Robert Larimer1

b. circa 1790, d. 8 June 1875
FatherJohn Larimer2 b. abt 1755, d. 13 Nov 1829
BirthCircacirca 1790 Robert Larimer was born in Virginia circa 1790.3,4 
Marriage6 Dec 1810 He married Sally McKee on 6 Dec 1810 in Washington County, Virginia.5 
  The correct spelling of Sally's last name is not clear to me at this time. The abstracted marriage record spells it McReed. However a letter written by Sally's great granddaughter to Judge Redmond Cole states that Sally's surname was McKee. It might also be noted that the 1820 census for Washington County lists several McKee households but none for the surname McReed or McRead.6  
Land-Buy18 Jun 1816 On 18 Jun 1816 Robert appears to have purchased 2 tracts of land from his father [the deed was from John Larimer Sr. to Robert Larimer but no relationship was stated]. The larger of the two contained 174 acres; Robert paid $400 for it. The sale exempted the old house which was to remain in John's possession. Jane [John's estranged wife] was not included on the deed [at John's death she sued for her dower share].7 
Cens-Sum  Although the census records prior to 1850 only list the head of the household by name, some information can be inferred from the tally marks in the various age columns. Robert appears as the head of a Washington County household in all 3 census years available for the county prior to 1850. In 1820 his household included 4 males under the age of 10 which would be consistent with Robert's first 4 known sons: Andrew, William, John and James. Robert would have been represented as the male age 26 to 45. However 3 females under 10 are also listed. One was probably daughter Jane. Who were the others? Did Sally have 7 children between 1811 and 1820 or were there other young relatives in the household? Also present in 1820 were 2 females aged 26-45. One no doubt represented Sally. The other female was probably Robert's unmarried sister Ann. The household also included a female over 45 who was most likely Robert's mother. She and Robert's father John Larimer did not live together and John's will specified that he had assisted his sons John and Robert in caring for their mother.

By 1830 7 males under 20 were listed in Robert's household. They appear to match the expected ages for his known sons: Andrew, William, John, James, Isaac, Robert and Samuel. Five females under 20 were tallied. One likely represented Robert's daughter Jane. But who were the others? Two females age 30 to 40 were also listed. Presumably one was Robert's wife and the other was most likely his sister Ann. In addition Robert's mother was again most likely represented by the tally in the 80-90 year old female column.

Robert's 1840 household included 2 males age 5 to 10 that I cannot account for. Other tally marks appear to represent sons James, Isaac, Robert and Samuel. Robert's 3 older sons (Andrew, John and William) were enumerated as heads of their own households in 1840. Jane Larimer [Robert's mother] was also enumerated as the head of a household in 1840. She was aged 90-100. A 40 to 50 year old female was tallied with her, no doubt representing her daughter Ann. And as might then be expected, Robert's household does not include an older woman in 1840. And it includes just one female in the 40-50 year old age range, presumably Robert's wife. The enumeration also includes 2 females aged 20 to 30; one would be Robert's daughter Jane who did not marry until 1847. Did Robert also have a daughter Margaret? The Washington County marriage records include the marriage of a Margaret Larimer to a David Denton in 1847.8,9,10 
Marriage18 Jul 1847 He married Rachel Debusk on 18 Jul 1847 in Johnson County, Tennessee.11 
Cens-185013 Sep 1850  Robert and Rachel were enumerated in Washington County, Virginia, when the first census to list all members of a household was recorded. Robert was listed as a 60 year old farmer who owned land valued at $1,600. Rachel was 20. Also living in the household were: Samuel 21, Ann 14, Roulen [probably Paulser] 2 and Christopher, 8 months.4 
  Samuel was Robert's son from his first marriage. Ann may have been the daughter of Robert's son Andrew who had died the previous year (although Ann appears to have also been enumerated in her stepfather's household). The 1840 census tally does not suggest that Robert himself had a daughter in this age range. Living 1 household away was Robert E. Larimer [Robert's son from his first marriage] And not far away was James Larimer [another son from Robert's first marriage]. 
  Robert and Rachel may have also had a son David, born around 1851, who died of scarlet fever in January, 1858 or January 1860. It is also possible, though less likely, that David was the son of Robert's son Robert from his first marriage. Robert and Rachel appear to have also had a son Andrew who was born about 1853 and died in 1855. He may have been named in memory of Robert's older son Andrew who died about 1849.12,13 
Cens-18609 Aug 1860  Ten years later Robert and Rachel were again enumerated on the Washington County census. Robert, now 70, stated that his land was worth $4,000 and his personal property was valued at $2,000. In addition to Rachel, now 30, the family included 4 children: Paulser, Christopher, Sallie [Sarah] and 2 year old Virginia.14 
  Robert and Rachel also had at least 1 and probably 2 additional children after the 1860 enumeration. 
Death8 Jun 1875 Robert died on 8 Jun 1875.3 
Burial He was buried at Rock Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.3 
Will-Recd28 Jun 1875 Robert's will was recorded on 28 Jun 1875 in Washington County. He left the bulk of his estate to Rachel, as long as she remained his widow. Robert also left $1 to each of the children by his first wife, but did not name the children. He also left $1 to "daughter Jane Widener by my last wife". Robert noted that they had already received their share. Following Rachel's death Robert's land was to be divided among his 4 sons: Palser, Christopher, Charlie and Emett. He also left daughter Sally a horse, saddle and bridle.15 
Probate Recd29 Nov 1877  Settlement papers for Robert's estate were recorded in late 1877. Equal payments of $1 were made to: T. J. Larimer, Robert E. Larimer, James Larimer, Sarah Larimer, William Larimer, John M. McCall and Phebe A. Davis. Each of these individuals was identified as a devisee without further clarification. Other payments included $10 to Dr. Hutton and $24 to Dr. Dunn.16 

