John Law was born in India about 1784 to Thomas Law and an unidentified Indian woman. In 1794 Thomas Law came to America after living about two decades in India; presumably John and his brothers came with him. Thomas Law married Eliza Parke Custis in 1796 and raised the boys until their separation around 1804. John Law graduated from Harvard University in 1804; he was a member of the Columbian Dragoons in 1811; and was the commissioner to adjust the Yazoo claims in 1814. He died on October 4, 1822.