The surname McGuire/Maguire is an Irish surname (also found in Scotland), with its roots to be found in County Fermanagh, Ireland (now Northern Ireland). The surname McGuire is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic name Mag Uidhir, which means son of Odhar. Odhar is a byname that means sallow thus meaning the son of the pale complected. Derived from the Gaelic word Mac Uidhir, McGuire signifies an individual who is fair-skinned or has a light complexion.

My sixth great-grandfather was Lieut. James McGuire, born about 1734, most likely in Pennsylvania, and died on 19 August 1782 at the Battle of Blue Licks, which at the time this area was part of Virginia, and is now Blue Lick Springs, Nicholas County, Kentucky.

I am rewriting parts of this blog entry found below with an update as of 27 January 2025.

It had been previously thought that James McGuire was a son of John McGuire and Catherine Mary ____, with roots in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland and County Kerry, Ireland. This is now discounted by virtue of Y-DNA testing linking James to a group of McGuire’s originating in Pennsylvania and migrating into Virginia around 1750 with origins in what is now Northern Ireland. 

Investigating my ancestor James McGuire presents numerous challenges. One significant issue is the existence of several individuals named James McGuire, which often makes it difficult to assign specific records to the correct person, especially concerning military documentation. Additionally, a devastating fire at a courthouse in Fayette County, Kentucky, in 1803 resulted in the loss of all records predating that year. Compounding these difficulties, James passed away intestate, further complicating efforts to piece together his family history.

Below are possible, and in some cases very probable, siblings for James McGuire:

1. Thomas McGuire, born about 1723, and died 1792 in Hopewell, Washington, Pennsylvania. He married Elizabeth ____.
2. Cornelius McGuire, born about 1725, and died 1779 in Botetourt County, Virginia. He is said to have married Elizabeth Giles Taliferro.
3. John McGuire, born about 1730 most likely in Pennsylvania, and died 1782 in Montgomery County, Virginia.
4. Archibald McGuire, born about 1728, and died about 1779 in Ft. Boonesborough, Fayette, Kentucky.
5. Pvt. William (William Moses) McGuire born between 1725-1735, and died about 1809 in Madison County, Kentucky. Some show him dying in 1796 in Franklin County, Virginia. He married Rachel ______.
6. Timothy McGuire born about 1740, most likely in Pennsylvania, and died August 1790 in Oglethorpe County Georgia. He married Mary Finney.
7. Samuel McGuire.
8. Margaret McGuire, who died in Virginia. She married _____ Horn.

Lieut. James McGuire died at the Battle of Blue Licks. The Battle of Blue Licks occurred on August 19, 1782, marking the final engagement of the American Revolutionary War in Kentucky. Situated on a hill adjacent to the Licking River in present-day Robertson County, a contingent comprising approximately 50 British rangers and 300 American Indians launched a surprise attack against 182 Kentucky militiamen, resulting in a rout that claimed the lives of around 64 individuals. This battle represented the most significant defeat for the Kentuckians throughout the conflict. (4)

Inscription on the monument for the fallen in the Battle of Blue Licks:

“So valiantly did our small party fight, to the memory of those who unfortunately fell in the Battle, enough of Honour cannot be paid.” – Daniel Boone
Monument dedicated August 19, 1928

The wife of Lieut. James McGuire is often listed as Margaret Black, also known as Margaret Elizabeth Black. However, these claims lack proper sourcing, and there is only scant circumstantial evidence connecting her to James McGuire. According to a newspaper article, it is likely that she passed away in the Three Forks area of the Kentucky River, near Beattyville, in what is now Lee County, established in 1870. There is no credible information available regarding her parents. Folklore suggests that she married James around 1755, during which time he was likely residing in Albemarle County, Virginia, leading to the assumption that Margaret was living in proximity to him.

