Most Tennessee counties in the TNGenWeb Project have their own Web site. Overton, Fentress, and Pickett, however, have been dormant for a while. So, we decided to merge them until we find volunteers to host them separately — or, perhaps they will agree this area should be connected and work jointly!
Geography, History & Culture
These three counties are connected by geography and history, but they are unique in many ways. One way is their extraordinary, rugged beauty with lots of wilderness and historical structures to explore. Have you visited Dale Hollow Lake? Have you explored the culinary, musical, storytelling, and other cultural delights unique to this region because so many families migrated through?
Civil War History
Another way the counties are connected is their Civil War history. Do you know why the “Affair at Travisville” is important? A lot of regional Civil War history is available on this site, but this is only a small “taste” of the rich material you will find in the family and local histories of the counties.
Topography: East or West?
A third way these counties are connected is they span the Upper Cumberland Plateau and the Highland Rim, which are topographical dividers of Tennessee’s three Grand Divisions. Do you know which of the three counties are in East, and which are in Middle Tennessee?
Formation of the Counties
To properly research people who settled here, you must know the genealogy of the counties. This region was originally included in the boundaries of the State of North Carolina. The region was not included in the boundaries of the short-lived State of Franklin. When Davidson County, NC, formed in 1783, it encompassed present-day Overton, Fentress, and Pickett Counties. Sumner County formed from Davidson in 1787 and included the three counties. Smith County formed in 1799, and it also included the three counties. In 1801, Jackson County was formed and included the three counties. Click here to view a map of Tennessee’s county boundary changes.
Overton County
Overton County was the parent of Fentress and Pickett. Overton County was formed September 12, 1806, from Jackson County, Tennessee, and Indian hunting lands. The county was named for future President Andrew Jackson’s friend John Overton, a Judge of the State Supreme Court and co-founder, with Andrew Jackson and James Winchester, of Memphis. Livingston is the county seat.
Overton County’s Courthouse was burned in April, 1865. Records prior to that time are incomplete. You will find details in these paages.
The first settler in the area was Dr. Moses Fisk, a graduate of Dartmouth, in 1797. Dr. Fisk established the community of Hilham. From the Tennessee Encyclopedia: Fisk, thinking Hilham was the geographical center of the entire globe, started four roads radiating out of Hilham in the four major directions of the compass, convinced that all roads would lead to his new Rome in the wilderness. In an era of male dominance, Fisk established a Female Academy–one of the first such schools in the entire South–at Hilham in 1806.
Do you recognize the name of Overton County native James Thomas Davis? U. S. Army SP4 Davis is recognized as the first American casualty in action during the Viet Nam War. The community, Tom Davis’ siblings, and other community neighbors erected a statue in his honor in Livingston. Learn more about SP4 Davis’ valiant service and untimely death within this site.
If you are a space exploration fan, do you know retired Astronaut Michael J. McCulley was born in Overton County? You will find information about him in these pages as well.
Fentress County
Fentress County was formed from parts of Overton and Morgan Counties on November 28, 1823, and named for Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives, James Fentress, who had assisted with establishing the new county. Originally, Fentress County reached the Kentucky border. Jamestown, the county seat, is well-known today as the headquarters of the “World’s Longest Yard Sale,” which draws hundreds of thousands of people to the region annually.
Fentress County’s Courthouse suffered a fire in 1906. Records prior to that time are incomplete. You will find details in these paages.
Pall Mall, a small community in Fentress County, is proud of its native son, Sgt. Alvin Cullom York, who rose to distinction as the most-decorated enlisted American soldier in World War I. Returning home after the War, York dedicated himself to education for residents of Fentress County.
Pickett County
Pickett County was established in 1879 from sections of Overton and Fentress Counties. Pickett’s unique, semi-circular shape, makes the county quickly visible on regional maps. The county is named for Howell Pickett, a Tennessee legislator from Wilson County, who joined fellow legislator, Lem Wrght, to form Pickett County.
Cordell Hull, a U. S. Congressman who was Secretary of State under Franklin Delano Roosevelt, is Pickett County’s most-famous native son. Hull initiated founding of the United Nations and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1945.
If you’re a dog lover, you’ll be intrigued to know Pickett County is the home of Tennessee Lead, a black-and-tan coonhound, born in the 1850’s, who was the “foundation” sire of all Walker, Trigg, and Goodman foxhounds in the U. S. Some folks claim George Maupin stole Tennessee Lead from Madison County, KY, and brought the dog to Tennessee. Regardless of the veracity of that tale, Pickett County has a claim to the birthplace of three original American breeds!
TNGenWeb thanks Tami Ramsey, the previous volunteer coordinator for Overton, Fentress, and Pickett Counties. Tami was recognized by the project for many years of dedication.