Guthrie Family Group 6 – Branch L
JOHN GUTHRIE 1823 IRE – 1888 CAN and ELLEN DEMSTER
of County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland and New Brunswick, Canada

CONTENTS:
Origin Theories
The Family of John Guthrie & Ellen Demster
Historical Highlights
The Guthrie DNA Project
Reading & Resources

Born about 1823, John H Guthrie, a native of County Fermanagh, Ireland came to Saint John City, New Brunswick in 1854 at the end of the largest single influx of famine immigrants. The final destination for many families on a continuing journey was the port of Boston, MA with some passengers choosing to remain in Saint John. A significant percentage of the city’s growing population was born in Ireland, and many of those were Irish-Catholics, like John H Guthrie. In 1851, Irish settlers “formed between one-quarter and one-half of the population of all wards of the city, and the poor Irish, who were at the bottom of the social ladder, were crowded into dirty streets and rundown tenement houses.” (Spray, 1986)

This was not the case for John H Guthrie who worked in one of the city’s best hotels on one of its widest, most fashionable business streets. When the proprietor of the Waverley House died in 1863, Guthrie, who had been working there for several years, assumed the role of Hotel Keeper leasing the property from its owners and acting as landlord and host to its many guests. A brick edifice with a four story frame, the Waverley House contained over seventy rooms, with a finely appointed dining room, and elegant public and private parlors. Distinguished guests, foreign visitors, and His Royal Highness Prince Albert stayed at the Waverley while visiting the city.

John’s children grew up and worked at Waverley House. His son James Guthrie worked as its bookkeeper / clerk. His daughter Annie Guthrie remained a spinster and served as her father’s hostess and landlady.

The Great Fire of Saint John in 1877 consumed much of the business district of the city, along with the Customs House, which stored many local immigration records and other documents. The 1861 and 1871 census of Saint John are gone, and as a result, an important picture of John H Guthrie’s earliest years in New Brunswick. By 1881, he was already a widower. He had two children, interestingly documented as born in England Ireland and England, leaving us to wonder if his journey to British North America came by way of England, or if labelling themselves as English was a matter of social position.

The latter does not seem to be an issue as they were openly proud of their Irish heritage. The Mirimachi Advance published an article about an assembly 5 June 1879 mentioning John Guthrie, and Mr and Miss Guthrie, who sang a duet. “The evening was as the Mayor anticipated spent very agreeably, and it will long be remembered as an occasion on which Irishmen of all classes and creeds united to pay homage to Irish genius and patriotism.“

John H Guthrie’s standing in the community was as a respected hotelier. He participated in supporting the St John Academy of Music and bought stock in the Railway. For several decades, he prospered, but times took a turn for the worst. The Great Fire in 1877 took a heavy toll on the city, and no doubt had an effect on the hotel and his livelihood. At least one of his personal properties on Main Street was destroyed. Rents for the hotel increased over the years as did the competition. Eventually, creditors organized under the Insolvent Act of 1875 resulting in legal action and the eventual liquidation of his estate.

Retiring to Clover Valley, John settled into his new life as a farmer, possibly returning to a lifestyle he knew in his youth back in Ireland. The Miramichi Advance published news of his death, which occurred on 28 February 1888: “DEATH of MR. JOHN GUTHRIE — There are few people in St. John who will not entertain kindly recollections of Mr. John Guthrie, who, for a large number of years, was the proprietor of the Waverly hotel on King street. Since giving up the hotel, a few years ago, he has been living on his farm, running into town occasionally to mingle with his old friends, and talk over “the good old times.” A little over a week ago he was stricken with illness which resulted fatally this morning. Mr Guthrie, although pretty well advanced in years, had a vigorous mind, and his genial disposition won for him many friends, who will hear with regret of his death.”

There was only one other Guthrie family living in Saint John at about the same time. The relationship of James Guthrie, co-owner of the Guthrie & Hevenor confectioners / bakery, to John H Guthrie’s family is unknown. The bakery burned down during the Great Fire of 1877 and the status of its owners uncertain.

Y-DNA testing of a direct line male descendant of John’s son, James H Guthrie, reveals a genetic match with Guthrie Family Group 6. This is a large groups with old roots reaching back to Scotland, England, and Ireland. The DNA and the family history suggest potentially closer ties to GFG6-Branch K: William Guthrie coming from Ireland to Delaware during the 1700s. The Most Recent Common Ancestor between the two branches would likely be found back in Ireland, perhaps in County Fermanagh.

Sometime before 1895, James H Guthrie and his family, and Annie H Guthrie, left New Brunswick moving to Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts finally continuing the journey that so many Irish Catholic families had made after the Great Famine.

