Sams Family Genealogy & History

Michael Benneman Sams, born on 11 August 1941 in Keighley, West Riding of Yorkshire, is known for his criminal activities, including kidnapping, extortion, and murder. Notoriously, he kidnapped and murdered Julie Dart in 1991 and later kidnapped and raped Stephanie Slater in 1992, releasing her after securing a ransom. Sams' criminal history includes early imprisonment for car theft and insurance fraud. His life further spiraled with convictions for heinous crimes, during which he gained infamy for odd prison lawsuits over his artificial leg and hard bed.

Jeffrey D. Sams is a prominent actor known for his roles in both television and film. He has been a main cast member of several series, including Medicine Ball, Sleepwalkers, and Cupid. Sams is also recognized for recurring roles on popular shows like Strong Medicine, Law & Order, and CSI. His Broadway performance in Five Guys Named Moe and film appearances in Fly By Night and Soul Food highlight his versatile acting career. Sams further captivated audiences with his portrayal of Terrence Cook in Veronica Mars and appeared in the Netflix film Reality High. His performance as Adam Clayborne in the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie Rose Hill added to his diverse portfolio.

Jeremy Sams, born on January 12, 1957, is a renowned British theatre director, composer, and lyricist, celebrated for his contributions to the stage and screen. Notably, he directed a revival of "Noises Off" at London's Royal National Theatre, which later moved to the West End and Broadway. Sams earned Laurence Olivier, Tony, and Drama Desk Award nominations for his work on "Spend Spend Spend," "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," and "Amour." His translations include works by Botho Strauß and operas by Mozart, Puccini, and Wagner. As a composer, he won a BAFTA for his score in the BBC film "Persuasion" and has been involved in numerous theatre productions.

Jeremy Sams is the son of Eric Sams, a distinguished Shakespearean scholar and musicologist. He studied music, French, and German at Magdalene College, Cambridge, and learned piano at the Guildhall School of Music, shaping his future in the performing arts.

Ferrol Aubrey Sams, Jr. was a renowned American physician and novelist, celebrated for his contributions to Southern storytelling. Known for his unique literary voice, Sams authored eight books, including the critically acclaimed trilogy featuring Porter Osborne Jr. His debut novel, "Run with the Horsemen," published in 1982, showcases his Southern roots and was part of several community reading programs. In 1991, Sams received the Townsend Prize for Fiction for "When All the World Was Young." His medical career spanned decades, with both Sams and his wife, Helen, practicing in Fayette County, Georgia, until their retirement in 2006. Sams's legacy in literature is honored by the annual Ferrol Sams Award for Fiction by Mercer University Press.

Born in Fayette County, Georgia, Ferrol Sams was the son of Mildred Matthews and Ferrol Aubrey Sams, Sr. He lived in a home constructed by his great-grandfather, illustrating deep family roots in the region. Sams married Helen Fletcher in 1948, and they had four children: Ferrol Aubrey Sams III, James (Jim) Sams, Ellen Sams Nichol, and Fletcher Sams. Ferrol III and Jim followed in their parents' footsteps, becoming medical doctors in Fayette County, while Ellen became a hospital administrator, and Fletcher a judge. The Sams family has a strong presence in Fayette County, maintaining their legacy in both medicine and community service.