Reuben Samuel

Dr. Reuben Samuel (January 12, 1828 – March 1, 1908) was the stepfather of the American outlaws Frank and Jesse James.

Reuben Samuel
Born(1828-01-12)January 12, 1828
DiedMarch 1, 1908(1908-03-01) (aged 80)
OccupationDoctor, farmer
Spouse(s)Zerelda 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:

  • Sarah Louisa or Sarah Ellen Samuel[1] (b. April 7, 1858)
  • John Thomas Samuel[2] (b. December 25, 1861)
  • Fannie Quantrill Samuel[3] (b. October 18, 1863)
  • Archie Peyton Samuel[4] (b. July 26, 1866)

In addition to those seven, one Perry Samuel was born to a former slave of Samuel's in 1866. While it was never known who the biological father was, some believe it was Dr. Samuel.

Civil War

During the American 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.[5] Some researchers believe that Frank joined William Quantrill's pro-Confederate guerrillas in the August 21, 1863 Lawrence Massacre, but it has never been proven.[6]

Some of Reuben Samuel's family still live in the Kansas City, Missouri area.

References
  1. Woog, Adam. Wild West For Kids: Jesse James. Sky Pony Press. p. 8.
  2. Woog, Adam. Wild West For Kids: Jesse James. Sky Pony Press. p. 8.
  3. Woog, Adam. Wild West For Kids: Jesse James. Sky Pony Press. p. 8.
  4. Woog, Adam. Wild West For Kids: Jesse James. Sky Pony Press. p. 8.
  5. Harris, Kathleen. "25 Little-Known Facts About the Outlaw Jesse James". www.whizzpast.com. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  6. Woog, Adam. Wild West For Kids: Jesse James. Sky Pony Press. p. 15.


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