John Larimer1

b. circa 1755, d. 13 November 1829
BirthCircacirca 1755 John Larimer was born circa 1755.2 
Marriage He married Jane (?).3 
  John appears to have lived in Pennsylvania prior to settling in Virginia as his son John was born there about 1775. However by 1790 when son Robert was born the family was apparently in Virginia.4,5 
Land-Buy19 Aug 1794  John bought 174 acres from Robert and Mary Buchanan on the north side of the south fork of the Holston River in 1794. It was part of a tract of 378 acres that Robert bought from Col. William Edmiston's western 1000 acres. John made his home on this tract.6,7 
Land-Sell18 Jun 1816  On June 18th, 1816 John Larimer Sr. sold 2 tracts of land to Robert Larimer. The first tract contained 20 acres; Robert paid $100 for it. The second tract contained 174 acres and Robert paid $400. However the sale exempted the old houses and meadow, and lot and field near the houses; also the use of the spring and timber. These items were to remain in John's possession during the remainder of his lifetime. The deeds did not include Jane and she did not sign a dower release.8 
Cens-18201820  The 1820 Washington County census recorded John as the head of a household that included 1 male over 45 [John] and 1 female age 26-45. There were no slaves present. The female probably was not John's wife, as his will, written 9 years later, states that they had not lived together for many years. It may have been John's daughter Ann, or possibly the friend Mary Davis he mentions in his will.9 
Death13 Nov 1829 John died on 13 Nov 1829.2 
Burial He was buried at Rock Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.2 
Will-Recd17 Nov 1829 John's will was recorded on 17 Nov 1829. It had been written the previous May. The document names John's wife Jane and states that they had been separated for many years. He left her $1, commenting that he had already provided for her support through his sons John and Robert. John also left $1 to sons John and Robert, and daughter Nancy Wilson, stating that they had been provided for already. He left $50 for the support of his daughter Ann. In addition, 3 sons-in-law, Jerry Evans, John Comay and James Woodward Clawson, were devised $1 with the comment that they were not to expect more of his estate. However 4 grandchildren, John Larrimer Rambo, John Larrimer Davis, Nancy Johnson Han17 Nov 1829 and William Johnson Davis were to receive the proceeds of a parcel of land which John instructed his executor to sell on their behalf.

John left the land on which he was living to his "friend Mary Davis" who had taken care of his household while he was ill. There were certain restrictions on the gift; one of which was that Mary was to care for John's grandson, John Larimer Han [Hand]. John named David Carson as his executor but when the will was recorded David declined to execute and John H. Fulton was appointed as administrator.3 
Probate Recd25 Nov 1833  However the probate of John's estate does not appear to have proceeded smoothly. A settlement record filed in Washington County court in 1833 lists payments to the administrator for defending 3 lawsuits filed against the estate: 1 by the widow Jane Larimer who sued for her dower share; a 2nd by Samuel McGinnis on behalf of Ann Larimer who was described as a "dumb daughter" [mentally disabled], and the 3rd was filed by William Davis. The settlement record also notes that the administrator did not sell any of John Larimer's personal property to cover these expenses but paid them himself. He stated that he left the personal estate for the benefit of Mary Davis as stipulated by the will.10 

Related Links and Images:

John's will
John's headstone
Other interments in Rock Spring Cemetery

Family
Children
Last Edited14 Oct 2013

Citations

  1. [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.
  2. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 207. Stone reported to read: John Larimer, d. 13 Nov. 1829, age "about 74 years."
  3. [S694] John Larrimer Sr. will (1829), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 6: 106.
  4. [S367] John Larimer Sr. household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., 67th district, p. after 126 (stamped), dwelling 887, family 887, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Aug 2007, image 118 of 289. Household includes John Larimer Sr., 75, farmer, real estate valued at $3,600, b. PA; Mary 46; Jesee 29; Andrew 27; William 25; Alexander 23; Eliza 21; cont. next page: Ann Larimer 19; Nancy M. 17; Edward F. 15; Catharine 13; Mary & all children b. VA.
  5. [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.
  6. [S1046] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 1: 343.
  7. [S2133] John Larimer affidavit dated 2 Aug 1854 at Washington Co., Virginia; Richard Montgomery soldier, Elizabeth Montgomery widow, Revolutionary War Pension Application File W7485; RG 15; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M804 - Revolutionary War Pension & Bounty Land Warrant Application Files. John's affidavit states that his father's farm was adjacent to that of Richard Montgomery.
  8. [S1988] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 6: 251, 252.
  9. [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.
  10. [S694] John Larrimer settlement (1833), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 6: 334. The settlement was filed by John H. Fulton the administrator with the will annexed.
  11. [S694] John Larrimer Sr. will (1829), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 6: 106. John's will named his daughter Nancy Wilson.
  12. [S694] John Larrimer Sr. will (1829), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 6: 106. John's will named his son-in-law Jerry Evans. [Washington Co. marriage records list the marriage of Polly Larrimer to Jeremiah Evans in 1797]
  13. [S694] John Larrimer Sr. will (1829), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 6: 106. John's will named his son-in-law John Comay. Washington Co. marriage records list the marriage of John Congray and Margaret Larmer in 1799.
  14. [S694] John Larrimer Sr. will (1829), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 6: 106. John's will named his grandson John Larrimer Han [Hand] and his granddaughter Nancy Johnson Han [Hand].
  15. [S694] John Larrimer Sr. will (1829), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 6: 106. John's will named his grandson John Larimer Rambo.
  16. [S694] John Larrimer Sr. will (1829), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 6: 106. John's will named his son-in-law James Woodward Clauson. [Washington Co. marriage records list the marriage of Jane Larrimer to James Clawson in 1804]
  17. [S2268] Research of Tom Colley, Hanceville, Alabama; Mr. Colley cites the Washington County Death Register for the year 1859 originally held by the Virginia Bureau of Vital Statistics and viewed as Library of Virginia microfilm reel #30 which reports: Ann Larimore, d. 08 May 1859, age 68y, dysentery, d/o John Larimore, unmarried, reported by brother, Robert Larimore.