Submitted
on 11 Dec 1999 by Len Slovensky
Old
settlers of Crawford County
October 2,
1884 - James H. Moutray was born in
Orange County, North Carolina, and
when eighteen years old first started
for the west. When he reached
Kentucky on the way, he found an
Indian war in progress. He
enlisted in an army company and that
was being raised to fight in the
uprising. After his discharge he
came to St. Charles, Missouri
Territory, reaching there in
1810. Soon after, he came to the
lead mines in Washington County and
worked a year for John Smith T, the
famed duelest and lead miner.
He next
worked for William H. Ashley on Brazil
Creek, near what would later be
Anthonies Mill. Ashley, of
course, was the famed fur trader,
explorer, legislator and lead
miner. During the War of 1812
Mr. Moutray joined a company of
militia that was formed to quell an
Indian uprising in the Missouri
territory. When the company was
disbanded, Mr. Moutray came back to
Washington County and married Miss
Polly Higginbotham. He settled
on Brazil Creek in 1816 and followed
the trade of gunsmith, working with
the Delaware and Shawnee
Indians. After several years on
Brazil Creek he moved to Jefferson
County where he lived until 1839; he
then moved to Crawford County and
settled two miles below present day
Berryman.
His
parents, two brothers and sister came
to Crawford County in 1820. His
brother Larkin married Miss Susan Hyde
a few years after coming to
Missouri. They lived between
Hinch Creek and the Harrison
Cemetery. His sister Patsy
married David Greenlee; George, the
other brother, married a Miss Woods.
James H.
and Polly Moutray raised a family of
five boys and seven girls. Of
the boys there are two now living;
William A. in Crawford County and
Septon R. in Santa Clara,
California. Four of the girls
are living; Miss Mary, Mrs. Elba
Blaunt, Mrs. Melzena Trask and Mrs.
Joanna Farrar, all of Crawford County.
James H.
Moutray died January 13, 1864.
His wife, Polly, died November 22,
1879. They are buried in the
Berryman Cemetery.
