Creation of the County

Acts of 1806 (2nd Sess.) Chapter 27

COMPILER’S NOTE: The first seven sections of this act did not involve Overton County and are not included.

SEC. 8. That a new county be, and is hereby established by the name of Overton, on the east of Jackson county, bounded as follows: Beginning at the north east corner thereof, where Cumberland river enters the state; thence south twenty-one miles; thence south, twenty-three degrees east, parallel with the upper boundary of Jackson county, about four miles to the wilderness road leading from Walton’s Ferry; thence along the said road to the western boundary of Roane county; thence northwardly along the same, to the north boundary of this state; thence along the same west, to the beginning, including the territory within the bounds specified in the petition of the inhabitants resident therein, exhibited to the General Assembly at this session, which bounds so specified in said petition, begin as above, and run south twenty-one miles; thence south, twenty-three degrees east four miles; thence east twenty-five miles; thence north twenty-three degrees west four miles; thence due north twenty-one miles, to the north boundary line of this state; then west with the same to the beginning.

SEC. 9. That the first court to be held for the county of Overton, shall be held at the house of Benjamin Totton, and all subsequent courts until altered by law, shall have and exercise similar powers with any other county court in this state.

SEC. 10. That all elections for members of the General Assembly, the governor, and members of congress, shall be held at the court house, or place of holding court in said county, on the days on which elections for such purposes are authorised to be held; and the sheriff of the county of Overton, shall meet the sheriff of Jackson county, at the court house of said county of Jackson, on the succeeding Monday, and with him examine the respective polls of election for both counties, and declare the person who may have the greatest number of votes duly elected to the General Assembly, and give certificates accordingly; and it shall be the duty of said sheriff, to transmit a statement of said polls of election for governor and members of congress, to the speaker of the senate, in the same manner as directed by law.

SEC. 11. That it shall be the duty of the sheriff of the county of Overton, to hold an election at the place of holding court, on the first Thursday and succeeding day in February next, for the purpose of electing one colonel and two majors for said county, under the rules, regulations and restrictions, as are prescribed by law for the election of such officers.

SEC. 12. That the election for company officers for said county, shall be held at their respective muster grounds, on the third Thursday in February next, in the same manner and form as is appointed by law for electing company militia officers.

SEC. 13. That it shall be lawful for the sheriff of Jackson county, to collect the taxes for the year eighteen hundred and six, and all arrearages of taxes for any preceding year, and in the same manner, and with as full authority, as if this law had never been passed.

SEC. 14. That the county of Overton shall be in all cases whatsoever, considered as part of the district of Winchester.

Passed: September 11, 1806.

Change of Boundary Lines

Private Acts of 1823 Chapter 302

SECTION 1. That Jonathan Douglass, of the county of Overton, be, and he is hereby, appointed surveyor to reduce Overton County to its constitutional limits, beginning at the northeast corner of Jackson county, on the east bank of Cumberland river, in the Kentucky line; running thence east with the Kentucky line, so far that by running south parallel with the eastern boundary of the said county of Jackson, until it strikes the Morgan county line; thence with the same to the Cumberland road, and with that westwardly to the line of the said county of Jackson, and with the same to the beginning, will leave Overton county its constitutional limits.

SEC. 2. That a new and distinct county be, and the same is hereby, established east of the county of Overton, to be known and distinguished by the name of Fentress county; beginning at the north-east corner of the said county of Overton, (when reduced,) in the Kentucky line; running thence east, with the Kentucky line, to the south forks of Cumberland river; thence up the same as it meanders, to the Clear fork; thence up the same to the fork where Piles’ turnpike was formerly kept, where Richard Butler now lives, so as to leave said Butler in Morgan county; thence up the right-hand fork of the said Clear fork to its head or source; from thence a direct line to the south-east corner of Overton, (when reduced;) thence northwardly with the line of Overton County, to the beginning.

COMPILER’S NOTE: The remainder of this act involved Fentress County only and is not included here.

Passed: November 28, 1823.

