Biography of james wilson marshall

American pioneer who discovered gold in California in

For other people named James W. Marshall, see James W. Marshall (disambiguation).

James Wilson Marshall (October 8, – August 10, ) was an American carpenter and sawmill operator, who on January 24, , reported the finding of gold at Coloma, California, a small settlement on the American River about 36 miles northeast of Sacramento.

His discovery was the impetus for the California Gold Rush.

Biography of james wilson marshall

The mill property was owned by Johann (John) Sutter who employed Marshall to build his mill. The wave of gold seekers turned everyone's attention away from the mill which eventually fell into disrepair and was never used as intended.

Neither Marshall nor Sutter ever profited from the gold find.^[1]

Biography

James Wilson Marshall, of English descent, was born to Philip Marshall and Sarah Wilson (married ) at the family homestead in Hopewell Township, New Jersey (then part of Hunterdon County, New Jersey,