Jesse James Research

The Jesse James Birthplace Museum houses two small research libraries, and both are open to the public by appointment only. Call 816-736-8500:

Milton F. Perry Research Library

Harold Dellinger Memorial Library

Quick Facts:

  • December 28, 1841

    Robert James and Zerelda Cole marry

  • January 10, 1843

    Frank James born at Thomason farm

  • July 19, 1845

    Robert R. James born, dies a month later

  • October 1845

    Robert James purchases farm

  • September 5, 1847

    Jesse Woodson James born

  • November 25, 1849

    Susan Lavenia James born

  • August 18, 1850

    Reverend Robert James dies in California

  • September 30, 1852

    Zerelda marries second husband Benjamin Simms

  • September 25, 1855

    Zerelda marries third husband Dr. Reuben Samuel

  • December 26, 1858

    Sarah (Sallie) Louisa Samuel born

  • May 4, 1861

    Frank joins the Confederate army

  • December 25, 1861

    John Thomas Samuel born

  • April 1862

    Frank swears loyalty to the Union and posts $1000 bond

  • Fall 1862

    Frank joins Quantrill’s guerrillas

  • May 1863

    Federal militia hangs Dr. Samuel, beats Jesse, manhandles Zerelda

  • August 21, 1863

    Raid on Lawrence, Kansas

  • October 18, 1863

    Fannie Quantrill Samuel born

  • Spring 1864

    Jesse joins the guerrillas

  • August 1864

    Jesse wounded

  • September 27, 1864

    Centralia massacre

  • January 29, 1865

    James-Samuel family exiled to Nebraska

  • May 15, 1865

    Jesse shot in chest by soldier with the Third Wisconsin Cavalry

  • May 21, 1865

    Jesse surrenders near Lexington, Missouri

  • July 26, 1865

    Frank surrenders at Samuel’s Depot, Kentucky

  • February 13, 1866

    Clay County Savings Association robbery

  • July 26, 1866

    Archie Payton Samuel born

  • June 1867

    Jesse seeks treatment for chest wound from Dr. Paul Eve in Nashville, Tennessee

  • 1868

    Frank and Jesse travel to California

  • April 24, 1874

    Jesse marries first-cousin Zerelda (Zee) Amanda Mimms at her sister’s home in Kearney

  • June 1874

    Frank elopes with Anna Ralston of Independence, Missouri

  • January 26, 1875

    Pinkerton detectives raid James farm; eight-year old Archie dies, Zerelda permanently maimed

  • August 31, 1875

    Jesse Edwards James born

  • 1878

    Twins Gould and Montgomery die shortly after birth

  • February 6, 1878

    Robert “Bob” Franklin James born

  • June 17, 1879

    Mary Susan James born

  • April 3, 1882

    Bob Ford assassinates Jesse at house in St. Joseph, Missouri

  • April 6, 1882

    Jesse’s funeral and burial

  • October 5, 1882

    Frank surrenders to Missouri Governor Thomas Crittenden

  • August 1883

    Frank’s trial and subsequent acquittal for the Winston train robbery begins in Gallatin, Missouri

  • April 1884

    Frank’s trial and acquittal for robbery and murder of Federal paymaster at Muscle Shoals, Alabama held Huntsville, Alabama

  • 1885

    Frank sells shoes in Nevada, Missouri

  • 1888-1892

    Frank works for Mittenthal Clothing Company in Dallas, Texas

  • March 3, 1889

    Susan James Parmer dies in Texas

  • 1892-1894

    Frank tends horses for Shep Williams in Texas, Louisiana, and New Jersey

  • 1894-1901

    Frank works as doorman at burlesque house in St. Louis

  • November 13, 1900

    Zee James dies in Kansas City

  • June 29, 1902

    Jesse’s body moved from farm to Mt. Olivet cemetery

  • 1901-1905

    Frank performs in plays The Fatal Scar and Across the Desert

  • 1903

    Frank and Cole Younger travel with the James-Younger Wild West Show

  • March 1, 1908

    Dr. Reuben Samuel dies

  • 1908-1911

    Frank and Annie living in Fletcher, Oklahoma

  • February 10, 1911

    Zerelda James Samuel dies

  • 1911-1915

    Frank and Annie move to the farm

  • February 18, 1915

    Frank James dies

  • September 15, 1915

    Sallie Samuel Nicholson dies

  • May 30, 1922

    Fannie Quantrill Samuel dies

  • March 15, 1932

    John T. Samuel dies

  • October 11, 1935

    Mary James Barr dies

  • June 1944

    House is modernized with electricity

  • July 6, 1944

    Anna Ralston James dies

  • March 26, 1951

    Jesse Edwards James dies

  • November 18, 1959

    Robert Franklin James dies

  • March 1978

    Clay County purchases James farm from Jesse’s grandsons

  • October 14, 1978

    Jesse’s original burial site excavated

  • 1980

    1822 cabin restored

  • 1984

    1893 Eastlake Cottage addition restored

  • 1994

    New roof, logs and clapboard siding added to 1822 cabin

  • July 17-19, 1995

    Jesse James exhumation

  • October 28, 1995

    Jesse James funeral and reburial in Mt. Olivet cemetery

  • Spring 2004

    1822 cabin bedroom restored