He was born in 1839/43, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, perhaps to Henry and Elizabeth Moothart. [sources: date: 5 (21 in 1861), 6 (19 in 1861), 15 (7 in 1850), 16 (21 in 1862), 14 & 17 (39 in 1883), 20 (17 in 1860), 21 (36 in 1880). place: 15, 16, 17, 20, 21. parents: 15, 20]
In 1850, he was living in ward 5, Northern Liberties, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with Henry and Elizabeth Moothart (presumably his parents), and with William, Charles, George, and Elizabeth (presumably siblings). He had attended school within the year. [source: 15]
In 1851, his father, Henry Moothart, was living at 10 Brook Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 12]
In 1860, he was living in ward 13, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his (presumed) brother George and George's family, and his (presumed) mother Elizabeth. The census lists no occupation for him, but George was a chairmaker. [source: 20]
When he enlisted, he was a chairmaker, and was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: 5, 6; see also 16]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 7 inches, and had a dark complexion, gray eyes, and dark hair. [sources: 5, 6]
If he is the John A Moothart who enlisted in the Navy in September 1862, he was 5 feet 5-1/2 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, blue eyes, and black hair. [source: 16]
He enlisted and was mustered into service as a private on 16 November 1861. He was a private in company B. [sources: 1, 4 (14 Oct 61), 10-11]
In May 1862, he was tried by court martial. [source: 9]
He deserted. He returned to duty under the presidential proclamation. His return was recorded on 24 April 1863. [source: 3]
During this desertion, he may have enlisted in the Navy. At least, a John A Moothart enlisted as a Landsman in the Navy on 16 September 1862, at Washington, DC. He was a chairmaker, and had been born in Philadelphia. [source: 16]
He was detailed for duty in the brigade hospital on 9 September 1863. [sources: 2, 4]
In 1863, he was a chaircaner, living (with his brothers Charles, George, and William), at 872 Darien Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 12]
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 25 December 1863, at Bealton, Virginia. He was enlisted for three years by Lieutenant Carpenter, and mustered by Lieutenant Swan. [sources: 1, 5, 6 (26 Dec)]
He deserted on 1 March 1864. He was dropped from the rolls as a deserter on 3 July 1864. He was a private, in company B. [sources: 1, 6, 7, 10-11; see also 8]
Perhaps he is the John Moothart who was convicted of counterfeiting in August 1866.
... it appears that on the night of July 2d the accused called at the public house of Michael Maguire, Dillwyn and Willow streets, and left in the possession of the proprietor a box, which, upon examination, proved to contain the bogus plate and other matters incidental to the counterfeiting business. Mr. Maguire at once repaired to Alderman's office and lodged information. The services of two officers were secured, and after being secreted in the hotel until the afternoon of the 4th, arrested the defendants. Upon the person of Foster the officers found two hundred and seventy-seven counterfeit fifty cent notes, in an unfinished state, and a few counterfeit twenty-five cent notes.
On John Moothart was found a single twenty-five cent note, and six or seven dollars in good money. Charles Moothart was arrested almost immediately, at the adjoining house, but upon his person was found no money, either good or bad. Charles said that he had been robbed. John Moothart said that the box was intended for and belonged to a man in Blackberry alley
He was convicted, but Charles was acquitted. Perhaps Charles is the notorious horse thief, who had a brother William who was also a notorious horse thief. [sources: 13, 23]
In 1869, he was a caner, and was living at 872 Darien Street, with his brother George. [source: 12]
In 1873, he was a chairmaker at 876 North 9th Street, and was living with his brother George at 872 Darien Street. [source: 12]
Perhaps he is the John Moothart who was arrested by William Babe Jr on 8 November 1879 as 'a notorious horse thief'. [source: 22]
In 1880, he seems to have been living as a lodger at 631 Pine Street. He was a bartender. He was married, but not living with his wife. [source: 21]
On 3 December 1881, his wife, Kate, died, at 3d above Spruce, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She died of phthisis. On 6 December 1881, she was buried, in the family plot, in Odd Fellows' Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The funeral was held from George Moothart's residence, 872 Darien Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: 14, 18, 19]
On 12 February 1883, he died, at 872 Darien Street, ward 13, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He died of apoplexy. He was a salesman. On 15 February 1883, he was buried, in the family plot, in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: 14, 17]
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 special order 75, HQ 91st PA, 9 September 1863
3 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 24 April 1864 (Private Moothart)
4 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 10 September 1863 (Pri Moothert)
5 company B, [second] descriptive roll, entry 23 (John A Mootheart)
