K: William Guthrie & Unidentified Spouse
CONTENTS:
Origin Theories
The Family of William Guthrie & Unidentified Spouse
Historical Highlights
The Guthrie DNA Project
ORIGIN THEORIES for GFG6 – BRANCH K
There is a danger when it comes to accepting family relationships as facts without seeing the proof of it. Sometimes the original work in which these family stories are shared actually reveals the relationships are theoretical rather than being defined by some form of documentation to prove them. Such is the case with the Guthries living in New Castle County, Delaware during the mid-to-late 18th century.
American Guthrie and Allied Families author, Lawrence R Guthrie (LRG) reveals a family tradition within his own ancestry that tells of 7 brothers who came to America from Ireland. Although he warns that while we generally accept these stories to be true stating thatwe are unlikely to be able to unravel those men from the rest of the Guthrie population, he hints at some possible candidates. In doing so, he has set an unintentional trap for the rest of us because the relationships to which he has theorized have now been proven to be incorrect.
There are 2 genetically distinct Guthrie Family Groups living in New Castle County, Delaware at the same time. GFG6 has its foothold in Mill Creek Hundred. GFG2A – Branch C is found in the same county, but living in St. George’s Hundred.
James Guthrie who married Mary Hamilton is a potential relation to one of these two groups. Like William Guthrie, he was also a resident of Mill Creek Hundred, so that might skew the percentages toward GFG6. We do not have a Y-DNA participant representing James’ line at this time. Author LRG states that James was in Mill Creek Hundred in 1748 with the inference being that he had already been there several years.
William Guthrie’s 1710 DOB was taken by LRG from the Presbyterian Historical Society of Pennsylvania, which lists “Wm Guthrie was born in County Antrim Parish, Ireland, in 1710.”
His sons Alexander and William are noted to be born in Ireland in 1736 and 1744 respectively.
William Guthrie bought a farm in Mill Creek Hundred on 23 Jun 1753, which gives us an approximate date range of reference for his arrival in Delaware sometime between 1744-1753. This date range would also match up with that of James Guthrie, mentioned above.
THE FAMILY of WILLIAM GUTHRIE & HIS UNIDENTIFIED SPOUSE
WILLIAM GUTHRIE
Born: 1710
Location: County Antrim, Northern Ireland, reportedly
Married: About 1730s (Spouse Unidentified)
Occupation: Unknown
Died: January 1775
Location: Mill Creek Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware
Buried: Unknown
UNIDENTIFIED SPOUSE (MNU)
Born: Unknown, presumably about 1710-1720
Location: Ireland, presumably
Sons: Alexander Guthrie (1736), William Guthrie (1744), James Guthrie (1750), Adam Guthrie (1752)
Daughters: Margaret (17??), Mary (17??)
CHILDREN:
ALEXANDER GUTHRIE
1736IRE-1810DE
Alexander Guthrie was born in Northern Ireland about 1736, possibly in County Antrim. The family’s arrival in America is estimated between 1744-1753. They lived in Mill Creek Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware. Alexander was “interested in the development of the west and early secured warrants for lands in that part of Bedford County which later formed into Westmoreland County, PA.” However, “it is doubtful as to whether he lived in the western part of Pennsylvania; if he did so, he was probably recalled to Delaware by his father’s death.”
Records show that Alexander Guthrie obtained a patent to lands called ‘The Rover’ on Loyalhanna Creek in Westmoreland County, PA dated 18 March 1773.
Alexander Guthrie took the Oath of Allegiance on 19 Aug 1778 swearing to be true and faithful to the Delaware State and denying any allegiance to the King of Great Britain.
He married about 1778 to a woman named Eleanor whose maiden name is unknown. They had a daughter and a son. Alexander Guthrie is listed on the Derry, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania 1783 tax records for 100 acres. He and Eleanor sold that property on 11 April 1787.
