853 Collierville-Arlington Rd. South Memphis, TN (northeast of Memphis)
Circa 1833. Large 2-story Greek Revival mansion
Judge John Overton (1766-1833) built the large mansion off the Wolf River northeast of Memphis.
From Memphis Heritage
After Judge Overton died, the home passed to their daughter, Anne Coleman Overton Brinkley (1823-1845). In 1841, she married Robert Campbell Brinkley (1816-1878). The home was in poor shape. Brinkley was one of the wealthiest men in Tennessee in 1844. He built the original Peabody Hotel and the first plank road from Germantown to Collierville. He helped establish the Memphis & Charleston Railroad.
In 1844, Greenlevel was sold to Bennett Bagby and Frances Leake Lewis Bagby. She was the widow of John Lewis. They converted the home to a guest house. In 1850, the Bagby family sold the property to his brother-in-law, Dr. Virginius L. Leake (1822-1873) and Martha Anderson Field Leake (1826-1878), and they moved to the property. A portico was added. Very involved in the community, the Leake family helped Collierville grow. During the Civil War, the home was used as a Confederate hospital especially after the Battle of Corinth.
Their son, Dr. Elgin Kossuth (E.K.) Leake (1850-1930), inherited the home. He was married to Mattie D. Leake (1852-1907) in 1874. After Mattie died, he remarried to Bessie Hill Leake (1873-1924) in 1914. They resided there until 1880. Then his sister, Martha Ellen “Nellie” Leake Fletcher (1858-1942) wed Dr. Morris Fletcher 1853-1879), and they moved into Greenlevel. They wed in 1879. At one point, Dr. Morris was mayor of Colllierville. Another son was Rev. Millard F. Leake, a Methodist priest and leader. He was a teacher and principal at Collierville Male Academy.
From the 1920s to the 1960s, the home was rented out and fell into great disrepair. In the 1960s, Alex Barzizza purchased the place and began great modern renovations - electricity, indoor plumbing. His family owns Southwestern Wine & Liquor. In 1981, he was able to present the home as a wedding gift to his son Alex J.
In 1986, Don L. Cottam, Jr. and Dyann Cottam purchased the property. He was a businessman in Memphis. NR 1987
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