Jonathan Latimer was a descendant of the English Robert Latimer, who arrived in Boston in 1635 on the ship “Hopewell” as part of the Great Migration. Jonathan’s father (also named Jonathan Latimer) was married to Borodell Denison, Captain George Denison‘s great-granddaughter.
Jonathan Latimer II was born in New London, Connecticut in 1724.The Latimers were by that time a wealthy family, having made their fortune in shipping and ship-building. He married Lucretia Griswold, who was supposedly a descendant of Charlemagne ( but I really don’t know about that). They had fourteen children, including ten very tall boys for the time. He once bragged that himself and six of them measured forty-two feet, which meant they were all six feet tall.
He fought in the French and Indian wars, and during the Revolutionary War, he was a Colonel in the Connecticut militia. His regiment fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill, and he was counted as some sort of aide to General George Washington.
Four of his sons also served with the Continental Army, including Jonathan III, whose lieutenant was Nathan Hale. Benedict Arnold was an old family friend. When he turned coat and burned New London under British command, many Latimer family properties were destroyed.
In 1790, Jonathan Latimer, by then an old man, and six of his sons and their families, left for Tennessee. I imagine this had something to do with having so many sons to divide his property among. Revolutionary soldiers received free land in the Cumberland Territory. They traveled by ox-cart to present-day Sumner County and settled on Station Camp Creek. This was right on the frontier, and battles with Indians were common. Jonathan’s son, Nathaniel, our ancestor, was killed by Cherokee Indians in 1793 at the Battle of Caney Fork.
Jonathan Latimer eventually acquired several hundred acres of land and in 1797, divided it up among his sons and Nathaniel’s children. He made a will in 1802, died in 1806 and is buried near present-day Hendersonville, TN.
Mama Kelly’s 3rd great-grandparents and the first in her line to arrive in the Cumberland Territory.
A Long Way to Tennessee 
I am a great-great-great-great grandson of Col. Latimer (by way of middle son Joseph Latimer, born in New London, CT in 1766.) Most of what appears at this site correlates with my own research; however, Latimer’s presence at Bunker Hill is questionable. On the other hand, he and his regiment were definitely at the battle of Saratoga in Enoch Poor’s brigade. Perhaps also worth mentioning, a large number of Jonathan Latimer’s great grandson’s fought in the Civil War, including Thomas P. Latimer of the 55th Illinois and Peyton Latimer of the 20th Tennesee, who found themselves on opposite sides at Shiloh in 1862.
LikeLike
Lucretia Griswold is a descendant of Charlemagne and a “shirt-tail” relative of William the Conqueror. But also a descendant of two saints – Saint Begga and Saint Arnulf (Patron Saint of Brewers!)
LikeLike
A Latimer Reunion is planning for June 15-16, 2018 from 9am to 4pm CDT in Tennessee, near Hendersonville at the Ocana Community Center (same location as 2011 and 2013). More information is available by calling Tommy Latimer, 615 888-2496. This reunion includes the descendants of Robert Latimer who came to America on the ship Hopewell ca 1635-1640. Study sessions and tours will be conducted each day.
LikeLike
My husband is a great great great great grandson of Colonel Jonathan Latimer. His order is Colonel Jonathan, Jonathan lll, Lynde Lyons, Jonathan Chapel, William Alexander, John Paul, and my husband is Charles William. My husband is not in good health but I hope my sons and I will be able to attend the reunion.I know way more about his family than he does. His sister and I used to research his family history but she has passed away. I always think about her when I’m doing this her and I were more into it than some of the rest of the family.
LikeLike
I am a descendant of Capt. Robert Latimer by way of his son Jonathon, his son Robert, his son Benjamin and his daughter Nancy Setry Latimer who married Margaret O Porter. Thank you for all of this information!!
LikeLike
james,robert and William latimer attended the 2018 Reunion.we are 3 brothers that are FROM COL JOHANTHAN,WITHERELL,DANIEL FITCH,JOHN LUTHER,THOMAS HENRY,HENRY,MORRIS NEEL,THEN JAMES,ROBERT,JOHN AMD WILLIAM
LikeLike
I myself am a descendant of the Latimer’s and Baird’s. I was surprised to see that my distant relative not only fought at Bunker Hill but survived. Very cool and very interesting. Thank you for sharing this information.
LikeLike
My wife is a descendant of Isham Baird. Do you know anything about him?
LikeLike
Col. Jonathan Latimer is my 5th great-grandfather, by way of Wetherell Latimer –> Daniel Latimer –> Luther Laitmer –> George M. Latimer –> George E. Latimer
I started doing my family tree during COVID lockdown(s), having known nothing at all about my Latimer side. (And never knowing another Latimer in my life) – it has been so interesting to read these stories and trace my Latimer line all the way back to 11th century England and 12 century France (via marriage in the 1300s)
So, so interesting!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Col. Jonathan Latimer is my 7th great grandfather by way of his son Robert Latimer. I just discovered this and I am trying to find all the information I can on him.
LikeLike