Year

Date

Event

1792

11.12

Mary Larimore, mother of Nancy, and grandmother of TBL is born

1800

4.17

Birth of Philemon Gresham, father of Esther Gresham

1813

1.3

Birth of Nancy Larimore, mother of TBL

1843

7.10

Theophilus Brown Larimore, born in the hill country of East Tennessee county of Jefferson.

1845

7.11

Julia Esther Gresham, born near Florence, Alabama on Gresham farm

1850

8.13

Philemon Gresham, father of Esther, dies at home near Florence. Buried in Gresham Cemetery

1852

Family moves to Sequatchie County, TN - Dunlap

1853

Feb/Mar

TBL Living in Dunlap, he walked three miles to school, three days per week for a five month session. The other days he was put on a farm to learn to plow, with an old bay pony named Granny. After school was out he worked from Monday morning until Saturday night when he would come home.

1854

TBL said “I got $4 a month from early spring till ‘craps were laid by.' I changed from renting to hiring, going to free school ten or twelve weeks each year, till I could get-did get- $6 per month,” LAHB, p.54

1855

Emma Page is born near Donelson, Tennessee, (GA, July, 2007, p.19)

1859

TBL at Mossey Creek Baptist College, N.B. Goforth, president (LAHB, p.68) Jefferson City, Tennessee / “Completed the course at Mossy Creek College, and received a diploma, having made a record as one of the best students ever enrolled there.” (LLASOTBL, p.10)

1860

1.1

TBL attends Purdy University, Purdy, McNairy County, Tennessee

1861-1863

TBL Served in the Confederacy, enlisted under General Wheeler.

1862

1.19

TBL at Battle of Fishing Creek, Pulaski & Wayne Counties, Kentucky (or the Battle of Mill Springs)

4.6,7

TBL at the battle of Shiloh, Hardin County, Tennessee

10.21

Esther Gresham baptized by Robert Usery, (LAHB, p.220) (Grave marker records her baptism 10.21.1959.

1864

Winter/Spring

Family Moves to Hopkinsville, Ky. Cuts and hauls wood for a dollar and a quarter per load. His mother is a member of the Christian church, and moves her letter to the church in Ky. Meets B.S. Campbell. Spends night learning from a Presbyterian minister, and gets a position as teacher in a Hopkinsville Female Academy. Leaves end of summer.

7.10

TBL's 21st birthday, confession taken by brother B.C. Campbell, baptized by Elder Hopper in Little River at Hopkinsville, Ky (LLASOTBL, p.316)0

1866

1.10

TBL's first public talk in a prayer meeting from second chapter in James, (LAHB, p.90) Tells about preparation for it (LLASOTBL, p.13)

2.7

TBL's second public talk in prayer meeting on Luke 6:17-49

4.1

TBL made an address in a Sunday-school meeting.

5.6

TBL preached talk at a Lord’s Day meeting from Romans 12:1. (LAHB, p.90)

5.13

TBL preached his first sermon on Luke 12:13-29, at the close of which one came forward to make the good confession, a Miss Editha Ritter, (LAHB, p.90) Says it was Luke 12:20,21 in (LLASOTBL, p.14)

September

TBL Enters Franklin College, near Nashville, Tennessee –Tolbert Fanning became a great hero to TBL the rest of his life

TBL helped secure funds for a meetinghouse for the church in Huntsville, Alabama – A common practice of his through his more than sixty-two years of work, (LLASOTBL, p.247)

1867

6.2.

TBL preaches at Burnetts Chapel, Davidson County, Tn,, fellow college mate, C.G. Payton of Hart County, Ky, makes the good confession. Does not baptize him (by Payton’s request) until they go back to Hart County home where TBL baptizes him into Christ on 6.16. This is TBL’s first baptism. (LAHB, p.91)

6.6

TBL graduates from Franklin College with honors, delivers the valedictory speech at combined Hope Institute/Franklin College graduation.

7.12

TBL preaches his first funeral, 6 week old baby of a sister Sinclair near Thompson’s station.

8.4

TBL preaches at Cathey’s Creek, Maury County, and “told ‘em all I know.” He was given $25, and invited to come again.