By 1774, James relocated his family from Albemarle/Amherst County, Virginia, to Botetourt County, Virginia, and subsequently moved around 1775 to the Fort Boonesborough region of Kentucky. He later appears to have settled in McGee’s Station, which was situated in present-day Clark County, Kentucky. Due to these relocations, their children were born in Virginia, although some may have been born in the area that would become Kentucky in 1792. James died in battle and seemingly left no will. The situation is further complicated by the fact that the McGee’s Station area was part of Fayette County, Kentucky, at the time of his death. Unfortunately, nearly all records from Fayette County were lost in a courthouse fire in 1803, leaving many questions unresolved due to the absence of necessary documentation.

However, tax records from 1787 do exist, which indicate that “Maget” or Margaret was recorded alongside her underage son, John.

In April 1775, [James] McGuire was part of Daniel Boone’s first expedition through the Cumberland Gap. McGuire was one of the first pioneers to travel the Gap. After his arrival at the Kentucky River, McGuire helped build the settlement of Boonesborough.

In 1778, McGuire took part in the Great Siege of Boonesborough, during which 400 Native Americans, accompanied by 12 former French soldiers from the French and Indian War, initiated a siege at the gates of Boonesborough. This effort represented a lackluster attempt by the former French soldiers to establish a new French colony to the west of the Appalachians. (5)

The French fired fireballs at the fort from their cannons. After a duration of 13 days, the French forces, along with their Indian allies, abandoned their efforts and withdrew into the forest. The Indian forces experienced 40 fatalities and sustained hundreds of injuries, while the Pioneers at Boonesborough reported merely 2 casualties

On August 19, 1782, McGuire took part in the final battle of the Revolutionary War that occurred in Kentucky. During the Battle of Blue Licks, a group of several hundred Shawnee launched an ambush against 180 Kentuckians under the command of Daniel Boone. After conferring with his fellow officers, Boone concluded that it was preferable to engage in combat rather than risk being labeled a coward. The battle resulted in the deaths of 72 Kentuckians, including McGuire. Following the conflict, McGuire’s remains were returned to Boonesborough, where he was interred near their residence. By 1810, Boonesborough had become recognized as the first ghost town of the Western frontier. McGuire’s wife, Margaret, along with their daughter, Christina, relocated to what is now Whitley County, where a significant number of McGuire’s descendants continue to reside today. (5)

Despite numerous uncertainties, it is possible to outline a preliminary biographical profile for James McGuire. Following his departure from Pennsylvania, James, along with his likely brothers Cornelius (circa 1725-1779) and John (circa 1730-1782), arrived in what was then known as Albemarle County, Virginia, around the year 1750. In 1761, Albemarle County was divided to create Amherst County. Both John and Cornelius are referenced in various land records in Amherst County up until at least 1769, and there is a single mention of James McGuire in the year 1778, although it is likely that he was not residing there at that time. Additionally, a record from 1779 indicates that James substantiated his claim of having served as a soldier in Captain Christian’s Company in 1760, likely in the neighboring Augusta County.

James, Cornelius, and John relocated to Botetourt County prior to 1774, as evidenced by their appearances in tithable lists. James remained in the area until 1775. Cornelius passed away around 1779, while John died in Montgomery County circa 1782. In 1774, James conducted a survey for 100 acres of land situated at the confluence of the Greenbrier and New Rivers, near present-day Bellepoint and Hinton in Summers County, West Virginia. Notably, James did not submit a formal application for a patent for this property.

In approximately 1775 or 1776, James relocated to Kentucky. Initially, he likely resided in or around Boonesborough, but by 1780, he had seemingly moved to David McGee’s Station, which was then part of Fayette County. McGee’s Station was situated roughly 2.5 miles northwest of Boonesborough, close to the town of Becknerville. On 22 March 1780, James acquired a treasury warrant for 100 acres. However, on 17 September 1780, he transferred this warrant to David McGee, who was subsequently granted the land in 1786.

The Battle of Blue Licks occurred after British and Indian forces launched attacks on Bryan’s Station. On August 19, 1782, a group of Kentucky militia engaged these forces at Blue Licks, located on the Licking River. Among those who lost their lives was Lieutenant James McGuire, whose name is memorialized on a monument dedicated to this conflict. It is believed that the deceased, including McGuire, were interred in a mass grave approximately two days following the battle. Unfortunately, no documentation regarding McGuire’s commission as a Lieutenant has been found, likely due to the courthouse fire in 1803 that destroyed many records. An unverified online source suggests that James McGuire enlisted in the militia in June 1782.

