Gilbert Davis Overton – Military Affiliation Unknown Government Official – New York Customs House

Gilbert Davis Overton was born on 18 July 1812 in Southold, Suffolk County, New York.  He was the son of  Maltiah Overton and Lucretia Davis Overton.  He married Julia Francis Westcott of Southold on 17 January 1838.  Julia Westcot was born on 29 April 1816 and she died in June 1866.  Gilbert died on 30 July 1849.

We are not certain of his miliary affiliation and therefore the reason that he is buried in Section 1 of Arlington National Cemetery.  In addition, we do not know where he was originally buried, nor when he was reinterred in Arlington (since Arlington National Cemetery was not established until June 1864.

Information Courtesy of Kathleen Overton, July 2006:

Gilbert Davis Overton
Occupation: Politician & Custom House Broker
(fourth child and second son of Maltiah Overton and Lucretia Davis)
Born July 12, 1812 at Southold, New York
Died July 30, 1849 at New York City
Buried at Greenwood Cemetery, lot No. 1896, grave No. 179 *
Cause of death: Asiatic Cholera

Was married, first January 17, 1838 at New York City to Julia Frances Westcott (second child and second daughter of Ezbon Westcott and Phebe Folger), born October 5, 1816 at Providence, Rhode Island, died June 19, 1866 at sea.  Cause of death: yellow fever.  Buried at sea.

* His remains were removed November 11, 1881 to the private lot – No. 3558 – of Charles D. Bailey – his sister’s husband – in same cemetery. At the time of his death he held a responsible position in the New York Custom House.  He was a man of distinguished manner and appearance and the writer hereof – his son – has often heard it said that his – the writer’s – father and mother were considered a “very handsome couple” when they were married.  He died when the writer was too young to receive lasting impressions concerning him; hence he cannot, in any way recall his appearance.  He has always understood however that he was considered by his contemporaries a very estimable and polished gentleman.  A fire destroyed all pictures and mementoes of him.

Direct Line
Julia Frances Westcot
Occupation: (second child and second daughter of Ezbon Westcott and Phebe Folger)
Born October 5, 1816 * at Providence, Rhode Island
Died June 19, 1866 at sea
Buried at sea
Cause of death: Yellow fever contracted at St. Iago (Santiago) de Cuba

Was married, first Jan. 17, 1838 at New York City to Gilbert Davis Overton (fourth child and second son of Maltiah Overton and Lucretia Davis), born July 12, 1812 at Southold, New York, died July 30, 1849 at New York City.  Cause of death: Asiatic Cholera epidemic of 1849.  Buried at Greenwood Cemetery near New York City. Was married, second at New York City to Cyrus Ramsay, M.D.  Cause of death: Typhoid Fever.

OVERTON, G D

• BURIED AT:   SITE 107-B
• ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard