Jacob Overman (abt. 1652 - abt. 1715)

Born about 1652 in England [uncertain]

Husband of Hannah (Unknown) Overman — married 25 Oct 1677 (to 22 Feb 1691) in Wethersfield, Hartford County, Connecticut Colony, English Colonial America

Husband of Dorithy (Porter) Overman — married about 1693 (to after 12 Sep 1715) in Wethersfield, Hartford County, Connecticut [uncertain]

Descendants

Died about 12 Sep 1715 at about age 63 in Pasquotank Precinct, Proprietary of Carolina, British Colonial America

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Glenn York [send private message], Lamar Ross [send private message], Tom Horner [send private message], and Fred Remus [send private message]

Jacob was a Friend (Quaker)

Uncertain Origins. Jacob Overman's origins are currently unknown. He was previously shown as the son of Edward Overman and Hannah (Unknown) Overman but without documentation and absent any documentation that those parents were actual people in the locations given. They have been detached as parents. Please do not reattach without primary source documentation.

Biography

Jacob Overman migrated from England to Colony of Maryland.

Jacob Overman's date and place of birth are not known. The date 1652 is commonly seen but never documented. It will be adopted for convenience. His arrival in Maryland aboard the ship Thomas & Mary, captained by Thomas Harwood sailing out of London^[1] strongly suggests that Jacob's origin maybe the same as the ship's, that is, London, England. It has also been noted that the names of Jacob's shipmates, i.e. those whose "land rights" had been sold at the same time has his, did not appear to have "foreign" names. See Research Note 1: Speculations concerning Jacob Overman's origins.

At the age of fifteen, in 1667, Jacob arrived in Maryland aboard the ship Thomas & Mary, captained by Thomas Harwood.^[1] On the 11th of March, 1667/8 Captain Harwood sold Jacob's "land rights"^[2] to Charles Calvert,^[3] the Governor of Maryland and the 3^rd Baron Baltimore. Jacob's indenture was ultimately sold to Richard Gorsuch^[4] of Talbot County. See Research Note 2: Who was Richard Gorsuch? On the 21st of July, 1668, Richard Gorsuch brought Jacob before the court in Talbot County where his term of servitude was set for a period of six years.^[5] Five years after Jacob completed his term as an indentured servant, he is identified in a deed as a brick layer. From this it is inferred the Jacob was trained as a brick layer during his indenture.^[6]

Jacob Overman migrated from Colony of Maryland to Colony of Connecticut.

In the winter of 1692/93 Jacob's world was turned upside down when Hannah, his wife of fifteen years, dies two days after giving birth to their ninth child. Jacob, suddenly finding himself a single parent with nine children, one of whom is only days old, was in desperate need to find a mother for his children. Enter Dorithy Porter, a 38 year old spinster. Dorithy's father and maternal grandfather were founders of Hartford Connecticut. They were also founding members of the congregational church in Farmington, Connecticut. Within a year Jacob married Dorithy, and while Dorithy was childless, she raised Hannah's brood as her own.^[10]

Jacob Overman migrated from Colony of Connecticut to Colony of Carolina.

Exactly what sparked Jacob and Dorithy's decision to move south to the Carolina colonies is not known. What is known is that on the 29th of November 1694 Jacob appeared before a court on Perquimans Precinct, in the Proprietary of Carolina where he proved headrights for himself, his wife and six of his children (Jacob, Sr, Dorithy, Jacob Jr, Thomas, Ephrim, Margery, Charles, and Ann). Three of Jacob and Daorithy's children are missing from this list John, Joseph and Hope, who would have all been quite young, Hope only two years old. It is not clear whether these children did not survive or were to young to qualify for headright.^[11][12] Two months later on the 7th of January 1694/5, Jacob purchased 132 acres of land from Charles Tailerin in Perquimans Precinct, Albemarle County, in the Proprietary of Carolina.^[13] In this document, also, Jacob is identified as a brick layer.

