Francis Doud (January 20, 1820 – December 3, 1910) was a California pioneer of 1849, a veteran soldier of the Mexican–American War, who enlisted in the army "to fight the Indians".

[5] Doud left his homeland at age sixteen (1935) and emigrated to New York City, where he briefly visited relatives.

[6] In 1838, Doud enlisted in the United States Army with the mission to fight the Native American peoples.

[3] As the Mexican War drew to a close and the United States Army took control of Monterey, Doud left New York on January 26, 1849, and traveled with his wife, Anna, and their son Francis Jr., six months aboard the steamer Orpheus.

[1] During the California Constitution Convention held at Colton Hall in Monterey from August 10 to September 30, 1849, Doud took on the responsibilities of both orderly and messenger.

By June 1850, he had returned to Monterey, where he purchased real estate from the former Mexican War officer, Major Edward S. Canby, for $400 (equivalent to $14,650 in 2023).

In August 1891, he purchased 5,000 acres (2,000 ha) of the Rancho San José y Sur Chiquito property along the seacoast south of Monterey from Josefa Alvardo de Escobar for $1,000 (equivalent to $33,911 in 2023).

"[2] The Online Archive of California contains the collection known as the Francis Doud Papers that comprises various records spanning the years 1847 to 1919, a significant number of which are accompanied by typewritten duplicates.

[7] The Monterey Chamber of Commerce said this about the death of Doud: "Whereas, We have heard with profound sorrow of the death of Francis Doud, a respected citizen of this city and an esteemed member of this organization; therefore be it Resolved, that he business of the Monterey Chamber of Commerce be now suspended, that opportunity may be given for tribute to the memory of the late Francis Doud and as a particular mark of respect to his memory and in recognition of his many sacrifices for this county, his family and the community in which he lived...