Eleanor died in 1806 and Alexander in 1810. They are both buried at White Clay Creek Church Cemetery in Newark, New Castle County, Delaware, USA.
Children: 2
Sons: Alexander Guthrie (1787)
Daughters: Margaret Guthrie (1779)
Y-DNA Project Participants: No
Family Finder Participants: No
WILLIAM GUTHRIE
1744IRE-1807PA
William Guthrie was born on 16 July 1744 in Northern Ireland, possibly in County Antrim. “When a young man he moved to the Conoccocheague Settlement in the Cumberland valley of PA & lived in the vicinity of Conocococheague Presbyterian Church, the site of which is at Church Hill, Franklin, PA”
On 9 March 1772 at Mercersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, William Guthrie married Mary Welch.
Then, like his brother Alexander Guthrie, he moved further west to Derry, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania. William and Mary (Welch) Guthrie settled and raised their family in Derry. William was “a noted frontiersman, a soldier in the Revolution, and an extensive land holder.”
William Guthrie died on 8 April 1807. His widow Mary died on 8 December 1828. They are buried at old Salem Church and Cemetery in Derry.
Children: 8
Sons: Alexander Guthrie (1772), John Guthrie (1776), James Guthrie (1781), Thomas Guthrie (1783), Joseph Guthrie (1787), William Guthrie (17??)
Daughters: Margaret Guthrie (1776), Mary Guthrie (1785)
Y-DNA Project Participants: Yes
Family Finder Participants: Yes
MARY GUTHRIE
17??-UNKNOWN
Nothing is known about Mary Guthrie except her name. She was listed as the 3rd child of William Guthrie by author LRG.
JAMES GUTHRIE
1750DE-1841KY
James Guthrie was born in New Castle County, Delaware on 25 Feb 1750.
A “pioneer, frontiersman, soldier of the Revolution, and Indian fighter”, James Guthrie moved from Delaware to Kentucky to settle on land granted him for his military services. The tract on Cedar Creek contained 1000 acres. “He built a massive house on it near a spring of sparkling water, and otherwise improved his plantation. Here his life was spent and his children reared.”
He was twice married. First to Polly Welsh on 3 March 1785 at the Upper West Conochocheague Presbyterian Church. Polly died a short time after they married. No known children. James married again on 23 Nov 1786 to a widow, Eunice Paul, nee Cooper. They had 9 children. James died on 24 March 1841 and Eunice in 1850. They are buried at Pennsylvania Run Cemetery.
Children: 9
Sons: William Guthrie (1787), James Guthrie (1792), Moses Guthrie (1796)
Daughters: Mary Guthrie (1790), Elizabeth Guthrie (1794), Eunice Cooper Guthrie (1798), Margaret Guthrie (1800), Eleanor Guthrie (1802), Sarah Guthrie (1805)
Y-DNA Project Participants: No
Family Finder Participants: No
ADAM GUTHRIE
17??-UNKNOWN
There is no DOB or birth location given for Adam Guthrie, son of William Guthrie. He is listed as the 5th child of the family, and was presumably born in New Castle County, Delaware since his older brother James was noted to be born there. The only other notation about Adam is found in the footnotes of American Guthrie and Allied Families where author LRG speculates that this Adam Guthrie might have moved to Nottingham, Westmoreland, PA by 1781 where an Adam Guttery is listed as a single man on a Supply Tax record.
Some descendants of Adam Guthrie c1745IRE01827KY & Mary Anderson theorize that this man might be their ancestor, however, their line was in Augusta and Fincastle Counties Virginia by the 1770s. They moved to Greene County, NC and later to Cumberland County, Kentucky. We do not currently have a YDNA participant to confirm the line’s group origins. Adam is not a common Guthrie name, but it is also found within GFG2A.
MARGARET GUTHRIE
17??-UNKNOWN
Margaret Guthrie is listed in the position of youngest of 6 children. No DOB has been established for her, but it was most likely in the early – mid 1750s in New Castle County, Delaware. No details are known about Margaret.