JOHN GUTHRIE
Parents: Unidentified
Born: about 1823
Location: County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland – Parish, and Township unknown
Married: Before 1854 to Ellen Demster, presumably in Northern Ireland
Occupation: Hotel Keeper
Died: 28 February 1888 (age 65)
Location: Clover Valley, New Brunswick, Canada
Buried: New Catholic Cemetery, Saint John City, New Brunswick, Canada

ELLEN DEMSTER
Parents: Unidentified
Born: Unknown, presumably about 1825
Location: Unknown, presumably in Ireland or England
Guthrie Children: Two
Died: Before 1881, but likely before 1860
Location: Unknown
Buried: Unknown

GUTHRIE CHILDREN: 2
Y-DNA Project Participants: YES
Autosomal DNA Participants: YES

CHILD 1: JAMES H GUTHRIE
1845-53 IRE/ENG – 1923 MA
Spouse: Catherine ‘Kate’ McAvoy m. 4 March 1878 in St John, New Brunswick

James H Guthrie’s birth date is something of a moving target. The earliest census record, 1881 Saint John, New Brunswick, lists his estimated birth year as 1851. In 1900 Boston, Massachusetts, it is 1849, and in 1910 & 1920, it is 1845. The Boston Death Register lists him as about 70 years of age in 1923 making his estimated birth year as 1853.

According to that death record, his parents are John Guthrie and Ellen Demster. Both that record and most census records list James’ birth location as England. John Guthrie was born in Co. Fermanagh in Northern Ireland. The 1881 census for John lists his birthplace in Ireland, with Irish Nationality. James appears to be listed with a birthplace of England overwritten as Ireland, while his sister Annie’s birth location remains England.

The family moved to Saint John, New Brunswick, then a British North American colony, in 1854. The destruction of the 1861 and 1871 census records for Saint John City and the immigration records stored at the local Custom House during the Great Fire of 1877 are a tremendous loss for genealogists.

James H Guthrie worked at Waverly House as a clerk or bookkeeper for his father, the proprietor. The year after the fire, James married Catherine McEvoy at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on 4 Mar 1878. Kate was a daughter of Andrew McEvoy and Julia Timmins. She was about 28 at the time of their marriage. They had 5 sons and 1 daughter, some born in Saint John, others born in Boston. The family immigrated from New Brunswick to Boston, Massachusetts between 1883 and 1885.

In their new home, James H Guthrie is listed as working in a number of jobs either as a laborer and/or a clerk. He worked as a machinist, as a brewery laborer, and a grocery store clerk. James became a naturalized United States citizen sometime between 1900 and 1910.

On 28 February 1895, seven years after their father’s death, James Guthrie of Boston, MA, USA, and Katherine Guthrie his wife, and Annie Guthrie, of the same place, spinster, the said James Guthrie and Annie Guthrie being the children and only heirs of John Guthrie late of St John, New Brunswick, Hotel Keeper, sold for consideration of $1 to Elizabeth Weatherhead, the wife of the local constable, a parcel of land on the NE corner of Wentworth and Queen Streets. Deed notarized in Boston. (Deed Book 1895 Vol 54 – pp.81-82)

Kate died of pneumonia on 19 Nov 1920 at the age of 71 years 3 months and 19 days of age. James lived another three years. His death came on 31 December 1923. He had a fractured hip from a fall at home, and developed cardiac complications. They are buried at Mount Benedict Cemetery in West Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts.

Guthrie Children: 6
Y-DNA Project Participants: YES
Autosomal DNA Participants: YES

1.) John Francis Guthrie: 1878 NB – 1959 NH, printer/press man (m.1910MA) Mary V Norris – no children
2.) James Arthur Guthrie: 1880 NB – 1956 MA, machinist (m.1911MA) Lillian Ethel Scott – no children
3.) Andrew Joseph Guthrie: 1881 NB – 1946VT, restaurant proprietor (m.1914) Katherine Agnes Higgins – no children
4.) Julia A Guthrie: 1882 NB – 1962 MA, saleswoman, unmarried – no children
5.) Alfred Daniel Guthrie: 1885 MA – 1967 MA, laborer (m1. 1909MA/div.) Annie Dixon Ferguson +children; (m2.1916ME/div.) Pearl Hickey
6.) Robert Guthrie: 1888 MA – 1889 MA – died at 1 year 3 months of age – bronchitis

CHILD 2: ANNIE H GUTHRIE
Abt. 1846-55 ENG – 1925 MA
Marital Status: Unmarried / No Descendants

Annie H Guthrie was born a year or two after her brother James, her birthdate being just as difficult to pin down. Her death record lists her as being 68 in 1923, or born about 1855. The 1881 census lists her est. birth year as 1853. Both the 1910 and 1920 census list her birth year as about 1846. Her birthplace is listed as either England or Canada, but as the family arrived in 1854, chances are it is actually Ireland or England depending on whether or not they actually lived in England prior to making their way to New Brunswick.

