Overton Family Papers, 1785-1892

Held by The Filson Historical Society

Creator:  Overton family

Title:  Papers, 1785-1892

Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Curator of Special Collections.

Size of Collection:  .33 cu. ft.

Location Number:  Mss. A O96

Scope and Content Note

The majority of the letters in the collection are from John B. Overton to his brother, William, in Virginia.  John’s letters describe his farming successes and failures in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi, and his slave dealings.  Two letters from 1785 discuss schooling.  Letters from 1786-1788 discuss the surveying of Kentucky land grants and the registering of the same for Col. John Overton, John B. Overton’s father, a Revolutionary War veteran.

 

Biographical Note

John B. Overton was the son of John Overton, a Revolutionary War veteran and resident of Hanover, Louisa County, Virginia.  It is unclear when he was born or when he died.  As early as 1825, he was living in Lexington, Kentucky, with farming interests in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi.  Overton’s brother, William, lived in Louisa County, Virginia, as late as 1840.

 

  

Folder List

Folder 1:              Correspondence, 1785-1788

Folder 2:              Correspondence, 1825-1832

Folder 3:              Correspondence, 1833-1840

Folder 4:              Correspondence, 1872, 1892

 

Subject Headings

Agriculture

Cotton – Mississippi

Education

Land grants – Kentucky

Slavery – Kentucky