Born in St. Martin, France, La Framboise settled with his family in Chazy in 1763, but they were driven out by the start of the Revolution in 1776. During the Revolution, he fought for the Americans while serving in the First Canadian Regiment, Continental Army under Colonel James Livingston. After the war, he was included in the Refugee Balloting Book under the name “John Baptist Laframboise”. When he returned to the area known as Chazy he built a house and planted apple and butternut trees. In 1790 his trees were bearing fruit and became the first orchard in Clinton County.