Annie H Guthrie grew up as the only daughter of a hotel proprietor. Her father was a widower, presumably at a young age, and so it appears that Annie became his hostess. She remained a spinster, but active in local society. The paper published that Miss Guthrie sang a solo and then a duet with Mr Guthrie (either father or brother) on a night the community celebrated their Irish heritage.

This lady had money of her own, whether inherited from her mother or through her work at the Waverley House. On 5 Jul 1879, Annie Guthrie, spinster, purchased from her father, John Guthrie, Hotel Keeper, for $600, a 100-acre property purchased from John and Cynthia Wade in 1872 registered in Deed Book E No.6 – pp.257-258. (Deed Book 1879 – Vol T No.7 – pp.445-447)

On 6 Nov 1882, Annie Guthrie, spinster, purchased 100 acres of land from her father, John Guthrie, Hotel Keeper for $375. (Deed Book 1883 Vol 10 – pp.158-159) The property was on the SE side of the stream which discharges the water of Lake Lomond into the Bay of Fundy in the Parish of Portland now in the Parish of Simonds in the county of Saint John.

The next entry is a mortgage granted by Annie Guthrie to George McAfee, farmer, made 5 June 1883 as she leases the above land to McAfee for $300. On 21 July 1855, Annie Guthrie grants a mortgage to Carl Christian Schmit for $500. (Deed Book 1885 Vol 17 – pp.455-456) A lease of property originally sold by John Guthrie to Annie Guthrie dated 25 Jul 1879 (Deed Book T No.7 – pp.445-447)

Annie Guthrie may have remained in New Brunswick until her father’s death. She was a resident of Boston by 20 March 1890 when she sold her property to Peter Smith of Simond’s Parish, St John, New Brunswick, farmer, for payment of $800. (Deed Book 1889-90 Vol. 34 – pp.481-182)

During the 1910 and 1920 censuses of Boston, Annie Guthrie is shown as residing with her brother James Guthrie and family. Annie outlived both James (1923) and his wife Kate (1920). Annie died on 4 Feb 1924 of Bronchial Pneumonia after an illness of 7 days. Her death was reported by her niece, Julia A Guthrie. Her remains were buried at Mount Benedict Cemetery in West Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts.

1823: BIRTH of JOHN H GUTHRIE

John H Guthrie was a native of County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. According to cemetery data, he was about 65 years of age at his death in 1888, indicating he was born about 1823. No township or parish is specified in the records.

1845 – 1852: THE GREAT FAMINE
Ireland suffered a period of starvation, disease and emigration that became known as the Great Famine. During this era the potato crop, upon which a third of the Irish population depended upon as their main food staple, was infected by disease. The worst year of the famine was 1847, which became known as ‘Black ’47”. Roughly one million people died and another million fled the country

FAMINE YEARS: POSSIBLE EMIGRATION to ENGLAND

A short bio on John H Guthrie tells us that he arrived in New Brunswick from Northern Ireland in 1854. One might assume that to mean it was a direct trip. Census records and other documents suggest that one or both of John’s children might have been born in England.

1845-52: MARRIAGE to ELLEN DEMSTER

The marriage record for John H Guthrie and Ellen Demster has not yet been discovered. The question of whether or not John went to England prior to settling in New Brunswick is one factor that may affect where such a document might be found. The name of John’s wife is found on the 1923 Boston Death Register for their son, James Guthrie. The name is typed as Demster, not Demeter as is listed on the Find-a-Grave site.

1845-53: BIRTH of CHILDREN

John H Guthrie and Ellen Demster had two children: James H Guthrie and Annie H Guthrie. Their exact birth years are unverified due to a difference on nearly every known document. Birth location is also in question. Did the family come directly from County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland? The 1881 census lists John Guthrie as a widower, so Ellen had already died by that time. His birthplace is listed as Ireland and Nationality as Irish. Son James is listed with a birthplace of England overwritten as Ireland, with Nationality as Irish. The 1900 census lists James’ birthplace as Ireland, while all other records list it as England. Daughter Annie’s birthplace is listed as England without any attempt at corrections and her Nationality listed as Irish. Further censuses list her birthplace as Canada or England.

1854: ARRIVAL in NEW BRUNSWICK

A directory for St John and its businesses includes a full page history on the Waverley House including info on its proprietor, John Guthrie.

