Photo Album

George Washington Sevier

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-- source Tom Miller

Tennessee’s First Governor, John Sevier

contributed by Tom Miller

Gov. John Sevier owned several thousand acres in Overton County. He died in 1815, and his widow, Catherine (Sherrill) “Bonny Kate” Sevier, moved her family to the lands in northern Overton County. Kate lived on a place she called “The Dale.” She later moved to Alabama to reside with a son, Dr. Samuel Sevier. Kate died in Alabama and was buried on the old Courthouse lawn in Knoxville, Tennessee, next to her famous husband, John Sevier.

Many of the Seviers followed Kate to Overton County. Her son, Col. George Washington Sevier, served as Circuit Court Clerk of Overton County. He died in Overton County in 1849 and is buried in Garrett Graveyard.  His grave is apparently unmarked.

The Sevier family was truly a great part of the history of Overton County.

Sevier, Matlock, and Overstreet Families

Click here to visit the Overstreet surname Web site page with information about Sevier, Matlock, and Overstreet descendants of Governor John Sevier.