Do You Know Me ?

Who am I:

- I was born October 8, 1810 in Round Mountain, NJ.
- I was a carpenter by trade.
- I fought in the battle of the Bear Flag Revolt in the Mexican-American War in 1846.
- I went into a partnership with John Sutter and built a sawmill on the American River in Coloma, CA in 1847-8.
- I discovered gold on January 24, 1848 during construction of the sawmill.
- After the discovery of gold, all my workers deserted me and I lost title to my land and I was forced to leave the area.
- My gold strike at Sutter's Mill started the famous California Gold Strike of 1849. I never profited from my find and eventually retired to a small cabin penniless.
- I died on August 10, 1885 in Kelsey, CA.
- In May 1890, a statue was erected on my gravesight pointing to the spot of where gold was discovered.
- Yes--- I was the man who started the California Gold Rush--- the first miner 49er.
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-James Wilson Marshall