1861: CENSUS of SAINT JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK
Missing / Destroyed

1864: HUTCHINSON’S SAINT JOHN DIRECTORY, 1863-1864
Guthrie, John, page 9 advertisement
p.132 – GUTHRIE, JOHN, proprietor, Waverley house, 73 King (See Advertisement)

1866: INDENTURE of MORTGAGE – LOGAN to GUTHRIE
9 Dec 1866 – Saint John, New Brunswick
Robert J Logan, rigger, and wife Margaret A Logan of Boston, Massachusetts grant an Indenture of Mortgage to John Guthrie, Hotel Keeper, of Saint John, New Brunswick for consideration of $99 – 200 acres originally consigned to Charles Mark. (Deed Book 1866-1867 Vol K5 – pp.327-328)

29 Dec 1866 – Saint John, New Brunswick
Charles Marks Heirs to John Guthrie (Deed Book 1866-1867 Vol K5 – pp.323-324)

1867: TRAVELOGUE by ALEXANDER GILBERT, MONTREAL JOURNALIST
“From Montreal to the Maritime Provinces and Back.”

p.59 “Hailing a cab, we shortly arrive at the Waverley House, where dinner is awaiting, and as the morning’s journey as been productive of an appetite that might well be the envy of a dyspeptic, the curtain must drop until the substantial fare of the Waverley House has been discussed.”

p.63 “Nor must I omit to mention my jolly friend Guthrie, of the Waverley House, who, although he had his house full to the ceiling, had time to prove a very agreeable landlord. His house will be found the head-quarters for all Canadians, and if he is not wonderfully changed, will prove as agreeable a host as I have stated him to be.”

1868: DEED – McGOVERN (per SHERIFF) to GUTHRIE
20 Jan 1868: James A Harding, Sheriff of the City and County of Saint John, NB, per Writ issued 29 Jun 1867 re: the goods and chattel of Owen McGovern. John Guthrie became the purchaser for the sum of $25. (Deed Book 1868 Vol O5 – pp. 14 – 15)

1868: DEED of SALE – GUTHRIE to COTTER
John Guthrie, Hotel Keeper, Saint John, NB for $30 consideration, sell to John Cotter (Deed Book 1868 Vol O5 – pp.15-16)

1869: INDENTURE of MORTGAGE – JOHN THOMAS to JOHN GUTHRIE
24 Jul 1869 – John Thomas per Guardian of Infants of Henry Millet’s to John Guthrie. The Rt Rev. John Sweeney, Bishop of Saint John, Guardian of the Children of Henry Milletts, decd, to John Guthrie, Hotel Keeper, of Saint John, NB, an Indenture of Mortgage. (Deed Book 1869 Vol S5 – pp. 255 – 257)

1870: INDENTURE of MORTGAGE – BUIST to GUTHRIE
15 Aug 1870 – An indenture granted by Andrew Bruist of Saint John, NB to John Guthrie, Hotel Keeper, of Saint John, NB. (Deed Book 1870 Vol W5 – pp. 530-534)

1871: CENSUS of SAINT JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK
Missing / Destroyed

1871: NEWSPAPER NOTICE
The Royal Gazette – 22 August 1871 – New Brunswick, Canada
An Act to incorporate the Moose Path Driving Park Association – Passed 17th May 1871.
(Note: John Guthrie is named in the assembly approving the association.)

1872: McALPINE’S SAINT JOHN CITY DIRECTORY, 1871-1872
Guthrie, James, baker, h Mecklenburg
Guthrie, James, bookkeeper, Waverley house
Guthrie, John, proprietor, Waverley house, 73 King
Guthrie, Margaret, wid James, h 20 Mecklenburg

1872: NEWSPAPER NOTICE – Railroad Stock
The Royal Gazette – 29 February 1872 – Vol 30, Issue 9 – New Brunswick, Canada
NOTICE–as provided by Act 34th Victoria, Cap. 52– is hereby given to the persons whose names are hereunder stated, that the sums set opposite their respective names are due from them on their subscriptions to the stock of the Woodstock Railway Company; and they are hereby requested to pay the said amounts to William Dibblee, the Company’s Treasurer, at his office in Woodstock, on or before the 28th day of March, 1872:–
Names / Amt. due on Stock subscribed / Interest / Aggregate Amount due.
Includes:–
John Guthrie / 40.00 / 12.61 / 52.61

1872: DEED of SALE – WADE & WADE to GUTHRIE
2 Sep 1872 – John Wade, trader, and wife Cynthia Wade, of Saint John, NB, sell to John Guthrie, Hotel Keeper, of same, for consideration $340, 100 acres. (Deed Book 1872 Vol E6 – pp. 257 – 258)

1874: DEED of PURCHASE – HILL to GUTHRIE
23 Sep 1874 – David Hill, farmer, & wife Mary Hill of Simonds Parish, Saint John, NB to John Guthrie, Hotel Keeper, Saint John, NB for consideration of $240, land in Simonds Parish on Loch Lomond containing 300 acres. (Deed Book 1874-1875 Vol P6 – pp. 248-249)

1875: McALPINE’S SAINT JOHN CITY DIRECTORY,1874-1875
p.142
Guthrie & Hevenor, fancy bakers, 78 Charlotte, See Ads
Guthrie, James, clerk, Waverly house
Guthrie, James, of Guthrie & Hevenor, h 78 Charlotte
Guthrie, John, proprietor Waverly house, 73 King. See Ads.

