Background
James Wilson Marshall of English descent, was born to Philip Marshall and Sarah Wilson in Hope Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey on October 8, 1810.
James Wilson Marshall of English descent, was born to Philip Marshall and Sarah Wilson in Hope Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey on October 8, 1810.
He went west in 1845 and settled near Sutter's Fort, the site of the present city of Sacramento, Calif. While working for Captain John A. Sutter, superintending construction of a sawmill on the south fork of the American River at Coloma, Eldorado County, Calif. , Marshall discovered gold on Jan. 24, 1848. Despite an attempt to keep the discovery secret, the news became known, and the gold rush to California was soon under way. To Marshall himself the discovery brought little but misfortune. His claims were swept aside by gold seekers, his cabin was burned, and his property stolen. He spent the last years of his life working as a gardener in Coloma County.
