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I am looking for information on Joanna TYNAN born in Irland abt. 1815. She married Robert STODART in Newfoundland Canada Jan 19, 1838. This is her obit from 1875, Clearfield Co. PA. The brother mentioned, (the well-to-do merchant) was, I believe, John Tynan, a liquor merchant in St. John's, Newfoundland. I am in the process of obtaining a copy of his will, hoping it will name children, etc. This should be a movie:
Fifty years ago a happy Irish girl left the home of her parents in Ireland, to visit a well-to-do merchant in New Foundland. After a stormy voyage she found herself at the end of her journey. Her brother had married in the country of his adoption, a lady that took not kindly to our heroine.
In a few weeks, Joanna, for such was her name, wished herself back in the land of her fathers. In a short time more, the temper of her sister-in-law became such that anything else could be more easily borne; and so Joanna sought service with an acquaintance in the province of New Brunswick. She remained with her friend some considerable time, trying to accumulate money enough to carry her back to Ireland. While here she made the acquaintance of a young countryman, a prosperous log jobber, named John Flynn. Many a kind word did he have for the lone Irish girl. A friendship was formed that lasted a life time.
The love of kindred is very strong in the hearts of Erin’s children, and Joanna longed to see her parents once more; but despairing of ever getting money enough to go back to the old country, she sought the home of her brother. So she went back again to New Foundland and remained in the same town with him. One day, a sturdy scotchman, Robert Stodart asked Joanna to become his wife. She nothing loath, consented, and they were married. Shortly afterward, they went home to Scotland, on the way visiting the old homestead in Ireland. Her husband had made some money in the new world, and, in partnership with a cousin, started a fine store in Edinburgh. Everything prospered with them for a while and they were rapidly getting rich, when in an evil day, the partner absconded, taking with him all the funds that could be collected. It was a sore blow to Robert and his young wife. Disposing of their remaining effects, they once more turned their faces to America. If the first voyage of Joanna was a stormy one, this was much more so, for, when near their journey’s end, they were wrecked off the coast, and their worldly goods went to the bottom of the sea. Fortunately, their lives, and those of their children, were saved. After many hardships they found themselves in their old home in New Foundland. But times were changed and they found it difficult to provide for the family that was growing up around them.
Robert Stodart had a married sister then living (in fact is yet) in Jordan township in this county. Thinking to better his condition, he came to Clearfield county, leaving his wife and six children behind him. Joanna, the wife and mother, then had hard work to find bread for her little ones, and as though the fates were fighting against her, five of her children took the small pox at one time. Happily, they all recovered except one. The husband having got together a little money sent it to his wife asking her to come to Clearfield; and what a journey it was for a woman with five small children. About twenty-four years ago she landed in Jordan township. Two years after her husband was killed in a land slide, and the widow was left to struggle on with two more children added to the family. But her boys became men. One of them, Robert, for a time was editor of the “Tyrone Herald.” Becoming tired, or disgusted with the tripod, he enlisted and went west to fight the Indians, and has not been heard of since. Thomas, James, and John fought in the late war on the side of the North and their bones are laid in soldiers’ graves. For the lives of her four sons, the United States gave her, as a pension, a pittance of eight dollars per month.
After various vicisitudes, Mother Stodart found a home in Janesville, in this county. And here, also, after many changes of fortune lives the friend of her early youth, John Flynn. On Monday, the 13th of December, Mother Stodart received the quarterly installment of her pension, and in the afternoon went around paying several small bills that she owed. That night she complained of being unwell, and, on Tuesday morning not being better, her youngest son called in a doctor who prescribed for her. After taking her medicine, she turned on her side as though she would go to sleep. Soon after her son, on going to the bed, found that his mother was no longer of earth. She was dead! Our little community was very much shocked when they learned how suddenly the vital spark had fled.
She was a kind neighbor, a true friend, and an affectionate mother. Let us hope that, after “lifes fitful dream, she sleeps well,” and that her troubles are ended.
Requisent in pace. McK.
Guelich township, Dec., 20th, 1875
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