6 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 1 Jun 2004 (John A Mootheart; rolls have 'Moothhard')
7 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 3 July 1864 (Private Mootheart)
8 monthly return, company B, May 1864 (John A Mootheart)
9 National Archives Archival Research Catalog (accessed 24 July 2010) (John A Mootheart)
10 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John A Mootheart)
11 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John A Moothart)
12 Philadelphia city directories
13 'Legal intelligence', Philadelphia Inquirer Thursday 23 August 1866, page 2 (John Moothart)
14 Odd Fellows cemetery lot 553 record, in Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records (John Moothart)
15 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Northern Liberties, ward 5, microfilm series M432, film 811, page 320 verso = 134 handwritten (FamilySearch) (John Moothart)
16 US Naval enlistment rendezvous, microfilm series M1953, volume 22, page 413 (Jno A Mootheart)
17 death certificate, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, 12 February 1883 (John Moorhart)
18 death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer, 6 December 1881, page 4 (Kate wife of John Moorhart)
19 death certificate, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, 2 December 1881 (Catharine Moothart)
20 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 13, microfilm series M653, film 1163, page 757 recto = 337 handwritten (FamilySearch) (John Muithart)
21 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, enumeration district 103, microfilm series T9, film 1169, page 368 = 14 B handwritten FamilySearch) (John Moothart)
22 Howard O Sprogle, The Philadelphia police, past and present, pages 431-2 (John Moothart)
| line | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| Dwellings visited | [810] | ||||||
| Families visited | 922 | ||||||
| Name | Henry Moothart | Elizabeth | William | Charles | George | John | Elizabeth |
| Age | 49 | 44 | 24 | 21 | 19 | 7 | 22 |
| Sex | M | F | M | M | M | M | F |
| Color | |||||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Labourer | " " " | Shoemaker | " " " | |||
| Real estate owned | |||||||
| Birthplace | Pa | " | " | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | |||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | ||||||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | |||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 |
| Dwelling number | 2295 | ||||||
| Family number | 2465 | ||||||
| Name | George Muithart | Sarah do | Franklin do | Elizabeth do | George do | John do | Elizabeth do |
| Age | 27 | 25 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 17 | 52 |
| Sex | M | F | M | F | M | M | F |
| Color | |||||||
| Occupation | Chair Maker | ||||||
| Value of real estate owned | |||||||
| Value of personal estate | |||||||
| Place of birth | do [sc. Penna] | do | do | do | do | do | do |
| Married within year | |||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Cannot read & write | |||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 34 |
| street name | Pine Street |
| house number | [637] |
| dwelling visit # | [107] |
| family visit # | [127] |
| name | Moothart John |
| color | W |
| sex | M |
| age | 36 |
| month born if born in year | |
| relationship | lodger |
| single | |
| married | 1 |
| widowed/divorced | |
| married during year | |
| occupation | Bar Tender |
| months unemployed | |
| currently ill? | |
| blind | |
| deaf/dumb | |
| idiotic | |
| insane | |
| disabled | |
| school this year | |
| can't read | |
| can't write | |
| birthplace | Pa |
| father's birthplace | Pa |
| mother's birthplace | Pa |
The United States vs. Charles Moothart, John Moothart and James Foster. The defendents were indicted for having in their possession a plate for the printing of United States postage currency notes of the denomination of fifty cents, with and for the intent to use the same in counterfeiting United States currency, were [sic] being tried today.
From the evidence given, it appears that on the night of July 2d the accused called at the public house of Michael Maguire, Dillwyn and Willow streets, and left in the possession of the proprietor a box, which, upon examination, proved to contain the bogus plate and other matters incidental to the counterfeiting business. Mr. Maguire at once repaired to Alderman's office and lodged information. The services of two officers were secured, and after being secreted in the hotel until the afternoon of the 4th, arrested the defendants. Upon the person of Foster the officers found two hundred and seventy-seven counterfeit fifty cent notes, in an unfinished state, and a few counterfeit twenty-five cent notes.
On John Moothart was found a single twenty-five cent note, and six or seven dollars in good money. Charles Moothart was arrested almost immediately, at the adjoining house, but upon his person was found no money, either good or bad. Charles said that he had been robbed. John Moothart said that the box was intended for and belonged to a man in Blackberry alley.
John Mootheart and Jame Foster were convicted, and Charles Moothart acquitted.
Arrested.--Two companions of Moothart, the horse thief, were arrested on Friday evening by officer Seed, on the charge of receiving and selling the horse stolen by Moothart from the interior of Pennsylvania. They were each held by Major Gilpin in $1000 bail to await a further hearing.
