David Bownman Stoddart (1803 - 1851)
David Bowman Stoddart was born abt 1803 most likely in Inveresk, Midlothian. He was to Christina Smith and David Bowman Stoddart. We are unable to find baptismal records for Janet, nor can we find any references in Kirk Session, however there are Sheriff Court Paternity Case Records - one in 1830 and one in 1834 between Christian Smith of Macmerry and David Stoddart/Stodhart, Collier, Blindwells, the child is not named in these documents, and subsequent marriage and census records her age would imply that her DOB is 1831, but we believe that the 1829 date is correct. Interestingly on Janets marriage certificate her father is recorded as David Stoddart (overseer of mines), but on her death certificate it is John Stoddart.
, where as it is John (miner) on her death certificate . There are a two potential candidates for Janets father, they are:
David Bowman Stoddard - he was born in 1803 the son of John Bowman Stoddard and Martha Miller. We know from the 1841 census records that he was a coal miner - living in Inveresk, Midlothian. We are unsure as to his location around the time of Janets birth, but we do know that he married Violet Hood in May 1831. He also found the Mormon Religion and moved the family to the US in 1849 - again first to St Louis Missouri and then on across the Plains to Utah where he died at Cedar Creek in 1851
John Miller Stoddard - he was born in 1795 the son of John Bowman Stoddard and Martha Miller. We know from the 1841 census records that he was a coal miner - living in Newbattle, Midlothian at that point, but a family historian notes that he was working at Penston around 1834. It should be noted that he was married at this time - to Janet Kerr - had they had 7 living children. He later - sometime around 1844 - found the Mormon Religion the family moved the US in 1848 - first to St Louis Missouri Iand then on across the Plains to Utah in 1851 where he died at Cedar Creek in 1854