Children of Lieut. James McGuire (his wife Margaret was the mother of at least some of his children, possibly all of them):

1. Christina McGuire, born 10 February 1753 in Albemarle County, Virginia, and died 15 October 1807 in Knox County, Kentucky. She married Capt. Charles Hobert Gatliff.
2. Jesse McGuire born about 1759 in Albemarle County, Virginia, and died 19 August 1782 at the Battle of Blue Licks, Nicholas County, Kentucky.
3. Cornelius McGuire born about 1762 in Tazewell County, Virginia, and died before 1782 (a few reports indicate Cornelius was “scalped by Indians in 1792“. Others have suggested the death was before 1782.
4. Daniel McGuire born before 1765, and possibly as early as 1755, in Albemarle County, Virginia, and died after 1834 in Kentucky or Tennessee. He married ‘Nelly’ (Eleanor) ____ in 1823.
5. Francis Marion “Frank” McGuire born about 1762 in Amherst County, Virginia, and died 13 October 1805 in Sellersburg, Clark County, Indiana. He married Elizabeth Barnes, the daughter of George Barnes and Mary Christmas. (My ancestors).
6. John McGuire, born 6 March 1766 in Amherst County, Virginia, and died about 1843 in Carter County, Kentucky. He married Ruth ____.
7. James McGuire born about 1773 in what was then Fincastle County, Virginia, and died October 1868 in St. Helens, Owsley, Kentucky. He married Diadema Mann.
8. Elizabeth McGuire born about 1774 and died 1821 in Montgomery County, Kentucky.
9. William W. McGuire born 1775 in what was then Fincastle County, Virginia, and died in September 1847 at about age 72 in Jackson County, Missouri. He married Elizabeth Abbott.
10. Esther McGuire born about 1776 in what was then Fincastle County, Virginia, and died in March 1856 in Lawrence County, Indiana. She married George Tincher.
11. Margaret McGuire born about 1777 in Kentucky County, Virginia, and died about 1807 in Madison County, Kentucky. She married first to Alexander Eoff/Goff and married second to Thomas Hamilton.
12. Archibald Dillard McGuire about 30 Jun 1779 in Boonesborough, Kentucky County, Virginia (Ft. Boonsboro, Madison County, Kentucky), and died 15 April 1870 in Proctor, Lee, Kentucky. He married first to Margret Guyer, second to Susannah Anna Bush, and thirdly to Catherine Brandenburg.

Francis Marion “Frank” McGuire married Elizabeth Barnes on 20 October 1789 in Bourbon County, Kentucky. She was the daughter of George Barnes and Mary Christmas. George Barnes may have been the son of John Maxey Barnes, Sr. and Elizabeth ____. There is a DNA connection to the Barnes/Maxey families, but there are also DNA connections to other Barnes/Barns families of North Carolina. Mary Christmas was the daughter of Thomas Christmas and Temperance Whitlock. The Christmas family has roots in Virginia before migrating to North Carolina.  Mary Christmas, along with her siblings and mother, are listed in the will of her grandfather Thomas Christmas. The Barnes surname is found as Barns and Barnes in various records.

Known children of Francis Marion “Frank” McGuire and Elizabeth Barnes:

1. Martha “Mary” McGuire born 11 May 1790 in Bourbon County, Kentucky and died 27 August 1834 in Bartholomew County, Indiana. She married William Royse.
2. Francis McGuire born 1799 in Washington County, Indiana and died 27 January 1830 in Bartholomew County, Indiana. He married Mary Johnson.
3. Mary Jane “Jane” McGuire born 25 December 1800 in Washington County, Indiana and died 20 November 1874 in Casey, Clark County, Illinois. She married Rev. John M. Doty/Doughty on 1 November 1817 in Washington County, Indiana. (My 4th great-grandparents).
4. James Martin McGuire born 28 December 1805 in Clark County, Indiana and died 6 January 1856 in Libertyville, Jefferson County, Iowa. He married Margaret Brannon.