Private Acts of 1825 Chapter 327

SECTION 1. That Isaac Taylor, of White county, be, and he is, hereby appointed to resurvey the lines of Overton county so as to ascertain its constitutional limits, beginning at Johnston’s stand, the south east corner of said county, running westward with the line dividing Overton and White counties, to where the Jackson county line intersects the same, thence north, with the line dividing Overton and Jackson, to the Kentucky line; thence east, with the State line, so far that by running south, parallel with the eastern boundary line of Jackson county, until it strikes the Morgan county line; thence with the same to Johnston’s stand, leaving Overton county its constitutional limits, which lines, so run and marked, shall be known as the boundary lines of Overton county, and in case the survey is not made as aforesaid, in the time specified by this act, the line already run between Overton and Fentress counties, shall remain and be established as the boundary of said counties.

SEC. 2. That the survey of the lines aforesaid shall be made against the fifteenth day of February next, and the chain carriers necessary in making the survey shall be chosen from the counties of White or Jackson.

SEC. 3. That the expense of the survey aforesaid, shall not be made a county charge, but may be paid by subscription or otherwise.

SEC. 4. That the surveyor by this act appointed shall, previous to his surveying the lines aforesaid, before some justice of the peace for Overton county, make oath that he will cause to be measured and impartially survey the lines specified by this act, without favor or affection.

Passed: December 6, 1925.

Acts of 1841 Chapter 169

SEC. 1. That a new county is hereby established, to be known by the name of Putnam county, in honor of the brave Revolutionary General of that name, to be taken from the counties of White, Fentress, Overton and Jackson, and bounded as follows: Beginning where the Cumberland River crosses the line between the counties of Smith and Jackson; running thence up the river, with its meanders to the mouth of Indian Creek; thence South-east upon the extreme height of the dividing ridge to a point, from which an East line will cross Martin’s Creek, near the mouth of Shaw’s Branch; thence crossing Martin’s Creek at a point above the mouth of said branch, continuing East so as to leave Gainsborough twelve miles to the North, to the line of Overton county; thence a direct line to William Marchbanks; thence a direct line to the Walton road, where the same strikes the Cumberland Mountain; thence with the said road to George M’Cormacks, in Fentress county; thence a direct line to the line of Morgan county; thence Southward with the same to its corner, at Johnson’s stand; thence South-westwardly to the declivity of Cumberland Mountain; thence Westwardly with the extreme height of the mountain, meandering the Bluff, so that, running West, will strike the ridge dividing the waters of the Calf Killer Fork, of the Caney Fork from the Board Valley; thence upon the extreme height of said ridge, West, leaving Sparta twelve miles to the South, crossing the Falling Water, and running near to where Lawler now lives, including Ditty’s Stand, to the corner of De Kalb county; thence with the line of said county, West to Smith county line; thence North with the same to the beginning.

COMPILER’S NOTE: The remainder of this act did not apply to Overton County and therefore, is not repeated herein.

Passed: Feb. 2, 1842.

Public Acts of 1870 Chapter 29

SECTION 1. That a new county be and the same is hereby established, to be composed of portions taken from the northern portion of Jackson and Overton Counties, to be known and designated by the name of County of Clay, and shall be bounded as hereinafter provided.

SEC. 2. That the general boundaries of said county shall be as follows, towit: Beginning at the common corner of Jackson and Overton Counties, upon the State line between Kentucky and Tennessee, running thence with said line east to a point in said line on the northern boundary of Overton County, to be fixed by the Commissioners to be hereafter designated in this act; thence south or southwest to a point in Overton County, to be also fixed and established by the said Commissioners; thence in a westerly direction through Overton and Jackson counties to a point to be fixed by the Commissioners; thence north with said line to the State line; thence east with said line to the beginning; Provided, That no line of said new county shall approach the Court-houses of Jackson and Overton Counties nearer than ten miles in a direct line from the same.

COMPILER’S NOTE: The remainder of this act did not apply to Overton County and therefore, is not included herein.

Passed: June 16, 1870.

