There is some question as to whether Robert married 2 or 3 times. The Washington County marriage records include an enty for a Robert Larimer and a Mary Duff dated Jan. 14th, 1830. Many Larimer researchers believe this represents a second marriage for John (after Sally and before Rachel).
Robert's will leaves this somewhat open to interpretation. He referred to the children of his "first wife" and he made reference to the children of his "last wife". Does the wording "last wife" suggest there was indeed another wife after his first wife and before Rachel, who in the language of the time would have normally been referred to as his "present wife"? Robert's will specifically left $1 to daughter Jane Widener by his "last wife". This Jane, according to Howard Johnson, a Larimer researcher, was actually Virginia Larimer, who appears as a 2 year old in Robert and Rachel's home in 1860 [Virginia Larimer married John Widener in 1874 in Johnson Co., TN]. This seems to suggest that Robert was referring to Rachel when he spoke of his "last wife". If that is the case he most likely did not have living children from a second marriage, if indeed there was one.
Because Robert did not name his children by his first wife, but left them each $1, one must use as clues the names of the individuals who received $1 payments in 1876 and 1877 when Robert's estate was settled. T.J. Larimer most likely was Thomas J. Larimer, who as the eldest son of Isaac Larimer appears to have received the payment intended for his deceased father. Isaac was also named as Robert's son in a 1930 letter from Mrs. Dorcas Larimer Tilson, a grandniece of Isaac, to Redmond Cole.
Mrs. Tilson also named as Robert's sons William Larimer and Andrew Larimer. William was alive when the distribution was made and received a $1 payment. Andrew was deceased and it is not clear that anyone received payment on behalf of his children.
A $1 payment was made to Sarah Larimer who was most likely the widow of John Larimer who died of consumption in 1859. His death record names Robert as his father.
James Larimer also received $1, as did John McCall and Phoebe Davis. John McCall was the eldest son of Jane (Larimer) McCall who died in 1855. Phoebe Davis was the widow of Samuel Larimer. She married as her second husband Arthur Davis in 1873. As her children's guardian she was no doubt collecting payment on their behalf.
I do not pretend to fully understand the composition of Robert's family. I'd love to hear from anyone who has additional information on these individuals
The 1830 and 1840 census do not help shed light on the question of Robert's wives. Sally was no doubt the 26-45 year old female indicated in 1820. She was most likely born abt 1790-1792 so she could easily have also been the 30-40 year female in Robert's houshold in 1830 and the 40-50 year old in 1840. If Robert did take a second wife in 1830 she does not appear to have been a significantly younger woman. An analysis of Washington County land records may help resolve this question