Susan Lavenia Parmer

Susan was the daughter of Zerelda E Cole (James-Simms-Samuel) and REV Robert Sallie James, but she was even better known as the sister of Frank and Jesse James. Famous in American/Confederate Folklore & Song as "little sister Susie".

Imprisoned at age 14 along with her mother Zerelda for their refusal to cooperate with Federal authorities in their quest to capture Frank James and rebel guerrilla leader Capt William Quantrill in 1863. Her step-father Dr Samuel had been hung up 3 times in one day, but survived with permanent brain damage, and her 16 year old brother Jesse was viciously beaten by Union soldiers. After the then pregnant Zerelda was forced to sign the "Oath" to obtain her and Susan's release, she promptly, and defiantly named her newborn daughter Fannie Quantrill Samuel! It was the culmination of all these events which sent young Jesse off to join Quantrill himself....hell bent on revenge!

She married Allen H Parmer in 1870 in Clay County MO, before they moved to Archer City TX. Allen Parmer had been one of the youngest members of the infamous Quantrill Regiment of Missouri Raiders in the Civil War. He was captured along with Frank James while engaged in raids in Kentucky early in 1865, and was held at Jefferson Barracks MO until the close of the War. He was alleged to have been a participant in the robbery of the Clay County Savings Association in Liberty MO, the first Bank Job by the James-Younger Gang in 1866....but this was never proven. Allen was always known to have kept a Confederate Flag prominently displayed over the fireplace of his home.

The James Boys were known to visit the Parmers in Archer City TX fairly frequently during their "Outlaw Years".

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Photo added by Candy Cain