William E. Moultrie

FIRST WHITE CHILD - BORN WITHIN WALLS OF SANTA CLARA MISSION IN '47 - WM. MOUTREY PASSES SAN JOSE, Aug. 7 - William E. Moutrey, who claimed title to being the first child born of American parents in California, died yesterday at the home of his mother, Mrs. Mary Moutrey, at 54 East street. His father, the late Riley S. Moutrey, who headed the Donner Rescue Party in the winter of 1846-47, died in this city less than a year ago.

William E. Moutrey's advent into the world was under rather stirring circumstances. His parents, who had endured the hardship of a trip across the plains from St. Joseph, Mo., and a winter on scant rations after reaching California, had come from Sutter's Fork, in Sacramento county, to Alviso by boat, and had settled near the old Spanish Mission at Santa Clara. They had been there but a short time when the Mexican war broke out here, and fighting was going on near the Mission. The Padres opened the doors to all who sought shelter, and for several months housed and cared for all who would accept their hospitality.

Among those who fled in terror to the Mission were Mr. and Mrs. Moutrey, and it was within the walls of the old Mission, on October 14, 1847, that a child was born to this sturdy pioneer family. As soon as the hostilities had ceased, the refugees left the shelter of the Mission and began to look after their crops and stock.

The Moutrey family settled on a parcel of land a short distance west of the Mission, and made that their home for many years. In more recent years the father and mother and son took up their residence near Saratoga. Five years ago the family moved to San Jose.

The mother, who is 81 years of age, and six sisters survive Mr. Moutrey. The latter are: Mrs. Satira Adams of San Francisco, Mrs. Hugh McDonald of Saratoga, Mrs. J.C. Sinclair of Imperial Valley, Mrs. L. Lundy of Berryessa, Mrs. J.T. Lewis of San Jose, and Mrs. Dolly Harlow of Spokane.

The funeral service will be held at the home, on St. Mary's street, at 10 o'clock Tuesday morning. The burial will be at Saratoga.

San Luis Obispo Daily Telegram - August 8, 1911

FIRST AMERICAN NATIVE SON DIES William E. Moultrey Born at Santa Clara Mission During Mexican Warfare

SAN JOSE, Aug. 6 - William E. Moultrey, son of the late Riley S. Moultrey, who headed the Donner relief expedition in the winter of 1846, and who is said to have been the first child of purely American parentage born in this state, died today at the home of his mother, 54 St. Mary street, this city.

William E. Moultrey was born at the Santa Clara Mission at that time on account of extensive fight with Mexicans in this valley. Riley Moultrie returned to the east and was married at St. Joseph, Mo., and came back to California in 1847 with a party of venturesome people.

San Francisco Call - August 7, 1911

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Aug 12 2018, 23:01:35 UTC