Jamie, also known as Jimmy Bean, is a young American boy who appears in the story. His life is marked by a series of profound losses and disruptions. At the age of four, his mother died from an illness. Following this tragedy, his father Edward Kent took him and fled, leaving behind a complex family situation where Jamie was the nephew of Ruth and Della, and the child of their late older sister Doris. He was originally meant to inherit the combined wealth and businesses of both the Wetherby and Carew families. Adding to his misfortunes, his father also eventually passed away, leaving Jamie an orphan. After being sent from one orphanage to another, he ended up in the town of Beldingsville.

In Beldingsville, Jamie is initially a homeless boy who must fend for himself. He finds work with a man named Tom and, in exchange for his labor, receives materials to build his own small house in the Pendleton woods. This resourcefulness and determination are key aspects of his early life. His friendship with the protagonist, Pollyanna Whittier, is a central pillar of his story. They meet when Jamie saves her from falling into the water, and she becomes deeply invested in his welfare.

One of Jamie's most significant possessions is an envelope left by his late father with the orphanage staff. The envelope has instructions that it should not be opened until Jamie turns thirty years old. Pollyanna, hoping to find information about Jamie's lineage to help him find a permanent home, becomes focused on discovering what is inside the letter. Her efforts ultimately lead to a positive resolution, as Jamie is adopted by John Pendleton. His relationship with Pollyanna is defined by close friendship, while John Pendleton becomes his adoptive parent, integrating him into a family structure he had long been without.

Throughout the story, Jamie is driven by a need for stability, a home, and a sense of belonging. His actions are those of a survivor who, despite being a child, works to build his own shelter and does not give in to despair. His development is closely tied to his friendships and the intervention of those who care for him, transforming him from a homeless orphan into an adopted son with a secure future. While he possesses no special abilities, his notable traits include a strong will, perseverance, and the ability to inspire loyalty and a desire to help in others like Pollyanna.