John Guthrie (Oxford Twp.)

Guthrie DNA Project Designation: Guthrie Family Group 2A - Branch H
Haplogroup: R-M269 (R-L21 / R-Z30233 / R-BY107525)
Geni YDNA Linked: No
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Excerpt from 'American Guthrie & Allied Families', by Laurence R. Guthrie, pp.158-160

JOHN GUTHRIE, of Oxford Township, Chester County, Pa., was undoubtedly related to, was most likely a brother of, Samuel Guthrie, of St. Georges hundred, New Castle County, Del. Both families were connected with the Stuarts and intercourse between them is revealed by John appearing as a witness to the will of Samuel's son, Robert, in 1750. "Widow Gulterie," a taxable in Londonderry Township, on the Chester County list of 1749, must have been the widow of Samuel, and "Robert Guttery," of East Nottingham Township, 1749 or 1750, must have been their son, who died in 1750.

According to reliable tradition, the Guthrie ancestor, who left Scotland, was a zealous Covenanter. So devoted was he to that cause, so active in his opposition to the efforts of the Crown to force Prelacy upon Scotland, that Claverhouse, the ArchPersecutor, set a price upon his head and hunted him from place to place. Finally making his way to the West Coast of Scotland, he, together with some of his followers, found a hiding place in a cave, whence, seeking escape to Ireland, a sharp outlook was kept for passing vessels. At length a French ship was sighted, hailed, and as she hove to, the hunted men put out to her in a rowboat. Just at this juncture Chaverhouse with some of his troopers came galloping up and fired a volley at the escaping party. Fortunately, they had gained a distance from the shore well nigh out of musket range, and so, uninjured, made their getaway, landing in due time on the coast of Ireland.

The name of this Covenanter was John Guthrie. He married, presumably somewhate later, Jane Stuart, who was descended from the Royal House of Scotland. John Guthrie, our subject, was their son. He was born in North Ireland, in 1708. He married there, Ann, and soon afterwards, about the year 1730, they emigrated to America, coming in the same boat with the Gilkesons and Stewarts, whose descendants variously intermarried with theirs. They settled on the east side of the Octoraro Creek, (a stream forming a part of the boundary between Chester and Lancaster Counties, Pa.), at a place afterwards known as Andrews Bridge.

The name "John Guttry," appears on the tax list of Londonderry Township in 1734, and subsequently in the lists of taxables in that township on down to the formation of Oxford, after which it appears in the lists of that township. The name is variously spelled,in the 1737 list, it appears as "Gottere," elsewhere as "Guttery," "Gettery," "Gutterei," etc. These tax lists show that his estate consistently increased and that he ranked high among his neighbors in the amount of taxes paid.

John Guthrie was a respected citizen, and he together with the members of his family were devout adherents of the Fagg's Manor Presbyterian Church. He was for many years a ruling elder in it.

It does not appear that these Guthries were identified with the movement, when the Covenants were renewed in America, at nearby Middle Octoraro, in 1743, but they were sympathetic with the Covenanters, sometimes entertaining their ministers in the home.

"John Guthrey died January 29, 1790, aged 81 years and 7 months." "Widow Guthrey was born 1715."

References

• Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Primary Immigrant Guthrie, John, II Family Members Wife Ann. Source Bibliography[ULSTER GENEALOGICAL & HISTORICAL GUILD]. "Interest List." In Ulster Genealogical & Historical Guild, no. 9 (1986), pp. 1-42.
• https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:John_Guthrie_%284%29
• Ancestry tree
• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Mar 17 2018, 6:00:24 UTC
• GEDCOM Source Ancestry Family Trees Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.