John Overton | |
|---|---|
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| Tennessee Supreme Court Judge | |
| In office 1804–1810 | |
| Preceded by | Andrew Jackson |
| Succeeded by | Robert Whyte |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1766-04-09)April 9, 1766 |
| Died | April 12, 1833(1833-04-12) (aged 67) |
| Spouse | Mary McConnell White[1][2][3] |
| Relations | Thomas Overton (brother) Richard Arvin Overton (great great grandson) |
| Profession |
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John Overton (April 9, 1766 – April 12, 1833) was anAmericanplanter and slave trader, a judge at theTennessee Supreme Court, a banker, political leader, and an advisor ofAndrew Jackson. He was described in 1889 as having been the "wealthiest man in the State."[4]
Overton was born on April 9, 1766, inLouisa County,Virginia. His parents were James Overton and Mary Waller. In 1787, he began his law career and moved toNashville, Tennessee in 1789, to practice law at theDavidson County court. He was elected to succeed his friend Andrew Jackson as a member of theTennessee Supreme Court in 1804, where he served as a judge until 1810. His elder brotherThomas Overton served as Jackson's second in his duel withCharles Dickinson. In 1819, he foundedMemphis, Tennessee on land he owned with Andrew Jackson andJames Winchester.[1][5]
He was elected a member of theAmerican Antiquarian Society in 1820.[6]
Overton engaged in the slave trade and became one of the wealthiest men in Tennessee.[7] In 1830 a farmer and slave owner named Eleazer Hardeman repudiated his son Seth Hardeman's purchase of a slave named Elbert from Overton, writing that he was "determined never to. . . encourage any man in the slave trade." Whether this was a moral stance or a negotiating tactic is unclear since Elbert "was considered a poor investment owing to his chronic rheumatism."[8] Emily Berry was sold by Overton in Memphis. Her children Mary, Martha, Billy and Minerva were looking for her years later.[9]
According to the Nashville Public Library’sEnslaved and Free People of Color Database, John Overton is recorded as having enslaved the following people. Their ages, when known, and the year the record was created are included.
He was married to Mary McConnell White, the daughter ofKnoxville founder,James White.[3] He builtGreenlevel inCollierville, Tennessee, although he continued to live atTravellers Rest in Nashville.[10]
He died April 12, 1833, atTravellers Rest, his Nashville home.
The nearbyJohn Overton Comprehensive High School, located just across the railroad tracks that abut the property, is named in his honor.
Overton Park in midtown of Memphis was named after John Overton.
TheOverton Lodge ofFree and Accepted Masons on the historic courthouse square inRogersville, Tennessee was named after John Overton and is the oldest continuously operating Masonic lodge in the state of Tennessee, and has been operating from the same building since circa 1840, and is a contributing property to theRogersville Historic District.
Living direct descendants include the Overton family inNashville, who live very close to Travelers Rest. Perkins Baxter Overton grew up playing on theTravelers Rest grounds and is the great-great-great-grandson of Judge John. His son Thomas Perkins Overton also has a son named John Overton. Another Overton descendent is geologistWilliam R. Dickinson.
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