Warrant Issued for Francis Marion McGuire in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

There was a warrant issued in Kentucky for Francis Marion McGuire in 1792 for the killing of some Delaware Indians, it is possible and very likely that this was a revenge killing (for the death of his father and brother at the Battle of Blue Licks). The warrant stated the “said Francis Marion McGuire has left the commonwealth.” As you can see his oldest child, Martha “Mary” McGuire, was born in 1790 in Bourbon County, Kentucky, and the next known child was born in 1799 in Washington County, Indiana. There may have been other children born in the in-between years that died young, but he had left Kentucky by 1792, when the warrant was issued, and was in Indiana before 1799. The McGuire family lost touch with Francis Marion “Frank” McGuire after he left Kentucky, and some in his family thought he had gone to Tennessee. It is possible that the family did go to Tennesse, briefly, before migrating to Indiana. His wife’s parents George Barnes and Mary Christmas followed them to Indiana.

WILL OF FRANCIS McGUIRE

In the name of God Amen, I, Francis McGuire, Being weak of body, yet of perfect mind and memory, do make this my Last Will and Testament and desire I may be received by all as such, and knowing the mortality of the body it being appointed for all men once to die, I give my body to the earth from whence it was taken to be buried in a decent and Christian like burial, at the direction of my Executor.

First, I desire that all my just debts shall be paid.

Second I desire that my wife, Elizabeth, shall have my land during her widowhood and afterwards to receive her third, and the balance to be equally divided amongst my children. Yet is my desire that if my wife should marry that my children should have their maintenance and schooling off my Plantation. I also will to my wife two head of horse creatures to wit, the fox horse and her choice of the rone (roan) filly or the sorrel mare and as many cow, sheep, and hogs as she thinks proper to keep and all the household and kitchen furniture with the farming utensils. Excepting a bureau which I leave to my daughter, Martha. I desire that my Bonds, Notes, and Book accounts be collected and the balance of my effects sold and the Whole amount (except Twenty Dollars I leave to my wife) to be laid out in land for my children.

I do hereby constitute and appoint my wife, Elizabeth and James N. Wood, Executors to this my Last Will and Testament.

Given under my hand and seal, this 8th day of October in the year of our Lord, 1805.

N.B. I desire that my wife should have all the corn and small grain which is sowed this season.

Francis McGuire (Seal)

Signed in presence of James McCoy, Nancy McCoy

October 26th, 1805

Indiana Territory Clark County.

Also on the same day, is granted to the said Executors, a warrant of Appraisement authorizing and appointing Elisha Kerr and Absalom Little, after being duly sworn for that purpose, to enter upon and proceed to appraise all and singular the personal estate of Francis McGuire, deceased, and to make due return thereof to the Executors.

My 4th great-grandparents are Mary Jane “Jane” McGuire (daughter of Francis Marion “Frank” McGuire and Elizabeth Barnes) and Rev. John M. Doty.

Rev. John M. Doty was the son of Samuel Doty and Mary Ann “Polly” Lamb. My Doty line goes all the way back to Mayflower Pilgrim Edward Doty. Our line is accepted by the Mayflower Society.

Rev. John M. Doughty/Doty was a minister in the Primitive Baptist faith. See my blog post: My Quaker Lamb and Moore Ancestors in Virginia and North Carolina. Later Doty/Doughty Primitive Baptists in Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. for more information about him and related family.

To learn more about our ancestor Mayflower Pilgrim Edward Doty see my blog post: My Contentious and Quarrelsome Mayflower Pilgrim Ancestor Edward Doty.