Public Acts of 1871 Chapter 6

SECTION 1. That the county line between Overton and Clay counties be changed as follows: Beginning on said county line south of G. W. Morgan’s, where his line crosses said line, running with said Morgan’s line and R. J. Upton’s, to the eleven and three-fourth miles post from Livingston, on Mill Creek; thence an easterly course a straight line, passing the south end of William Garrett’s land, to the forks of Carter’s Creek, above Jesse M. Martin’s; thence a slight variation north of east, so as to include in Clay county all of Thomas Martin’s and W. W. Chilton’s lands, passing through the land dividing the lands of Mrs. Ruth Martin and O.T.L. Martin, to a chestnut oak, southeast corner of Thomas W. Barry’s land, and including all his land, intersecting the county line again in the lane dividing the lands of W. J. Dennis and Ezekiel Long: Provided, said line so changed shall not approach nearer than ten miles of Livingston, the county seat of Overton county, on a direct line.

SEC. 2. That this Act shall take effect from and after its passage, the public welfare requiring it.

Passed: October 20, 1871.

Public Acts of 1873 Chapter 76

COMPILER’S NOTE: Sections 1, 3, and 4 of this act have been omitted since it does not involve Overton County.

SEC. 2. That the line between the Counties of Putnam and Overton be changed; commencing on the north boundary line of Putnam, known as Thom Gap, running thence west with the old Thom Gap road to Spring Creek, near the old Holford farm, and just below the bridge on said Creek; thence down Spring Creek to where the Overton and Jackson County line crosses said Creek; thence southwardly with the line of Jackson and Overton Counties to the northern boundary line of Putnam; and that the boundary lying south of the above named line be attached to Putnam County; Provided, This change shall not reduce Overton County below the limits of the Constitution.

Passed: March 22, 1873.

Public Acts of 1879 Chapter 34

SECTION 1. That a new county is hereby established to be composed of portions taken from Overton and Fentress Counties, to be known and designated by the name of Pickett.

SEC. 2. That the County of Pickett shall be bounded as follows: Beginning on the southeast corner of Clay County, at a point eleven miles northeast of Livingston, running thence south sixty degrees east, to the Livingston and Albany Road, to a point eleven miles from Livingston, running by Jackson Winningham; thence south fifty degrees east to a black oak on the Jamestown and Livingston Road, eleven miles southeast of Livingston; thence south twenty degrees east to the west fork of Obey’s River; thence to a rock marked No. 5, near Ledford’s; thence north forty degrees east to a rock marked E. G. Smith and John Harman; thence north twelve degrees east to the Jamestown and Livingston Road; thence with said road to a stake eleven miles from Jamestown; thence northwardly to the east fork of Obey’s River at a point eleven miles from Jamestown, thence northwardly to the Dry Creek and Jamestown Road to a stake eleven miles from Jamestown; thence in a northwardly direction to the Jamestown and Albany Road to a stake near the Gatewood stand; thence north sixty degrees east to the Kempton Gap of the mountain; thence east up Ratter’s fork of Wolf River to a cliff marked X; thence east to the Scott county line; thence north to the Kentucky line; thence west with said line to the northeast corner of Clay county; thence with the line of said county to the beginning, containing about 300 square miles.

COMPILER’S NOTE: Section 2 was amended by Public Acts of 1881 Chapter 37 which follows this act.

SEC. 3. That for the purpose of organizing the County of Pickett, W. W. Goodpasture, Jackson Winningham, L. T. Smith, J. N. Huddleston, Sr., M. F. Hurt, W. A. Gilreath and E. D. Wright, shall be, and are hereby appointed, Commissioners on the part of the several fractions of the counties of Overton and Fentress, who shall, before entering on the discharge of their duty, take an oath before some Justice of the Peace, faithfully and impartially, to discharge all the duties incumbent upon them in this Act; and in all cases of vacancy, that may occur among said Commissioners, previous to the organization of the County Court, of said County of Pickett, the same shall be filed [sic] by remaining Commissioners, and all vacancies occurring after the organization of such court shall be filled by said court of the county of Pickett. Said Commissioners shall enter into such bond and security as may be required by the said County Court of Pickett, and payable to the Chairman thereof, conditioned for the faithful performance of their duties as required by this Act.

A majority of said Commissioners shall constitute a Board, competent to do all things herein enjoined them. They shall keep a record of all their proceedings as Commissioners, which shall be returned to the County Court of Pickett County at its first session, and the same shall be recorded by the clerk thereof on the records of said court, and they shall make such returns after the organization of said court as shall be directed thereby.