On 7 Jan 1694, Jacob purchased 132 acres of land from Charles Tailer in Albemarle County, North Carolina "whose Ends abutt on John Tomlin North and on William Jackson South & on Little River East."^[13]

In 1679 he bought 4 acres in Wethersfield from Thos. Wickam Jr. In this document Jacob is identified as a brick layer.

Jacob’s first wife Hannah died in 1692 and he had married his second wife, Dorothy Porter (daughter of Thomas Porter and Sarah Hart)^[10] before they moved to North Carolina.

Move to North Carolina

On 7 Jan 1694, Jacob purchased 132 acres of land from Charles Tailer in Albemarle County, North Carolina "whose Ends abutt on John Tomlin North and on William Jackson South & on Little River East."^[13] In this document, also, Jacob is identified as a brick layer.

On 29 Nov 1694 Jacob Overman proved his right [headright - 50 acres per person] to four hundred acres of land by the Importation of Jacob Overman [himself], Dorathy Overman [his new wife], Jacob Overman Junior, Thos. Overman, Ephrim Overman, Margery Overman, Charles Overman, and Anne Overman, and Warrant Given. Children missing from this list are John, Joseph and Hope, who would have all been quite young, Hope only two years old. Perhaps these are children that did not survive. ^[14][15]

Jacob eventually held 468 acres in what was then Albemarle County, North Carolina.^[16]

Jacob’s son's death is recorded 8 Sep 1715 in the Symons Creek Monthly Meeting minutes.^[17] Four days later, on the 12th of September, 1715 Jacob prepared and signed his will.

Transcription of Jacob Overman's Last Will and Testament.

Jacob wrote his Will 12 Sep 1715^[18] and it survives however there is no formal record of probate (note that it is housed with wills which have been through probate).

Will abstract:^[19] Son: Ephraim. Daughter: Margaret Macky. Wife: Dorothy. Executors: William Haig and Thos. Macky. Witnesses: James Bell, Robert Wheatley, Thomas Woodley. No probate.

Transcription of Jacob Overman’s Will^[18]:

In the name of God Amen, I Jacob Overman, Senr of North Carolina, Planter, Being very Sick & weake in body but of perfect mind and memory Thanks be given unto God, theirfor Calling unto mind the mortality of my body & Knowing that: it is appointed for all men once to die Do make and publish this my Last will & Testamint in manner & form following (that is to say) Principally & first of all, I give & Recomnend my Soul into the hands of God that gave it & for my body I recommend it to the Earth to be decently buried at the Discretion of my Executors hereinafter named and as touching such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this Life I give devise & dispose of the same in the following manner & form

Imprimis, I will that all my Just Debts & Funerall Charges & Expenses shall be paid & discharged out of my Estate

Item My will and mind is that all the Rest of my Personall Estate Goods & Chattels whatsoever (the mill excepted) be devided into three parts and one third their of I give & bequeath to my Loveing wife Dorothy Overman & that she shall have (if she pleases) in her third part the Best Bed & furnitur with her choice of the pewtter Brass printed Books etc. Item I give unto my Loveing Son Ephraim Overman one halfe of my Nigro man named Peter & the other halfe of the Sd Nigro to my Loveing Daughter Margary Macky & their heirs & assigns for Ever after the departure or decease of my Loveing Wife Dorothy Overman out of the aforsd Collony of North Carolina

Item I give unto my Lov. son Chas Overman ten pounds. Item I give unto my Loveing Son Ephraime Overman the Mill after the departure or decease of my Loveing wife Dorothy Overman & his heirs and Assigns for Ever. Item I give unto my Loveing Son Jacob Overman, deceased, his Children Forty pounds to be devided Equally amongst them all & if any should die his or their shaire or part shall be given or devided Equally amongst the Rest. All the Rest of my Goods & Chattals I give & Bequeath unto my Loveing wife Dorothy Overman & her heirs or assigns for Ever

