1751 – 1823

Portrayed by: Eric James

Rev. Jeremiah Vardeman’s father-in-law, John M. James, was a state senator, judge, & minister, responsible for taming Vardeman’s wild behavior & bringing him into Baptist ministry.  John M. James descended from European royal lineage, served in the War of the Revolution, was a Kentucky frontiersman under George Rogers Clark, helped to establish the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Lincoln & Pulaski counties, the town of Somerset, & was the founder of Baptist churches. 

            In 1799 Rev. Jeremiah Vardeman married Elizabeth “Betsy” James.  Twelve children followed.  They lived on John M. James’ land before migrating to Missouri .  In the 1840s Rev. Vardeman subscribed $20,000 so Betsy’s cousin, Rev. Robert Sallee James, could become a founder of William Jewell College in Liberty , Missouri , where Rev. Vardeman established a School of Theology .  Robert Sallee James is the father of famed American outlaws Frank & Jesse James.

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