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Planter
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As with
most of John Overton’s elite contemporaries, operating his 2300-acre
Travellers Rest plantation rounded out his varied business
interests. The plantation primarily yielded cotton, but Overton was
especially interested in his fruit orchards. He cultivated peaches,
apples, pears, and grapes. Some of this fruit was distilled into
brandy and wine. To plant and harvest the crops, Overton owned an
average of 50 slaves. Because Travellers Rest was located near town,
he frequently leased his slaves out as semi-skilled labor. This
allowed his slaves more opportunities to move about town and share
information. One of Overton’s slaves, named Harry, was leased out as
a blacksmith. It appears that Harry was so skilled as a blacksmith
that he attempted to go into business for himself. He changed his
name to James Farmer and posed as a free black in town. Overton
promptly put out a notice for his return, and it appears that
Harry’s plan was foiled as he was returned to Travellers Rest.
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Law Student |
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Tax Collector |
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Land Speculator |
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Judge |
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Memphis Founder |
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Banker |
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Husband |
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Advisor |
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Planter |
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