Robert Sallee James (17 July 1818 – 18 August 1850) was one of the founders of William Jewell College in 1849 in Liberty, Missouri.[1]
Robert Sallee James was born in Logan County, Kentucky. He was the son of John M. James and Mary G. Poor James. His ancestor John James came to America from Pembrokeshire, Wales in the mid-17th century. He married Zeralda Cole on 28 December 1841. His children were Alexander Franklin, Robert, Jesse and Susan Lavenia.
James was a noted revivalist. Probate records show that at his death he owned six slaves and was a commercial hemp farmer. He was among the founders of William Jewell College in 1849. In April 1850, James left his family for California to prospect for gold and preach to the crowds of goldminers during the California gold rush. Shortly after arriving in California in August 1850, he contracted cholera and died on August 18, 1850, in the Hangtown Gold Camp, later known as Placerville. He was buried there in an unmarked grave.
James's death left his family saddled with debts and many of his possessions, including one of the slaves, were auctioned off to pay them. His widow Zerelda married Benjamin Simms, a wealthy farmer, on September 30, 1852.