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
About 1710: BIRTH of WILLIAM GUTHRIE
Northern Ireland, reportedly County Antrim
The source of this data is American Guthrie and Allied Families, p.356 and footnote #374 on p.711:
“Wm. Guthrie was born in County Antrim Parish, Ireland, in 1710.” (Records of the Presbyterian Historical Society, Philadelphia, PA)
No other context is provided to determine if this reference was specifically noted to belong to William Guthrie of Mill Creek Hundred.
About 1730s: MARRIAGE of WILLIAM GUTHRIE
Northern Ireland, presumably in County Antrim
It is presumed that William Guthrie married in Northern Ireland as two of his children are noted to have been born there. His spouse’s name is not known, however he was still married at the time he wrote his will as it references a wife.
About 1736: BIRTH of SON – ALEXANDER GUTHRIE
Northern Ireland, presumably County Antrim
The 1736 DOB is listed in American Guthrie and Allied Families. The only document I find with a DOB for Alexander Guthrie is the 1800 census, which categorizes him as being 45 and older, and therefore born before 1756.
1744: BIRTH of SON – WILLIAM GUTHRIE
Northern Ireland, presumably County Antrim on 16 July 1744
1740s: BIRTH of DAUGHTER – MARY GUTHRIE
Northern Ireland or Colonial Delaware
1750: BIRTH of SON – JAMES GUTHRIE
New Castle County, Colonial Delaware
1750s: BIRTH of SON – ADAM GUTHRIE
New Castle County, Colonial Delaware
1750s: BIRTH of DAUGHTER – MARGARET GUTHRIE
New Castle County, Colonial Delaware
1774: WILLIAM GUTHRIE’S WILL WRITTEN
Mill Creek Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware on 30 Dec 1774
K205. William Guthery, (Guttery). Mill Crk. Hd. Dec 30 1774. Feb 11, 1775. Wife, ___; sons, Alexander, William, James and Adam; dau, Mary; dau, Margaret. Exc son, Alexander.
1775: DEATH of WILLIAM GUTHRIE
Mill Creek Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware in January 1775.
THE GUTHRIE DNA PROJECT
Guthrie Family Group: GFG6
Group Designation: Branch K – (The Guthries of Mill Creek Hundred, DE)
Haplogroup: R-M512 > RM198
Confirmed Haplogroup: R-YP371
YDNA Matches: 6
Kit 124483
William Guthrie/Spouse UNK > William Guthrie/Mary Welch > Thomas Guthrie/Jane Crawford > Thomas Guthrie/Elizabeth Cochran Lusk > Thomas Lusk Guthrie/Mary Catherine Cline (GGP) +more
Kit 194375
William Guthrie 1710IRE-1775DE > William Guthrie 1774IRE-1807PA > Thomas Guthrie 1783PA-1852PA > Thomas Guthrie 1815PA-1885KS (2xGGF) +more
Kit 194376
William Guthrie/Spouse UNK > William Guthrie/Mary Welch > John Guthrie/Jane Maffett > Alexander Guthrie/Jane Rankin > John Rankin Guthrie/Martha Jane Williams > Herbert Bruce Guthrie/Mary Philistea Frampton > Albert Lowry Guthrie/Eva Blanche Bond (GGP) +more
Kit 450206
William Guthrie/Spouse UNK > William Guthrie/Mary Welch > Joseph Guthrie/Mary Jane Skiles > William Guthrie/Nancy O Johnston > Joseph Welker Guthrie/ Emma B Frick (GGP) +more
Kit 879886
William Guthrie/Spouse UNK > William Guthrie/Mary Welch > Thomas Guthrie/Jane Crawford > Thomas Guthrie/Elizabeth Cochran Lusk > Thomas Lusk Guthrie/Mary Catherine Cline (GGP) +more
Kit 993191
