Tag Archives: Smith

Obituary of Dr. John R. James, Uncle of Frank and Jesse James


The James Preservation Trust recently received the contribution of the obituary of Dr. John R. James. For over a hundred years the obituary lay inside the family bible of Jesse Edward Smith, Dr. James’ grandson. Upon the death of Jesse Edwards Smith, the bible was passed to his daughter Agnes. Although Agnes married, she bore no children. Agnes left the… (more…)

HISTORIC TINTYPE of RHODA MAY-JAMES


RHODA MAY (1806-1889) is the stalwart spouse of the “talented, but erratic” Rev. Joseph Martin James (1791-1848). Rhoda withstood all transgressions, indignities, & social ostracism that her husband created with admirable Teutonic stoicism. When acute alcoholism took Joe’s life at age fifty-seven, Rhoda became a forty-two year old widow, left alone to raise nine children. For the next forty-one years… (more…)

Jesse Edward Smith Recalls Jesse James, His Namesake & Cousin


My mother (ed. Susan Prudence James-Smith) and her brother, R. W. James (ed. Robert Woodson James 1838-1922), were first cousins to the James Brothers. The Jesse in my name was taken from Jesse James. He paid some special attention to me when I was a small boy and made occasional visits to our house until the law was in such… (more…)

Related Posts with Thumbnails
  • Meet Eric James - the Leaf Blower

  • Meet Eric James - the Leaf Blower

  • Welcome to LEAVES OF GAS, the official blog for the family of Frank & Jesse James & their offical web site Stray Leaves. Under the WELCOME link you will find News & a photo Gallery with biographies of James family members. The CONTENTS page will take you to our main content menu. Click JESSE JAMES for content specifically related to Frank & Jesse James. In the SURNAMES genealogy database, you can explore all the known relatives of the James family. We hope you enjoy our web site & blog. Whatever interests you, be sure to LIKE us, or SHARE the page. Thanks.