SEC. 4. That it shall be the duty of said Commissioners, first giving thirty days notice in two or more public places in each fraction, of the time and place to open and hold an election, in two or more places in each of the fractions proposed to be stricken off from the counties of Overton and Fentress, in order to ascertain whether two-thirds of the voters residing in each of the said fractions, are in favor of, or opposed to the formation of said new County of Pickett, and all persons qualified to vote for members of the General Assembly residing in said fractions, shall be entitled to vote in said election, and each voter who is in favor of the formation of the new county, shall have on his ticket “New County” and each voter opposed to the new County of Pickett shall have on his ticket “Old County” and if, after counting the votes cast in said election it shall appear that there are two-thirds of the legal votes cast in each of said fractions in favor of the new county, then in that case the County of Pickett shall be, and is hereby declared the county, with all the powers, privileges and advantages, and subject to all the liabilities and duties with other counties in the State.

SEC. 5. That in order to carry into effect and make certain and accurate the provisions in the 4th Section of this Act, said Commissioners are hereby empowered and authorized to canvass and take the census of the qualified voting population in the bounds of the several fractions proposed to be stricken off from the counties of Overton and Fentress.

COMPILER’S NOTE: The following sections were omitted, because they only concerned Pickett County.

Passed: February 25, 1879.

Public Acts of 1881 Chapter 37

SECTION 1. That section 2 of an act passed Feb. 25, 1879, be amended as follows: That the county of Pickett shall be bounded as follows:

Beginning at a stone in the Tennessee and Kentucky State line, marked forty-six, the same being the north-east corner of Clay county; thence south with Clay county line seven miles and 220 poles to an ironwood in James Conner’s field, at a point eleven miles from Livingston; thence the arc of a circle describing the distance of eleven miles from Livingston, as follows: South 84° east 72 poles, south 82½° east 80 poles, south 81° east 80 poles, south 79½° east 80 poles, south 78° east 80 poles, south 77° east 80 poles, south 75½° east 80 poles, south 74½° east 80 poles, south 73° east 80 poles, south 71½° east 80 poles, south 70° east 80 poles, south 68½° east 80 poles, south 67° east 80 poles, south 65½° east 80 poles, south 64° east 80 poles, south 62½° east 80 poles, south 61° east 80 poles, south 59½° east 80 poles, south 58° east 80 poles, south 56½° east 80 poles, south 55° east 80 poles, south 54° east 80 poles, south 52½° east 80 poles, south 51° east 80 poles, south 49½° east 80 poles, south 48° east 80 poles, south 46½° east 80 poles, south 45° east 80 poles, south 43½° east 80 poles, south 42° east 80 poles, south 40½° east 80 poles, south 39° east 80 poles, south 37½° east 80 poles, south 35° east 80 poles, south 33½° east 80 poles, south 22° east 80 poles, south 20½° east 80 poles, south 29° east 80 poles, south 27½° east 80 poles, south 26° east 80 poles, south 24½° east 80 poles, south 23° east 80 poles, south 21½° east 80 poles, south 20° east 80 poles, south 18½° east 80 poles, south 17° east 80 poles, south 15½° east 80 poles, south 14° east 80 poles, south 12½° east 80 poles, south 11° east 80 poles, south 10° east 80 poles, south 8½° east 80 poles, south 7° east 80 poles, south 5½° east 80 poles, south 4° east 80 poles, south 2½° east 80 poles, south 1° east 80 poles, south 80 poles, south 1½° west 80 poles, south 3° west 80 poles, south 4½° west 80 poles, [sic] south 6° west 80 poles, south 7½° west 80 poles, south 9° west 80 poles to a point near the Ledford place, eleven miles from Livingston; thence east 1,200 poles to a point eleven miles from Jamestown; thence an arc of a circle describing a distance of eleven miles from Jamestown, as follows: North 29½° west 80 poles, south 28° west 80 poles, north 26½° west 80 poles, north 25½° west 80 poles, north 24° west 80 poles, north 22½° west 80 poles, north 21° west 80 poles, north 19½° west 80 poles, north 18° west 80 poles, north 16½° west 80 poles, north 15° west 80 poles, north 13½° west 80 poles, north 12° west 80 poles; north 10½° west 80 poles, north 9° west 80 poles, north 8° west 80 poles, north 6½° west 80 poles, north 5° west 80 poles, north 4° west 80 poles, north 2½° west 80 poles, north 1° west 80 poles, [sic] north 80 poles, north 1½° east 80 poles, north 3° east 80 poles, north 4½° east 80 poles, north 5½° east 80 poles, north 7° east 80 poles, north 8½° east 80 poles, north 10° east 80 poles, north 12½° east 80 poles, north 14° east 80 poles, north 15½° east 80 poles, north 17° east 80 poles, north 18½° east 80 poles, north 20° east 80 poles, north 21½° east 80 poles, north 23° east 80 poles, north 24° east 80 poles, north 25½° east 80 poles, north 27° east 80 poles, north 28½° east 80 poles; north 30° east 80 poles, north 31° east 80 poles, north 33½° east 80 poles, north 35° east 80 poles, north 36½° east 80 poles, north 38°east 80 poles, north 39½° east 80 poles, north 42° east 80 poles, north 43½° east 80 poles, north 45° east 80 poles, north 46½° east 80 poles, north 49½° east 80 poles, north 51° east 80 poles, north 53½° east 80 poles, north 55° east 80 poles, north 57½° east 80 poles, north 59° east 80 poles, north 60½° east 80 poles, north 62° east 80 poles, north 64° east 80 poles, north 65° east 80 poles, north 67½° east 80 poles, north 69° east 80 poles, north 70½° east 80 poles, north 72° east 80 poles, north 73½° east 80 poles, north 75° east 80 poles, north 76° east 80 poles, north 77½° east 80 poles, north 79° east 80 poles, north 80½° east 80 poles, north 82° east 80 poles, to a point eleven miles from Jamestown, 58 poles north of Mrs. Crouch’s house on Rotten’s Fork, of Wolf river; thence the arc of a circle describing a distance of eleven miles from Jamestown, twelve and a half miles, to a point north 50° east of Jamestown, at a distance of eleven miles from the same; thence east nine and a quarter miles to the Scott county line; thence with said line north 45° west ten and a half miles to the Tennessee and Kentucky State line; thence west with the State line thirty-two and half miles to the beginning, being the north-east corner of Clay county, containing two hundred and eightyfour square miles.

