The spelling of this surname has changed down through time ... from Almond, to Allman, to Allmond. Similarly, there is more than one story concerning John's background. One source has it that he came to America, in 1760, as a young orphan, while another source claims that he was an indian. It is alledged that at one time he apprenticed to become a cobbler. In any event, it is known that he abandoned his wife and children and disappeared forever.