Summer

TBL travels with R.B. Trimble doing protracted meetings in Maury, Hickman and adjoining counties in middle Tennessee (LAHB, p.91)

1868

Early in year

TBL moves to Mountain Home, Alabama to teach in a college started by J.M. Pickens (LAHB, p.94)

Summer

TBL Evangelized through North Alabama with John Taylor

6.21

TBL plants the Bethelberry church of Christ in Lauderdale County (according to their church records)

July

TBL meets F.D. Srygley and F.B. Srygley at Rock Creek, Alabama (F.B. Srygley recalled that it was the second Sunday in July, 1867 when he was eight years old he (TBL) was 24 – LLASOTBL, p.378, but he was mistaken, as it was not until the following year.

8.30

TBL marries Esther Gresham near Florence, Alabama (Esther was a rather tall woman, 5’10.25” averaged weight of 145 lbs.) (LAHB, p.220) J.M. Pickens presides at the ceremony

Fall

TBL resumes teaching at Mountain Home School

1869

January

TBL moves to Kendrick, Tennessee to teach for next six months at Mansell Kendrick’s school. (LAHB, p.95)

April

TBL moves to Stantonville, Tennessee to educate for next ten months (in the home of Gen. J.H. Meeks) (LLASOTBL, p.53)

1870

1.1

TBL built house at Mars Hill, by Theophilus Brown Larimore and his wife, Esther Gresham Larimore, as a home and educational center. Near site of foundry and arsenal of War Between The States, it served as a school, 1871-1887, to train ministers and Christian workers of the Church of Christ.

July

TBL starts church at Collierville, Tennessee, preaching with 81 additions. From there to Antioch church, Lauderdale County, Alabama  (52 additions) (LAHB, p.185)

1871

1.1

TBL moves to Gresham farm to begin Mars Hill school near Florence. (LAHB, p.95) Session began in January and ended in June (6 mos annually) (LAHB, p.138)

September

TBL's first meeting at Lewisburg, Tennessee, believed it to be his first big challenge as work had been exhausted by the efforts of some of the brotherhood’s greatest,T.W. Brents, E.G. Sewell, others. His success was small, but he felt it to be good. (LAHB, p.196)

1872

7.11

TBL preached meeting at Pocahontas, Tenn., with only two ladies who were members. Baptized 32. Of which Bro. M.H. Northcross was baptized. (LAHB, p.185)

8.25

TBL preached at Cloverpoint, now Greenwood, TN. It had only 3 members. Before beginning one of the members said, “you can do nothing here now-you have come too late.” Within 10 days there were 61 additions. (LAHB, p.186)

10.19

Birth of T.B. “Toppie” Larimore

1873

TBL’s sister Molly marries R.P. Meeks – both teach at Mars Hill until 1875

1874

3.1

On Sunday evening, TBL delivers an address before Memphis and Shelby County Bible Society at the First Presbyterian church on the subject, “God and the Bible.”

TBL delivers a sermon at Linden St. church in Memphis where David Walk preached. 20 conversions.

9.17

TBL determines to start a publication, and turn the college into a university (LAHB, p.194,195) Desires that the publication be free of charge, funding to be raised by wealthy brethren.

Emma Page is a student at Tolbert Fanning’s Hope Institute when he dies in 1874.

TBL baptizes F.D. Srygley (West, p.324)

1875

January

First edition of publication was a 24-page 5x8” tract. Begins with a production and distribution of 5000, and ultimately reached 20,000. Paper was called, “Faith, Hope, Love, Mercy, Peace, Truth.” (LAHB, p.192)

By this time the college included 600 acres of land, more than 20 houses, good collection of school furniture, all of which valued at $30,000. (LAHB, p.99)

June

R.P. Meeks finished his course at Mars Hill College

Fall

TBL makes trip to Georgia, Florida & South Alabama, through to New Orleans and home by Jan to start teaching, in order to raise money for the building of the university and funding the paper. (LAHB, p.196)

Summer

TBL's meeting at Lewisburg – 51 responses (LAHB, p.197), also one the following summer with thirty additions to the church.

1877

June

TBL's meeting at Mooresville, - 11 additions

10.9

Mary Larimore, grandmother of TBL dies at Dunlap, Tennessee

1878

TBL begins writing for the Gospel Advocate – only writes 3 articles

TBL performs wedding ceremony for F.D. Srygley and a young student by the name of Ella F. Parkhill, a sixteen year old student of Mars Hill.

