Although not 100% proven at this time, the writer feels that the Guthrie family in this census is the correct one. The problem lies in that the child listed in the census is the right age but the wrong name. However, the writer feels that the child is Elzie Calhoun Guthrie. William and Emily (Draper) Guthrie, the subjects in the census did not have any known children. It is quite possible that William and Emily were merely taking care of a siblings child. By 1870, William and Emily Guthrie had moved to Grayson Co., TX.
The previous mentioned "Calvin Everett Guthrie" from the 1860 census is not listed. He probably had left home. But after an exhaustive search for a trace of Calvin, I have concluded that he either died or as most of us suspect he became Elzie Calhoun Guthrie. The family story is that Elzie went to work with John Moten. So he apparently was working for John by 1870. However, I have failed to locate John Moten on a census.
Based on this research, opinions of other researchers, and of just a "gut feeling," it is my opinion that Calvin and Elzie are the same person. What appears to have happened is that Elzie Calhoun Guthrie's mother had a child by a Guthrie man, most likely the brother to William Guthrie (husband of Emily Draper). We now suspect her name was Mary Calhoun, daughter of Elzie & Rachel Calhoun. Perhaps, she was unable to care for the child and left him with William and Emily to take care of. Later, she married Samuel Caldwell and had children (more on this family later). Samuel Caldwell and Mary had a son named Harper Caldwell.
Harper is a known half-brother to Elzie. This Harper Caldwell, who apparently used Guthrie and then Moten as last names, has an odd and unusual name and I feel confident that Harper Caldwell is the half-brother to Elzie Calhoun Guthrie.
In any event, more research is needed. I will continue to post my research on here regarding this family. And I welcome your comments.
