Tennessee Reports: Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Highest Courts of Law and Equity of the State of Tennessee, Volume 10; Volume 19
(This work has been selected by scholars as being cultural...)
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
John Overton was an American politician, advisor of Andrew Jackson, and a judge at the Superior Court of Tennessee.
Background
John Overton was born on April 9, 1766, in Louisa County, Virginia, the son of James and Mary (Waller) Overton. His family, of English origin, was well connected but poor, and young Overton taught school for several years in order to assist in the education of his brothers and sisters.
Education
In 1787 John Overton migrated to Kentucky for the purpose of studying law and took board in the home of a Mrs. Robards, of Mercer County, which he completed two years later.
Career
Completing his studies, John decided to practise law in the frontier town of Nashville, Tennessee. Making his way thither, he became a boarder in the home of the widow of Col. John Donelson. Here he was the bed-fellow of Andrew Jackson, another young lawyer who had shortly preceded him to Nashville. In 1790 the western part of North Carolina became the Southwest Territory, and Overton was made supervisor of the federal excise. During this period he also became much interested in land speculations and was Jackson's partner in some of the most important land deals. In 1794 these two men purchased the Rice tract, upon which, in 1819, they founded the town of Memphis. In 1804 Jackson resigned his place upon the bench of the superior court of Tennessee and Overton succeeded to the post, holding this position until the old courts were abolished, January 1, 1810. In November 1811 he was appointed a member of the supreme court of the state to succeed George Campbell. In 1816 he resigned. He published two volumes of Tennessee Reports (1813 - 17), which cover cases tried before the court from 1791 to 1816.
Being intimately connected with the formulation of the law during the plastic period of a new jurisdiction, Overton became the recognized authority on all matters relating to land legislation, and in many cases it was his influence which shaped the form it took. He also built up the largest landed estate in Tennessee and was considered the richest citizen of the commonwealth. After his retirement from the bench, he devoted his entire time to the promotion of his private interests and the political fortunes of Andrew Jackson. In 1821 he, William B. Lewis, and John H. Eaton formed an informal committee of close personal friends for the advancement of Jackson's candidacy for the presidency, and from this time until the election of 1828 they were largely engaged in the defense of their hero against his enemies. Because he had resided with the Robards family in Kentucky, Overton's services were especially valuable in combating the scandal bruited about during the campaign in connection with Jackson's marriage to Rachel Robards, formerly Rachel Donelson. Though Overton kept complete records of all his transactions, before his death he destroyed his correspondence with Jackson. On the election of "Old Hickory" to the presidency, Overton asked for no office and accepted no favors, remaining in Nashville to the end of his life. He must have possessed rare qualities, for he was unique in being able to live on intimate terms with Jackson as an adviser and friend without friction and without becoming a mere follower.
John Overton died at the age of 67 in Nashville, Tennessee.
(This work has been selected by scholars as being cultural...)
Membership
John Overton was a member of the American Antiquarian Society
Personality
Quotes from others about the person
Henry A. Wise, who visited "The Hermitage" in 1828, described Overton as he sat in the family circle with a bandanna handkerchief thrown over his bald head, nose and chin nearly meeting, making ineffectual efforts to enter into the conversation.
Connections
John Overton was married to Mary McConnell (White) May, the widow of Dr. Francis May, the daughter of Gen. James White, and the sister of Hugh Lawson White.