me of the Earl of Angus. (Latin, parchment. Seal of Wm. Guthrie) vii, iii, 7.

p.16 – Entry 133 – Year 1600. Nov 4 — Renunciation by John Fethie lawful son of David F., brother german of the late Henry Fethie of Ballisak, to Wm. Guthrie of Kingany, of an annual rent of 40 merks forth of the lands &c of Kingany, now redeemed by payment of 400 merks. Dated at Dundee. David Wedderburn, burgess of Dundee, and Mr Alexander Wedderburn, clerk thereof, are witnesses, viii, iv, 29

p.16 – Entry 134 – Year 1600. Nov. 25 — Gift by William, Earl of Angus, to Mr Alexander Wedderburn, clerk of Dundee, of the nonentry mills and duties of the lands of Kingany, since the decease of the late Wm. Guthrie of Kingany, grandschir to William Guthrie, now of Kingany. Dated at Canongate. Witnessed by James Johnston of Westraw, James Fethie of Gwynde, & c. (Seal gone. English, parchment.) vii, iii, 8

p.16 – Entry 135 – Year 1600. Dec 3 — Discharge by William Guthrie of Kingany and Elizabeth Fethie his spouse to Mr Alexander Wedderburn, clerk of Dundee, for 11,200 merks in complete payment of 16,000 merks promised by the said Mr Alexander W. as the price of the lands of Kingany. Dated at Dundee. (English, parchment) vii, iii, 9

p.16 – Entry 137 – Year 1600. Dec 5 — Receipt by James Fethie to Mr Alexander Wedderburn common clerk of Dundee, on behalf of Mr William Guthrie of Kingany, for 5000 merks. Written by David Wedderburn, who signs as a witness, together with Mr William Graham of Claverhous. (one leaf, fair) vii, iii, 9

p.16 – Entry 138 – Year 1600. Dec 10 — Mains of Kingany (mentions investments formerly granted Wm Guthrie of Kingany to John Traill.)

p.17 – Entry 143 – Year 1600. Dec 13 — Contract between Mr Alexander Wedderburn, clerk of Dundee, and John Traill, burgess thereof, whereby the latter acknowledges the receipt from the former of 400 merks, due him by William Guthrie of Kingany, and renounces an annual rent of 8 bolls victual from the lands of Kingany, and agrees to conditions anent the redemption of the said lands for 4,400 merks. At Dundee. David Wedderburn burgess is a witness. 

p.17 – Entry 144 – Year 1600. Dec 13 — Renewal of a Reversion by John Traill, bailee of Dundee, in favor of William Guthrie of Kingany and Elizabeth Fethie his spouse, over the mains of Kingany for 4000 merks, payable within four days of any Whitsunday “beside the pulpit within the Lyttil East Kirk of Dundee” and dated 6 Oct. 1600 (viii, iii, 1) made in favor of Mr Alexander Wedderburn, now heritable proprietor of the lands of Kingany. Dated at Dundee. (English, parchment) viii, iii, 10.

p.17 – Entry 146 – Year 1600. Dec 15 — Sasine following on precept of clare constat by William, Earl of Angus, for infefting William Guthrie of Kingany in the lands of Kingany, Carneton, &c. as heir to the late William Guthrie of Kingany, his great-grandfather. The precept (viii, iv, 30) is dated at Canongate 25 Nov 1600, and has the seal of the Earl entire; the saline is dated 15 Dec at Dundee, and is witnessed by David and Robert Wedderburn; the notary also being Robert Wedderburn, who appends his docket. (parchment) viii, iv, 31.

p.17 – Entry 147 – Year 1601. Feb 13 — Inhibition by Mr Alex. Wedderburn, clerk of Dundee v. William Guthrie that he should not sell his lands in default of the complainer. Dated at Edinburgh. (one sheet. fair condition) viii, ii, 12

p.20 – Entry 167 – Year 1610. (date blank) — An inventory of the writs and evidence delivered by Mr Alexander Wedderburn, clerk of Dundee, of the lands of Kingennie, to be produced in the action by the Earl of Angus v. certain of his tenants. There are nine documents named beginning with a charter of Kingennie granted (1 Dec 1511) by Archibald, Earl of Angus, to William Guthrie and Janet Arbuthnot his wife, and including a saline (1600) under the hand of Robert Wedderburn, notary, and a charter by William Guthre to Alexander Wedderburn and Helen Ramsay his wife, and other titles of Kingennie down to 1610. (one sheet of paper) viii, ii, 20. 