['Caught again', Philadelphia Inquirer Monday 6 November 1854, page 1]Caught Again--An old offender, named Charles Moothart, was arrested on Saturday by Sergeant Westcott and officer Hopkins, for prowling about the market wagons in Second street. He was taken before Mayor Conrad and held in $1000 bail for a further hearing.
Accompany the Governor's message to the Legislature, published elsewhere in to-day's issue, was the annual report of the action of the Executive during the year 1870 in the matter of parson. Altogether sixty-two pardons were granted during the year, or five per cent of the number of applications, which reach 1240. In 1869 the number of pardons granted by Governor Geary was precisely the same.
...6. Charles Moothart. Philadelphia, May 13, 1867. Larceny. Three years in County Prison. Pardoned January 25. Recommended by William B. Mann, J. O. Galton, Thomas Ashton, Richard B. Ott, Robert S. Garison, David Banks, Henry L. Smith, George Carson, George Faber, Rev. Thomas Barry and others. Reasons:--Moothart, according to the certificate of the physician and superintendent of the prison, "is far advanced in consumption and cannot live through his term if confined in prison." Three months and eighteen days remitted. (Since reported dead.)
Sent to Delaware County.--William Moothart, the noted horse-thief, was yesterday arraigned for a further hearing. There being no additional evidence he was discharged, and then surrendered into the custody of a Delaware county officer, who had two warrants for his arrest. The prisoner was taken to Delaware county, where he is charged with the theft of horses.
Charles Moothart, whose sentence to the Eastern Penitentiary for a term of five years was recorded a day or two ago in our columns, is an old criminal, and is known to the police as one of the most expert horse thieves in the State. Mootheart had served four previous terms in the Eastern Penitentiary, and was liberated only last August, since which time he has been in the County Prison for a couple of brief terms. He has a brother William, who is now serving a twelve years' term at Norristown for the same offense, horse stealing, which seems to be the family weakness.
Beck, who was sentenced with Charles Moothart, is also an old affender, and has been in Cherry Hill before. Beck, however, does not appear to be as accomplished in the horse-stealing line as the Mootharts. He lacks their ingenuity and boldness of design, and consequently works "second fiddle" to these more "gifted" thieves.
House-Sergeant WILLIAM BABE, Jr., was born in Philadelphia, December 9, 1852. He was appointed by Major Stokley in July, 1875, and was promoted to house-sergeant in April, 1879; removed December 31, 185, by Mayor Smith, and reappointed in March, 1886, as a sub-officer. He was made a regular on September 11, 1886, and assigned to duty as sub-house-sergeant of the Twenty-third District. He was transferred to the Sixth District on January 4, 1887. On November 28, 1879, he arrested John Moothart, a notorious horse thief.
MOOTHART.--On the 3d inst., KATE, wife of John Moothart, aged twenty-eight years.
The funeral will take place from the residence of Mr. George Moothart, No. 872 Darien street, this afternoon, 6th inst., at 2 o'clock. To proceed to Odd Fellows' Cemetery.
| Number of Lot | NAME | AGE | CAUSE OF DEATH | Date of Interment | POSITION IN LOT | REMARKS |
| 553 | Elizabeth Muthart OR MOOTHART | 26 Years | Consumption | 1851 Nov. 16 | 1 gr 1 inter Nth | [stamped:]
REMOVED TO LAWNVIEW DIAMOND PROJECT LAWN SUSQUEHANNA SEC 33 GRAVES 8 DATE REMOVED 8-17-51 New Title Issued [blank] |
| Mary E " OR MOOTHART | 9 Months | Dropsy | 1852 Apr 1 | 1 " 2 " " | ||
| Pauline Saxton | 9 Months | Causes Unknown | " June 11 | 1 " 3 " " | ||
| William " | 4 Years | Scarlet fever | 1853 Aug 18 | 1 " 4 " " | ||
| Henry Moothart | 57 Years | Phthisis | 1858 Nov. 28 | 1 " [sc. inter] South | ||
| Franklin P. " | 13 Years | Spinal Meningitis | 1865 Jany 1 | 3 " Nth | ||
| Elizabeth " | 74 Years | Phthisis | 1873 May 25 | 1 " [illegible] | ||
| Kate " | 28 Years | " | 1881 Dec 6 | 2 " " | ||
| John " | 39 Years | Apoplexy | 1883 Feby 15 | 3 " " | ||
| Sarah " | 65 Years | Nephritis | 1902 Aug 13 | 3 " Nth | ||
| Geo. W. Moothart | 80 Years | [blank] | 1912 | South |