1877: THE GREAT FIRE of SAINT JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK
The fire broke out on 20 June 1877 on York Point at half past 2 P.M. and burned furiously until after midnight consuming several hundred buildings among which were the Post Office, Custom House, Academy of Music, eleven churches, a number of Hotels, Banks, and various public buildings, the entire business portion of the city, and vessels at the wharves. 13 lives were lost. The total loss estimated at $25,000,000. (Currier & Ives, 1877)

1878: MARRIAGE of SON: JAMES GUTHRIE and CATHERINE MCEVOY (4 March 1878)
James and Kate were married at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Saint John City, NB.

1878: DEED of SALE – GUTHRIE to PALMER
11 May 1878 – John Guthrie, Hotel Keeper, of Saint John, NB to Acalus L Palmer, barrister at law, for $2,500 a lot of land on the west side of Germain Street (Deed Book 1878 Vol N7 – pp. 425 – 426)

1879: INDENTURE of MORTGAGE – John Guthrie to Edward G Scovil and Others – Trustees
31 Mar 1879 – John Guthrie, Hotel Keeper, of Saint John, NB and Edward G Scovil and others, Trustees for the children of the late James Scovil by Martha A Scovil his wife. $1000. (Deed Book 1879 Vol S7 – pp. 166 – 168)

1879: DEED of SALE – GUTHRIE to GUTHRIE
25 Jul 1879 – John Guthrie, Hotel Keeper of Saint John, NB, to Annie Guthrie, spinster, of same, for $600, Simonds Parish, Saint John County, NB (Deed Book 1879 Vol T7 – pp. 445-447)

1879: MORTGAGE – GUTHRIE to HORN
19 Aug 1879 – Indenture of Mortgage granted by John Guthrie, Hotel Keeper, Saint John City, to John Horn, of said City, liquor dealer. Consideration of $455, 2 lots of land in the town of Portland, County of St John. (Deed Book 1879 Vol U7 – pp. 34 to 35)

1879: NEWSPAPER NOTICE
Maritime Farmer – 6 Nov 1879 – Volume 1 Issue 10 – New Brunswick, Canada
“Mr John Guthrie, well known to the traveling community as the proprietor of the Waverly Hotel, St. John, find it difficult to make ends meet these pressed times, and is asking some consideration at the hands of his creditors. He owes $7,500. and it is said he has sufficient assets to cover the amount, but they are not readily realizable.”

1879: ATTACHMENT of ESTATE / INSOLVENT ACT of 1875
7 Nov 1879 – (Deed Book 1879-1880 Vol W7 – pp.134-135)

1879: NEWSPAPER NOTICE
The Royal Gazette – 19 November 1879 – Volume 37, Issue 47, New Brunswick, Canada
INSOLVENT ACT of 1875, and Amending Acts.
In the matter of John Guthrie, an Insolvent.
A Writ of Attachment has been issued in this cause, and the creditors are notified to meet at my office, Ritchie’s Building, Princess Street, in the City of Saint John, New Brunswick, Monday the first day of December next, at eleven o’clock in the forenoon, to receive statements of his affairs, and to appoint an Assignee if they see fit.
Dated at the City of Saint John, New Brunswick, this 18th day of November, 1879. — E. McLeod, Assignee.

1879: NEWSPAPER NOTICE
The Royal Gazette – 3 December 1879 – Volume 37, Issue 49, New Brunswick, Canada
INSOLVENT ACT OF 1875, and Amending Acts.
In the matter of John Guthrie, an Insolvent.
I the undersigned, Ezekiel McLeod, of the City of Saint John, and the City and County of Saint John, have been appointed Assignee in this matter.–Creditors are requested to file their claims before me within one month. Dated at the City of Saint John, New Brunswick, this 1st day of December, 1879. — E. McLEOD, Assignee.

1879: NEWSPAPER NOTICE
The Royal Gazette – 10 December 1879 – Volume 37, Issue 50, New Brunswick, Canada
INSOLVENT ACT OF 1875, and Amending Acts.
In the matter of John Guthrie, and Insolvent.
A meeting of the creditors of the above named Insolvent will be held at my office, Ritchie’s Building, Princess Street, in the City of Saint John, New Brunswick, on Saturday the twenty seventh day of December instant, at eleven o’clock in the forenoon, to take into consideration a Deed of Composition and Discharge under the above Act, filed by the Insolvent, whereby he agrees to pay his creditors a composition of twenty cents in the dollar of their respective claims against him, in cash, within ten days after the confirmation of the said Deed of Composition and Discharge by the creditors.
Dated this 9th day of December, 1879. –E. McLeod, Assignee.