Children of Rev. John M. Doty/Doughty and Mary Jane “Jane’ McGuire:

1. Featherstone Doughty born 2 May 1818 in Indiana and died 29 Aug 1877 in Missouri. He married Charity Gooden, daughter of Lewis Gooden (Goodwin) and Lydia Watts.
2. Maguire/McGuire Doughty born 9 Jul 1820 in Indiana and died 1843-1845 in Arkansas. He married Mary Ann Gooden, daughter of Lewis Gooden (Goodwin) and Lydia Watts. (My direct ancestors).
3. John Montgomery Doughty born 6 Apr 1822 in Green, Grant County, Indiana, and died 25 Dec 1865 in Casey, Clark County, Illinois. He married first to Mahala J. Moore; he married second to Armetta A. Howe.
4. Elizabeth Matilda Doughty born 28 Aug 1824 in Greene County, Indiana, and died 12 May 1904 in Bourbon County, Kansas. She was left a widow three times. She married first to Samuel Deverell, second to Thomas Jefferson Rose, third to Earl O’Neill, fourth to Isaac Shively.
5. Samuel Doughty born 5 Oct 1826 in Indiana. He married Cynthia A. Parker.
6. Francis Marion “Frank” Doughty born 12 Mar 1830 in Greene County, Indiana, and died 27 May 1909 in Demar, Clinton County, Iowa. He married Sarah Elizabeth Davis.
7. Percilla / Pernelia P. Doty born Oct 1830 in Indiana, and died 11 Jul 1903 in Jasper, Missouri. She married John A. Lamb (he and Percilla were Lamb 2nd cousins).
8. Mary Ann “Polly” Doughty born 29 Apr 1832 in Morgan County, Indiana, and died after 1915 in Cumberland County, Illinois. She married Western Humphrey.
9. Prudence Jane Doughty born 7 Mar 1834 in Clark County, Illinois, and died 6 Nov 1900 in Parsons, Labette County, Kansas. She married John H. Myers.
10. Jonathan Jones Doughty born Apr 1836 in Casey, Clark County, Illinois, and died 18 Apr 1913 in Clinton, Vermillion County, Indiana. He married Mary Jane Crane.
11. James Preston Doughty born 23 Apr 1840 in Cumberland, Clark County, Illinois, and died 17 May 1919 in Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, New Mexico. He marries first to Martha Ann Ellis, and second to Mariah Caroline Ellis.
12. Daniel Stanley Doughty born 31 Jan 1842 in Casey, Cumberland County, Illinois, and died 24 Mar 1905 Alto Pass, Union County, Illinois. He marries Lucina A. Burr.
13. Joseph Jeptha Doty/Doughty born 26 Jun 1844 in Clark County, Illinois.

Rev. John M. Doty/Doughty and second wife Mary Alice Bartlett had one child:

1. Lester Loran Doughty born 6 Feb 1879 in Casey, Clark County, Illinois, and died 19 Jul 1952 in Houston, Harris County, Texas. He married first to Nora Dell Huey, and second to Ethel May Frasier.

For information on my Gooden/Goodin/Goodwin, Watts, and Urquhart ancestors, see my blog post Urquhart – Some of my Scottish Ancestors. And Related English Watts and Goodwin/Gooden Lines.

My line continues with John Lewis Doughty, my 2nd great grandfather, the son of Maguire/McGuire Doughty and Mary Ann Gooden. He was born 11 Mar 1843 in Benton County, Arkansas and died 4 Dec 1911 in Quay, Payne County, Oklahoma. He married Cynthia Ann Barrett.

Cynthia Ann Barrett was the daughter of Aden Barrett and Nancy Anna Rogers. My Barrett lines go back to Virginia; Chester County, Pennsylvania; Maryland; and England. My Barrett and related Chambers ancestors were Quakers.

Famous kin descended from James McGuire; I was only able to discover one person, US Vice President JD Vance.

US Vice President JD Vance (born James Donald Bowman) is a descendant of James McGuire, via his son Archibald Dillard McGuire and wife Margaret “Peggy” Guyer. This link is found on his father’s side. JD Vance’s great-great-grandmother was Emily McGuire (she married Jacob “Jake’ Bowman).

References:

1. KY National Guard History The Battle of Blue Licks
2. Graceful Landing: Find the Heroes in Your Family!

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