Nathaniel Pryor (Los Angeles pioneer) facts for kids

Nathaniel Pryor was an American who lived a fascinating life in early California. He was captured in Mexico but later became an important citizen of Los Angeles. He was also known as Nathaniel Miguel Pryor or Miguel Pryor. He passed away around 1849 or 1850.

Early Life and Family

Nathaniel Pryor was born around 1806 in Kentucky, USA. He later moved to California, which was part of Mexico at the time.

In 1838, he married Maria Teresa Sepulveda at Mission San Gabriel. Her family, the Sepulvedas, were well-known in California. They owned a lot of land and were important figures in the region's history.

Captured in Mexico

Nathaniel Pryor first arrived in California in March 1828. He was part of a group of Americans on a fur trapping trip. However, they were captured by the Spanish authorities and taken to a prison in San Diego.

Some of his companions included Syvester Pattie and his son James O. Pattie. James O. Pattie wrote to John Coffin Jones, an American official, asking for help to free them.

Life in Los Angeles

After his release, Nathaniel Pryor settled in Los Angeles. He had a son named Juan, who was baptized in 1837.

He later had two more sons with Maria Teresa Sepulveda: Pablo and Manuel. Sadly, Manuel died shortly after birth in 1840.

Defending Los Angeles

Nathaniel Pryor, also known as Miguel Pryor, played a role in the defense of Los Angeles in 1846. This was during the Mexican–American War. Newspapers at the time reported that the people of Los Angeles met to remove American soldiers who had taken control of California.

To stop the fighting, both sides agreed to meet. Nathaniel Pryor represented the people of Los Angeles in these important discussions.

Later Marriages and Children

Pryor married again in 1848. His new wife was Maria Felipe Paula Romero. They were married at the Plaza Church in Los Angeles. Together, they had two more children: Joaquina and Nathaniel Juan.

Stephen C. Foster, who later became a mayor of Los Angeles, wrote about meeting Nathaniel Pryor around 1849. Foster published his memories in 1884, sharing stories of the early pioneers of Los Angeles.