William Guthrie 1740VA-1809/10NC & Mary Magdalene Roarke
of Middlesex, Virginia and Orange & Chatham, North Carolina, USA

CONTENTS:
Origin Theories
The Family of William Guthrie & Mary Magdalene Roarke
Historical Highlights
The Guthrie DNA Project

ORIGIN THEORIES of GFG1A BRANCH F

The earliest records connected to William Guthrie placed him in Cane Creek, Orange County, North Carolina with the birth of his son, Claiborne Guthrie in 1777. Speculation suggested a connection to origins in Virginia, but a lack of documentation caused descendants to run into a brick wall. Genetic testing has now provided a big clue, which proves that the descendants of William & Mary Magdalene (Roarke) Guthrie descend from Guthrie Family Group 1A.

Keeping in mind that GFG1A includes the Middlesex, VA branch, the Worcester, MD branches, and other branches connected more directly to the historical Guthries of Craigie line, our current theory is that William Guthrie is most likely the son of William Guthrie & Frances Wilbourn of Middlesex County, Virginia. That couple had a son named William born on 16 March 1740 in Christ Church Parish. They also had a son named Samuel, and this William Guthrie is mentioned in property records with a man named Samuel Guthrie, potentially his brother.

It is important to note that as of May 2019, the Guthrie DNA Project does not have a confirmed descendant of William Guthrie & Frances Willbourn in the YDNA Project, so there has been no confirmatory testing done to verify that the couple’s descendants match GFG1A. William, the potential father, is estimated to have been born between 1686-1700. The timing and location are right for him to be another son of John Guthrie and Elizabeth Baskett, or John’s theorized first wife Rebecca. There is a 10-year gap between the births of Masey and Mary, so perhaps William belongs there.

THE FAMILY of WILLIAM GUTHRIE & MARY MAGDALENE ROARKE

WILLIAM GUTHRIE
Parents: William Guthrie & Frances Wilbourne (Theory)
Born: 16 March 1740 (Theory)
Location: Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County, Virginia (Theory)
Marriage: Unknown
Occupation: Unknown
Death: 1809-1810
Location: Chatham County, North Carolina, USA
Burial: Unknown, Chatham County, North Carolina, USA, presumably

MARY MAGDALENE ROARKE
Parents: Unknown
Born: c1750 (Rough Estimate)
Location: Unknown
Sons: William Guthrie, Claiborne Guthrie, German Guthrie, Beverly Guthrie
Daughters: None
Death: After 1810
Location: Unknown, Chatham County, North Carolina, USA, presumably
Buried: Unknown, Chatham County, North Carolina, USA, presumably

CHILDREN: 4

WILLIAM GUTHRIE
c1700NC? – c1840NC

William Guthrie appears to be the eldest son of the family. His exact DOB is unknown but the census records of Chatham County, NC estimate it was between 1771-1780. The identity of his wife is unknown, but they were married in NC by 1802, and she survived him. They had 3 known sons. The family remained in Chatham County throughout his life. Like his father, William was a slave owner. He died in Chatham County about 1840. His will was probated 14 Apr 1840.

Children: 3
Sons: James Claiborne Guthrie, German B Guthrie, and Hugh Blair Guthrie
Daughters: None

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

CLAIBORNE GUTHRIE
1777NC – 1831NC

Claiborne Guthrie was born on 5 Jan 1777 at Cane Creek, Orange, NC. He married Elenor ‘Nelly’ Newlin on 9 Oct 1809 in Orange County. Nelly was a Quaker whose church policy is that Friends marry within their social circle. Since Claiborne was not a Quaker, Nelly was excommunicated from the church. They were parents to 4 sons and 6 daughters. They lived in Chatham County, NC until the year before Claiborne’s death. He died in Alamance County, NC on 26 Apr 1831 and is buried at Snow Camp.

Children: 10
Sons: Thomas Newlin Guthrie, George Guthrie, John Braxton Guthrie, William Guthrie
Daughters: Sarah Guthrie, Deborah Guthrie, Mary Guthrie, Beverly Guthrie, Margaret Guthrie, Candace Guthrie

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

GERMAN GUTHRIE
c1780NC – c1806NC

German Guthrie was born about 1780 in North Carolina. He married Patsy Scurlock on 15 Jul 1800 and they were parents to 1 daughter and 2 sons. They lived in Wake County, NC for a time where German Guthrie worked as the Raleigh Academy Principal. He died a young man of about 26 years of age c1806. His father, William Guthrie, became guardian to his children and provided for their education and future at his own death in 1809. The children were raised by his brother Claiborne & wife Eleanor.

Children: 3
Sons: John Guthrie, William Guthrie
Daughters: Emily Guthrie

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

BEVERLY GUTHRIE
c1785NC – Unknown (After 1816)

Beverly Guthrie was born about 1785. He was listed in a household of his own at age 10-15 with two 10-15 year old females and 1 slave in the Hillsborough, Chatham, NC census of 1800. He was an administrator of his brother, German Guthrie’s estate in 1806. In 1808, he became guardian for his brother’s orphans: William, John & Emily, but the guardianship was reassigned in 1809 to Beverly’s father, William Guthrie. In 1814, he was reinstated as guardian for the the boy William, while someone else was guardian to John & Emily. The last record I have for Beverly Guthrie is that of a bondsman to a marriage for James Sanford & Anna Snipes. No further data.