1879

January

E.A. Elam comes to Mars Hill to teach for one year.

Summer

TBL's meetings at Pinewood, Tennessee – 35 additions; followed by Valhermosa Springs, Morgan cty., Alabama – 39 additions; also at Cathey’s Creek, Maury County, TN,  with 25 additions.

1880

Summer

TBL started Bethel church in Lauderdale Cty., Alabama, also that year began the Macedonia church by converting an entire Baptist church to N.T. Christianity. Goes to Hot Springs, Ark. to take advantage of hot pools in view of “nervous prostration and general debility caused from overwork.” (LAHB, p.199), Preached meeting in Little Rock, little response. Preached a successful meeting in Paris, Texas.

1883

6.4

Mary Dedie Larimore, TBL’s first child, was baptized by his hands.

1885

November

TBL’s first great meeting in Nashville, Tennessee – 30 days, 60 sermons, 75 responses

1886

January-June

TBL teaching at Mars Hill College Each school year was from January to June. The rest of the year in preaching

Summer

Preaches in country around Mars Hill. One at Moulton, Lawrence County, – 40 responses; Hartselle, Morgan County – 20 responses (LAHB, p.203)

1887

June

Mars Hill School is abandoned for the evangelistic field.  After 16 years of existence. Srygley wrote of Larimore’s mentality, “Mars Hill College never failed; but was abandoned because a wider field of usefulness opened before him.” (LAHB, p.142)

7.10

TBL celebrates his 44th birthday.

Summer

TBL's meeting at South Nashville, - Six week meeting with 126 additions

7.16

TBL baptizes his fourth son, William Herschell

7.25

TBL baptizes his first son (second child), Granville Lipscomb Larimore and his son Theophilus Brown the same day

October

TBL goes to Cincinnati, Ohio to attend an expo

1888

Early in year

TBL's Fort Smith, Arkansas meeting – One month meeting with 50 additions

April

TBL's Meeting at Floyd & Chestnut Street church in Louisville, Kentucky – one month meeting – 44 additions. He had never preached so far north. He was compared with Hopson, Lard, and as an orator, even Henry Clay (LAHB, p.208)

May

TBL's Sherman, Texas meeting for one month (LAHB, p.208) – 50 additions.  Returned to Mars Hill, preached two-week meeting at Mars Hill (3 of his children were baptized) (LAHB, p.90)

8.20

TBL writes letter of acceptance to move to Louisville, Ky, (LAHB, p.211,212)

Late in year

TBL preaches among churches in Middle Tennessee. TBL estimated that the calls for meetings in 1888 were between 360 and 500 requests.

November

TBL's tour to Arkansas to preach (LAHB, p.209)

1889

1.1

TBL moves to Louisville, Ky – Floyd and Chestnut Street church.

TBL holds meeting at Lexington, Ky, Selina Campbell, aged 90, in attendance – (LASOTBL II, p.51)

5.23

F.D. Srygley finishes preface for Larimore And His Boys

1890

Two-month meeting at Pearl & Bryan church in Dallas, Texas – 73 additions

Makes a visit to his old alma-mater, Franklin College

1891

TBL declines offer to become superintendent of the Nashville Bible School

Third Edition – Larimore And His Boys released

TBL's meeting with Campbell Street church in Louisville – 108 additions

1892

TBL's meeting at Mars Hill – L&N railroad brings people in from surrounding communities to attend. This meeting took place every summer the second Sunday in August for 40 years. (TMFMH, p.83)

1894

1.3-6.7

TBL's meeting at Sherman, Texas, 22 weeks and one day. 333 sermons, 254 additions (Longest protracted meeting of TBL) TBL’s Description of it in (LASOTBL II, p.57) TBL baptizes 7 ½ year old Batsell Baxter during this meeting (LLASOTBL, p.314)

TBL has six-week meeting at Huntsville – (GA, 4.11.1929, p.350)

1895

1.3-4.17

TBL's meeting at Los Angeles, California, three months, 14 days, twice daily & three times on Sunday – 120 baptisms (Second longest protracted meeting by TBL)

1897

12.30

TBL's first child to marry, Mary Delilah “Dedie” – 3pm (LASOTBL, p.319,320)

1898

May – Sept.

TBL is sick, at home – (LASOTBL, p.130)

1900

End of Jan.