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The 1850 Washington Co., Virginia census listed Robert as the head of household number 1246. Follow the link to see who lived nearby.

Family 1

Sally McKee
Children

Family 2

Rachel Debusk b. 29 Jan 1829, d. 30 Oct 1882
Children
Last Edited14 Oct 2013

Citations

  1. [S1768] Fridley, "Washington Co., VA Deaths 1853-1885" online database, <www.Ancestry.com>, abstract states: Jane McCall, d. Jun 5, 1855 of dystentary at age 36, born Washington Co., VA, parents: Robert and Sally Larimer.
  2. [S694] John Larrimer Sr. will (1829), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 6: 106. The will was dated 26 May 1829 and recorded 17 Nov. 1829. Peter Mays, Jacob Lynch and Andrew Russell were witnesses.
  3. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 208. Stone reported to read: Robert Larimer, d. 8 June 1875, age 85y.
  4. [S367] Robt Larimore household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., 67th district, p. after 153 (stamped), dwelling 1246, family 1246, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2007, image 172 of 289. Household includes Robt Larimore, 60, farmer, real estate valued at $1,600; Rachel 20; Samuel 21; Ann 14; Roulen [?] 2; Christopher 8/12; Hardy Jamison 16, laborer; all b. VA.
  5. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 36. Entry abstracted as Robert Larimer and Sally McReed, marr 6 Dec. 1810 by Edward Crawford.
  6. [S1780] Letter from Mrs. Sampson Tilson (Dorcas Anna Larimer) to Redmond Cole, dated 25 May 1930 at 7 Mile Ford, Virginia, Larimer File, The Redmond S. and Mary Cole Collection, Family History Library. Mrs. Tilson stated that she was the great granddaughter of Robert Larimer and the granddaughter of his son William Larimer. She also stated that Robert's first wife was a McKee amd William's wife was Phoebe Wilson.
  7. [S1988] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 6: 251, 252.
  8. [S621] Rbt Larimore household, 1820 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, p. 217 (stamped on lower right corner), viewed online at Ancestry.com, Dec. 2007, image 25 of 48. Household includes: 1 male over 45; 1 female 26-45.
  9. [S578] Robert Larmore household, 1830 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, p. (p. 262 script), viewed online at Ancestry.com, Dec. 2007, image 73 of 150. Household includes: 2 males under 5; 1 male 5-10; 1 or 2 males 10-15; 1 or 2 males 15-20; 1 male 40-50; 1 female 5-10; 2 females 10-15; 2 females 15-20; 2 females 30-40; 1 female 80-90.
  10. [S679] Robert Larimore household, 1840 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, p. 228 (stamped on second half of page), viewed online at Ancestry.com, Dec. 2007, image 59 of 115. Household includes: 2 males 5-10, 2 males 10-15, 1 male 15-20, 1 male 20-30, 1 male 50-60; 2 females 20-30, 1 female 40-50.
  11. [S1786] Johnson Co., Tennessee Marriage Records 1838-1876: 45. License issued to Robert Larimer and Rachel Debusk on the 18th of July 1847 and married same day.
  12. [S3] Moore and Stephens, Washington Co., VA Birth and Death Records, p. 198. Entry for David Larimore abstracted as: d. 9 Jan. 1858 of scarlet fever at age 7; father, Robert Larimer [nother not stated].
  13. [S2315] David Larimer entry, 1860 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, Mortality Schedule, p. 613 (stamped), line 5, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Entry reads: David Larimer, 9, male, b. VA, d. Jan from scarlet fever of 3 days duration.