And of this my Last will & Testiment I make Constitue & Appoint my well Esteemed Friend William Haig and my Loveing Son Thos Macky Executors of this my Last will & Testament & I do hereby Revoke and make Null & void all & every former wills & Testaments by me heretofor made or published and appointing & declairing this only to be my Last will & Testament In wittness whereof I have hereunto Sett my hand & Seal the Twelve Day of September & in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred & fifteen

Signed Sealled published & Declared by the above named Jacob Overman Senr the Testator the day & year last above written for and as his Last will & Testamt in the presence of the persons whose names are here underwritten who did Sett their names as wittnesses hereunto in the presence of the Sd Testator

/s/ Jacob Overman Seaner; James Bell Robeart Wheatley Thomas Woodey

Sale of Headrights Thomas Harwood to Gov Lord Charles Calvert 1667^[2]

Transcription of land patent in which Captain Thomas Harwood proves his land rights for transporting 30 persons into Maryland in 1667 and assigns these rights to Charles Calvert, who was Governor of Maryland. The last name on the list of persons is Jacob Overman. (Transcribed by Sam Overman, Dahlgren, Virginia)

I, Thomas Harwood of London, mariner, do by these presents assign and sellover unto the Honble Charles Calvert Esq all my right titles and interest of the number of thirty rights of land due for transporting these persons following this present year their names are as followeth vizt Edward Bell, Mathew Fullmer, Robert White, Sarah Astell, John Steele, Thurston Collier, Cecella Johnson, Theophilus Chervill, John Davis, Timothy Wyatt, Geffery Mallershey, Oliver Millett, John Turner, John Harrison, Robert Howard, Samuel Randall, Peter Bawcomb, Servant by name John Cliff, Stephen Wynne, John Youngman, Thomas Sorrell Richard Jackmore, George Haze, John Gaine, Robert Clarke, Wm Carrell, William Johnson William Knight, Wm Snellick and Jacob Overman which said Rights of land I assign over to the said Charles Calvert and his heirs from me the said Thomas Harwood and my heirs which are due to me for transporting the said servants according to his Lopps Condition of plantacon In wittnesse whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seale this eleventh day of March in the xxxvith yeare of his Lopps Dominnion over the province of Maryland Annoy Doln One thousand six hundred sixty seven. Signed Sealed & delivered in the presence of Us Thomas Harwood seale Jerome White Daniel Jenifer

A second contemporaneous document^[20] sells the headrights for another six persons specifically listed as being on the Thomas & Mary to Jerome White who will be noted is a witness on the above document with Jacob's name.

Research Notes

Research Note 1: Speculations concerning Jacob Overman's origins. It is sometimes stated he came from Germany but this is entirely unproven and unlikely.^[21] There are various stories of his name having been changed from Weberman to Overman or from Oberman to Overman, however, none of these appear to have credibility and all lack documentation.

His year of birth is frequently seen as 1652 however this is undocumented.

Research Note 2: Richard Gorsuch came from Virginia to Maryland in 1660. His father, a Loyalist Anglican clergyman, Rev. John Gorsuch, rector of Walkern, Hertfordshire, was killed by Puritans in England in 1647. Richard and three brothers emigrated with their mother to Virginia about 1652 and became converts to Quakerism. They were driven out of Lancaster Co by Gov. Berkeley in 1660. Perhaps Gorsuch introduced Jacob Overman to the Quaker church.

Research Note 3: Speculations concerning Hannah's maiden name. Walcott, Wiswall, and Munnings have all been suggested as Hannah's maiden name without documentation.^[7]

Joyce Overman Bowman writes on the Overman Family Forum:

April 05, 2000 at 03:16:53

In reply to: Re: Hannah spouse of Jacob Overman 1/22/00

There has been a misconception for years that Hannah's surname was Wiswall (or Walcott). Her surname is unknown. About 1670 there was a Thomas Overman in Boston who became the 3rd husband of Hannah Wiswall. (Her first 2 husbands were Mahalaleel Munnings & William Read.) Hannah's father, Elder John Wiswall died in 1687 and in his will named one of his daughters as Hannah Overman. When this Thomas Overman & Hannah Wiswall Munnings Read were married in Boston, Jacob Overman was in Maryland, serving a 6 year indenture to Richard Gorsuch. There is nothing known about Thomas Overman--progenitors, descendants, or place of origin--and nothing to connect to our Jacob.

