Benjamin Franklin Overton

GEDCOM Note

From OvertonsOnly.comBENJAMIN OVERTON, JR. (RANDOLPH COUNTY, IL) WAR: Blackhawk War, 1832. Benjamin Overton, Jr. private in Capt. James Thompson's Company, Third Regiment, Third Brigade, Illinois mounted volunteers. Overton is listed as sick, so it is not clear whether he marched with the company on June 8 to Fort Wilbourn.. Enrolled June 4, 1832 for 90 days. Company was mustered out on August 17, 1832. No records of pay. (Combined History of Randolph, Monroe & Perry Counties, IL. Philadelphia: J. L. McDonough & Co., p. 205. And Alderfer, William K. Collections of the Illinois State Historical Library, part 2, "The Blackhawk Campaign of 1832", p. 404-405.1823, May 13, Benjamin Overton is commissioned as an Ensign in the 2nd Regiment on May 13, 1823. (Executive Record 1818-1832, Vol. 1, p. 78). The commissioning took place in Vandalia. Others commissioned were John Hares (Harris?) and Daniel Mann (captains), William McFaron, Lt., And Moses Thompson and Benjamin Overton, ensigns. Note that this could be the Benjamin Overton from Randolph County who was already mustered out of Capt. James Thompson's Company, Third Regiment, Third Brigade, or the Benjamin Overton from then "Sangamo" County.BENJAMIN OVERTON (Sangamon, Christian and Shelby Counties, IL)1824, Aug 2 Evidence of Benjamin Overton's presence in Sangamo (original spelling of Sangamon) County IL includes his name in the voter list of August 2, 1824, at Springfield. Near his name on the list are James Dawson and Thomas Dawson. (This is a clue that beliefs that Overton was married to, or "consorting with", Mary Dawson may be correct.)1824,November 1, Overton's name again appears on a list of voters. He is voter # 528 on August 7, 1826.1830, August 2, voted for governor, lt. gov., senator, representative, sheriff, county commissioner, and for coroner. (Snowbirds: Poll Books of Sangamo County, 1821-1830. Springfield: Sangamon County Genealogical Society, 1983, various pages.)1828 Dec 25. Matilda Overton and Moses Smith married. Matilda is of the right age to be Benjamin's sister. (IL DAR Sangamon County Marriage Records, Bk 1, Pt 2, 1822-1835). Matilda and Moses Smith appear later in the Benjamin Overton saga, so there is some familial connection.1829, April 15 Jacob Cagle sues Benjamin Overton, alleging that beginning on Dec. 1, 1827, Overton destroyed Cagle's crops using oxen, horses, mares, geldings, carts, wagons, carriages. Also that he felled trees (100 oaks, 100 ash, 100 elms, 100 hickorys and 40 acres of underwood), also that Overton pulled down houses, rail pens and fences and put them to his own use, and that he hauled off house logs, forks and poles, an ox yoke, one staple, one iron ring, one log chin, and two bows. Cagle's land is described in the case documents as the east 1/2 of the NW 1/4 of Section 10 in Twp. 14, North of Range 3W. The location of the land at the time was in Sangamo County. It is in modern Christian County. This location seems to be confirmed by the fact that the witnesses in the case are Isaac Blount, Reddin Blount, Joseph Denton, Clark Crocker, Isaiah Baker, Eli Williams, Amos Williams, Benjamin Blount, Claiborn Matthews, and James(?) C. Stephenson, many of whom are listed as neighbors in the 1830 Christian County census.1829. April; Benjamin Overton vs Amos Williams and Eli Williams. Overton is appealing a judgment which Amos and Eli won against him. Witnesses are Matilda (Overton) Smith, Moses Smith, Ben. Blunt and Amos Crocker, Clark Crocker and Polly Myres(aka Mary Myers).1830 census. Benjamin Overton is listed in Sangamon County (Roll 24, p. 172) with the following family members: males 0201001, females 201001, adjacent Babbitt, Bishop, Broder.1830. Sangamon County Circuit Court case of Walter Clark vs Benjamin Overton. Witnesses, Mary Howard (Benjamin married her in 1832), Mary Myers (shows up on later census records assoc. with Overton family) , Reddin Blunt, Sylphy