TBL's meeting at South College Street Church, Nashville, Tenn. – Sermons from this meeting were put in a book later that year and released by F.D. Srygley under the title “Letters and Sermons of T.B. Larimore.” Note: it would be his last book to produce, as F.D.S. died August 1st of that year.

8.2

TBL preaches the funeral of F.D. Srygley, burial at Mount Olivet in Nashville, Tennessee

1901-1903

Emma Page records many of TBL’s sermons in shorthand, with no idea of ever publishing them. (GA, July, 2007, p.19)

1902

9.2

Death of Nancy Larimore, TBL’s mother, at Stantonville, TN – buried at Clear Creek, N.B. Hardeman preaches funeral (NBH, p.301)

Preaches meeting in Weatherford, Texas

1903

8.4

Death of T.B. “Toppie” Larimore during an operation in Nashville

J.A. Harding takes lead in raising money for a church building at Mars Hill

1904

TBL preaches at Gunter Bible College, Gunter, Texas

Letters And Sermons of T.B. Larimore, edited by Emma Page is released by McQuiddy Publishing Company. These were a consortium of sermons and letters J.C. McQuiddy had asked Emma to follow him while in the Nashville area, and take the sermons down in shorthand. Little did she know that seven years later, she would be his wife.

Church building built at Mars Hill, completed

1905

TBL delivers the graduation sermon at Nashville Bible School

TBL's meeting at Iron City, TN. Train brought in by L & N. 600 people present for Sunday service.

1907

1.1

The New Christian Hymn Book. Compiled by T. B. Larimore and W. J. Kirkpatrick. Nashville: McQuiddy Printing Company, 1907. [adopted 1913]

3.4

Death of Julia Esther Gresham Larimore. R.P. Meeks, J.C. McQuiddey and E.A. Elam preach the funeral. (LASOTBL V.III, P.147)

September

TBL in Toronto, Canada for a meeting – (J.W. Shepherd, “Miscellany,” GA, 1907, p.661

1908

May

TBL in Denton, Texas, TBL delivers address to Young Men’s Literary Societies of the Texas State normal School (LLASOTBL p.217)

1909

1.1

“Children’s Corner” by Emma Page begins appearing in the Gospel Advocate (GA, July, 2007, p.19)

1.1

Meeting at Glendale, Murray, KY

TBL accepts presidency of Larimore University, Cookeville, TN on condition name be changed to Dixie University

1910

TBL's letter to Gospel Advocate from Louisville telling the brotherhood that his arm (in a cast for five months) is healed.

Letters And Sermons Published – transcriptions by Emma Page.

1911

1.1

TBL marries Emma Page in Nashville, Tennessee. Makes a visit to California to see daughter Ettie and her husband F.E. White in Fresno. (LLASOTBL, p.20)

3.16

The Larimores begin a preaching tour that took them from “Maine to Mexico,” and “from Canada to Cuba.” – lasted most of 1911. Tour recorded in Our Corner Book. By Emma Page Larimore

5.11

TBL delivers a lecture at the Young Mens’ Literary Societies of Texas State Normal school, (LLASOTBL, 217)

TBL begins meeting at Cookeville, Tennessee. Said he planned to stay, “till dogwoods bloom.” Church building not ready, goes to California

TBL resigns presidency of Dixie University.

TBL suffers a train wreck with Emma while on trip to Florida. TBL suffers broken ribs, and Emma some bruising.

1912

1.1

TBL conducts two-week meeting at Centerville, Tenn.

1912-13

TBL in Gainesville, Florida – publishes “Our Florida Friend.” Tries to establish a school there. Because of land problems, school is closed.

1914

TBL preaches at commencement exercises of NTN & B.C., Henderson, TN (N.B.H. p.122)

1915-1916

T.B. Larimore joins the staff of N.T.N. & B.C. to head the Bible Department during the 1915,16 session, and also serves as regular preacher for the Henderson church (A.G. Freed, GA, 5.16.1929, p.461 / Also, B.C. Goodpasture, GA, 5.6.1920)

1915

November

Between mid Nov & mid Dec., spends a month in Sequatchie Valley where he enjoys the time of revisiting the land of his youth. (LLASOTBL, p.82ff)

1916

TBL joins editorial staff of Gospel Advocate

1918

11.21

TBL moves to California

1920

 1.1

TBL moves to Berkeley and preached for congregation in San Francisco, preached through the summer all over California (GA, 2.5.1920, p.144)

