Frank; christened ALEXANDER FRANKLIN JAMES, born 10 January, 1843 Jesse; christened JESSE WOODSON JAMES born 5 September, 1847 Father: Robert Sallee James, Reverend in early Clay county 1818-1850 Mother: Zerelda Elizabeth Cole 1825-1911 James boys were reared by their mother after their father passed in early 1850, shortly after joining the gold rush of 1849.