Blunt and Isaac Blunt. A letter witten by Leonard Burch to Benjamin Overton is summoned for evidence in the case. Clark accuses Overton of entering his dwelling on Oct. 1, 1829 and other days and taking items of value, and of dismantling the log house and rebuilding it on land Overton occupied. Benjamin Overton signed his mark, so he apparently did not read or write.A great snow of 1830-31 blanketed much of Illinois with 3 foot deep snows with drifts of 4 to 6 feet. Storms with high winds continued for 60 days, people were snowbound, and many who ventured out were lost. The winds drove snow through the chinks in log cabins. (The Deep Snow. http://users.midamer.et/jonm/deepsnow.htm) (Several sources are cited in this document.)1832, Feb 8. Benjamin Overton marries May P. Howard (name later proves to be Mary Pernel Howard) in Sangamon County (Book 1, Part II, 1822-1835 of Illinois DAR Marriage Records Sangamon County, 1949, p. 27). Full name came from a deed transfer found in Shelby County.1833. Laurene Nash submitted information to the LDS that Melissa Overton was born in 1833 in Christian County and was the daughter of Benjamin Overton and Mary Dawson however, there is no record of any prior marriage in either Sangamon or Christian Counties. It is possible Mary was a consort of Benjamin or that they were married prior to coming to Springfield. This is likely if James (reportedly born 1820) and Ephraim Dawson Overton (reportedly born 1822 in Springfield) are their sons and brothers of Melissa. Date of Melissa's birth or name of her mother must be tentative since Benjamin had already married Mary P. Howard in 1832. Of course, it is possible that there were two different Benjamin Overtons in Sangamon/Christian county, although the evidence does not support this conclusion.1834. Joseph Denton vs Benjamin Overton, Sr. in August 1832. Sangamon Circuit Court. Witnesses include: L. Hollenback, Thos. Jones, ? Pitman, Chris Stafford, Thos. Young, John Weddle, John Martin, Claiborn Matthews, Charles Vandever, Eli Williams, Barnet Davies, Aaron Vandever, Martin Hanon, R. Richardson, Isaac Richardson, James Hanon, Thomas Dawson This case is a little confusing since the documents in the case file include questioning of witnesses about Denton's marking of hogs that were not his own, however the case is titled Denton vs Overton, suggesting Overton was the accused thief. Perhaps Denton was countersuing Overton for accusing him of hog theft or throwing a blind and attempting to accuse Overton of hog theft. It is clear from the documents that it was Denton who was the hog thief. Witnesses included John Beardon, Catherine A. Jones, John Weddle, Chris Stafford, John Young and other neighbors. There is also a Pitmann vs Denton case mixed into the file. (The case documents are located at the IRAD Center in Springfield.)1833 John Weddle dies intestate on Feb. 5, 1833 in Sangamon County. Benjamin Overton is listed in the probate records as attending the sale. Other names listed include neighbors like William McAlister, "Widow" Waddle (sic), Wm. Benifield, Thomas Jones. (Sangamon County Probate Records of 1827-1835, p. 135.1834 On Oct. 18, 1833, neighbor William McAlister dies intestate. Benjamin Overton's name is in the file. Other names include David Cagle, James Pittman, Moses Martin, Andrew Howard, Joseph Denton, Thomas Jones, etc. . (Sangamon County Probate Records of 1827-1835, p. 23.1837 March 13 Benjamin Overton buys 40 acres of land in Shelby County. It is located in Section 15 of Township 9N, Range 3E, Meridian 3. (State of Illinois Archives Division Pubic Domain Sales Land Tract Record Listing, Red_ID # 322099).1839 Benjamin Overton buys 40 more acres in Shelby County (present day Fayette County) on January 17 (Rec. ID 202087), 40 more on April 15 (Rec. ID 381540) and an additional 40 acres on May 15, 1839 (Rec. ID 381539) Two tracts are in Section 15 and 2 in Sec. 16 of Township 9N, Range 3E, Meridian 3. This location is near the modern town of Holliday on the Shelby/Fayette County line.1840 Census records show no Overton in Sangamon or Christian County. Shelby County census: Benjamin Overton(as B.) males 10001001/01001 adjacent Sml Manning, Humphrey,Males 0-5 (prob. not Benj. F born Nov. maybe Oliver?) 