1880: EZEKIEL MCLEOD (ASSIGNEE of JOHN GUTHRIE) to JOHN HORN
23 Dec 1880 – Deed made under provision of the Insolvent Act of 1875. (Deed Book 1880-1881 Vol 1 – pp. 474 – 476)

1881: EZEKIEL MCLEOD (ASSIGNEE of JOHN GUTHRIE) to THOMAS RYAN
3 Dec 1881 – (Deed Book 1881 Vol 4 – pp.493-494)

1881: ASSIGNMENT – EZEKEL MCLEOD to JOHN GUTHRIE
9 Dec 1881 – Ezekiel McLeod, Barrister at Law of the City of Saint John, NB. John Guthrie, Hotel Keeper, had been served with a writ of attachment from the County Court on 7 Nov 1879. McLeod as the official assignee held a meeting of the creditors of John Guthrie, said creditors were duly paid and satisfied. McLeod accepts consideration of sum of $1 and delivers to John Guthrie the receipt and conveys the remainder of estate and interest in it held by McLeod as assignee. (Deed Book 1881-1882 Vol 5 – pp. 20 – 21)

1882: McALPINE’S SAINT JOHN CITY DIRECTORY,1881-1882
p.306 (St John’s Business Directory) Guthrie, John, 85 King

1882: NEWSPAPER NOTICE
Miramichi Advance – 12 January 1882 – Volume 8 Issue 11, New Brunswick, Canada
“The Waverly, for many years a most popular hotel, was closed to the public last week. The house has been under the control of Mr. John Guthrie for some eighteen years, and many old time travelers will regret to learn the fact above stated. It is understood that the hotel was subject to a very high rent, which, with the competition that now exists, was not easily met.—St. John Telegraph.

1882: DEED of PURCHASE – HILL to GUTHRIE
25 May 1882 – Ellen Hill nee Barry of Saint John, NB, widow of William Hill, to John Guthrie, Hotel Keeper, of Saint John, NB. $535. Land in Simonds Parish. 100 acres. (Deed Book 1882 Vol 07 – pp.152-153)

1883: McALPINE’S SAINT JOHN CITY DIRECTORY,1882-1883
p282 (St. John’s Business Directory) Guthrie, John, 85 King
p.407 (Street Directory) KING STREET commences at Prince William and runs east to Courtenay Bay
85 Waverly house, J Guthrie, pro

1883: DEED of SALE – GUTHRIE to GUTHRIE
6 Nov 1883 – John Guthrie, Hotel Keeper, of Saint John, NB to Annie Guthrie, Spinster, of same. $375. 100 acres. (Deed Book 1883 Vol 10 – pp.158-159)

1883: LEASE by LIVINGSTONE to GUTHRIE
1 May 1883 – A Lease of land by Maria C Livingstone to John Guthrie on Charlotte and Duke Streets. (Deed Book 1884 Vol 15 – pp. 177 – 179)

1884: SURRENDER of LEASE – GUTHRIE to LIVINGSTONE
30 Oct 1884 – John Guthrie, Hotel Keeper, of Saint John, NB to Maria C Livingston surrenders an Indenture of Lease of land on the western part on the corner of Charlotte & Duke Streets owned by the Estate of the late William Livingston, decd, which was leased for a term of 5 years. John Guthrie has agreed to surrender the lease for the sum of $1 lawful money of Canada. (Deed Book 1884 Vol 15 – pp. 179-180)

1884: INDENTURE of LEASE – GUTHRIE to WATSON
30 Oct 1884 – John Guthrie, Hotel Keeper, of Saint John, NB, to David Watson, coachman, of the same place. Watson assumes the lease surrendered by Guthrie, above. (Deed Book 1884 Vol 15 – pp. 230-231)

1888: DEATH & BURIAL of JOHN GUTHRIE
No. 44
Name of Deceased and Residence: Guthrie, John. Clover Valley.
When and Where Died (1888): Feb 28, at residence
Sex and Age: M. 65 yrs
Occupation: Ex-Hotel Keeper
Religious Denomination: R. Catholic
Certified Cause of Death and Duration of Illness: Cold on Lungs – one week
Where Born: Ireland
Name of Physician: (Blank)
Name, Occupation, and Residence of Informant: J. J. Walsh, Priest, St John, NB
When Registered: Apr.23

New Catholic Cemetery, Saint John City, NB (Rootsweb)
GUTHRIE: No 56. John Guthrie d. 28 Feb 1888 ae 65 yrs; Native of Co. Fermanagh, Ireland

The Miramichi Advance published his obituary on 1 March 1888:
“Death of Mr John Guthrie — There are few people in St John who will not entertain kindly recollections of Mr John Guthrie, who, for a large number of years, was the proprietor of the Waverly hotel on King street. Since giving up the hotel, a few years ago, he has been living on his farm, running into town occasionally to mingle with his old friends, and talk over “the good old time.” A little over a week ago he was stricken with illness which resulted fatally this morning. Mr Guthrie, although pretty well advanced in years, had a vigorous mind, and his genial disposition won him many friends, who will hear with regret of his death.”

