SPECULATION ON MIDDLE NAME
At least one source of some of the historical information lists John's middle initial as "H." However, I (JPC) wonder if this speculation is not associated with John H. Overton, the U.S. Land Commissioner.

Ms. Johanna Ellis writes to JPC in November, 1998 with the following information:
"Tennessee Genealogical Records: Records of Early Settlers From State and County Archives" page 330.
OVERTON
John Overton came from North Carolina to Davidson Co., Tennessee by 1805; was in Williamson Co., 1808 in Maury Co., in 1818 and removed to Louisiana where he died about 1832. He had a daughter who married Tristram Patton of Williamson Co; another daughter who married James Byers of Williamson County. He had a son, Thomas Jefferson Overton of Maury Co., born 1805. He only had one child by his last wife, Susannah (maiden name unknown). His descendants are known to be living in Maury Co., Tenn and Texas, and probably in Louisiana.

REVOLUTIONARY WAR VETERAN, 1785
The following grants establish John Overton's Revolutionary war service. Also from "Roster of Soldiers from North Carolina in the American Revolution," page 296. Grant No. 3156 to "John Overton, Private, 274 acres, 36 months service (to) December 15, 1785."

APPOINTED PATROLLERS, 1792
John Overton, Jr., Owen Stratton, Ed Symes, W. Dyson and Wm. Dickerson appointed patrollers in Captain Cheek's District, August Court, 1792.

LAND GRANT, 1793
The State of North Carolina granted land to "John Overton, a private in the Continental Line of said state, land in our County, May 20, 1793." Grant No. 1965, Secretary of State's Office, Raleigh, North Carolina. In addition, Grant No. 320, dated February 23, 1793 "State of North Carolina to John Overton, land in our County of Davidson, on branch of the West Fork of Harpeth." This land became Williamson County and is near Thompson's Station.

MOVE TO TENNESSEE, CIRCA 1800
John Overton moved to Tennessee sometime between December 6, 1787 (birth date of his son Jesse in North Carolina) and 1799, when he is listed in Williamson County, Tennessee Taxables for 1800, page 23. "John Overton, 640 acres at the mouth of West Harpeth." Taxables for 1801, page 43, lists "John Overton, 715 acres on West Harpeth."

DEED OF PROPERTY, 1810
On October 25, 1810, John Overton deeded 52 acres to his son Jesse Overton of Maury County on the double branches of the waters of Rutherford Creek.

PURCHASE OF SLAVE, 1818
In the Maury County deed book, page 45: John Overton of Maury County to Matilda Campbell and Robert Campbell, Executrix and Executor of John Campbell, deceased of Maury County. Bill of sale for negro man. Witnesses Robert Campbell, Jesse Overton. Signed John Overton. 12/6/1818.

MOVE TO MISSISSIPPI, THEN TO LOUISIANA, 1819
In 1819 John Overton moved from Maury County, Tennessee to Mississippi, then to the Parish of East Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT, 1831
Parish Judges Book #1, Conventional and Legal Mortgages, June 28, 1825 to January 19, 1831, No. 318.

State of Louisiana, Parish East Baton Rouge. On the 15th day of October in the year 1831, Charles Tessier, Parish Judge and Notary Public in and for said Parish went to the domicile of John Overton, resident of this town, where I found the said Overton sick in bed, but of sound mind and he expressed to me his intention of making his last will and testament, which he dictated to me as follows:

He declares that he has contracted a second marriage to his present wife Susannah Overton with whom he has a son, Thomas Jefferson Overton. He declares to have living three children the issue of his first marriage, viz: Samuel, Jesse and Cassandra Overton.

He gives and bequeaths to his wife Susannah Overton in usufruct for a term of 4 years his Negro slave Jack, Negro man, and the Negro woman Hannah, after which term it is his will that the said slaves be set free from service forever in consequence of which disposition, the said wife or representative shall take necessary steps before competent authority to obtain freedom of said slaves according to law.

He declares that John Anderson is in his debt $15.00.

He names his son Samuel Overton the executor of this his last will and testament giving him full power for same.

The foregoing will was thus dictated by the testator to the notary undersigned, who wrote it as described and afterwards read it to the testator in a amiable voice in presence of Wm. Brown, Vincent Kirkland and Malcom Patterson, witnesses, residing in this town, and he ratified same as containing his last will and testament, which was written without turning to another act. In witness thereof the testator hereto set his hand with said witnesses and notary the same day and year after the whole being read.

J.O. (initials of John Overton)

Charles Tessier, P.J.
Wm. Brown
Vincent Kirkland
Malcom Patterson

At the time of signing the testator declared he was unable through weakness to write more than his initials of his name, which he did as aforesaid in presence of said witnesses and notary.

Charles Tessier, P.J.
William Brown
Vincent Kirkland
Malcom Patterson

Recorded this 19th October, 1830, Charles Tessier.

• Married: NOV 1785 in Moore County, North Carolina, Will Book No. A.
• Note: John Overton, Sr. was listed as surety on the marriage bond.

1. JESSE OVERTON b: 9 DEC 1787 in Moore County, North Carolina
2. Samuel OVERTON b: ABT. 1790 in Moore County, North Carolina
3. Martha OVERTON b: ABT. 1792 in Moore County, North Carolina
4. Cassandra Casey OVERTON b: 1793 in Moore County, North Carolina

• Married: ABT. 1805

1. Thomas Jefferson OVERTON b: 24 APR 1805 in Columbia, Maury County, Tennessee