20-30 1 (James or E.D.?) 50-60 1 (Benjamin)Females 5-10 1 (Louisa?) (Evelyn?), 20-30 1 (age of a daughter, but likely this is his wife she would be 27) Note: one neighbor is James Dawson. Coincidence or the same as Sangamon County James Dawson?1840 Other records show that Benjamin F. Overton is born in Shelby County on Nov. 1 (Christian county death certificate; 1858 Sangamon County guardianship file). Benjamin Overton is his father since Benjamin gives custody of minor Benjamin F. Overton in an 1858 guardianship case to James Hanon and Jesse Hanon. The Hanons are neighbors in Christian County (1830 census), and a James Hanon later married Louisa Overton.1846Benjamin Overton was a purchaser at the estate sale of Thomas Price on April 1, 1846. Shelby County Probate Journal 2 (1843), Part I. Published by Shelby County Historical and Genealogical Society, Shelbyville, IL, 1973, p. 6.1850. No Benjamin appears in the 1850 Illinois Census index. There is also no card in the every name index at the Illinois State Archives, making it a pretty good bet that he was out of state or deceased or the index is incomplete! Furthermore, Mary Overton married Jacob Wanack on 8/27/1850 in Christian County, IL, license 265, book A, p. 39.1850 Benjamin F. Overton age 10 is listed with the family of Isaac Meacham, a farmer born in NC. His wife Mary is born in KY and is 42. (Could this be Mary P. Howard Overton???) Other children of Meacham are John, age 25 b. KY, Edmund P. age 24 b. KY, daughters Alcy (age 20 b. IL), Isabella (age 16 b. IL) and Nancy (age 10, born IL). Nearby neighbors include Wm. Blount, George Wanock, Jesse Richardson, and John Young. (p. 23)1850 On p. 22 of the same census there is a Jacob Wanock family, Jacob is age 53 born in NC, and wife Mary is age 37 born MO. Children include Tobias, age 26 and Daniel age 22 both born NC, John, age 17 and Matthew age 15, both born IL. Oliver Overton age 12 born IL also lives with this family. Based on age of the older children, it is likely that Mary is not their mother, but she is the mother of Oliver. There seems little doubt that is Mary P, Howard Overton divorced & remarried.1850 On p. 19 of the same census, Louisa Overton age 17 b. IL is living with the Andrew Hayward family. So is Mary Myers, age 71 born PA. (note a Mary Myers was a witness to some of the early Benjamin Overton court cases). (Note that a Louisa Overton later married James Hanon on Dec. 29, 1850 in Christian County IL. License 289m book A, p. 43,1850 Also on p. 19 are two Hanon families. Jesse Hanon, Sr. and wife Nancy, both in their 50's and born in SC. Jesse is farmer. The other family is the George Hanon family. James Hanon age 22 born IL is living with them, but obviously is not a child of George who is age 30.1850 Menard County, IL census. William Overton, age 17 born IL is living with the Archibald Kincaid family. Kincaid is a farmer, William is a laborer. fits son of MAry Dawson Overotn.1854 a Benjamin Overton purchases 160 acres in Pope County IL, township 11S and 14S, range 6E, meridian 3. Land entry record numbers 436839, -40 and -41. 