1895: DEED of SALE – JOHN GUTHRIE HEIRS to ELIZABETH WEATHERHEAD
28 Feb 1895 – James Guthrie of the City of Boston in the State of Massachusetts, USA, clerk, and Katherine Guthrie his wife, and Annie Guthrie of the same place, Spinster, the said James Guthrie and Annie Guthrie being children and only heirs of John Guthrie late of the City of Saint John in the Province of New Brunswick, Hotel Keeper, to Elizabeth Weatherhead, of the City of Saint John, wife of John Weatherhead, of the same place, constable. For consideration of $1 a parcel of land in the City of Saint John on the NE corner of Wentworth and Queen Streets. (Deed Book 1895 Vol 54 – pp. 81 – 82).

Guthrie Family Group: GFG6
Group Designation: Branch L – (IRE > CAN > MA, USA)

Haplogroup: R-M512 > RM198
Confirmed Haplogroup: (Pending)

YDNA Matches:  1
Kit 1011367
John Guthrie/Ellen Demster > James Guthrie/Catherine McAvoy (GGP) +more

Family Finder / Autosomal DNA Kits: 1
B968357
John Guthrie/Ellen Demster > James Guthrie/Catherine McAvoy (GGP) +more

Currently 1 Y-DNA Kit at the Y-37 marker level shows 2 genetic mutations compared to the Group Mode (most common) result at that testing level.
DYS570 = 19 instead of 18
The value of 19 is also found in 3 other kits for GFG6.
Two of the three men descend from Branch K: William Guthrie of Mill Creek Hundred, DE, whose line came to colonial America from somewhere in Ireland.
The third descends from Branch E: William Guthrie and Ann Hudson of Northumberland, England

CDYii = 38 instead of 39.
This is a “fast-moving marker” and about half of the group shows one value versus the other.

MAP: Saint John, New Brunswick

MAP: Clover Valley, New Brunswick

ARTICLE: Spray, William. “Reception of the Irish in New Brunswick.” The Canadian Journal of Irish Studies, vol. 12, no. 2, 1986, pp. 228–49. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/45331852. Accessed 9 May 2024.

ARTICLE: Gilbert, Alexander Glen. “From Montreal to the Maritime Provinces and Back.” Montreal: Montreal Print and Pub. Company, 1867.

p.59 “Hailing a cab, we shortly arrive at the Waverley House, where dinner is awaiting, and as the morning’s journey as been productive of an appetite that might well be the envy of a dyspeptic, the curtain must drop until the substantial fare of the Waverley House has been discussed.”

p.63 “Nor must I omit to mention my jolly friend Guthrie, of the Waverley House, who, although he had his house full to the ceiling, had time to prove a very agreeable landlord. His house will be found the head-quarters for all Canadians, and if he is not wonderfully changed, will prove as agreeable a host as I have stated him to be.”

BOOK: Hannay, James, 1875. St. John and its business [microform] : a history of St. John and a statement in general terms of its various kinds of business sucessfully prosecuted : the dry goods, grocery, insurance, lumber, manufacturing, the press of St. John, the shipping, a view of the prospects and possibilities of St. John as a commercial centre : together with an account of one hundred business houses, embracing the leading or representative establishments in each of the different lines. St John, New Brunswick.
p.54 – The Waverley House, John Guthrie – Proprietor – No. 78 King Street

BOOK: Stewart, George, 1877. The Story of the Great Fire in St. John, N.B., June 20th, 1877. Digital Repository: The Gutenberg Project. Ebook #39260.

Lithograph: The Great Fire at St John, N. B., June 20th 1877. Currier & Ives, printer. 1877.

