Guthrie of Pitforthie

James Guthrie of Kingennie (later of Pitforthie) married Jonet[1] Lyon, eldest daughter of James Lyon, the 6th Laird of Ogil ( (Lyon, 1734). The couple had a family of 10 children together, 6 sons and 4 daughters. Table 1 lists all children in the family and can be found on Scotland’s People in just a few minutes. Table 1 also shows the Baptismal Register references except for the eldest son, William. I have included William for the sake of completeness. His Birth year is contained in his Memoir and numerous other published documents.

Whilst it seems common across many sources and references that James and Jonet married and had a large family, it seems less well known that James was Jonet's second husband. Jonet and her first husband, John Weymss (Lyon, 1734) had two children, both daughters. The circumstances surrounding John Weymss’ death are, at present, unclear. What is clear is that Weymss’ widow and daughters inherit Pitforthie and (that James Guthrie) “which James purchafed from his ftep-daughters ye Weemfes of lands of Pitforthy” (Lyon, 1734).

William is by far the most “well kent” son and his life is well documented and remembered even today (Scottish Covenanter Memorials Association, 2025), (Electric Scotland, 2025) and (Carslaw, 1900). When numerous other sources and references talk of the Guthrie son’s, comments like “was proved by the fact, that four of the children had early been devoted to the ministry of the gospel.” (Guthrie, 1668), and then add David and Andrew, totals 6. Some discussion is needed.

It is my contention that Andrew Guthrie, baptised 8 Feb 1622 in Brechin (Scotland's People, 1622), died young or in infancy or before attaining adulthood . Whilst it is easy to make the facts fit the narrative, I would still contend that Andrew did not reach adulthood in any event and died before 1665 (before William). If this is the case, then the following is an explanation that accurately accounts for the position taken by almost all sources and references regarding the Guthrie sons even though most authors do not name them in their evidence.

Firstly, although Andrew appears in the Brechin Baptismal Register of 1622, he is not to be found in either the Marriage Register or the Death Register. In fact, broadening the search in Scotland’s People to include the whole of Scotland, not restricting the search by year and missing out his first name to avoid any confusion with Andrew, does not find Andro Guthrie, bap 1622.

Secondly, William’s own Memoir talks of “the fact, that four of the children had early been devoted to the ministry of the gospel.” (Guthrie, 1668) – plus the 1 brother who remained a farmer (David), and there is then the 1 son missing, Andrew. William’s younger brother is now David if we accept Andrew is deceased.

Thirdly, the 4 sons who entered the ministry were:

William became a parish minister at Fenwick in Ayrshire. His successful and varied career is well documented in many sources with some of his sermons and published works still in use today.

(Coutts, 1889), (Scott, 1920) and (Jervise, 1861) and more use similar language to tell us that of (The Divine) William Guthrie “He was born at Pitforthie, near Brechin, in 1620, and died, Oct. 10, 1655.” For some reason Scotland's People does not readily show William Guthrie's Baptismal Register entry.

Footnotes:

[1] Jonet aka Janet aka Jean.

[2] Birth date taken from Memoir of the Author contained in The Christians Great Interest, William Guthrie, 1668.

[3]. Birth date taken from Memoir of the Author contained in The Christians Great Interest, William Guthrie, 1668.

[4]. Andro aka Andrew.

[5]. Once I have more solid facts, I will update the post.

[6]. Jon aka John.

[7]. I have three more strategies for ascertaining this information and I will update this post when I get more.

References:

Ancestor Abel, 2025. Records, sources & information about the Parish of Stracathro. [Online]

Available at: https://ancestor.abel.co.uk/Angus/Stracathro.html#min

[Accessed 4 May 2025].

Carslaw, R. W. H., 1900. The Life and Times of William Guthrie. Paisley: Alexander Gardner.

Coutts, W., 1889. Historical Guide Brechin and Neighbourhood. Brechin: Black and Johnston.

Electric Scotland, 2025. Significant Scots - William Guthrie. [Online]

Available at: https://electricscotland.com/history/other/guthrie_william.htm

[Accessed 4 May 2025].

Guthrie, W., 1668. Memoir of the Author. In: The Christians Great Interest. s.l.:s.n., pp. 3-4.

Jervise, A., 1861. Memorials of Angus and the Mearns. 1 ed. Edinburgh: Adam and Charles Black.

Lyon, W. F., 1734. Genealogie Of Ogil. London: s.n.

Scotland's People, 1622. Birth Record of Andrew Guthrie. Edinburgh: OPR Births 275/00 0010 0019.

Scott, H., 1920. Fasti Ecclesi Scotican Vol 3. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd.

Scottish Covenanter Memorials Association, 2025. Rev WIlliam Guthrie. [Online]

Available at: http://www.covenanter.org.uk/fenwick_guthrie.html

[Accessed 4 May 2025].