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.
