Charles S. Broomfield has been named to the board of directors of The James Preservation Trust, filling the seat vacated by the passing of Judge James R. Ross, the great grandson of the American outlaw icon Jesse James.
The former Clay County, Missouri, judge & county commissioner has a long association with the historical interests of the James family. When he was a county commissioner, Broomfield arranged for the acquisition of James Farm from Jesse’s grandson Lawrence Barr, preserving the James family farm as a county museum, open to visitors.
Recently, Judge Broomfield assisted the James Preservation Trust in addressing the issue of missing artifacts from the museum. Museum managers did not maintain an adequate management system of verifiable inventory. Clay County Commissioners have since employed a professional archivist.
Since attending the James family’s reunion in 2002, Judge Broomfield consistently has supported the actions of the Trust. “I think it’s important that The James Preservation Trust stay involved with the County and Museum.”
Formerly, Judge Broomfield served four terms in the Missouri House of Representatives. For two terms, he served as Assistant Majority Floor Leader. Recently, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon appointed him Chairman of the Clay County Election Board. Broomfield is a graduate of William Jewell College.
In welcoming Broomfield as vice president of the Trust, president Eric James stated, “Before Judge Ross died, he made several recommendations for new directors of the Trust. Charlie was among the top of the list. But we had to wait some time until Charlie stopped cruising the world as a retiree. We’re thrilled to put him back to work in Clay County to represent the historical interests of the James family and the James Preservation Trust.”
THE FIRST IMMIGRANT TO AMERICA OF OUR JAMES FAMILY . . .
Stray Leaves, our website below, now reaches back into the 17th century to bring you the story of our first immigrant, John James, in narrative form.
John’s story comes to us through original documents and seasoned source citations, which are also provided.
What John James Tells Us • He arrived at Jamestown. • He transported 10 indentured people. • He was rewarded with a land patent. • The location of his land can be visited today. • He and his neighbors comprised the important founding families of Virginia. • The location of origination of the James in the Old World, as Jesse James family historians say is Pembrokeshire, Wales is disputed and unproven. • The name identity of John’s wife as formerly stated by traditional genealogists is disproved. • John James arrived as an oligarch and royalist with no pretensions to democracy or self-rule. • Early James family wealth was accrued in the tobacco culture and by land speculation. • John and his family were followers of the Church of England. • His children and grandchildren remained savvy and street-wise, relating well with common people. • Generations beyond the grandchildren of John James produced significant diversity in America’s people and culture.
The first foothold of the James family in the New World was secured by John James, the Immigrant. John was born about 1623. Sometime before 1690, he died.
Delma E. Watkins Candido has passed. Del is a granddaughter of Mack Henry James & Dorinda Phelps. She also is a 2nd great-granddaughter of the "talented, but erratic" Rev. Joseph Martin James & Permellia Estepp. … See MoreSee Less
Del E. Candido, daughter of the late Leonard A. and Ada James Watkins, was born at Dykes, KY on November 29th, 1937 and she departed this life on Thursday, May 5th, 2022 in Somerset, KY having attaine…