120 acres is in Polk Twp. and 40 in Logan Twp. THIS COULD BE THE SAME BENJAMIN AS ABOVE, OR NOT. Although he clearly was no longer with Mary Howard by 1850, there is no evidence of his death before 1858.1855 Aug. 30, a Benjamin Overton marries Elizabeth Killgore in Gallatin County. Book 2, p. 249.1858Guardianship is filed August 6, 1858 for Benjamin Overton born Nov. 1, 1840 the minor heir of Benjamin Overton, late of Christian County, deceased. Guardians are James Hanon of Sangamon County and Jesse Hanon, Sr. of Christian County. The sum of $1000 was included for the use of Benjamin (the ward).1859 Sept. 4, Benjamin F. Overton marries Nancy J. Warnick in Christian County, IL. License 938, book A, p. 131.1860 Christian County, IL census, P.O. Taylorville, July 2, 1860. Jacob Wenick, age 63 farmer born in NC, Nancy P. Wenick, dom. (domestic?) Age 47 born MO, and Evaline, age 6 born IL and Robert Burrows, age 15 born IL. A couple of farms away, Benjamin Overton age 20 and Nancy age 26 (both born IL). Living with them are Alice Wenick age 3 born IL, and Willis Overton, age 2/12. (Perhaps Benjamin was Nancy's second husband?)1860 census for Beardstown, Cass Co., IL. Lists Richard T. Overton, laborer, aged 27 born KY.1870 census for 1wd, Beardstown, Cass Co., IL lists Richard. Overton age 39, born IL with wife Abigail (Kearney) childen Rose, Anna, Malinda, and a Mary Overton, age 74, born KY. Richard's occupation is either horse dealer or house dealer.(The Mary in Cass and Menard county census data is not the same as the Mary in Christian County...note age difference. This supports the idea that Benjamin had two wives named Mary. One was clearly Mary P. Howard, the other could be Mary Dawson-no confirmation yet other than Ephraim Dawson Overton's middle name, and we don't know for sure that Benjamin and Mary were his parents, and the proximity of the Dawson and Overton families in Sangamon and Christian Counties.)1870 Christian County IL census, P.O. Blueville, IL. Twp. 14W, N 3 W. B. F. Overton is listed as age 29, a farmer. Nancy is age 36, a "hsekpr". Alice Wenick age 11, and William Overton, age 10 live with them, (all born in IL) as does Mary Wenick, age 55, b. KY (this latter is probably Mary P. Howard Overton Warnock).BENJAMIN F. OVERTON: Born Nov 1, 1840 in "Shelby Co.", IL (per death certificate) but all signs point to birth in Christian County since that's where the family lived at the time . (Death certificate information was reported by an in-law, not a direct relative.) A guardianship document confirms father as Benjamin Overton. At the time of Benj. F's birth, Benjamin was living on land that had been Sangamon County and was in Christian County after the latter was formed. The land was very near Edinburg, IL.Father unknown per death certificate. According to the informant, Polly Wanack born in IL was BFO's mother.Benjamin F. Overton had a sister: Evelyn Taylor of Seamore, MO (BFO obit). Is Taylor a married name? Possibly she was adopted out? Haven't found her on any census to date. Could Evelyn be a middle name of Louisa? (Louisa married a Hanon, but she may have remarried.)Mrs. Minnie Overton of Edinburg was informant on death certificate. Since she is listed as Mrs. Minnie Overton it seems unlikely she is BFO's sister, and since he only had two sons that we know of, she is not likely to be his daughter. Since both sons were young children at the time of his death, she is also not a daughter-in-law UNLESS there were other children of Benj. and Nancy, but records show that they died before Nancy did in 1906. Could Minnie be Maymie Overton, Benj. F's second wife? or sister-in-law1855 Listed in State military census/enrollment..actually more than once, so there may be more than one Benjamin F. Overton in the area at the time, or he was listed twice. Was a private on Company D of the Ill.130th Infantry regiment. Per History of Christian County, Ill. The history describes the history of the regiment and where they fought. They were mustered in on Oct. 25, 1862, and out on Aug. 15, 1865.Married twice: 1) Nancy J. (Jane) Waneck or Warnick, Sept. 2, 1859 in Christian Co., IL License # 938. By Eli Matthews, J.P. (no info about parents here) Nancy Jane Overton died in 1906.2) Maymie A. Buhr (later married a Turner, and possibly a Jones). Found no marriage certificate in Christian County between Nancy's death and birth of first son...however, they may have gotten a license in Sangamon County or Shelby County, or theymay have been married