Research Note 4: Is the indentured labor system human trafficking? So you are a fourteen year old boy on the streets of London in the fall of 1666 following the Great Fire. By hook or crook you find yourself being sold to a ship's Captain. Actually what is happening is that a contract for your labor (an indenture) for the next few years is being traded for your passage to the new world and in many circumstances you will have little to say in the matter. Upon arrival in the Maryland, the ship's Captain will hold a large number of these of these contracts. Ideally, he will find a market maker who buys all of his contracts, and who, subsequently, will sell them individually. Once your contact has been delivered to your new master, he takes you before a Judge who declares you term of indenture. As a minor you can expect your period of indenture to end upon your reaching maturity.

EARLY RECORDS OF NC, VOL. II; Dr. Stephen E. Bradley, Jr. 104/94 Will of John Tomlinson dated 14 Oct 1697; probate 2 Mar 1697. Wife Elizabeth, Children: John, Elizabeth, William & Mary. Wit: Jacob Overman, Dorothy Overman. 147/123 Will of Magdalen (X) Calley dated 22 Dec 1699. Wit: Henry White, Jacob Overman

Research note 5: South Carolina Quaker meeting notes: Deaths Jacob Overman Jr July 8 1715 Ephraim Overman son??? 1732 Joseph Overman son of Jacob and Rebecca Dec 6 1739 John Overman Dec 4 1744 James Overman Jan 21 1746 Thomas Overman Nov 3 1761 Martha White Overman wife of William [dau of Nehemiah White] April10 1772 William Overman son of Joseph and MarthaOverman Feb 4 1774 Mary Overman wife of Nathan Overman Nov 20 ???? age 48?

