He was born in August/September 1816, in New Castle, England. [sources: date: 2 (44 in 1862), 4 (49 yrs 8 months in May 66), 5 (44 in 1866), 8 (44 in 1863), 8 (45 in 1865), 9 (33 in 1850), 10 (46 in 1860). place: 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10]
On 20 November 1841, he married Sarah A [unknown family name], at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was born in 1815/16, in Pennsylvania. They apparently had at least these five children:
[sources: 8, 9, 10]
In 1850, he was living in ward 3, Kensington, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his (presumed) wife Sarah, and (presumed) children Ann, Mary, William, and James. He was a blacksmith. [source: 9]
In 1860, he was living in ward 23, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his (presumed) wife Sarah A, and (presumed) children Ann, Mary E, William R, and James A. He was a blacksmith, and owned $100 in personal property. [source: 10]
In 1860-1861, he was a blacksmith, living on Orchard, near Church, Frankford, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 3]
In 1862, he was a blacksmith, living at Orchard near Green, Frankford, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 3]
When he enlisted, he was a blacksmith. [source: 2]
When he enlisted in 1862, he was 5 feet 6 inches tall, and had a light (or fair) complexion, grey eyes, and grey hair. In 1863, he was 5 feet 5-1/2 inches tall, and had a light complexion, grey eyes, and grey hair. [sources: 2, 8]
On 24 November 1862, he was enlisted, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Lieutenant J A Gregory. He was a private in company B. Lieutenant Mason (Acting Assistant Surgeon, USA) certified that he was physically capable of serving as a soldier. [sources: 1, 2]
He is listed on a Muster and descriptive roll of a detachment of US volunteers forwarded for the 91st regiment Pennsylvania infantry, dated 27 November 1862, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. But he was not taken up on the rolls of any of the 91st's companies. [source: 2]
On 16 March 1863, he was discharged at Convalescent Camp, Virginia, on surgeon's certificate of disability, because of organic disease of heart, contracted since enlistment. The Fifth Corps examining board recommended him for discharge. He had been unfit for duty sixty days in the previous two months. He was rated two-thirds disabled. [source: 2]
In 1863, he was a blacksmith, living at Orchard near Church, Frankford, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 3]
On 15 July 1863, he enlisted as a private in company I of the 26th Pennsylvania Infantry. He was drafted from the 4th district, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: 8, 14, 16]
He was transferred to company F of the 99th Pennsylvania Infantry. [source: 16]
On 17 [?] April 1863, his son, James Adam Guthrie, died. He was buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 5]
From 1864 through 1866, he was a blacksmith, living at Orchard above Tacony, Philadephia, Pennsylvania. [source: 3]
About 8 March 1865, he was 'taken with a fit in camp near Petersburg Va', three or four days after developing a severe cold from exposure while on picket. This was followed by paralysis of his right side. Before that, 'he was a good and efficient soldier'. [source: 8]
On 18 March 1865, he was sent to Emory US Hospital, Washington, DC. [source: 8]
In April 1865, he was sent to the US Hospital at Turners Lane, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 8]
In May 1865, he was sent to McClellan US Hospital. [source: 8]
In July 1865 (or 20 May 1865), he was sent to Mower US General Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 8]
On 23 August 1865, he was discharged, on surgeon's certificate of disability. He had improved slightly with treatment, but still had 'partial hemiplegia'. (A later examination said that he '[h]ad paralysis of bladder and rectum at time' he was paralyzed; perhaps the tense suggests that had improved.) He was rated as 1/2 disabled. He was a private, in company F of the 99th Pennsylvania Infantry. [sources: 8, 15-16]
On 1 September 1865, an examining surgeon determined that he was totally incapacitated from earning a living by manual labor, because of right-side hemiplegia, which was probably permanent. Guthrie claimed he was '[s]omewhat stronger'. [source: 8]
On 13 September 1865, he successfully applied from Philadelphia for a pension, based only on his service in the 99th Pennsylvania Infantry. His post office address was Orchard Street, below Church, Frankford, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His application was accepted on 26 January 1866, and he received $8 per month, retroactive to 23 August 1865. [sources: 6-7, 8]
On 21 May 1866, he died, at 4231 Orchard Street, ward 23, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He died of apoplexy. He was a blacksmith. On 24 May 1866, he was buried, at North Cedar Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His (apparent) son James Adam, and an unnamed child, were reburied there, from Odd Fellows Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Members of the Rising Sun Lodge, International Order of Odd Fellows, and the 99th Pennsylvania infantry, were invited to the funeral. [sources: 4, 5, 8, 11]
On 29 August 1866, his widow, Sarah A Guthrie, successfully applied from Philadelphia for a pension. Her post office address was 4231 Orchard Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her application was accepted on 6 January 1868, and she received $8 per month, retroaactive to 21 May 1866. As far as I can tell from the pension file, the surprisingly long delay was caused by her not having sent Adam's invalid pension certificate to the Pension Office. [sources: 6-7, 8]
In 1867, his widow, Sarah A Guthrie, was living at 4231 Orchard Street, Frankford, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 3]
In 1870, his widow, Sarah Guthrie, was living in ward 23, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was living with her (presumed) daughter Annie. [source: 13]
On 12 February 1891, his widow, Sarah A Guthrie, died. She died of paralysis. She was buried in North Cedar Hill Cemetery. [source: 12]
On 4 June 1891, the Pension Office decided to pay $27.60 of Sarah's unpaid pension as reimbursement (presumably of funeral expenses or of expenses of caring for her during her last illness). [source: 8]
I have not found another candidate for being the Adam Guthrie who enlisted in the 91st. Since the other documents I have found match that Adam in birthdate, birthplace, and occupation, I assume they are all the same person--but I have no other evidence for that assumption. And the fact that the Adam Guthrie who served in the 99th didn't mention his prior service when he enlisted, or when he applied for a pension, is at least slightly troubling, but perhaps explained by his not wanting to admit he had been discharged because of disability.
1 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Adam Guthrie)
2 compiled service record, D 91 Pennsylavnia Infantry (Adam Guthrie)
3 Philadelphia, city directories
4 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 21 May 1866 (Adam C Guthrie)
5 cemetery records, North Cedar Hill Cemetery (Adam C Guthrie)
6 pension index, by name, F 99 PA Inf (Adam Guthrie)
7 pension index, by unit, F 99 PA (Adam Guthrie)
8 pension certificate file, F 99 Pennsylvania Infantry, WC 106,315 (Sarah A Guthrie widow of Adam Guthrie)
9 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Kensington, ward 3, microfilm series M432, film 806, page 196 verso = 156 handwritten (FamilySearch) (Adam Guthrey)
10 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 23, precint 6, microfilm series M653, film 1174, page 700 = 142 handwritten (FamilySearch) (Adam Guthrie)
11 death notice, Philadelphia inquirer, Thursday 24 May 1866, page 5 (A Guthrie)
12 cemetery records, North Cedar Hill Cemetery (Sarah A Guthrie)
13 1870 US census, 2nd enumeration, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 23, district 10, microfilm series M593, film 1438, page 530 recto = 62 handwritten (Sarah Guthrie)
14 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Adam Crozier Guthrie (I 26th PA))
15 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Adam Guthrie (F 99th PA))
16 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Adam C Guthrie (F 99th PA))
I CERTIFY, that I have carefully examined the said Priv. Adam Guthrie of Captain - Company, and find him incapable of performing the duties of a soldier because of Organic disease of heart, contracted since enlistment. Degree of disability - two thirds. (Rec. for dis. by Ex Board 5th army Corps.)
Sanford B HuntI, Adam Guthrie born in New Castle in England aged Forty four years, and by occupation a Blacksmith DO HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE to have volunteered this twenty fourth day of November 1862 to serve as a Soldier in the Army of the United States of America, for the period of THREE YEARS, unless sooner discharged by proper authority: Do also agree to accept such bounty, pay, rations, and clothing, as are, or may be, established by law for volunteers. And I, Adam Guthrie do solemnly swear, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whomsoever; and that I will observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles of War.
I CERTIFY, ON HONOR, That I have carefully examined the above named Volunteer, agreeably to the General Regulations of the Army, and that in my opinion he is free from all bodily defects and mental infirmity, which would, in any way, disqualify him from performing the duties of a soldier.
I CERTIFY, ON HONOR, That I have minutely inspected the Volunteer, Adam Guthrie previously to his enlistment, and that he was entirely sober when enlisted; that, to the best of my judgment and belief, he is of lawful age; and that, in accepting him as duly qualified to perform the duties of an able-bodied soldier, I have strictly observed the Regulations which govern the recruiting service. This soldier has Grey eyes, Grey hair, Fair complexion, is 5 feet 6 inches high.
