Reuben Samuel
Encyclopedia
Dr.
Reuben Samuel (January 12, 1828 – March 1, 1908) was the stepfather of the American
outlaw
s Frank
and Jesse James
.
The third husband of Frank and Jesse's mother, Zerelda
Reuben, was the son of Fielding and Louisa Samuel, and was 27 years old when he married Zerelda on September 25, 1855. He was described as a "quiet, passive man". He left behind the medical profession upon marrying Zerelda and moved onto a farm, raised tobacco, and supposedly acquired a total of seven slaves by 1860. He took on Zerelda's three living children, Frank, Jesse, and Susan, as well as having four more with Zerelda:
In addition to those seven, one Perry Samuel
was born to a former slave of the Doctor's in 1866. While it was never known who the biological father was, some believe it was Dr. Samuel.
Then came the Civil War. Militiamen searching for Frank James
(who had joined the South) raided the Samuel farm, and briefly (though not fatally) hanged Dr. Samuel, torturing him to reveal the location of the guerrillas. Shortly afterward, Frank joined Quantrill's band in the August 21, 1863 Lawrence Massacre.
Doctor (title)
Doctor, as a title, originates from the Latin word of the same spelling and meaning. The word is originally an agentive noun of the Latin verb docēre . It has been used as an honored academic title for over a millennium in Europe, where it dates back to the rise of the university. This use spread...
Reuben Samuel (January 12, 1828 – March 1, 1908) was the stepfather of the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
outlaw
Outlaw
In historical legal systems, an outlaw is declared as outside the protection of the law. In pre-modern societies, this takes the burden of active prosecution of a criminal from the authorities. Instead, the criminal is withdrawn all legal protection, so that anyone is legally empowered to persecute...
s Frank
Frank James
Alexander Franklin "Frank" James was a famous American outlaw. He was the older brother of outlaw Jesse James.-Childhood:...
and Jesse James
Jesse James
Jesse Woodson James was an American outlaw, gang leader, bank robber, train robber, and murderer from the state of Missouri and the most famous member of the James-Younger Gang. He also faked his own death and was known as J.M James. Already a celebrity when he was alive, he became a legendary...
.
The third husband of Frank and Jesse's mother, Zerelda
Zerelda James
Zerelda Elizabeth Cole James Simms Samuel was the mother of Frank James and Jesse James.Born as Zerelda Elizabeth Cole in Woodford County, Kentucky her parents were James and Sarah Lindsay Cole; she had one younger brother, Jesse Richard Cole...
Reuben, was the son of Fielding and Louisa Samuel, and was 27 years old when he married Zerelda on September 25, 1855. He was described as a "quiet, passive man". He left behind the medical profession upon marrying Zerelda and moved onto a farm, raised tobacco, and supposedly acquired a total of seven slaves by 1860. He took on Zerelda's three living children, Frank, Jesse, and Susan, as well as having four more with Zerelda:
- Sarah Ellen "Sallie" Samuel (born April 7, 1858)
- John Thomas Samuel (December 25, 1861)
- Fanny Quantrill Samuel (October 18, 1863)
- Archie Peyton SamuelArchie SamuelArchie Peyton Samuel was the half brother of American outlaws Frank James and Jesse James.Born in 1866, he was the last child born to Zeralda James Samuel and her third husband Dr. Reuben Samuel...
(July 26, 1866)
In addition to those seven, one Perry Samuel
Perry Samuel
Perry Samuel , was born on the farm of Doctor Reuben Samuel in Clay County, Missouri . He is widely believed to have been the illegitimate son of Dr. Samuel by a former slave. Reuben Samuel's wife Zerelda, whose sons by a former marriage were outlaws Frank and Jesse James, would later state that...
was born to a former slave of the Doctor's in 1866. While it was never known who the biological father was, some believe it was Dr. Samuel.
Then came the Civil War. Militiamen searching for Frank James
Frank James
Alexander Franklin "Frank" James was a famous American outlaw. He was the older brother of outlaw Jesse James.-Childhood:...
(who had joined the South) raided the Samuel farm, and briefly (though not fatally) hanged Dr. Samuel, torturing him to reveal the location of the guerrillas. Shortly afterward, Frank joined Quantrill's band in the August 21, 1863 Lawrence Massacre.
External links
- Official website for the Family of Frank & Jesse James: Stray Leaves, A James Family in America Since 1650: http://www.ericjames.org