COMPILER’S NOTE: The remainder of this act did not refer to Overton County and therefore, is not included herein.

Passed: March 28, 1881.

Acts of 1905 Chapter 538

SECTION 1. That the county line between Overton and Putnam Counties be changed as follows:

Beginning with a post oak in A. P. Warren’s west boundary line; thence east with said line seventy poles to a white oak in Ben Mason’s west boundary line; thence north eighty poles with said line to a white oak in B. L. Loften’s south boundary line; thence west with said line and P. M. Greenwood’s south boundary line seventy poles to a stone in G. W. Roberts’ east boundary line; thence south with said line one hundred and forty poles to a stone, it being Roberts’ southeast corner; thence west eighty poles with said Robert’s line to Mill Creek; thence south eighty poles with said creek to a stake; thence southeast seventy poles with D. H. Maddux’s north boundary line to a stake; thence east seventy poles with said Maddux’s north boundary line to a stone in A.P. Warren’s west boundary line; thence north seventy poles with the said Warren’s line to the beginning, detaching the above lands from Overton County and attaching to Putnam County.

SEC. 2. That this Act take effect from and after its passage, the public welfare requiring it. Passed: April 14, 1905.

Private Acts of 1961 Chapter 364

SECTION 1. That the line between the Counties of Overton and Putnam be, and the same is hereby changed so that the county line between the Counties of Overton and Putnam will be located in the following manner:

Starting at a point where the county line between Putnam and Overton Counties now intersects Paron Road; thence in an eastwardly direction along Paron Road to a point where the eastern boundary line of the lands of Carson Moore now intersects with Paron Road; thence in a southwardly direction a straight line to a point intersecting with the present county line between Putnam and Overton Counties so that the tract of land consisting of 2½ acres, being a triangular tract of land, belonging to Carson Moore, which formerly lay in Overton County will now be situated in the 15th District of Putnam County. It is the intent and meaning of this Act that the boundary line between Overton and Putnam Counties be so changed that the said lands of Carson Moore, formerly laying within Overton County shall become a part of the County of Putnam, and included therein as a part of the 15th District of said County.