Children: Unknown

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

HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS

1740: BIRTH of WILLIAM GUTHRIE
If William Guthrie is indeed the son of William Guthrie & 2nd wife Frances Willbourn of Christchurch Parish, Middlesex, Virginia, he was born on 16 March 1740 in CCP. His baptism is recorded there on 6 Apr 1740. If William Guthrie is not their son, his birth is estimated to have taken place between 1730-1755.

About 1750: BIRTH of MARY MAGDALENE ROARKE
Mary is estimated to have been born around 1750.

1771-1780: BIRTH of SON – WILLIAM GUTHRIE
William Guthrie was born between 1771 and 1780. Most likely 1775 or 1776 based on the known DOB of the next eldest child in 1777. His birth probably took place in Cane Creek, Orange County, NC.

1777: BIRTH of SON – CLAIBORNE GUTHRIE
Claiborne Guthrie was born on 5 Jan 1777 in Cane Creek, Orange, NC.

About 1780: BIRTH of SON – GERMAN GUTHRIE
German Guthrie was born about 1780 in NC.

About 1785: BIRTH of SON – BEVERLY GUTHRIE
Beverly Guthrie was born about 1785 in NC

1789: PROPERTY PURCHASE
Chatham County, North Carolina, USA on 16 May 1789

WILLIAM PETT for 20pds 15 sh ack himself therewith satisfied and hereby discharges SAMUEL GUTHRIE and grants to WM. GUTHRIE tract beg. on Joseph Stewart’s corner on the line of the town commons. (No acreage specified)

1797: WITNESS
Chatham County, North Carolina, USA oN 15 May 1797

William Guttery and Benj. Walker are witnesses to a property sale between John Dillard to Joseph Wiltsoe of N.Y. Waters of Camp Branch.

1798: WITNESS
Chatham County, North Carolina, USA on 14 Jul 1798

William Guthrie and German Guthrie were witnesses to the will of John White dated 14 Jul 1798, probated Feb 1799.

1798: BUYER
Chatham County, North Carolina, USA

WILLIAM GUTHRIE and SAMUEL GUTHRIE were among the buyers.

1800: US CENSUS of NORTH CAROLINA
Hillsborough, Chatham, North Carolina

Household of William Guthrie (Transcribed as Gathers):
1M and 1F 45 and over
1M and 1F 10-15
6 Slaves
Total: 10 Household Members

1806: DEATH of SON – GERMAN GUTHRIE

German Guthrie died by 13 Nov 1806 when a bond of administration was approved indicating that “Joseph Scurlock, Beverly Guthrie, Abraham Harper, and James Gaines are bound for $1000 with Scurlock and Guthrie acting as administrators of German Guthrie, deceased.” The majority of items in the estate sale went to his widow, Patsy (Scurlock) Guthrie, including “1 negro woman, Charlotte & child”, or to Beverly Guthrie. Family guardians were named for German’s three children: Emily, John, and William.

1809: WILL WRITTEN
Chatham County, North Carolina, USA on 18 Apr 1809

Will of William Guthrie Sr of Chatham County. Wife: Mary Magdalene Guthrie. Sons: Claburn, William Jr, Beverly; wants Claiburn to raise the children of decd son German: William, John, Emily.

William Guthrie and his extended family were slave holders. According to his will those slaves were: Harry, Prissy, Tarlton, Hiram, Maryan, Sophia & Thomson, Abb, Ransom & Nelson.

1809: DEATH of WILLIAM GUTHRIE
Chatham County, North Carolina, USA

William Guthrie’s will was written in 1809. He is mentioned as guardian to his decd son German Guthrie’s children in 1810. That year their guardianship was reassigned, suggesting that William had died by that time. Probate records are dated 1809 confirming his death occurred that year.

After 1809: DEATH of MARY MAGDALENE (ROARKE) GUTHRIE

Mary was alive when William Guthrie died in 1809. No data found on her death. Unsourced online trees listed it as 1816.

THE GUTHRIE DNA PROJECT

Guthrie Family Group: GFG1A
Group Designation: Branch F – (The Guthries of Middlesex, VA)

Haplogroup: R-M269
Confirmed Haplogroup: R-Y62042

YDNA Matches:
Kit 517928
William Guthrie/Mary Magdalene Roark > Claiborne Guthrie/Eleanor Newlin > John Braxton Guthrie/Nancy Braxton > Alvis Thomas Guthrie/Emma Valeria Cates (GGP) +more

Family Finder / Autosomal DNA Kits:
Kit 287202
William Guthrie/Mary Magdalen Roarke > Claiborne Guthrie/Elenor Newlin > John Braxton Guthrie/Nancy MNU > Alvis Thomas Guthrie/Emma Valeria Cates (GGP) +more

Findings:
Our YDNA participant has a Y-67 marker test which is a 67/67 match with the Group Mode DNA. This result is found within the Middlesex, Virginia branches.