Jacob Bennett, brother of Ann Bennett McGuffie, is the great, great, grandfather of Andy Cockroft, who is seeking information about members of this McGuffie family.

Andy has submitted a letter written April 11, 1885 by Mary McGuffie in Board Tree, Marshall County, West Virginia, to her uncle in Richland County, Wisconsin.

The family came from Scotland and settled in Washington County, Pennsylvania. Many of them came to Richland County, Wisconsin but the McGuffies moved to "Board Tree" Marshall County, West Virginia between 1865 and 1870. The family is not found in any 1860 census.

The children of Archibald & Ann Bennett McGuffie:

1.) Annie Jane McGuffie.....b. 1851 PA
2.) Elizabeth McGuffie.....b. 1853 PA
3.) Archibald McGuffie.....b. Dec 12, 1854 PA
4.) Mary McGuffie..... b. Nov 1855 PA
5.) John McGuffie..... b. Aug 1857 PA
6.) Agnes McGuffie..... b. Mar 1860 PA
7.) Isabella McGuffie.....b. 1862 in PA
8.) James McGuffie.....b. 1863 in PA
9.) Mollie McGuffie.....b. 1865 in PA

LETTER FROM MARY McGUFFIE to ROBERT BENNETT, her uncle:

Board Tree,
Marshall County,
West Virginia

April 11th, 1885

Mr. Robert Bennett

Dear Uncle,

It is now ten years since I received a letter from you. I found the letter today and mother has been wanting me to write for some time. We are all well at present and hope this will find you all enjoying good health. Annie Jane is living in Missouri, Lida lives in Canonsburg, (Pennsylvania). Arch is married and lives on the place. Agnes is a widow, her and Arch was both married five years ago and Agnes's man has been dead two years. She is at home and all the rest are at home, three girls and two boys - Bell, Mollie, John, and James.

This has been the hardest winter I ever saw and it is still lingering. The ground was covered with snow this morning, but is all gone now. If the weather is any colder up there than it is here, it is a wonder you can live. But I expect you are used to it. Is any of your children married? Is uncle John (Robert's brother) married yet? Uncle John McGuffey lives in Washington and is a butcher. I suppose you know him tell me about uncle John and Jacob and George. And Aunt Henrietta tell me about all my cousins and Aunts and Uncles.

Arch has three children, Agnes has one, Lida has five living and three dead and Annie Jean has seven living and one dead. You must excuse this short letter and write just as soon as you get it and I will write and tell you all the news. I cannot think of any more to say. Give my love to all and tell all of them to write me and I will answer them. Tell Aunt Henrietta that Mrs. Willison was asking about her, it is a good while ago though now. I do want you to write right away, if you don't, get someone else to write.

This letter is so mixed up you will hardly get any sense out of it. Oh yes, what kind of schools have you out there? We have only four months of school here in the year. Have you free schools and how many months in the year?

I will close this time hoping to hear from you soon. Your niece,

Mary McGuffie

CENSUS INFORMATION:

1850 Census, Washington County, Pennsylvania:

Archibald McGuffey..... 26..... Scotland..... (illegible)..... Chartier
Anna ..... 23 ..... Scotland
Robert Bennett..... 26..... Scotland..... Farmer..... Canton
Agnes..... 25..... Scotland
Margarett..... 2 mo..... PA

1860 Census - Archibald McGuffey not found in Pennsylvania or West Virginia.

1870 Census, Marshall County, West Virginia

Archibald McGuffey..... 47..... Scotland..... Farmer..... Liberty
Ann ..... 45..... Scotland..... Keeping House
Elizabeth..... 17..... PA
Archibald.....15.....PA
John..... 12..... PA
Agnes..... 8..... PA
James..... 5..... PA
Ellen..... 3 ..... PA

1880 Census, Marshall County, West Virginia

Archibald McGuffie..... 56..... Scotland..... Farmer..... Liberty
Annie (wife)..... 53..... Scotland..... keeping House
Mary (dau)..... 24 ..... PA..... at home
John (son)..... 22.....PA..... works on farm
Agnes (boarder)..... 20.....PA.....boarder
Isabella (dau)..... 18..... PA...... at home
James (son)..... 17.....PA.... works on farm
Allie (dau).....15.....same ..... at home
Agnes Halleran (boarder)..... 5..... same

1900 Census, Marshall County, West Virginia

Archie McGuffy..... 76....... Oct 1823..... Landlord.....Liberty
Anna (wife)..... 73..... Dec 1826
Mary (dau) (single)..... 44..... Nov 1855
John (son) (single).....42 ..... Aug 1857
Agnes Rinehart (dau/widow)..... 40..... Mar 1860
Arche (grandson)..... 18..... Nov 1881

* immigration year listed as 1849
* Anna is a mother of ten and has nine living

1910 Census, Marshall County, West Virginia

Mary M. McGuffie (single)..... 54..... Head of household..... Liberty Township
Agnes Rinehart (sister/widow)..... 50
Archie M. Holleran (nephew/single)..... 29