James Guthrie, Dipton, Co Durham

[Elliven]

I have been researching the business, rather than the family of the above mentioned James Guthrie who was described in an 1828 business directory as "James Guthrie, late of Dipton, in the Parish of Lanchester, Durham, Innkeeper, Common Carrier, sawyer, joiner, labourer and farmer."  But in the latter part of that year he was in Durham Jail as a debtor and was due to appear in Durham court on 11th November 1828.  After that, he just disappeared.  Any ideas?

[Jomot]

Is this him?

Durham County Advertiser 04 February 1831
To be sold by Auction

...The unexpired LEASE of that well-accustomed PUBLIC HOUSE, known by the sign of THE DOG AND GUN, situated at Dipton, near Colliery Dykes, in the County of Durham, with a small Close adjoining, occupied by James Guthrie.

Further particulars [etc] Mr Thomas Currah, New Road or Messrs Carr & Jobling, Solicitors, Newcastle

The advert also appears a few times in 1830 and looks like it was also up for sale by auction in 1827 as a house, stables & close with the Appurtenances of the Dog and Gun.... held under lease from the late Robert Bonner for 99 years commencing 1 August 1738.

[Elliven]

Hello Jomot,

Yes, that is him!  When I saw that you had mentioned the Dog and Gun - not mentioned in my post - I was ecstatic!  Nobody in the village had any information on him or the pub and I think most people didn't believe that that particular pub ever existed.  I was really surprised because there is a very active interest in the village history.  The mention of the lease from Robert Bonner is also interesting because they were a prominent family in the area way back before the Enclosures Act - although they have moved away or died out now.

Can you tell me where you found this article as I would like to get a copy of the original if at all possible.

Many thanks
Elliven

[Jomot]

There are several baptisms at Lanchester between 1821 & 1835 for the children of James & Elizabeth Guthrie, Innkeeper of Dipton.

In 1841 James, Elizabeth & the children are living in Kyo, Durham & Lanchester RD - HO107, Piece 301, Book 16, Folio 13, Page 20.   James is a Joiner.

The articles about the Dog & Gun are on the British Newspaper Archive and are also available on Find my Past.  Let me know if you need specific newspaper titles & dates and I'll do my best to list them all.

[Elliven]

Thank you Jomot,

One specific newspaper title and date would be good enough as hard evidence.  I will try to get a copy through the County Records Office as I do not have subscriptions  with the BNA or Find My Past.  Kyo and Lanchester are very close to Dipton so it is not surprising that he lived there.  Knowing that he could have spent the rest of his life in a debtor's prison, I am surprised that he had ANY children between 1828 and 1835.

Elliven

[Jomot]

You're welcome - that's what we're here for 

Durham County Advertiser 14 July 1827, Page 1, Column 3 - mentions James Guthrie & Robert Bonner, as well as the Dog & Gun.

These are the baptisms I found:

05 Oct 1821, Jane
11 May 1823, James Adam
10 Jun 1825, Alice (buried 16 Mar 1828)
27 Apr 1827, Mary Ann
10 Apr 1829, Alice
27 Jan 1832, Elizabeth
16 May 1834, James
30 Oct 1835, Margaret

James is noted as an Innkeeper on all of these except Elizabeth, when his occupation is given as Joiner.

[Jomot]

Apologies - have now amended the name error on the 1823 baptism

[Elliven]

Hello Jomot,

His wife must have been pregnant with Alice at the time he went into prison  but the baptism dates of the last three children suggest that he was in prison for a relatively short time.

He was a sawyer and joiner - the latter explains his job after he was released.  The former suggests he had a sawmill.  The rough area where I believe the sawmill to have been is just 100 yards from where I live!  The only sawmill that I have ever been able to discover in Dipton (which is quite a large village) is long gone but there is still an old terrace of houses named Sawmill Cottages at the end of which there are signs of another old building which has been demolished.  This was done over 40 years ago and a new telephone exchange has been built on the site.  I am now pretty sure this was the location of the Dog and Gun and the sawmill.  Thanks to your information, I have something to work on when I try to prove this!  Many thanks.

Elliven

[Jomot]

I'm afraid I can't help with the sawmill, but this directory from 1828 confirms the existence of James Guthrie at the Dog and Gun, Dipton, and also that he was a Carrier

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01k93/