1.21

Report by SR Cassius that the Larimores assist in planting the work among the blacks of Northern California in the city of Oakland (GA 1.21.1920, p.66,67)

1921

TBL evangelizes back throughout Tennessee and Alabama

1922

4.9

TBL starts congregation in Berkeley (LLASOTBL, p.21)

TBL goes to Washington, D.C. for a meeting. Urged to stay, and does for three years. Stays there three years, the longest with any one church, (LLASOTBL, p.22)
Preaches meetings at Cookeville, and Bell Buckle, Tennessee

1923

7.10

80th Birthday

1924

TBL begins writing “Word From Washington” as a regular column in the Gospel Advocate

Summer

TBL conducts meetings at Hurricane Mills, Tenn.; Henderson, Tenn.; Nashville, TN

7.10

81st Birthday – TBL is sick and resting in the home of Emma’s sister, Mrs. Hamilton in Nashville, Tennessee (LLASOTBL, p.339)

August

TBL almost develops pneumonia – returns to Washington

1925

October

TBL resigns from Washington Church and returns to Berkeley, California
Address: 1427 Grove St., Berkeley, California (GA 12.17.1925, p.1208)

1926

TBL begins Column in the Gospel Advocate, “Greetings from the Golden Gate”

7.10

TBL celebrates his 83rd birthday – at Sequoia National Park (LLASOTBL, p.341)

1927

TBL speaks on the radio for the first time

TBL solicits money for the building of the church building at Berkeley

1928

1.1

Berkely church begins occupancy of new church building at Berkeley that TBL helped secure funds to build. (LLASOTBL, p.22)

June

TBL moves to Santa Ana. Begins preaching at Fullerton

TBL conducts meeting at Broadway and Walnut church in Santa Ana,

July

TBL conducts meeting with Santa Ana, ends on 8th.

7.10

84th birthday – speaks of it in LLOSOTBL, p.345.

TBL changes name of his GA column to “Greetings From The Golden West”

TBL meets Foy E. Wallace, Jr. for the first time.

TBL conducts meeting at Fullerton ends on the 29th – baptizes tow young girls, Marguerite and Lois Wheeler, Lois being the last person he ever baptized – (LLASOTBL, p.341)

October

TBL’s son Herschell dies in a tragic car accident near Florence, Alabama (LLASOTBL, p.26) TBL hears of it in California and is heart-broken

November

TBL conducts meeting at Sichel Street church, Los Angeles, CA. Closed on November 25. Stayed to visit with church on Sunday, the 2nd.

12.2

Larimores met with Sichel Street church expecting to hear E.C. Fuqua, but at Fuqua and others request TBL preached on Jude 3 “one of his favorite texts.” (LLASOTBL p.24) – preached that night on Matthew 27:23 – the last sermon he ever preached.

12.7

TBL wrote a plan to help the church at Fullerton for building a church building. Never had an opportunity to present it. (LLASOTBL, p.247)

12.8

TBL returned home from L.A. both T.B. and Emma had enfluenza.

12.17

TBL weakened by flu, falls and breaks hip. About 11am, he walks out to the garage, slips and falls.

1929

2.3

TBL returns home from Santa Ana Valley Hospital

3.17

Sunday, a gloomy day with overcast skies. TBL was down, which was not normal for him. (LLASOTBL, p.26)

3.18

Monday, TBL woke feeling much better, 9:30am, dies at home during therapy, in his 85th year. Buried at Fairhaven Memorial Park, Santa Ana, California

3.20

Funeral for TBL at the Broadway Street church of Christ. O.B. Curtis led singing, S.E. Witty read Hebrews 11:1-10, and made a few remarks, E.C. Fuqua led prayer. Burial at Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana.

Memorial issue of the Gospel Advocate to TBL, tributes pour in from all over, spilling into next two issues

1931

Life, Letters & Sermons of T.B. Larimore is published by Emma Page Larimore from shorthand notes she had taken from sermons he preached before she knew him personally. (LLASOTBL- p.19,20)

1943

4.23

Death of Emma Page Larimore, buried at Santa Ana by her husband at Fairhaven Memorial Park.

1947

Mars Hill Bible School is re-established on the grounds of the old Mars Hill Bible College