Lt J A GregoryI, Adam Guthrie desiring to VOLUNTEER as a Soldier in the Army of the United States, for the term of THREE YEARS, Do declare, That I am Forty four years and - months of age; that I have never been discharged from the United States service on account of disability or by sentence of a court-martial, or by order before the expiration of a term of enlistment; and I know of no impediment to my serving honestly and faithfully as a soldier for three years.
GIVEN at Philadelphia| NAME OF SOLDIER | Guthrie, Adam | |||
| NAME OF DEPENDENT | Widow | Guthrie, Sarah A. | ||
| Minor | ||||
| SERVICE | F. 99. Pa. Inf. | |||
| DATE OF FILING | CLASS | APPLICATION NO | CERTIFICATE NO | STATE FROM WHICH FILED |
| 1865 Sept. 13 | Invalid | 88625 | 57372 | |
| 1866 Aug. 29 | Widow | 132644 | 106315 | |
| Minor | ||||
| ATTORNEY | ||||
| REMARKS | ||||
| DEAD NAME OF SOLDIER | Guthrie, Adam | |||
| SERVICE | Late rank | Co. F 99 Reg't Pa [?] Inf | ||
| TERM OF SERVICE | Enlisted | Discharged | ||
| DATE OF FILING | CLASS | APPLICATION NO | LAW | CERTIFICATE NO. |
| 1865 Sep. 13 | Invalid | 88.625 | 57.372 | |
| Widow | 132644 | 106315 | ||
| Minor | ||||
| ADDITIONAL SERVICES | ||||
| REMARKS | ||||
| Died | at | |||
| line | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| Dwellings visited | 971 | |||||
| Families visited | 1301 | |||||
| Name | Adam Guthrey | Sarah | Ann | Mary | William | James |
| Age | 33 | 34 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 7/12 |
| Sex | M | F | F | F | M | M |
| Color | ||||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Blacksmith | |||||
| Real estate owned | ||||||
| Birthplace | Engl | Pen | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | ||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | ||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| Dwelling number | 975 | |||||
| Family number | 1058 | |||||
| Name | Adam Guthrie | Sarah A. " | Ann E. [?] " | Mary E. " | Wm. R. " | James A. " |
| Age | 46 | 44 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 10 |
| Sex | M | F | F | F | M | M |
| Color | ||||||
| Occupation | Blacksmith | Spinner | " | |||
| Value of real estate owned | ||||||
| Value of personal estate | 100 | |||||
| Place of birth | England | Penna | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | ||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | |||||
| Cannot read & write | ||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 22 | 23 |
| Dwelling-house number | 304 | |
| Family number | ||
| Name | Guthrie Sarah | " Annie |
| Age | 56 | 28 |
| Sex | F | F |
| Color | ||
| Occupation | ||
| Real estate value | ||
| Personal estate value | ||
| Birthplace | ||
| Father foreign born | ||
| Mother foreign born | ||
| Birth month if born within year | ||
| Marriage month if married within year | ||
| Attended school past year | ||
| Can't read | ||
| Can't write | ||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. | ||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old | ||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
| No. of Permit. | 2049 | 2050 | |
| NAME. | Adam C Guthrie | Jas Adam Guthrie | [blank] |
| Age. | 44 yrs | 13 | 4 mo |
| Date of Decease. | [1866 May] 21 | Ap 17 [?] 63 | |
| Date of Interment. | 29 | 29 | |
| OCCUPATION. | Blacksmith | ||
| Married or Single | M | ||
| NATIVE OF | England | ||
| LATE RESIDENCE. | Frankford | ||
| DISEASE. | Apoplexy | ||
| Section. | B | ||
| No. | 11 | 11 | 11 |
| REMARKS | [blank] | Removal from Odd Fellows Cem | do do do |
GUTHRIE.--Suddenly, on the 21st instant, Mr. A. GUTHRIE, in the 5th [sic] year of his age.
The relatives and friends of the family, also the Rising Sun Lodge, No. [illegible], I.O. of O.F., and the members of the Ninety-ninth Regiment, P.V., of which he was one, are invited to attend his funeral, this (Thursday) afternoon, at 2 o clock, from his late residence, No. 4231 Orchard street, Frankford.