Tennessee Supreme Court Cases

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View Entry Year Case Name County Cause/Crime Case Description Division Location # Pages Order
View Entry 1846 Alfred H. Wynne, exe., of Elizabeth O. Spiers, dec. v. Charles Spiers Sumner Wills, Contested Middle Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 222 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1876 A. B. Moore, exe. v. Mary Moore, Mary W., George B, Anna M, Granville T, and Sallie Moore Sumner Wills, Contested

Granville Moore died, & A. B. was named executor. Mary Moore was Granville's widow; the other defendants were their children. Granville's will put A. B. in charge of the estate until the youngest child was "at age." However, A. B. recognizing the time this would take. He petitioned the widow and children to have the estate divided so that it might be settled, making his time as executor much shorter.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 10 48 Order A Copy
View Entry 1884 A. C. Bryan, et al. v. Robert Chaney, et al. Sumner Wills, Contested

Additional Defendant: Sallie Bryan. Additional Defendants: William Turley[?], Sophia Turley[?], Edmond Hardy, Elizabeth M. Hardy, James L. Perrin, Susan H. Perrin, William Perrin, Samuel Mitchell, Tabitha Mitchell. Sallie Bryan and A. C. Bryan brought this suit claiming to have the will of Hillary M. Chaney, dec. that gave them title to a farm in Sumner County.

 Middle Range: 34 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 591 610 Order A Copy
View Entry 1895 Bettie P. Franklin, exe. James Franklin, dec. v. Bessie F. Reed & husband Sumner Wills, Contested

James Franklin of Gallatin died 1891. Bessie Reed and husband petitioned the court claiming that J. Franklin's will (her father) was "executed when he was neither of sound mind or disposing memory" and "was illegally, improperly, and unduly influenced". The first cases in 1893 resulted in mistrials. In 1894 a final trial sided with the def. James Franklin owned "Kennesaw" a 300 acre horse farm. The large case contains rich historical details as told through 87 personal testimonies. Includes summaries.

 Middle Range: 36 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1052 485 Order A Copy
View Entry 1846 Bryan Ward et al. v. John Y. Roper Sr. et al. Sumner Wills, Contested

Additional Plaintiffs: E. P. Lowe, Matthew H. Ward, exe. of John W. Ward, dec. Additional Defendants: John Y . Roper, Jr. The deceased was married to Mary E. Ward, daughter of the defendant. They had 2 children, Mary and John, both under 10. The dispute in this case seemed to be over the guardianship and education of the two children. This case is located in MT OV 1.

 Middle Range: 34 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: Oversize 1 127 Order A Copy
View Entry 1887 Dr. Edward N. Franklin v. Dr. John W. Franklin Sumner Wills, Contested

2 folders. John A. Franklin (dec.) left a will that divided his estate among his heirs in which E.N. Franklin is named as trustee. Bill filed over the authenticity of the hand-written will.

 Middle Range: 35 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 751 422 Order A Copy
View Entry 1843 Fountain L. McDaniel et al. v. Martha Betole et al. Sumner Wills, Contested

Additional Complainant: Alexander William. Additional Defendant: Henry A. Betole. Concerns the property of one John Betole, deceased. Also partially concerns the ownership of slaves.

 Middle Range: 21 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 176 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1849 James Butler v. John Boyles, et al. Sumner Wills, Contested

Property contested includes several slaves. Additional defendants: James Boyle, Samuel Dye, Jane Dye, Bruce Dye, and Mary Dye.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 228 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1880 John W. Head, admr. v. James N. Haynes et al. Sumner Wills, Contested

Additional Defendants: J. L. Swaney, B. P. Swaney. Eliza Morris is mentioned in the case. Head is the admr. of James M. Swaney (deceased). Hayes is the former admr. of James M. Swaney.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 52 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1916 John H. Chambers v. M. S. Preston et al. Sumner Wills, Contested Middle Range: 21 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 111 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1894 John M. Guthrie, admr. Mary F. Rutherford, dec., et al v. John E. Wise, dec. & wife, et al Sumner Wills, Contested

Plaintiffs are John Guthrie (admr.) and Jason W. Rutherford (guardian of 4 young children of Mary F. Rutherford and husband, T. W. Rutherford, both dec.). Defendant is Johnnie (Puckett) Wise, daughter of Mary from 1st marriage who is now married to J Wise Case involves the eldest daughter contesting the will.

