Samuel Hearn, the father of Ferdinand Lawrence Hearn, is identified as “Samuel (James) Hearn” in Ruth Hearn Eakins book, “Hearn-Hearne History”.

The book includes a reproduction of a typewritten transcription of the Richard Sammons family Bible, which lists the marriage of Samuel Hearn and Betsey Sammons. The name confusion may have arisen because the typewritten transcription of Richard Sammons Hearn’s birth record identifies him as “Son James & Betsy Hearn, even though at his death he is identified as “Son Sam’l & Elizabeth.”

It seems likely that “James” is due to a misreading of a handwritten abbreviation of ”Samuel”. (See “Old Style Abbreviations--Proper names” at http://www.amberskyline.com/treasuremaps/x-prop.html for a clear example of how the mistake could happen. Look at the name “Samuel” in this list.)

It may be noted that Ferdinand’s second son was named SAMUEL Columbus Hearn. None of his sons was named James.