Coloma in El Dorado County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Monroe Family Homestead
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, January 21, 2023
1. Monroe Family Homestead Marker
Inscription.
Monroe Family Homestead. . The home of the pioneer Monroe family stood here for more than a century. The family matriarch, Nancy Gooch, came across the plains from Missouri as a slave in 1849. She gained her freedom in 1850 when California joined the Union as a “free” state. Later, she bought the freedom of her son, Andrew Monroe and his family, who joined her in Coloma., Begun as a cabin, the home was enlarged as the family grew. Andrew and his son Pearley raised fruit and other crops. Their 80 acres of land included the site of Sutter’s sawmill and the gold discovery site.
The home of the pioneer Monroe family stood here for more than a century. The family matriarch, Nancy Gooch, came across the plains from Missouri as a slave in 1849. She gained her freedom in 1850 when California joined the Union as a “free” state. Later, she bought the freedom of her son, Andrew Monroe and his family, who joined her in Coloma.
Begun as a cabin, the home was enlarged as the family grew. Andrew and his son Pearley raised fruit and other crops. Their 80 acres of land included the site of Sutter’s sawmill and the gold discovery site.
Erected 1993 by James W. Marshall Chapter #49, E Clampus Vitus.
Location. 38° 48.202′ N, 120° 53.743′ W. Marker is in Coloma, California, in El Dorado County. Marker can be reached from Highway 49. Marker is located within the boundaries of the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park on the Monroe Ridge Trail and can be reached by a short walk from the North Beach Parking Area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Coloma CA 95613, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The marker can be seen in the center, the well house on the left, and the trail leading up the hill as seen from the North Shore Parking area.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 29, 2009
5. Monroe Family Orchard
As seen from the marker.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 29, 2009
6. Monroe Orchard From Up The Trail
Photographed By California State Parks
7. Gooch-Monroe Family
Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 29, 2009
8. Located at the Coloma Pioneer Cemetery
GOOCH
Peter Dates Unknown..Nancy 1811 - 1901
MOTHER OF
Andrew 1846 - 1921...Sarah 18[] - 1937
CHILDREN
Pearley 1868 - 1963
Grant 1869 - 1943
Andrew 1872 - 1892
Cordelia 1875 - 1945
William 1877 - 1928
Garfield 1880 - 1920
James 1886 - 1988
IN LOVING MEMORY
Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,664 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on January 22, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on March 29, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.