 Middle Range: 36 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1056 239 Order A Copy
View Entry 1890 John W. Franklin v. Dr. Ed N. Franklin Sumner Wills, Contested

J. A. Franklin (dec'd) left surviving him his father, the plaintiff, and brother, the defendant, and had not been married. The deceased was a travelling salesman and carried his will with him around the states. Upon his death, the will in question may have been lost according to the plaintiff, but the defendant claims to have found the will of the deceased and claims a majority of his estate. 4 additional folders located in MT 890.

 Middle Range: 35 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 858 835 Order A Copy
View Entry 1860 J. A. Anthony, et al. v. James W. Cryer, et al. Sumner Wills, Contested

Additional Plaintiffs: Elizabeth Anthony (wife), Edward R. Cryer, R. J. Cryer, and William Angel and wife Martha. Additional Defendants: D. J. Anthony and wife Elizabeth, Mary Cryer, Harry Cryer, Christy Cryer, and Carrol Martin and wife Emily.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 297 34 Order A Copy
View Entry 1868 John W. Head et al. v. L. M. Temple et al. Sumner Wills, Contested

Additional Plaintiffs: John Saffrons and wife Louisa, Leonidas Baker and wife R. G., John Baber and wife H. W., John Baber, and Jesse Jayner and wife Mary. Additional Defendant: Gulielma Temple (wife). Dispute involves a tract of land.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 323 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1875 Levi Shelton v. Daniel Montgomery, et al. Sumner Wills, Contested

Complete case: Levi Shelton v. Daniel Montgomery and wife, Louisa Montgomery, executors of M.B. Shelton, deceased, Betty, Margaret, Martin, Ida, Cross and Willie Montgomery. Mention M.B. Shelton was married twice, and died in 1871. Had adopted daughter, Louisa Montgomery. Levi Shelton was slave of M.B. Shelton. Levil Shelton sues family for upkeep as promised in M.B. Shelton's will.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 42 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1868 Thomas Barry v. James F. Lauck Sumner Contested Election

Election for Chancellor of the Seventh Chancery Division held on March 28, 1868. Contesting election due to allegation of fraud.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 272 292 Order A Copy
View Entry 1857 W. B. Bate, et al. v. Charles J. Coker, et al. Sumner Wills, Contested

Additional Plaintiffs: Samuel Kanak, E. Kanak, and S. Bush. Additional Defendants: Mary Coker, B.W. Thompson, Willis Lawson and wife Emily (Martha, Francis Isaac, George, Davis, Amelia, Elizabeth, David, and Richard Thompson), Abraham Martin and wife Polly, William Parker, Wilson Parker (and children Agnis, Isaac, John, and James Walsh).

 Middle Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 265 34 Order A Copy
View Entry 1908 W. M. Perry et al. v. George F. Seay Sumner Wills, Contested

Defendant acting as executor of estate of Minerva W. Perry, deceased.

 Middle Range: 33 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 520 107 Order A Copy
View Entry 1919 William B. Chrisman v. Mrs. Annie P. Chrisman et al. Sumner Wills, Contested

Next friend of complainant: John T. Chrisman; Defendant: Annie P. Chrisman herself and Annie P. Chrisman as exe. of E. E. Chrisman, deceased.

 Middle Range: 21 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 116 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1855 William H. Read, et al. v. Francis Rogan, et al.& Stone v. Parker Sumner Wills, Contested Middle Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 255 0 Order A Copy