SECTION 2. That this Act shall take effect from and after its passage, the public welfare requiring it.

Passed: March 17, 1961.

Private Acts of 1963 Chapter 211

SECTION 1. That the boundary line between the counties of Overton and Pickett be and is hereby changed as follows:

1. “That portion of F. F. Sells’ farm approximately three acres, in the Eleventh Civil District of Overton County, Tennessee, as evidenced by Deed Book No. 2, Page 287, Register’s Office, Overton County, Tennessee, be removed from Overton County to Pickett County. For a detailed description of the three acres transferred from Overton to Pickett County see Deed Book referred to above.”
2. “That portion of Hallie Padgett Brown’s farm now located in the Eleventh Civil District of Overton County, Tennessee, as evidenced by Deed Book No. 82, Page 101, Register’s Office, Overton County, Tennessee, be removed from Overton County to Pickett County. For a detailed description of this parcel of land, about ________ acres, see the Deed Book referred to above.”

SECTION 2. That this Act shall take effect from and after its passage, the public welfare requiring it.

Passed: March 19, 1963.

Private Acts of 1965 Chapter 113

SECTION 1. That the county line between Overton County, Tennessee, and Putnam County, Tennessee, is hereby changed by detaching the lands presently owned by Willard B. Presley and wife, Gilberta Presley from the First Civil District of Overton County, Tennessee, and attaching and making the same a part of the Fifteenth Civil District of Putnam County, Tennessee, which said lands presently lie within the First Civil District of Overton County, Tennessee, and are described as follows:

“Beginning on a stone (formerly a black oak tree) Paul Chilton (formerly Anne Breeding) southwest corner running thence sixteen (16) poles; to a small black oak; thence (15) poles to a sassafras, M. D. McCormick northwest corner (formerly Noah Stockton); thence south ten (10) degrees west with said McCormick’s line twenty-one and one-half (21½) poles to four small sycamores on the bank of a branch; thence eastward nine and one-half (9½) poles with branch to a stone and sourwood pointer; thence south twenty-eight (28) degrees west forty-seven (47) poles to a small sycamore; thence south thirty-eight (38) degrees east eighteen (18) poles to a black walnut; thence south forty-five (45) degrees west ninety-four (94) poles to a stone in Roach’s line (formerly M. S. Harp line); thence southeast forty-one poles and ten (10) feet to Dow Burgess line (formerly Q. S. McClain line) thence south with said Burgess line fiftythree and one-eighth poles to the public road; thence west two-thirds of a pole to a stone; thence northwardly fifty-two and one-half (52½) poles to a stone; thence northwest two-thirds of a pole south of M. A. Stockton’s line forty-one (41) poles to a stake; thence back ten (10) feet to the A. L. Holloway corner; thence north sixty-two and one-half degrees west twenty-three and one-half poles to a stone to Allen’s corner (formerly M. S. Harp) with a dogwood pointer; thence north with Roach east boundary line (formerly Elias Byers) passing his corner at sixty poles in the same direction in all one hundred sixty-four poles to a stake in the mouth of the branch on the west side of Bear Creek; thence with the current of creek to near the south end of a bluff; thence south 10½ poles to a rock; thence east to the beginning containing seventy-one (71) acres more or less.”

SECTION 2. That from and after its passage of this Act the above described lands of Willard B. Presley and wife, Gilberta Presley shall cease to be a part of Overton County, Tennessee, and shall be a part of and included within the Fifteenth Civil District of Putnam County, Tennessee, and the county line between said counties is hereby changed and altered accordingly.

SECTION 3. That this Act shall take effect from and after its passage, the public welfare requiring it.

Passed: March 10, 1965.

Source: https://privateacts.ctas.tennessee.edu/content/chapter-iv-boundaries-58