  14. [S234] Robert Larimer household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Western district, p. 174 (original script), dwelling 1296, family 1243, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2007, image 176 of 361. Household includes: Robert Larimer, 70, farmer, owns land worth $4,000, pers. prop of $2,000; Rachel, 30; Paulser, 12; Christopher, 10, Sallie, 6; Virginia, 2; Nancy Gilley; all b. VA.
  15. [S706] Robert Larimer will (1875), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 18: 469. The will was witnessed by John Preston and Josiah Cole; Elias Widener and Samuel P. Edmondson provided security on Palser and Christopher Larimer's bond in the amount of $1,000.
  16. [S707] Robert Larimer settlement (1877), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 19: 340.
  17. [S1780] Letter from Mrs. Sampson Tilson (Dorcas Anna Larimer) to Redmond Cole, dated 25 May 1930 at 7 Mile Ford, Virginia, Larimer File, The Redmond S. and Mary Cole Collection, Family History Library. Mrs. Tilson stated that she was the great granddaughter of Robert Larimer and the granddaughter of his son William Larimer. She also stated that William had brothers Andrew and Isaac and that Robert Larimer's first wife and the mother of William, Andrew and Isaac, was a McKee.
  18. [S1768] Fridley, "Washington Co., VA Deaths 1853-1885" online database, <www.Ancestry.com>, entry abstracted as John Larimore, d. June 9, 1859 at age 44 of of consumption, son of Robert, b. Washington County, VA.
  19. [S707] Robert Larimer settlement (1877), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 19: 340. Robert's will left $1 to each of his children by his first wife. Jane was deceased so no payment was made in her name, but a $1 payment was paid to John M. McCall [Jane's eldest son].
  20. [S707] Robert Larimer settlement (1877), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 19: 340. Robert's will left $1 to each of his children by his first wife. Isaac was deceased so no payment was made in his name, but a $1 payment was paid to T.J. Larimer [Isaac's son Thomas].
  21. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 203. Samuel Larimer, 24y, sgl, b. & resid WCV, farmer, s/o Robert and Sally Larimer AND Phoebe Ann Snodgrass, 18y, sgl, b. & resid WCV, d/o Moses & Margaret Snodgrass; marr: 27 Sep 1855.
  22. [S707] Robert Larimer settlement (1877), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 19: 340. Robert's will left $1 to each of his children by his first wife. Samuel was deceased so no payment was made in his name, but a $1 payment was paid to Phoebe A. Davis [Samuel's widow].
  23. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 202. Christopher Larimer, 26y, sgl, b. & resid WCV, farmer, s/o Robt & Rachel Larimer AND Rebecca B. Buchanan, 27y, sgl, b. & resid WCV, d/o John D. & Sarah M. Buchanan.
  24. [S2268] Research of Tom Colley, Hanceville, Alabama; Mr. Colley cites the Washington County Death Register for the year 1855 originally held by the Virginia Bureau of Vital Statistics and viewed as Library of Virginia microfilm reel #30 which reports: Andrew W. Larimer, d. 22 Sep 1855, age 2y, cause unknown, s/o Robert & Rachel Larimer, reported by father.
  25. [S3] Moore and Stephens, Washington Co., VA Birth and Death Records, p. 82. Sarah Larimer, b. Jul 1854 to Robert and Rachel Larimer.
  26. [S3] Moore and Stephens, Washington Co., VA Birth and Death Records, p. 82. Moses M. Larimer, b. 17 Apr 1856 to Robert and Rachel Larimer.
  27. [S3] Moore and Stephens, Washington Co., VA Birth and Death Records, p. 83. Virginia A. Larimer, b. 20 Dec. 1857 to Robert and Sarah [sic] Larimer.