Harry Stratton McGuire (abt. 1794 - bef. 1843)

Born about 1794 in Wythe County, Virginia

Ancestors

Died before 11 Sep 1843 before about age 49 in Floyd County, Kentucky

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Biography

Harry S. (Stratton?) McGuire was born about 1794 most likely in Wythe County, Virginia. He was the son of Cornelius McGuire and Esther Stratton. Cornelius moved his family to Floyd County, Kentucky around 1799. Harry was the namesake of his uncle, Harry Stratton.

Harry first appears in records in 1817, along with his mother and siblings, when the estate of his older brother, John McGuire, was settled. Harry's first civic appointment came in 1830, when he was named a Deputy Sheriff.

Harry married Diana K. Friend in 1837. She was the daughter of Charles W. Friend. Harry and Diana had two daughters; Cyntha and Minerva.

Harry appeared in property lists for Floyd Co. in 1837 and 1840-1843, without any land.

Harry was also named as Commissioner of Revenue for Floyd Co. in 1842 and he became a Constable in 1843.

Harry died, intestate, sometime between his appointment as Constable on 12 June 1843 and 11 September 1843. His father-in-law was named administrator of his estate. His widow, Diana, later remarried and left Floyd Co.

Harry's Wife

The marriage record we have clearly tells us that Harry married Diana K. Friend in 1837. The same records also tell us she was a daughter of Charles W. Friend. Diana was probably born about 1821, but the location is unclear. She was probably only 22 years old when Harry died. There is also a marriage record from 1846 in which Diana McGuire married Robert J. A. Harrison in Floyd Co. [Floyd County, Kentucky Marriage Records, 1840-1859, File # 1441-1914, (FHL Film 7747390, Image 56), 5 September 1846, File $1472]. They apparently moved to Greenup Co., KY by 1850 and appear there in the 1850 Census, with Diana's two McGuire children and several of Robert's. In 1860, the couple was living in Washington, DC, again with the same two McGuire children, now recorded with the Harrison surname. Some have reported that Robert Harrison died c1866 (Diana then about 47) but no detail has been located to explain whether Diana remarried for a third time or where she may have died. More research is needed before a satisfactory profile can be constructed for her.

Sources

• Floyd County, Kentucky Court Order Book, Volume A, p. 480 (FHL Film 8201204, Image 257); 22 October 1817, Esther McGuire, assignee of John Graham, Plt, against Solomon McGuire administrator of John McGuire, decd and Solomon McGuire, Polly Priest late Polly McGuire, Henry B. Mayo and Peggy his wife, late Peggy McGuire, George Martin and Levina Martin late Levina McGuire, Jesse McGuire, William McGuire, Jenny McGuire, Whitten McGuire and Harry Stratton McGuire, heirs at law of John McGuire, decd, Defendants; This day came the plaintiff by her attorney and on motion Henry B. Mayo is appointed special guardian for Jesse McGuire, William McGuire, Jenny McGuire, Whitten McGuire and Harry S. McGuire the infant defendants herein and the defendants tho solemnly called came not. Therefore on motion it is considered by the court that the plaintiff recover of the defendants the sum of $75, the debt in the declaration mentioned with legal interest thereon to be computed after the rate of 6% per annum from the 20th November 1816 to be levied of the Assets in the hands of the said Solomon McGuire, administrator of the estate of the said John McGuire, decd, and of the estate of Solomon McGuire, Henry B. Mayo and Peggy his wife late Peggy McGuire, Polly Priest late Polly McGuire, George Martin and Levis his wife late Levisa McGuire, Jesse McGuire, William McGuire, Whitten McGuire and Harry S. McGuire, which came to them by descent as heirs at law of the said John McGuire, decd, together with her costs by her about her suit herein expended and the said defendants may be taken &c.

• Floyd County, Kentucky Deed Book A, p. 519 (FHL Film 7902338, Image 532) – Typescript; 10 March 1818, Wilson Mayo, Deputy Sheriff, for Robert Haws, Sheriff, to Esther McGuire, whereas an execution issued in favor of Esther McGuire against the estate of Solomon McGuire, administrator of John McGuire, deceased, and also the estate of Solomon McGuire, Mary Pruit (late Mary McGuire), Henry B. Mayo and Peggy his wife (late Peggy McGuire), George Martin and Levina his wife (late Levina McGuire), Jesse McGuire, William McGuire, Whitten McGuire, Jane McGuire and Harry S. McGuire, which came to them by descent as heirs at law of the said John McGuire, the execution being levied on 180 acres of land late the property of John McGuire, deceased, on John’s Creek adjoining where Thomas Matthews lived 4 May 1816, Buffalo Creek. Land purchased at public auction.

• 1820 Federal Census, Harry S. McGuire not found.

• 1830 Federal Census, Harry S. McGuire not found.

• Floyd County, Kentucky Court Order Book 5, p. 8 (FHL Film 7842279, Image 556); 21 June 1830, On the motion of Thomas Graham, Sheriff of this County, ordered George F. Hatcher, David Allen, Mathew Adams, John Ramey and Harry S. McGuire be sworn as deputies under him according to law.

• Floyd County, Kentucky Court Order Book 6, p. 146 (FHL Film 8569427, Image 80); 10 July 1837, On the motion of Ichabod McBrayer, Sheriff of this County, Joseph Gearhart Sr., Morgan ___, Harry S. McGuire and Linsy Layne are admitted as his deputies according to law for the purpose of attending Election Precincts in the County.

• Floyd County, Kentucky Marriage Records, 1817-1849 (File #657-1440), FHL Film 7747389; File # 1186, Image 662, 24 August 1837 (Marriage), Harry S. McGuire and Diana K. Friend.

