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