
There are few if any facts to be found regarding the origins of Branch K.
Until the advent of genetic genealogy, the circulating theory was that Robert Guthrie/Guttery (c1750SC-1799GA) was in some way a descendant of the Guthrie family of Middlesex County, Virginia. Y-DNA testing has now debunked that theory completely. This Guthrie line is not genetically related to that family or to any of those Guthrie lineages in Guthrie Family Group 1A.
A descendant of Robert Guthrie/Guttery is a match for Guthrie Family Group 2A. This is the largest of all of the genetic Guthrie Family Groups showing evidence of multiple migrations from Scotland and Ireland beginning in the late-1600s/early-1700s through more recent American arrivals during the mid 1800s.
Descendants believe that Robert Guthrie/Guttery was born in or lived near Charleston, South Carolina. There seems to be no theory that he was himself an immigrant, which might be due to the fact that people were attempting to link his ancestry to the GFG1A line. Still, direct immigration from Scotland or Ireland should not be ruled out without further consideration.
Branch K research should explore the South Carolina theory. Another origin option is that Robert's line might be a subset of one of the other GFG2A Branches. Genetic pattern markers show that Robert's descendant has a mutation found in all of the Branch C participants. This might indicate that Robert has a more recent connection with the Branch C line than to the other GFG2A branches.
Ancestors of DNA Project Participant: (Kit 502511)
This participant tested at the Y-111 marker level, so there is no doubt that his YDNA matches that of GFG2A.
Compared to the group's Mode DNA Results, he has 4 genetic mutations.
DYS449 = 29 (Group Mode - 30) - This mutation also found in one Branch B descendant.
DYS481 = 22 (Group Mode - 21) - This mutation is a unique variance likely representing random and/or recent genetic change rather than something inherited at group lvl
DYS533 = 11 (Group Mode - 12) - Two other have this mutation, one from Branch G and the other from Branch I. No specific pattern found.
DYS561 = 17 (Group Mode - 16) - Five others have this mutation. ALL of the Branch C participants have it, as does one from Branch G. Possible pattern marker.
Pattern markers likely represent an inherited mutation from a common ancestor. [EX: A man has 3 sons. One of those sons is born with a genetic mutation (difference) at one genetic marker. That son has 4 sons. All four now inherit the new genetic mutation, which continues to be passed on to all of the men born along that direct line. Since his 2 brothers never had the mutation, their offspring continue to carry the original DNA passed down from the grandfather.]
In addition to our Y-DNA participant, we have quite a few Branch K descendants participating in autosomal DNA testing through FTDNA and/or AncestryDNA.
Dombart's notes on the Guttery family of Walker County, Alabama suggest that Robert Guttery may have come from an old Charleston, South Carolina family. Finding other evidence in SC that can be tied to this specific man remains undetermined.
South Carolina is a natural consideration as an origin location for Robert Guttery and his family. Elbert County, Georgia, where he is known to have lived and died, is directly across the state border from South Carolina. Initial documentation shows Robert in Wilkes County, Georgia, and later in Elbert County, Georgia.
"In the northeast Georgia Piedmont, between the Savannah and Broad rivers, lies Elbert County. The area was originally settled before the American Revolution (1775-83) by pioneers filtering into the region from Virginia and the Carolinas. The legal occupation of the lands that would later become Elbert County took place on June 1, 1773, when Georgia's colonial governor, James Wright, negotiated a land cession with local Creek and Cherokee leaders. The cession, known as the New Purchase, contained about 2 million acres north of Augusta and was originally designated as Wilkes County." [Georgia Encyclopedia]
During the American Revolution Wilkes County became the scene of severe partisan fighting among Tories, patriots, and Indians.
The formation of Elbert County, Georgia officially occurred on 10 Dec 1790 being taken part of Wilkes County, Georgia.
"The fork of the Broad and Savannah Rivers was the site of Fort James, built in the Revolutionary War to protect settlers in the nearby community of Dartmouth." . . . "The site is now covered by the waters of the Clark Hill Reservoir." [Elbert County]
Robert Guttery and his wife Betsy obtained property by deeds of grant or purchase along the Broad River.
"The Broad River is a 60.0-mile-long (96.6 km) tributary of the Savannah River in northeastern Georgia. The North Fork of the Broad River begins in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Stephens County, then joins the Middle Fork west of Royston in Franklin County to form the main stem. The Broad River continues south, being joined by the Hudson River flowing from the west out of Franklin County. The Broad then becomes the county line of Madison and Elbert counties as it turns southeast." [Wikipedia]
More highlights and a timeline can be found on the Branch K: Robert Guthrie/Guttery & Elizabeth 'Betsy'________ ancestor page.
History of Walker County: Its Towns and Its People, by John Martin Dombart. Thornton, Ark,: Caye Pub.Co., c1937. [Online at Ancestry.com]
Historical Southern Families, Volume 4, by Mrs John Bennett Boddie. Pacific Coast Publishers, 1960. page 77: 'Guttery of Georgia and Alabama'. [Online at Ancestry.com]
Elbert County, Georgia Genealogy Resources [Online Records & Other Resources]
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