As indicated a few days ago, I said I would share some of my notes concerning William Overton, who is probably the father of Temperance Overton Harris, wife of William Harris, believed to be the father of Robert Harris, surveyor of Louisa Co., VA. I have not proved anything but have been *surveying the literature* as my deceased research professor told us was the first step in beginning a research project. I have tried to indicate the sources in each case, and I hope you will be able to check out these sources yourself, although a trip to Richmond, VA may be necessary to find the information which is in collections in the Historical Society of Virginia, not to be confused with the Library of Virginia. I have not worked on this particular biography for some years. Look for subsequent installments. Please note that Temperance's alleged sister was Barbara Overton Winston. Many records refer to the widow Barbara Winston, who seemingly did not remarry. If the Torrence book has been digitized and is online, please notify Harris-Hunters, so that all may benefit from research. E.W.Wallace Installment 1 Preparer: E. W. Wallace Rev 7/98 & 1999 WILLIAM OVERTON, the elder. A source for much of the Virginia information about the Overton family is said to have come from a book called "Josephus," held in the Winston family and said to have been given to John Winston in the will of his mother, Barbara Overton Winston. It is said to probably have been a copy of Flavius Josephus's "Jewish Antiquities," which contained on its blank leaves a family register of births and marriages in the Overton-Winston families for five generations. (Information from a letter in the George Harrison King collection entitled loosely "Overton-Carr," which collection is at the Virginia Historical Society, Richmond, VA. Viewed by this writer May 1999 in Richmond, VA.) According to Cross and Cole, WILLIAM CROSS OF BOTETOURT CO., VA. AND HIS DESCENDANTS (Columbia, MO: 1932), William Overton of "Glencairn," Hanover Co., VA emigrated to Virginia ca. 1681. He was the son of Col. Robert Overton, and he was married to Elizabeth Waters, daughter of Samuel Waters (ca. 1617-1665) and his wife Anne (d. ca. 1700). Clayton Torrence had a different perspective as he wrote the following of William Overton in WINSTON FAMILY OF VIRGINIA (publ. 1927, repository: Virginia State Library CS71 W782): "... was born in England, December 3, 1628 [or 1638]. On November 24, 1670, he married Elizabeth Waters, and together they came to Virginia in 1681, settling in St. Peters Parish, New Kent County. On April 23, 1681, a patent was issued to William Overton and Eben Jones [Evan Jones] for 4600 acres lying in New Kent County on south side of Pamunkey River, on Falling Creek; for the transportation of 92 persons into the colony, and among the names of head-rights to this pattent appear: William Overton and Elizabeth Overton. On October 29, 1690, a patent issued to William Overton and John Lyddall for 837 acres lying in St. Peter's Parish, New Kent County, above main fork of Pamunkey River, next above a divident of land granted Jonathan Norwood and Ambrose Clre, late in the tenure of Samuel Ousteen." [Overton? Austin?] Torrence cites the land patents, which are readily available to researchers in the early volumes of Nugent's CAVALIERS AND PIONEERS, especially Vol. II. The land patents, originally in New Kent Co., later fell into a newly formed county, Hanover Co. These are in Patent Bk 7-78 (co-patentee Evan Jones, 1681 the year) and in Patent Bk 8-121 (co-patentee John Lydall in 1690). In a footnote, Torrence wrote: To this time [1927], the parentage of William Overton has not been discovered, nor the place of his birth. The Register of St. Sepulchre's [London] does not give the marriage of William Overton and Elizabeth Waters. There were Overtons living in St. Sepulchre's Parish, London; but a careful search of the Births, Marriages and Buriels [sic] from 1662 (when the registers begin) up to 1700 has thrown no light on the 'origin' or relationships of William Overton. Overton wills and administrations in the ARCHDEACONRY OF LONDON REGISTERS, 1413-1725, have also been investigated without favorable results. For note on this discrepancy in statements as to year (1628 or 1638) of William Overton's birth see ante page 29, footnote." [Note: This researcher failed to photocopy Page 29.] [To be continued in subsequent posts. EWW] **************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here. (http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)