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Jesse's great-grandparents, William James and Mary Hines, came from England and settled in Hanover County, Virginia. Their son, John, a Baptist ministered, married Mary (Polly) Poor. John and Mary moved from Goochland, Virginia to Logan County, Kentucky. Their son, Robert Sallee James was the father of Jesse James. When Robert was nine years old, his parents died and he went to live with his older sister, Mary. He attended Georgetown College in Kentucky, graduating with a B.A. and Master's Degree.
Zerelda's great-grandparents were Richard Cole and Ann Hubbard of Pennsylvania. They moved to Culpepper County, Virginia and later settled in Woodford County, Kentucky. Richard Cole Jr., their son, married Sally Yates. Richard was a wealthy farmer and owned the Black Horse Tavern in Woodford County. They had a son, James, who married Sally Lindsey; the parents of Zerelda. When Zerelda was two years old, her father fell from his horse and died. When Zerelda was 15 years old, her mother remarried Robert Thomason and moved to Clay County, Missouri. Zerelda stayed with an uncle in Kentucky and attended St. Catherine's Academy. The following year she met Robert at a church social. They were married on December 28, 1841.
Robert and Zerelda came to Clay County, Missouri in 1842 to visit her mother and stepfather. Zerelda remained in Missouri while Robert returned to Georgetown College to finish his education. After Robert graduated, he returned to Clay County and in 1845 he and Zerelda purchased the James Farm located 2.5 miles east of Kearney. The property consisted of 275 acres for flax, hemp, wheat, corn, cattle and sheep. The James family owned seven slaves who worked the farm with them. As well as being a farmer, Robert James was also a circuit Baptist minister. He was pastor of New Hope Baptist and started the congregation of Providence and Pisgah. He was also one of the founders of William Jewell College.
Robert and Zerelda had four children. Frank was born on his grandparents farm, January 10, 1843, while Robert was still attending college in Kentucky. Their second son, Robert, died in infancy. Jesse was born in the log cabin on September 5, 1847, and Susan was bon on November 25, 1849. In 1850, Rev. James accompanied a group of Clay Countians to California during the gold rush. Rev. James had planned on helping to establish a church and while he was there, preached to the miners. His trip was to be no longer than 18 months. Just two weeks after his arrival, he died in a cholera epidemic that struck the mining camps and was buried near Placerville.
In 1852, Zerelda married Benjamin Simms, a well-to-do farmer. He was 16 years older and seemed not to care for being around her children, who stayed with relatives or with the slaves while on the farm. Zerelda and Benjamin separated nine months after their marriage and he died a few months later from a fall from his horse. Zerelda married a third time to a medical physician, Dr. Reuben Samuel. He gave up his practice in the town of Greenville, three miles from the farm. They were married for 53 years and had four children, Sallie, John, Fannie and Archie. Dr. Samuel died in a mental institution in 1908 as a result of being hanged during the Civil War by Union troops. Archie died during the Pinkerton bomb raid on the James farm that took the arm of Zerelda.
Zerelda on Feb. 11, 1911, at the age of 86, while on train in route to Excelsior Springs to visit with her son, John Samuels. She was taken suddenly ill and passed away as the train was entering Oklahoma City, Okla. She had been visiting Frank on his ranch near Fletcher. Her son, John, was a longtime resident of Excelsior Springs and served as an Alderman. Jesse James Jr. owned a farm south of town at the time of Zerelda's death. He and John were named as executors of her estate, Frank being in Oklahoma.
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