• Floyd County, Kentucky Marriage Records, 1817-1849, File # 657-1440 (FHL Film 7747389, Image 662 and 663); 24 August 1837, File # 1186, I, Philip Strother a minister of the Gospel in the M. E. Church do hereby certify that on the 24th of August 1837 I joined in Marriage the within Harry S. McGuire and Diana Friend. Signed: Philip Strother; 24 August 1837, Marriage License issued by Jacob Mayo, Clerk of Floyd County, and certified that “the oral consent of Charles W. Friend, the father of the said Diana K. Friend is given authorizing me to issue this license”. Signed: Jacob Mayo, CFCC.

• Floyd County, Kentucky Court Order Book D, p. 423 (FHL Film 8686058, Image 238); 14 May 1838, Kelsey N. Harris, Plaintiff, against Harry S. McGuire, Defendant; In Debt; This day came the plaintiff by his attorney and the defendant having been duly served with process being solemnly called came not nor is defense made. It is therefore considered by the court that the plaintiff recover of the defendant the sum of $109, the debt in the declaration mentioned with interest thereon after the rate of 6% per annum from the 19th day of February 18137 till paid together with his cost about his suit herein expended.

• Floyd County, Kentucky Court Order Book 6, p. 278 (FHL Film 8569427, Image 146); 11 February 1839, On the motion of James W. Turner prays an alteration in the road around his farm, ordered John Crider, Harry S. McGuire, Ayres Vaughn and John Fraley make report…

• Floyd County, Kentucky Court Order Book E, p. 194 (FHL Film 8686068, Image 371); 14 November 1839, Henry B. Mayo, Plaintiff, against Harry S. McGuire, Defendant; In a pursuit; This came the parties aforesaid by their attornies and the defendant produced and filed his 1st and 2nd pleas the Plaintiff his Joinder to the 1st and his replication to his 2nd plea and the plea of set off is withdrawn and thereupon came a jury, which found for the Plaintiff in the amount of $188.64.

• 1840 Federal Census, Floyd County, Kentucky; Harry McGuire, 1 male <5, 1 male 20-29, 1 male 30-39, 1 female 20-29.

• Floyd County, Kentucky Tax Books, 1793, 1837, 1840-1860 (FHL Film 7834431); Harry S. McGuire is recorded on the lists for 1837 and 1840-1843 with no land. Lists for 1838-1839 are missing.

• Floyd County, Kentucky Court Order Book 6, p. 475 (FHL Film 8569427, Image 248); 8 March 1841, On the motion of John Crider prays an alteration in the road around his farm, ordered that James Walker, Harry S. McGuire, William McGuire and Ayres Vaughn make report…

• Floyd County, Kentucky Court Order Book 6, p. 476 (FHL Film 8569427, Image 249); 8 March 1841, On the motion of William Witten prays an alteration in the road around his farm, ordered James Walker, John Crider, Harry S. McGuire and Ayres Vaughn make report…

• Floyd County, Kentucky Court Order Book 7, p. 35 (FHL Film 8569427, Image 307); 10 January 1842, Harry S. McGuire is appointed Commissioner of Revenue in Floyd County for 1842 in the Upper District with James P. Harris and Samuel K. Friend his securities…

• Floyd County, Kentucky Court Order Book 7, p. 73 (FHL Film 8569427, Image 326); 13 June 1842, Harry S. McGuire, Commissioner of the Revenue in the Upper District in this County for 1842 produced his Commissioner’s book and allowed $47.52…

• Floyd County, Kentucky Court Order Book 7, p. 74 (FHL Film 8569427, Image 327); 13 June 1842, On the motion of Solomon C. Stratton, Sheriff of this County, John Gearhart Sr. and Harry S. McGuire are admitted and sworn as his deputies according to law…

• Floyd County, Kentucky Court Order Book 7, p. 155 (FHL Film 8569427, Image 367); 12 June 1843, Harry S. McGuire appointed Constable of this County in the 10th District with Samuel P. Davidson, Charles W. Friend, Solomon C. Stratton, Jeremiah Patrick and John B. Harris his securities…

• Floyd County, Kentucky Court Order Book 7, p. 174 (FHL Film 8569427, Image 377); 11 September 1843, On the motion of Charles W. Friend leave is granted him to obtain letters of administration of the estate of Harry S. McGuire deceased, who together with John P. Martin his security entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of $300 conditioned according to law and the said Charles W. Friend took the oath according to law. Note: Charles W. Friend was Harry's father-in-law.

• Floyd County, Kentucky Court Order Book 7, p. 174 (FHL Film 8569427, Image 377); 11 September 1843, On the motion of Charles W. Friend, administrator of the estate of Harry S. McGuire, it is ordered that John Crider, William Crider, Adam Sitzer and Ayres Vaughn or any three of them after being first duly sworn do appraise the personal estate of said decedent in gold and silver and make report according to law.

• Floyd County, Kentucky Court Order Book 7, p. 174 (FHL Film 8569427, Image 377); 11 September 1843, Burwell Vaughn is appointed Constable of this County in the 10th District in place of Harry S. McGuire, deceased…

• Floyd County, Kentucky Court Order Book F, p. 121 (FHL Film 8686069, Image 73); 23 November 1843, The Commonwealth of Kentucky for the use of Witten McGuire, Plaintiff, against Harry S. McGuire and others, Defendants, this day came the defendant Henry C. Harris and produced his demurrer 1st and 2nd pleas herein the 1st being sworn to by him which are ordered to be filed. Note: Harry S. McGuire was dead by this date. His co-defendants were named as Henry C. Harris, Harry Stratton and Samuel K. Friend on 23 April 1845. The case was dismissed 24 April 1845, by consent of the parties and the cause submitted to Hugh Harkins for mediation. See also OB F, pp. 285, 287 and 300.