Mr. John J. LaRue (IX. B b) said, in a letter written April 14, 1906: "Jacob (I). Son of Isaac (Sr.), built a large stone house, where I was born. It was his wife's name on the gable and dated 1775. It is called "Bloomfield." Futher reference is made to the property of Jacob LaRue (I.) in Virginia in the sketch of his brother, James LaRue (IX), to whom it was sold when Jacob was preparing to move to Kentucky, in the year 1798. A copy of the deed to James LaRue (IX) is inserted at the end of this section, not only because it is of some interest in connection with the parties to the deed, but because of its great technicality, which is now rarely seen in deeds of conveyance.

Jacob LaRue (I) probably made a number of journeys to Kentucky before he finally decided to make his permanent home in the new State. As early as February 3, 1783, two tracts of land, containing a total of 18,000 acres, within the present boundary of Jefferson County, were entered in his name, for which he obtained a patent ten years later. See case of Guthrie vs. Lewis, 1 T. B. Monroe's Kentucky Reports, page 142. In a deed for portion of this land, dated April 3, 1798 (Deed Book 4, page 577, Jefferson County), the portion conveyed is described as lying on Floyd's Fork, near Mundalls' Mill. A deed for another portion, 423 acres, of this land, dated December 29, 1799 (Deed Book 5, page 193 Jefferson County), shows this part as lying on Fern Creek. Doubtless the grant of a large portion of the 18,000 acres was invalid because of prior conflicting entries. On May 9, 1795, Jacob LaRue (I) entered into an agreement with Alexander Breckenridge and Robert Breckenridge under which the two Breckenridges obligated themselves to survey the entire 18,000 acres, for which service they were to receive one-fourth of the land saved. In settlement for services rendered under this agreement, Jacob LaRue (I), on December 9, 1803, conveyed to Alexander and Robert Breckenridge 935 acres of the land (Deed Book 8, page 63, Jefferson Co.) Other deeds of record in Jefferson County show conveyance or release of the reminder of the 18,000 acres.

Between the year 1793 and 1798 Jacob LaRue (I) purchased various tracts of land on Nolynn, deeds for which are recorded in Hardin County.

There is record of evidence that Jacob LaRue (I) moved to Kentucky in the year 1798. The deed to James LaRue (IX) was made in anticipation of early removal from Virginia. Just one month after the date of this deed, his brothers James (IX) and Jabez (X) executed a power of attorney dated April 13, 1798, giving to Jacob (I) full control of their lands in Kentucky, reciting that he (Jacob) "is now moving to the State of Kentucky." This writing is of record in the office of the Clerk of the Hardin County Court. A similar instrument of writing dated a few days later, recorded in the same office, was executed by Peter LaRue, giving to his "Brother Jacob LaRue" control of Peter's western lands. Peter, however, was not a brother by blood, but was a brother-in-law of Jacob, having married his sister, Elizabeth LaRue (IV).

On his arrival in Kentucky, with his family, Jacob LaRue (I) settled on a tract of 1,300 acres of land which he had already acquired, and which is located near the head waters of the north Fork of Nolynn.. The understanding of the writer long has been that the first log house on this place, which stood nearer the spring that the present house, was built several years prior to the erection of the residence which is now standing, and which is said to have been built in the year 1800. The probability is that after he had made preparation for his family by erecting a log house Jacob LaRue (I) returned to Virginia to bring his wife and children to the new country. It is said that his removal from Virginia was because of a breakdown in the health of his wife, due to grief over the death of her son John (IA). She lived only six years after arriving in Kentucky, her death occurring in the year 1804. She was probably the first to be buried in the family burying ground, which was located on an elevation not more than three hundred yards from the home.

We have no reason to believe that any improvements other than the log house was on the plantation when the family of Jacob LaRue reached the new home. The head of the family was already fifty-four years of age. He had with him three or four grown sons, and probably half a dozen slaves. A large part of the farm was soon cleared of young timber and put under cultivation. An orchard was set out, perhaps fifty or sixty acres in extent. Some of the old trees are yet standing. A brick kiln was burned in the low land near the home, from which it was intended to obtain brick fro the erection of a more substantial residence. The contemplated brick residence was never built. The only brick from the old kiln which were used on the place were put in the large chimney on the north end of the weather=boarded log house which was erected in the year 1800, and which yet stands, though now in a dilapidated condition. An asparagus bed, which was made by Jacob LaRue (I) in his vegetable garden was useful to his descendants for seventy-five years after his death.

On the 23rd day of September, 1805 Jacob LaRue married his second wife, Jane Morgan, in Nelson County. She was a daughter of John Morgan, who was killed by Indians, on Beargrass, a quarter of a century before her marriage. At the time of her marriage she lived on Rolling Fork, near where Howard's Mill is now. She was born February 18, 1777, and died July 1, 1852.

From the time of his arrival in Kentucky to the day of his death, Jacob LaRue (I) lived the life of a quiet and respected planter. His older children having married and settled within a few miles of their father, the home of the latter became a center for public as well as private meetings. So far as known to the writer, the only public office ever held by Jacob LaRue (I) was that of Justice of the Peace for Hardin County, which he held for anumber of years. There are many depositions in the courts of Hardin County which are certified by him.

The appraisement of the personal estate of Jacob LaRue (I) which was filed by his Executors December 10, 1821, shows, among other items, thirteen slaves and a distillery. The orchard had doubtless supplied the distillery with fruit for its principal product, brandy.

Up to the last Jacob LaRue (I) appeared to enjoy good health. He spent the evening of September 14, 1821, teaching his young daughter, Sarah (I.M) how to mold pewter spoons. Before dawn of the following day, September 15, 1821, he passed away from an attack of acute indigestion. His body rests in the family burying ground, much neglected in late years, five miles north of the town of Hodgenville. Few grave stones in LaRue Country bear witness to the date of a birth earlier than that shown by the marble slab at the grave of Jacob LaRue, on which the further affectionate tribute in inscribed:

"Mark the Perfect Man & Behold the Upright: For the End of That Man is Peace"

The children of Isaac LaRue, Sr., and Phebe Carman, his wife, were ten-