ARCHIVAL COLLECTION: New Brunswick Museum
Manuscript Title: George Sidney Smith
Location S112-2, F23 – F27
Administrative History or Biographical SketchL
I. The Waverley Hotel was located on King Street in Saint John. The property was owned by Stephen Wiggins who built the Waverley House and his gardens on the location in 1849. The building burnt in the Fire of 1877 and was rebuilt. The first proprietor was James Williams and then taken over by Joseph Scammell who had ties to St. John Hotel. When Joseh Scammell died in 1863, John Guthrie who was an employee of the hotel took over. He retired in the 1885 and J.W. Leavitt, proprietor of the Bay View Hotel , Hillsboro (Albert Co.) took over until he retired due to ill health. The hotel was renovated y D.W. McCormick who changed the dwelling’s name to the Victoria Hotel.
II. John Guthrie came to Canada from Ireland in 1854. He died on February 28, 1888 at his farm Clover Valley.
Series – Anne Gray and Stephen Wiggins
Sub-Series – Legal Documents
Scope and Content:
This sub-series consists of leases, deeds, indentures, legal opinions and other legal documents concerning the Ann Gray Trust in relation to the Stephen Wiggins estate. The Waverley Hotel property was owned by the Wiggins family but they did not run the hotel. The also had property in the Marsh road area.
Inventory:
F23 – Property Documents Accounts, Leases etc. 1885-1896
F24 – Dispute Alleyway on King Street between the Waverley Hotel (Waverley House) and adjoining property 1872-1892
F25 – Memos – permission to make changes to leases, division of bonds etc. [1885-1895]
F26 – Indenture 1885 Frederick A. Wiggins
F27 – Legal opinions re dealings with Stephen Wiggins will 1886-1887
Inventory:
F27, Miscellaneous menues, 1865-1931
Items:
1. Waverley House, 19 Jan 1865
Dinner for Governor General of Canada given by European and North American Railway Co. at Victoria Hotel, 20 Oct 1871
2. St. Patrick’s Day anniversary dinner, Dufferin Hotel, 17 Mar 1885
3. Complimentary dinner to Sovereign Grand Lodge I.O.O.F., World’s Columbian Exposition, 26 Sep 1893
4. Dinner in honor of Lord Herschell at Hotel Dufferin, 19 Oct 1898
5. Complimentary dinner to Sir Frederick G.D. Bedford by Mayor of Saint John, 15 Sep 1900 (available on CIHM microfiche)
6. Caverhill Hall, 18 Oct 1901
7. Dinner by citizens of Saint John to Hon. John V. Ellis, 16 Dec 1901
8. Victoria Hotel, Nov. 22, 1899
9. Beverage List, Loyalist Room, Admiral Beatty Hotel, n.d.
10. Beverage List, Wandlyn Inn, St. Stephen – Border Crossing, Special Edition, n.d.
11. The “Clifton”( steamboat on the St. John River), dinner 2 August 1914
12. Folder of 10 menus on board the Norddeutscher Lloyd Bremen, June 14-19, 1931
13. Dinner at Caverhill Hall Oct 17, 1901 in honour of the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York (2 items)

CEMETERY RECORDS: JOHN GUTHRIE – NEW CATHOLIC CEMETERY – SAINT JOHN CITY, NB
GUTHRIE:
56. John Guthrie d. 28 Feb 1888 ae 65 yrs
Native of Co. Fermanagh, Ireland

DOCUMENT: JAMES H GUTHRIE – DEATH REGISTER in the CITY of BOSTON for the Year 1923
“Massachusetts State Vital Records, 1841-1925”, , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6P69-T4GC : 2 October 2023), James H. Guthrie, 1923.

DOCUMENT: ANNIE H GUTHRIE – DEATH REGISTER in the CITY of BOSTON for the Year 1925
“Massachusetts State Vital Records, 1841-1925”, database with images, FamilySearch. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6PF3-F9K2 : 7 October 2023), Annie H. Guthrie, 1925.

DOCUMENT: CATHERINE GUTHRIE – DEATH CERTIFICATE – Certificate Number 10341
“Massachusetts State Vital Records, 1841-1925”, database with images, FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:23TJ-K7R : 1 September 2021), Catherine Guthrie, 1920.

DATABASE: GRIFFITH’S VALUATION of IRELAND – COUNTY FERMANAGH
Data for Griffith’s Valuation was collected between 1847 and 1864. County Fermanagh was assessed in 1862, which is about 8 years after John H Guthrie and his family arrived in New Brunswick.

WEBSITE: Irish Genealogy Hugh – Fermanagh Genealogy
1796: County Fermanagh Flax Growers
1834: Tithe Applotment Books in Inishmacsaint Parish 1834
1862: Griffiths Valuation: Inishmacsaint Parish, County Fermanagh

DATABASE: MARRIAGES in County FERMANAGH, 1847-1921
ENNISKILLEN REGISTRY OFFICE MARRIAGES, COUNTY FERMANAGH, N. IRELAND 1847-1921

ARTICLE: Cheltenham Chronicle – Tuesday, 9 July 1861 “Prince Alfred in Canada” Digital Repository: The British Newspaper Archive.

WEBSITE: COUNTY FERMANAGH CIVIL PARISHES (Family Search)

COLLECTION: DEED REGISTRY BOOKS and INDEXES, NEW BRUNSWICK, 1784-1993
Digital Repository: Family Search
SAINT JOHN >
Deed Book: all of the deed books and digitalized images
Index Book, grantee: 1823 – 1841 A-Z and 1871 – 1876 A-Z
Index Book, grantor: 1823 – 1841 A-Z and 1871 – 1876 A-Z
Index Book, Grantor-Grantee:
1784-1823, A-Z
1841-1854, A-Z
1854-1863, A-Z
1863-1871, A-Z
1876-1880, A-Z
1880-1887, A-Z
1887-1894, A-L
1887-1894, L-Z
1894-1901, A-Z