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Skordas, Gust editor. 1986. The Early Settlers of Maryland : An Index to Names of Immigrants Compiled from Records of Land Patents 1633-1680 in the Hall of Records Annapolis Maryland. page 344. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Maryland State Archives designation for the original document: LAND OFFICE (Patent Record), Original, p 250 Thomas Harwood, 11 March 1667 (MSA S920-23, MdHR 17,313, 1-28-4-29)(265) Lib:GG 230
3. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Charles Calvert, 3rd Baron Baltimore," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, (https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charles_Calvert,_3rd_Baron_Baltimore&oldid=1128533846  : 6 Feb 2023).
4. ↑ Talbot County, Maryland, "Talbot County Court Proceedings, 1662-1674," reproduced in William Hand Browne, Edward C. Papenfuse, et. al. eds., Archives of Maryland, 215+ volumes, (Baltimore and Annapolis, Md., 1883-), Vol. 54: xxv (preface) (hereinafter cited as Archives of Maryland). This series is ongoing and available on line at http://aomol.msa.maryland.gov/ where volumes, collectively or individually, can be searched electronically.
5. ↑ Talbot County, Maryland, "Talbot County Court Proceedings, 1662-1674," reproduced in William Hand Browne, Edward C. Papenfuse, et. al. eds., Archives of Maryland, Vol. 54: 424; citing Talbot County, Maryland, "Court Proceedings," Liber BB, No 2. p.87, 21 July 1668
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Deed found in LAND RECORD Vol 3, p 35, in locked cabinet in office of Town Clerk, Wethersfield, CT. The intersection of Hartford Avenue and the north town line, both of which maintain their same locations as in colonial times in the area of this property, form the northeast corner of this property in modern Wethersfield. Document found and transcribed by Sam Overman, 1992.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} "U.S., New England Marriages Prior to 1700," database with images, Ancestry (https:://www.ancestry.com : 13 Feb 2023) New England Marriages Prior to 1700 > images 563 of 1022.
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} Stiles, Henry Reed and Sherman W Adams. 1904. The History of Ancient Wethersfield Connecticut : Comprising the Present Towns of Wethersfield Rocky Hill and Newington ; and of Glastonbury Prior to Its Incorporation in 1693 from Date of Earliest Settlement until the Present Time. Vol II:524. New York: Grafton Press.
9. ↑ New England Historic Genealogical Society. 2008. The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. Vol. 20 (1866) p. 14. Boston Mass: New England Historic Genealogical Society.
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} "Connecticut, U.S., Church Record Abstracts, 1630-1920," database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : 6 Feb 2023), Volume 034 Farmington > image 216 of 327; citing Connecticut. Church Records Index. Connecticut State Library, Hartford, Connecticut. Farmington, Vol 34:213
11. ↑ North Carolina. General Court February 25, 1695 - March 01, 1695, Volume 01, Pages 443
12. ↑ Whitley, Caroline B. 2001. North Carolina Headrights: A List of Names, 1663-1744. p.20. Department of Archives and History, NC Dept of Cultural Resources, Raleigh.
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1 13.2} Winslow, Watson. 1931 reprinted 1990. History of Perquimans County; As Compiled from Records Found There and Elsewhere; Abstracts of Deeds from 1681 through the Revolution. p 45. Baltimore Md: Genealogical Publishing Co.; citing Perquimans County Deeds Book Vol. A, #95.
14. ↑ North Carolina. General Court February 25, 1695 - March 01, 1695, Volume 01, Pages 443
15. ↑ Author: Caroline B. Whitley, comp. Title: North Carolina Headrights: A List of Names, 1663-1744. Publication: Department of Archives and History, NC Dept of Cultural Resources, Raleigh, 2001, p.20.
16. ↑ North Carolina Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol I:304, Albemarle County Rent Roll for 468 acres, undated but prior to 1700
17. ↑ Guilford College; Greensboro, North Carolina; Records, Births, and Deaths, Vol 01, 1679-1813; Collection: North Carolina Yearly Meeting Minutes
18. ↑ ^{18.0 18.1} "North Carolina, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998," database with images Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : 3 Feb 2023) Not Stated > Wills, Vol 22-24, Mos-Pop > image 338/9 of 751; citing North Carolina. Wills, 1663-1789 Division of Archives and History; Probate Place: North Carolina
19. ↑ Grimes, J. Bryan. 1967. Abstract of North Carolina Wills. p 275. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub.
20. ↑ . Maryland State Archives designation for this document is LAND OFFICE (Patents) 11, p. 265 Thomas Harwood, 1 (sic) March 1667. The date was probably misread by the archivists because the "x" in the body of the text is separated from the "i" and is scribbled. The "x" in the upper list of passengers is easily discernable, however. These passengers probably accompanied Jacob Overman, as recorded in LAND OFFICE (Patent Record), Original, p. 250 Thomas Harwood, 11 March 1667 (MSA S920-23, MdHE 17,313, 1-28-4-29). Note that Daniell Jennifer witnessed both documents, while Jerome White was witness to one and beneficiary of the other. Charles Calvert, Governor of MD, was witness to one and beneficiary of the other.
21. ↑ Undated manuscript titled "Overman Express" prepared by Gwendolyn Fay Stewart Barber in memory of her grandmother, Florence Eveline Overman Terell found in the Lilly Library of Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana states that Jacob had come from Germany with his brothers prior to the year 1672 and that he was a bricklayer. The document cites no sources for the information. It should be noted a 1677 arrival date is documented elsewhere

• U.S., Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, Vol I–VI, 1607-1943
• North Carolina Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. I

Contents - April, 1900

Jacob Overman Jr in theU.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935 Record details Name Jacob Overman Jr Event Type Death Death Date 8 Sep 1715 Death Date on Image 8 1715 Seventh Death Place Pasquotank, North Carolina Monthly Meeting Symons Creek Monthly Meeting Yearly Meeting North Carolina Yearly Meeting Meeting State North Carolina Meeting County Pasquotank Acknowledgments

• This profile was re-sourced, edited, and bio rewritten by T Stanton 28 Oct 2018.