William Guthrie/Spouse UNK > William Guthrie/Mary Welch > Alexander Guthrie/Mary Maffett > Alexander Guthrie / Maria Newell > John Libbens Guthrie / Nancy Margaret Starrett (GGP) +more
Family Finder / Autosomal DNA Kits: 4
Kit B344958
William Guthrie/Spouse UNK > William Guthrie/Mary Welch > Thomas Guthrie/Jane Crawford > Thomas Guthrie/Elizabeth Cochran Lusk > Albert Augustus Guthrie/Mary Ellen Blanchard > Ina Irene Guthrie/George F Cooper (GGP)
Kit B415886
William Guthrie/Spouse UNK > William Guthrie/Mary Welch > Thomas Guthrie/Jane Crawford > Thomas Guthrie/Elizabeth Cochran Lusk > Thomas Lusk Guthrie/Mary Catherine Cline > Olen Wayne Guthrie/Adele J Small (GGP) +more
Kit B496794
William Guthrie/Spouse UNK > William Guthrie/Mary Welch > John Guthrie/Jane Maffett > Alexander Guthrie/Jane Rankin > John Rankin Guthrie/Martha Jane Williams > Herbert Bruce Guthrie/Mary Philistea Frampton > Ruth Marguerite Guthrie/David Charles Reese (GGP)
Kit B646540
William Guthrie/Spouse UNK > William Guthrie/Mary Welch > Thomas Guthrie/Jane Crawford > Thomas Guthrie/Elizabeth Cochran Lusk > Thomas Lusk Guthrie/Mary Catherine Cline > Mearl Raymond Guthrie Sr/Pauline Marie Benz (GGP) +more
Findings:
There are currently 4 Y-DNA project participants who trace their ancestry back to William Guthrie of Mill Creek Hundred, New Castle, Delaware. All four match the genetic profile for Guthrie Family Group 6 (GFG6).
Three of the four share Thomas Guthrie 1815PA-1885KS as their most recent common ancestor. William Guthrie 1774IRE-1807PA is the MRCA for the last of them.
Kit 124483 has a Y67 marker test matching 64/67 the Group Mode DNA.
DYS460 = 13 instead of Group Mode 12. Also found in Kits 235133 (Branch H) and Kit 213202 (Branch I)
DYS576 = 19 instead of Group Mode 18. Also found in Kits 879886 (Branch K) and 578951 (Branch E)
DYS442 = 15 instead of Group Mode 14. Also found in Kits 879886 (Branch K) and 194375 (Branch K)
Kit 194375 has a Y67 marker test matching 64/67 the Group Mode DNA
DYS392 = 12 instead of Group Mode 11. Result unique to this kit.
Y-GATA-H4 = 13 instead of Group Mode 12. Also Kit 578951 (Branch E)
DYS442 = 15 instead of Group Mode 14. Also found in Kits 879886 (Branch K) and 124483 (Branch K)
Kit 194376 has a Y67 marker test matching Group Mode DNA 65/67. He has the fewest genetic mutations at this level of testing compared to all other GFG6 members.
DYS576 = 17 instead of Group Mode 18. Also Kit 265262 (Branch G)
DYS537 = 11 instead of Group Mode 12. Result unique to this kit.
Kit 879886 has a Y37 marker test matching Group Mode DNA 34/37.
DYS576 = 19 instead of Group Mode 18. Also found in Kits 124483 (Branch K) and 578951 (Branch E)
DYS442 = 15 instead of Group Mode 14. Also found in Kits 124483 (Branch K) and 194375 (Branch K)
Kit 993191 has a Y37 marker test matching Group Mode DNA 37/37
Only 1 genetic mutation appears only in Branch K and only in 3 of the 4 kits. These are all kits whose MRCA is Thomas Guthrie 1815PA-1885KS. This is likely a marker of inheritance/pattern marker. Any future matches with descendants of Thomas Guthrie would probably have marker DYS442 = 15.
Guthrie Genealogy 