Archie Samuel

Archie Peyton Samuel (July 26, 1866 - January 26, 1875) was the half brother of American outlaws Frank James and Jesse James.

Born in 1866, he was the last child born to Zeralda James Samuel and her third husband Dr. Reuben Samuel. He had three siblings from the same parents, Sarah Ellen (born 1858), John Thomas (born 1861) and Fanny Quantrill (born 1863).

He also had 5 half-siblings, from his father's side, and possibly a sixth one Perry Samuel born of a slave, and on his mothers side Frank James (born 1841), Robert B. James (born and died in 1845), Jesse James (born 1847) and Susan Lavenia James (born 1849).

Archie had a hard time growing up, his elder half-brothers Frank and Jesse were always in trouble with the law, so the Samuel farm was often ransacked. Archie may also have suffered from mental retardation.

On January 26, 1875 detectives hoping to track down Frank and Jesse surrounded the farm, they threw a bomb through the window, Archie believed the bomb was a log, so he threw it into the fire, it exploded, killing him instantly and wounding his mother.

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