James Stephens Brown (July 4, 1828 – March 25, 1902[1]) was a notable participant in the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in California.

[2][3][4][5][6] He was also a member of the Mormon Battalion,[7][8] a missionary,[9] notable writer and speaker,[10] and a prolific husband and father[11] James Stephens Brown was born July 4, 1828, in Davidson County, North Carolina, to Daniel Brown and Elizabeth Stephens.

After arriving in Winter Quarters on the Missouri river, he enlisted in the Mormon Battalion as a private.

To earn money to get to Salt Lake City, he and other members of the Battalion, including his uncle Captain James Brown and his cousin Jesse Sowell Brown, found employment with John Sutter who owned a mill.

In 1898 he was invited to be a guest of honor at the 50th anniversary of the discovery of gold in California celebrations.