p.30 – Entry 240 – Year: 1630 (date wanting)– “An inventor of the Chartouris of the Landis of Kingenny.”
This is a list of six charters of Kingennie:–
(a) Charter of alienation by Andrew Parker of Kingennie to William Strachan of Dundee, 20 Sep 1443
(b) Confirmation thereof by James, Earl of Angus, 7 Jan 1443-44
(c) Charter by George, Earl of Angus, to Elizabeth Inglis, spouse of William Strachan. Dated at Edinburgh, 21 Sep 1458
(d) Charter by Archibald, Earl of Angus, to William Guthrie, son and heir apparent of Malcolme Guthrie of Dundee, and Marion Strachan. Dated at Edinburgh, 5 March 1478.
(e) Charter by Archibald, Earl of Angus to William Guthrie and Janet Arbuthnot his wife, & c. Dated at Edinburgh, 5 Dec 1511.
(f) Charter of confirmatione by William, Earl of Angus, whereby he confirms a charter granted by Mr Alexander Wedderburn to his son Alexander Wedderburn. Dated at Edinburgh 12 June 1630.

p.180 – Entry 18 – (includes) The comet Buik also contains a large number of miscellaneous memoranda. …The mention of the books of his uncle (who is of course Robert the notary) . . .Thus it was no doubt for his work as a notary that he got, in kind, the fee mentioned in this entry:–
(c) The tent of September 1610. — In presence of Mr James Wedderburn, Mr John Dynmur, and David Rudy, telzeour in the house of William Guthre. The siad william proittit me a stick of fun grewgren silk quhdlk sold cost v lib grit within 7 or 8 oukis hereafter and owner entire his name coming from Flanderis for my consent to the aprobathione of his rychtia of his tenement. 

p.231 – Entry 291 – Year: 1592 Oct 26 — David Wedderburn, burgess, son to Alexander Wedderburn, deceased, clerk of Dundee, obtains the right of patronage of Saint Thomas’ chaplainry from William Guthrie of Kingany.

p.366 – Entry 60 – Year 1600. July 15 — Confirmed charter (8 June 1587) of sale by Sir James Scrymgeour of Dudope, constable and provost of Dundee, and William Guthrie of Kynganie, to David Wedderburn, burgess of Dundee, of an annual rent out of a tenement in the Cowgait. Witnessed by Mr Alexander Wedderburn, clerk.

p.402 – Entry 28 – Year 1600. July 15 — At Holyroodhouse. Precept for character of confirmation upon a charter by Sir James Scrymgeour of Dudope, Knight, Constable, and Provost of Dundee, and William Guthrie of Kinganie, two of the patrons of the chaplainry of St Thomas the Martyr, in the parish kirk of Dundee, founded of old by William Strathauchin, to David Wedderburne, burgess of Dundee, his heirs and assignees, of an annual rent of 18s out of a tenement of land pertaining to David Robiesone, lying in the south side of the Cowgate of Dundee. (LXXiV, 21)

p.468 – Entry 50 – Year: 1609. Feb. 25 — Action by Henry Fethie, Mr Alexander Wedderburn of Kinganie, and others, v. William Guthrie, sometime of Kinganie. (244, 19)

DOCUMENTS: TESTAMENT DATIVE and INVENTORY of NINIANE GUTHRIE – 10 Jan 1587 – Edinburgh Commissary Court – CC8/8/16 (Digital Repository: Scotland’sPeople)

DOCUMENTS: Old Parish Registers – Births and Baptisms (Digital Repository: Scotland’s People)
Andro Guthrie 8 Feb 1622 Brechin
Barbara Guthrie 1 Feb 1625 Brechin
Nicholas Guthrie 2 Mar 1626 Brechin
David Guthrie 3 Nov 1627 Brechin
Robert Guthrie 4 Mar 1629 Brechin
Margaret Guthrie 22 May 1630 Brechin
Alexander Guthrie 22 Mar 1632 Brechin
Jon. Guthrie 21 Nov 1633 Brechin
Jean Guthrie 5 Jul 1636 Brechin
Note that no OPR baptismal record has been found for eldest son William Guthrie. If James and Janet’s eldest daughter was indeed Janet/Jonet who married Rev William Raitt rather than youngest daughter Jean, her baptismal record is also missing. or unrecorded.

