The Supreme Court of Tennessee.
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Tennessee for fifteen years. He was thrice unanimously elected United States Senator, without solicitation on his part. He died just after his retirement from that body in 1840. As State Senator he had made a compilation of the confused land laws of the State, reducing them to an orderly whole as nearly as possible, and had it enacted into a statute. His greatest service as a judge was in expounding and giving shape to these laws,
was stainless; and he so resolved every doubt as to the propriety of an official or personal act that he never "felt his honor grip."
John Overton was born in Louisa County, Va., April 9, 1766, of good English stock, adherents of the Commonwealth, who found a safer residence in America after the Restoration.
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He was too young to bear arms in the Revolution, in which all his brothers fought; but while caring for the family thus left in his charge, by arduous as a very large num study, unaided by ber of the cases com teachers, he fitted ing before the court himself for the prac involved titles to land. tice of law. His opinions were He sought the new usually short, stating State of Kentucky the controversy clear as his place of open ly, and deciding the ing. In the fall of question without great 1789 he removed to elaboration. Not alone Nashville, Tenn. In his career on the the same month An bench, 'but his whole drew Jackson came life won him the name from North Carolina. of Hugh L. White, The two young law "The Just," as his yers became friends, epitaph styles him. occupied the same His conduct was char office, and were asso acterized by great ciated in their busi high-mindedness. Af ness ventures. Mr. ter the massacre of HUGH LAWSON WHITE. Overton's training in Fort Mimms in 1812, Kentucky had pecu brought about by the machinations of the Shawnee chief Tecumseh, liarly fitted him for the practice of the land had called out all the available men in the law, then an inexact science more intricate service of the State, General Jackson, who than the law of contingent remainders or was in charge of the troops of the State, was executory devises. A lucrative practice was sorely pressed. Judge White left the bench; his reward, and there was laid the foundation and the force he was instrumental in bringing of a fortune which in the hands of his de to the aid of General Jackson enabled him scendants is to-day the largest in Tennessee. to deliver battle at the Horse-Shoe and an He was appointed Supervisor of the Revenue nihilate the Indian power. The Legislature of the United States by President Washing directed that his salary as judge, covering the ton; but the discharge of the duties of the time of his military service, should be paid office did not interfere with his practice. In him, but he declined to receive it. Through 1803 he was the commissioner on the part of his long life of public service, his fair name Tennessee to adjust with North Carolina the 16
