Travellers Rest

Travellers Rest was constructed in 1799 by Judge John Overton. Overton had come to Nashville, Tennessee from Virginia. He was an attorney by trade. He settled just south of Nashville. He originally called his plantation Golgotha. This was due to the fact that while digging the cellar for the home, several prehistoric skulls were discovered. Recent findings by archaeologists have determined that these skulls are from a large Mississippian village. Overton designed and constructed his new home in the Federal architectural style. This architectural style had been popular in the 13 colonies, and was gaining popularity as settlers moved westward. Travellers Rest is one of only a few remaining historic homes that feature this architectural style. The name Travellers Rest was given to the plantation in the early 19th century by Overton. He wanted the name to reflect the fact that he was able to rest and relax here after a long period of circuit riding. Overton's law career allowed him to do many things outside of Travellers Rest. In 1804 he was elected to the Tennessee Supreme Court to succeed his good friend Andrew Jackson. He served in that capacity until 1810. In 1819 Overton, Jackson, and James Winchester took land they jointly owned in the southwestern part of the state, and established Memphis. In 1820 Overton married Mary McConnell White. White had recently been widowed and left with five children to raise. Overton added on to the rear of Travellers Rest to accommodate them. Together Overton and White would have three children of their own. On April 12, 1833 John Overton passed away peacefully at Travellers Rest. At this time of his passing Travellers Rest consisted of a total of 2,000 acres. Mary Overton continued to live at Travellers Rest until her death in 1862. During the Civil War Travellers Rest served as headquarters to both Union and Confederate forces. Following the war John, son of Mary and Judge Overton, and his wife Harriet continued to oversee operations of the plantation. When they died their son John Overton II acquired the property. In 1887 he renovated the rear addition, adding a room upstairs and one downstairs. The home and property remained in the possession of the Overton family until 1946. The acreage dwindled over time as those who inherited it sold it. The first family to possess Travellers Rest and its adjacent lands was Dr. John Youmans. Youmans was a professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University. In 1951 he sold the home and property to the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. Youmans encouraged the railroad to donate the property to an historic preservation minded group. The Colonial Dames eventually stepped in and acquired the site. In 1989 they leased the site to a new group known as Travellers Rest Historic House Museum Incorporated. Together the two groups have turned the home and surrounding land into a lovely museum. The group prides themselves on the fact that Travellers Rest is the oldest house museum open to the pubic in Nashville. On December 30, 1969 Travellers Rest was added to the National Register of Historic Places. At Moore Historical Consulting I am committed to growing the National Register. I am also committed to historic preservation. For every Travellers Rest there are still thousands of homes just like it that need to be preserved. Do you know of one? If so contact Moore Historical Consulting today to get started.

Judge John Overton

Rear addition to Travellers Rest.

Smokehouse at Travellers Rest.

Modern barn used to host weddings and other events.

Tennessee Historical Commission historic marker at Travellers Rest.

Be sure to come back next week for another Throwback Thursday courtesy of Moore Historical Consulting. This Christmas why not give the gift that will last a lifetime? At Moore Historical Consulting I offer various heritage management strategies. Contact me today to learn more and get started. I make exploring your past fun and easy!!