later than late 1911, or the children may have been Maymie's and Benj. adopted them. The latter is unlikely since Vernon Oliver Overton is listed as having been born with that name, and Bennie is also named Benjamin F. Overton.Children: 2 infant children by first wife, buried in same plot in Finley Cem. near Edinburg, Christian, IL. Nancy Jane's obit says she was survived by her husband, but no children. CHECK 1870 CENSUS WHICH SHOWS WILLIAM AGE 10 ON THE SAME PAGE AS B.F. OVERTONBenjamin F. and Nancy Overton were devout Dunkards, so the funerals were held at home. (their obits)2 children with second wife, Bennie and Vernon Oliver. Indexes show the following:Vernon Oliver Overton 5/14/1914 Book G, Christian County, ILVernon Oliver Overton 5/14/1912 Book F, Christian County, IL(note there ARE 2 listings for Vernon and two dates)Other information: Benjamin F. Overton was a farmer in Blueville Twp. of Christian County, this is the NW corner of Edinburg. After he retired, he apparently was a merchant in Edinburg. He lived in town and merchant is listed on his death certificate as his occupation. Farmer is listed on each census thru 1870.MARY OVERTON1850 Cass County, IL census. Mary Overton is living with Peter and Malinda Whitlaw. There is a marriage license for Peter Whitlow and Belinda Overton. 18601870 Mary Overton b. KY 1796, living with Richard and Abigail Overton. Mary is age 74. Date of enumeration was June 14, 1870. Cass County, IL, Beardstown..Benjamen Overton .SANGAMON Co. Illinois:1824, August 2, Benja Overton, James Dawson, Thomas Dawson.1824, Nov. 7 Benjamin Overton.1826, August 7 #528 Benjamin Overton.1830 Aug 2, Benjamin Overton p. 6.1830 federal census males 0201001 (sons James & ED & Self & ??females Malinda & Melvina & ? And first wife??(Rebecca?) 2010011830 a younger Benj. P. In Randolph Co Ill adj to MO.(#3557.)1833, Intestate sale of John Weddle Feb 5 at sale Benjamin Overton about Sept 1834,1833 Adminstrator of estate of William McAllister.1837-3-13 of Shelby Co. bought land on Shelby Co. Ill nw/ne 15-9N-3E.1839-01-17 of Fayette Co. Ill bought land in Shelby se/ne-15-9n-3e.1839-4-15 land ne/sw-16-9N-3e.1839-5-15 bought land sesw-16-09N-03E. note these 4 would connect.1840 as B. 10001001/01001 in Shelby. first wife Mary is in Menard Co. ILL1850 where?1850s to Pope Co. Ill1854-9-19 3 parcels of land.nwsw-22-11S-06e, nene-28-11S-6e, sene-21-14S-06E.1856 Dec 31 will written, proved McCracken Co KY April 2 1857 Will Book A 281, revoking all prior wills, mentions wife Elisabeth, on her death all to be absolute property of my two children Matilda Overton & Catherine Elizabeth Overton., Names Wife Elizabeth as excutrix & James Hodge of POPE county as executor, signed with his mark, witness were D.C. Wilcox, N.M. Yarrin & William Narlan or Harlan?1858 guardianship of Benj. F. to James & Jesse Hanon.(he would be 18!!)1860 Widow & Kids??1910 census on Benj b. 1840 says father was born Switzerland!.

===================================

"In early days Ben Overton kept a litle grocery store in the woods, and when James Mitchell quit making whiskey, Ben went to St.Louis and bought a barrel of whiskey and put out the word that he would not sell it in any other way but by drink, a picayune( a amall coin) a drink. The men did nto like him very well,they said he was mean. When Ben got home, On Saturday after, the men gathered there from ten miles around, and now Ben thought he would have a big day. The men had their jugs hid in the bushes, and soon one of my uncles and Bill Doyle got into a fight, just out under some trees, then while Ben's attention was diverted, the men run in at the back door and filled up their jugs, also one of each of the combantants, and when the last jug was full someone hollered:"Part em". They did not hardly leave Ben whiskey enough to drown his troubles"

GEDCOM Source

Ancestry Family Tree  http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=117542717&pi...