Reverend Robert Sallee James

Rev Robert Sallee James BIRTH 17 Sep 1818 Lickskillet, Logan County, Kentucky, USA DEATH 19 Aug 1850 (aged 31) Placerville, El Dorado County, California, USA BURIAL Old Placerville City Cemetery Placerville, El Dorado County, California

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/127676458/robert-sallee-james

Robert Sallee James was born in Logan County, Kentucky. He was the son of John M. James and Mary G. Poor James. His ancestor John James came to America from Pembrokeshire, Wales in the mid-17th century. He married Zeralda Cole on 28 December 1841. His children were Alexander Franklin, Robert, Jesse and Susan Lavenia.

James was a noted revivalist. Probate records show that at his death he owned six slaves and was a commercial hemp farmer. He was among the founders of William Jewell College in 1849. In April 1850, James left his family for California to prospect for gold and preach to the crowds of goldminers during the California gold rush. Shortly after arriving in California in August 1850, he contracted cholera and died on August 18, 1850, in the Hangtown Gold Camp, later known as Placerville. He was buried there in an unmarked grave.

James's death left his family saddled with debts and many of his possessions, including one of the slaves, were auctioned off to pay them. His widow Zerelda married Benjamin Simms, a wealthy farmer, on September 30, 1852.

Added by M. L. Gardner Picture of Added by S. Buller Rev Robert Sallee James BIRTH 17 Sep 1818 Lickskillet, Logan County, Kentucky, USA DEATH 19 Aug 1850 (aged 31) Placerville, El Dorado County, California, USA BURIAL Old Placerville City Cemetery Placerville, El Dorado County, California, USA PLOT Unmarked MEMORIAL ID 127676458 · View Source

Memorial Photos 8 Flowers 35 Robert Sallee James, son of John and Mary Poore James, husband of Zerelda Cole James, was father of Frank and Jesse James, the famous bank robbers. Robert James graduated from Georgetown College, with a degree in Bachelor of Arts. He later returned, where he received his Masters Degree. He was an educator, gifted orator, and a successful farmer. After leaving KY, he settled in Clay Co., MO, where he became a pastor of a Baptist Church, acquired a farm and two slaves, and helped found William Jewell College. Robert joined the rush to CA, some say for the quest of gold and others say to preach God's Word and save the souls of the gold miners. Instead, he found illness and death. He is buried in an unmarked grave, at Hangtown Gold Camp (Placerville CA). A letter written by friends to his wife Zerelda said he died of Cholera.