WEBSITE: Testaments & Wills for the City & Parish of Brechin, Angus (pre-1824)
David Guthrie of Pitforthy 23 Oct 1695
Elizabeth Guthrie – sometime spouse to the deceased David Guthrie of Seatown, and relict of David Edgar of Keithock 30 Oct 1723
Elspet Guthrie – spouse to Andrew Mylnie, in Balnabriche – 10 May 1630
James Guthrie of Pitforthie – T. 10 Nov 1650
Janet Guthrie – relict of George Mathis, maltman, citiner of Brechin – T. 8 Jan 1651
Captain John Guthrie – merchant in Brechin – 29 Sep 1687
Margaret Guthrie – spouse to Hercules Car, maltman, citiner of Brechin – 27 Nov 1635
‘T’ before the date indicates that the copy in the register is lost, but the original testament is extant.
See Also: Legal Records – Scotland’s People

WEBSITE: Parties in the Register of Deeds of the Commisariot of Brechin

118 – (1610) Henry Futhie of Muirhouse, Bessie Futhie relict of umqll Wm Guthrie in Ogill, James Guthrie their son, John Leiche cit Brechin – George Wright notar in Brechin

310 – (1612) Disposition Elizabeth Fethie relict of umqll Wm Guthrie sometime of Kingennie, James Guthrie their son – James Ramsay minister at Tannadice

318 – (1612) Indentor Elizabeth Fethie relict of umqll Wm Guthrie sometime of Kingennie, James Guthrie her son, James Ramsay minister at Tannadice – James Spens at the Walmylne of Ferne

WEBSITE: The Raitt Stuff
Section on The Rails of Pitforthie

BOOK: Rutherford, S and Bonar, A.A. 1891. Letters of Samuel Rutherford, Published by Oliphant, Anderson & Ferrier. (Digital Repository: Google Books)

p. 652 A Letter to Rev. William Guthrie of Fenwick.
Included is a brief sketch:
“William Guthrie was born at Pitforthy, in the shire of Angus, in the year 1620. He was the eldest son of the Laird of Pitforthy, a cadet of the old family of Guthrie, and by his mother’s side was descended from the ancient house of Easter-Ogle. He attended the literary and philosophical classes at the University of St Andrews, and studied theology under Rutherford. On the 7th of November 1644, he was ordained minister of Fenwick. There he continued successfully to discharge his ministry till the 24th of July 1664, when for nonconformity, he was suspended from and discharged to exercise his ministry, and his church declared vacant, by order of Bishop Burnet. He died at Brechin on the 10th of October 1665. It may be mentioned here that William Guthrie of Fenwick was cousin to the famous James Guthrie, and was brought to Christ by Samuel Rutherford’s ministry at St. Andrews, being one of his first fruits there. (“Life” by Wodrow) It was he who wrote “The Trial of a Savin Interest in Christ” so well known.

Book: Guthrie, Rev. William, ‘The Christian’s Great Interest, in two parts: Part 1 – The Trial of a Saving Interest in Christ; Part II – The Way How to Attain It‘ (Digital Repository: Archive.org)

BOOK: Dunlop, Rev. William, ‘Memoirs of the Life and Character of Mr William Guthrie, Minister at Fenwick, by the Rev William Dunlop, with Additions by Rev. Robert Woodrow, and Rev. Robert Traill. (Digital Repository: Google Books)

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH: REV WILLIAM GUTHRIE (Digital Repository: Banner of Truth)

COAT of ARMS – Mr William Rait of Pitforthie – Obtained in 1672
National Records of Scotland – Coats of Arms Volume 1 page no. 402Z

BOOK: Stevenson, J.H. (1904) Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland under the commonwealth, A.D. 1652-1659, Volume 8. (Digital Repository: Google Books)
450. (1655) Edinburgh, July 27.
THE PROTECTOR grants to DAVID GUTHRIE, lawful son to the deceased James Guthrie of Pitforthie, his heirs and assignees (subject to the legal reversion),–the lands of Pitforthie, manor-places, &c., thereof in the barony of Kethick and sheriffdom of Forfar, with the teind sheaves and other tends of the said lands; –which lands pertained to the said James Guthrie, and were on the 9th August 1653 apprised from Mr William Guthrie, minister at the new kirk of Kilmarnock, for himself and as charged to enter heir to the deceased James, his father, at the instance of Robert Arbuthnott, fiar of Fuddowsie (Findowrie?), in payment to him of 36,565 merks, with sheriff-fee corresponding thereto (at 12d. for ilk pound, conform to the Act of Parliament) to John Black, messenger, which decree the said Robert Arbuthnot assigned to the said David Guthrie :– with precept of saline. P.R. viii. 17.